Wireless Terminal Map Orientation via GPS and Intermediary Server

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current handheld wireless terminals for navigation have limited storage capacity and functionality, restricting their ability to provide comprehensive navigational and communication services due to the voluminous nature of map information.

Innovation Solution

A wireless terminal system that utilizes GPS receivers to determine location and orientation, accessing map segments from servers or local storage, and displaying them correctly on a user interface, along with icons representing the terminal's position, to offer improved navigational and communication capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If handheld wireless terminals use limited storage capacity, then device portability is maintained, but mapping ability and communication functions are restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemapping ability and communication functionsVSAvoidstorage capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a wireless communication interface as an intermediary between the handheld terminal and external map servers. This allows the terminal to access comprehensive map data remotely rather than storing it locally, thereby maintaining limited storage capacity while achieving extensive mapping ability through network-connected map segments stored on remote servers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If map information is stored locally on handheld terminals, then navigation functionality is improved, but device complexity and storage requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation functionalityVSAvoidstorage requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a server-based map storage architecture where map data is maintained remotely and accessed through wireless communication. This intermediary approach allows navigation functionality to be enhanced without increasing local storage requirements, as the server handles the bulk of map information storage and retrieval operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides map information into segments that can be selectively downloaded and cached on the terminal only when needed for current navigation routes. This segmentation allows the terminal to maintain minimal local storage while accessing comprehensive navigation functionality through selective retrieval of relevant map segments from the server.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If comprehensive map information is stored on handheld devices, then navigational capabilities are enhanced, but the devices become less portable and more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigational capabilitiesVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless communication interface serves as a mediator that connects the simple handheld terminal to the comprehensive map information stored on remote servers. This allows the terminal to maintain simple device structure and high portability while achieving enhanced navigational capabilities through network-assisted map data access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables enhanced navigational functionality by accurately displaying user location and physical features, allowing for better orientation and communication services, overcoming storage limitations and providing more useful navigation and communication functions.

Implementation Method 1

accessing its GPS receiver to determine its location coordinates

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGPS satellite positioning:

Data Source

PatentUS7480514B2GPS enabled cell phone with compass mode mapping function

Publication Date: 2009.01.20 AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL SALES PTE LTD

AI summary

A wireless terminal displays its location and a map segment on a display of the wireless terminal. Operation commences with the wireless terminal accessing its GPS receiver to determine its location coordinates. Based upon its location coordinates, the wireless terminal accesses a map segment. The wireless terminal determines its orientation with respect to a reference direction. The wireless terminal displays the map segment on its display such that the map segment is displayed in a correct orientation with respect to mapped physical features. The wireless terminal displays an icon on its display that represents the wireless terminal. The icon is displayed on the map segment at a location corresponding to the location coordinates of the wireless terminal. The display of the wireless terminal orients the mapped physical features on the display so that they are oriented correctly with respect to the actual physical features.