Dynamic Vehicle Accessory Application Loading
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle systems face challenges in dynamically configuring to interact with vehicle accessories, such as trailers, without prior physical connection, due to varying configurations and software versions, leading to inefficiencies in accessing functionality and control.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the detection of an application identifier by a vehicle or vehicle accessory, authentication, and automatic downloading of configuration settings to enable seamless interaction and communication, allowing the vehicle to access and control the accessory's functionality via a data communications link.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vehicle checks configuration before downloading code, then system stability is improved, but adaptability to new accessories deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary configuration checks before allowing code downloads to ensure stability, while simultaneously maintaining a flexible architecture that can accommodate new accessory types. The vehicle controller authenticates the vehicle configuration state in advance, then proceeds with downloading accessory-specific codes from external sources once compatibility is confirmed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its configuration validation process based on the detected accessory type. When a new accessory is detected, the system can bypass certain predefined configuration checks that would otherwise block code downloads, allowing the vehicle to adapt to emerging accessory variations while maintaining core system stability.
2Reliability
If manual configuration is required, then compatibility control is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs configuration validation and code download processes without requiring manual user intervention. The vehicle controller autonomously detects the accessory, checks compatibility, retrieves appropriate codes from external sources, and applies configurations, thereby maintaining strict compatibility control while eliminating the need for users to manually configure settings.
Solution Approach 2:
An automated intermediary process acts as a bridge between the vehicle controller and external code sources. This intermediary automatically manages the complex compatibility checking and code retrieval processes, preventing users from needing to understand or manually configure technical parameters while ensuring proper compatibility validation occurs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If configuration updates are frequent, then adaptability is improved, but loss of time deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs configuration validation and code retrieval operations in advance before the accessory is fully integrated. By checking compatibility and preparing appropriate codes beforehand, the system minimizes the actual configuration time required when the accessory becomes operational, thus achieving frequent updates without significant time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The configuration process is designed as a continuous automated operation that can proceed in the background without interrupting vehicle operations. The controller continuously monitors for new accessories, maintains an updated repository of compatible codes, and seamlessly applies configurations as accessories are connected, eliminating idle configuration time while maintaining high adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of dynamically configuring a vehicle to interact with an accessory, for example, a trailer or piece of equipment, or another vehicle is disclosed. The method includes, responsive to a vehicle detecting a vehicle accessory, the vehicle detecting an application identifier from the accessory for an application to be executed on the vehicle to access functionality associated with a corresponding application executable on the accessory, authenticating the application by processing the application identifier, determining if the authenticated application can be loaded onto the vehicle from a verified application source, automatically downloading the authenticated application from the verified application source, applying configuration information to the loaded application in the vehicle, executing the authenticated application on the vehicle to provide the vehicle with access to the application functionality executing on the accessory via a communications link between the vehicle and the accessory, and synchronizing the resulting vehicle configuration with an off-board database of vehicle configuration records.