Vehicle Head Unit Proxy for Mobile App Adaptability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle head units are not easily adaptable to new mobile applications due to fixed configurations at manufacture, leading to inoperability with newly released apps and requiring expensive hardware updates for download and operation.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a remote server to download and execute application instructions on a vehicle head unit, utilizing a template HMI application and generic display screens, allowing new mobile device applications to be controlled and displayed without requiring hardware updates, by translating messages between the mobile phone and head unit through a handset application proxy and head unit proxy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle head unit uses a fixed configuration at manufacture, then the hardware is stable and reliable, but it cannot adapt to newly released mobile applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adaptability by allowing the head unit to download and execute new application instructions from a remote server. The system transitions from a static fixed configuration to a dynamic architecture where software can be updated and new applications can be added without hardware changes, resolving the contradiction between stability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the application functionality into separate downloadable instruction sets that can be independently updated. The head unit separates core system functions from application-specific functions, allowing applications to be updated or added without affecting the stable core hardware platform, thus enabling adaptability without increasing overall system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle head unit downloads and executes application instructions from a remote server, then adaptability to new apps is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a remote server as an intermediary that manages application instructions. The server acts as a mediator between the mobile device applications and the head unit, handling the complexity of application distribution, validation, and deployment. This allows the head unit to gain adaptability while the server absorbs the system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by downloading application instructions from the remote server to the head unit's memory. Instead of implementing complex application logic directly in the head unit hardware, the system copies executable instructions from the server, enabling adaptability while keeping the head unit's internal complexity low.
3Ease of operation
If the head unit uses a template HMI application with generic display screens, then ease of operation is improved, but customization for specific applications is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal template-based HMI application that can serve multiple different mobile applications through parameterization. The generic display screens are designed to be configurable with different data sources and layouts based on the active application, allowing one universal interface to adapt to multiple specific applications, thus maintaining ease of operation while providing necessary customization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes to customize the template HMI for different applications. The generic display screens accept configurable parameters that are dynamically adjusted based on which application is active, allowing the same interface template to display different content and controls appropriate for each application without requiring separate custom interfaces.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems, software and methods are disclosed for using a mobile phone (1640) in conjunction with a head unit (1620) of a vehicle. The user interface of a user application program (1644) executing on the mobile phone is extended to utilize a generic display screen (2104) of the head unit, so that custom or per application development of head unit software can be avoided. Preferably, a handset application proxy (HAP) software application (1642) is installed and executable in the mobile phone; and a head unit proxy (HUP) software component (1630) is executable on the head unit. The HAP and the HUP communicate messages (1814, 1824) between the head unit and the mobile phone. Preferably, the HAP (1700) includes a scripting language component (1710) associated with the user application (Nomadic Appn), and having a template message translator component (1712).