Wireless Device Scheduling Logic for Automatic Directions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users of wireless communication devices with scheduling functionality face the inconvenience of needing to manually enter starting and ending locations to obtain directions to unknown event locations, which can be time-consuming and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A wireless communication device with application logic that interfaces with scheduling logic to access event-related data, allowing users to automatically obtain directions to event locations by sending a request message to a server via a wireless network, which determines the location and returns graphical directions for display on the device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If users manually enter starting and ending locations to obtain directions, then directions can be obtained, but the process becomes time-consuming and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedirections obtaining efficiencyVSAvoidtime for manual input
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-stores location information (such as telephone numbers associated with locations) in the scheduling application before directions are needed. When a user schedules an event, the location data is automatically captured and stored, eliminating the need for manual entry later when directions are requested.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The scheduling application automatically retrieves and uses its own stored location data to generate directions requests. The system serves itself by utilizing existing event information (telephone numbers, addresses) already in its database, rather than requiring external manual input from the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If the system automatically uses existing event data to obtain directions, then user convenience is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidapplication logic complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The scheduling application performs multiple functions: it not only manages event scheduling but also stores location information and generates directions requests. By making the scheduling application multi-functional, the patent avoids creating a separate dedicated directions application, thereby managing complexity while providing enhanced functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the directions-obtaining functionality with the existing scheduling application. The application logic that manages events is merged with the capability to retrieve location data and request directions, consolidating multiple functions into a single application rather than requiring separate systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP1932321A1System and method of obtaining directions to scheduling events
Publication Date: 2008.06.18 SONY ERICSSON MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS AB

AI summary

A wireless communications device includes application logic and scheduling logic. The scheduling logic allows a user to create and maintain a schedule of events the user is interested in, and notifies the user of a scheduled event based on event / calendar data stored in memory of the wireless communications device. The application logic interfaces with the scheduling logic to determine when the scheduled event will occur, and generates a request for directions to a location of the scheduled event. The request may include event data associated with the scheduled event. A server receives the request and determines the directions based on the event data. The server sends the directions to the wireless communications device , which displays the directions to the user. The directions may be displayed as text or as a map .