Infotainment Head Unit Mobile Device Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Infotainment systems in vehicles face challenges with limited feature expansion and increased costs due to the need for higher performance computing resources and software maintenance across different levels of feature content, which restricts the ability to upgrade entry-level systems and complicate software management.
Innovation Solution
A system that integrates a feature-rich application platform on a mobile device with a vehicle infotainment system, using a head unit with computing resources and a communications interface to communicate user commands to a content provider application on the mobile device, allowing for the sharing of resources and enabling the use of mobile device applications on the infotainment system, thereby enhancing features without increasing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If higher performance computing resources are added to infotainment systems to enable more features and applications, then system performance and feature capability are improved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mobile device as an intermediary computing platform that bridges the gap between limited head unit resources and desired feature capabilities. The mobile device handles complex application processing while the head unit manages infotainment control, allowing feature-rich functionality without upgrading expensive head unit hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments computing functions between two separate devices: the head unit (managing audio/video/output) and the mobile device (handling application logic and processing). This division allows each component to remain simple and cost-effective while achieving combined high capability through their collaboration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If more features and applications are integrated into the infotainment system, then system functionality is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device serves as an intermediary that absorbs system complexity. Instead of complicating the head unit with multiple applications and features, the mobile device handles application management while the head unit maintains its simpler infotainment control architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device provides universal application functionality that can serve multiple infotainment purposes (navigation, entertainment, information, etc.) without requiring the head unit to be designed for each specific function, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If entry-level infotainment systems are provided with sufficient resources for upgrading, then future upgradeability is improved, but initial manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts functionality by leveraging the mobile device's evolving capabilities. As mobile devices gain new features and applications over time, the infotainment system automatically benefits from these upgrades without requiring head unit hardware changes, providing continuous upgradeability at no additional manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of building upgradeable hardware into the head unit, the system copies application functionality from the mobile device to the infotainment environment. This allows the head unit to remain simple while gaining access to increasingly sophisticated features as the mobile device evolves.
Data Source
AI summary
A system is provided for integrating a feature rich application platform operating on a mobile device with a vehicle infotainment system. The system includes a head unit configured to control user interface devices including a display, a command entry device, and an audio output device. The head unit also includes computing resources and a communications interface. A content consumer application operates using the computing resources of the head unit, and is configured to communicate user generated commands over a communications interface to a content provider application executing on a mobile device. The content provider application is configured to direct the user generated commands to one of a plurality of sub-applications on the mobile device.