Automotive Concierge Mode Switching for Proactive In-Vehicle Interaction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional automotive assistants in vehicles primarily respond to occupant communications and lack the ability to proactively initiate interactions, often relying on speech-based communication which can be distracting and lack privacy, especially in situations requiring non-audio modes.

Innovation Solution

An infotainment system equipped with an automotive concierge that utilizes a context source, a prompter, and a mode selector to dynamically switch between audio and non-audio interaction modes based on context, including touch-screen interfaces, to provide proactive and context-aware information services, and interacts with external applications through a hierarchical architecture of domain-specific delegees.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If speech-based communication is used for automotive assistant interactions, then driver distraction is reduced, but privacy is compromised and non-audio interaction needs cannot be met

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriver distractionVSAvoidinteraction mode flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between audio and non-audio interaction modes based on real-time context analysis. The mode selector component adjusts the interaction modality (voice vs. touchscreen) according to driving conditions, privacy requirements, and task complexity, making the system adaptable rather than static

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the interaction parameter (audio vs. non-audio mode) based on contextual factors such as driving phase, privacy sensitivity, and task type. This allows the automotive assistant to optimize between driver distraction reduction and interaction versatility by adjusting the communication modality parameter

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If conventional automotive assistants only respond to occupant communications, then system complexity is reduced, but proactive information services cannot be provided

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassistant functionalityVSAvoidinformation service efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The automotive concierge proactively initiates interactions by predicting user information needs before they are explicitly expressed. It analyzes context data (location, time, driving phase, calendar events) to anticipate required information and presents it in advance, such as suggesting rest stops before driver fatigue sets in or preparing navigation before a meeting time approaches

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors context data and user responses to refine its proactive information services. By analyzing user feedback on predicted information needs, the concierge learns user preferences and adjusts its prediction accuracy, creating a closed-loop system that improves productivity while managing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If the automotive assistant provides comprehensive information services, then user needs are better met, but driver distraction increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation service coverageVSAvoiddriver distraction

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different interaction qualities to different information services based on their urgency and complexity. Critical safety information is delivered through simple audio alerts requiring minimal attention, while non-urgent information can be explored through touchscreen interactions when the vehicle is stationary or in autonomous mode

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The interaction mode dynamically adapts to driving conditions and information priority. During active driving phases, the system favors audio-based interactions with limited choices to minimize distraction. During parked or autonomous phases, it enables comprehensive touchscreen exploration for detailed information

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If audio channels are used for all interactions, then ease of operation is improved, but privacy is compromised and contextual appropriateness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinteraction convenienceVSAvoidcontext appropriateness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the communication channel parameter (audio vs. touchscreen) based on contextual analysis of privacy sensitivity, driving phase, and interaction type. This allows the same information service to be delivered through different channels appropriate to the situation, maintaining ease of operation while adapting to contextual requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12437014B2Proactive multi-modal automotive concierge

Publication Date: 2025.10.07 CERENCE OPERATING CO

AI summary

An apparatus for providing information services to a user in a vehicle includes an automotive concierge, a prompter, and an interaction mode. The automotive concierge is hosted by an infotainment system in the vehicle and engages in an interaction with the user based on context. The prompter generates a prompt for a model in response to an instruction from the automotive concierge, the instruction being based on the context information and the prompt being selected to cause the model to generate content that invites a choice from the user. The interaction mode delivers the content to the user and provides information from the user to the automotive concierge.