In-Vehicle Infotainment Application Verification Simulator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Developing applications for in-vehicle infotainment systems that connect with smartphones is challenging due to the need for real vehicle or equipment setups, which are costly and inconvenient for verification.

Innovation Solution

A simulator system comprising a client simulator and a server simulator that mimics the infotainment system and smartphone environments, allowing for virtual verification of application operations using MirrorLink technology, including session simulation and framebuffer analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If real vehicle or additional equipment is used for application verification, then verification accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveverification accuracyVSAvoidequipment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual environment that copies the essential characteristics of the real infotainment system and smartphone connection. Instead of using actual vehicles and equipment, the invention implements software-based simulators that replicate the MirrorLink protocol behavior, session management, and data exchange patterns, providing accurate verification without physical hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a virtual environment as an intermediary between the application developer and the real infotainment system. This virtual environment includes simulated components that mediate the verification process, allowing developers to test applications against realistic scenarios without direct access to expensive physical equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If real vehicle setup is used for verification, then verification authenticity is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveverification authenticityVSAvoidverification convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The virtual environment replicates the authentic infotainment system behavior through software simulation, maintaining verification authenticity while eliminating the need for physical vehicle setup. The simulator captures essential protocols and interaction patterns, providing genuine testing conditions in a virtual context

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent sets up the verification environment in advance by creating pre-configured virtual infotainment systems and smartphone models. Developers can access ready-to-use virtual environments without performing complex physical setup procedures, making the verification process more convenient while maintaining authenticity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If virtual simulation environment is used, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveverification convenienceVSAvoidoperation verification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by implementing high-fidelity simulation only for the specific components and protocols relevant to MirrorLink connectivity. Rather than attempting to simulate every aspect of a real vehicle system, the virtual environment focuses precision on the critical data exchange paths, session management, and protocol behaviors that matter for application verification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Reliability

If real equipment is used for connection simulation, then connection authenticity is improved, but productivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection authenticityVSAvoiddevelopment efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The virtual environment creates copy representations of infotainment systems and smartphones that can be instantiated quickly and accessed remotely. Multiple virtual instances can run simultaneously, enabling parallel development and testing activities that improve productivity while maintaining connection protocol authenticity through accurate MirrorLink simulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS10275344B2Method for verifying operations for common application development of in-vehicle infotainment system and mobile terminal

Publication Date: 2019.04.30 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A method capable of verifying operations of a common mobile application for providing an interworking function between an in-vehicle infotainment system and a mobile terminal is disclosed. A method for verifying an application using a simulator may comprise: a step for running a first simulator including a client simulator and a second simulator corresponding to a server simulator; a step for inputting client setting information and server setting information to the first simulator; a step for starting a session between the first simulator and the second simulator; a step for running an application to be verified; a step for registering, to the server simulator, the application to be verified; a step for obtaining, by the application to be verified, a replacer module from the second simulator; and a step for registering, to the second simulator, a function for receiving status change information of the application to be verified.