Li-Fi Vehicle Instrument Panel Virtualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of modern vehicles often find the instrument panel systems and symbols confusing, leading to frustration and potential safety issues due to the variability of symbols across manufacturers and models, requiring extensive manual consultation and distracting attention from driving.
Innovation Solution
A Li-Fi communication system that uses light fidelity technology to provide users with information about vehicle systems and symbols through a wireless device, allowing for virtualization of the instrument panel and coaching on vehicle operations, enabling users to understand symbols and systems without constant attention to the panel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If users consult user guides and manuals to understand instrument panel symbols and systems, then understanding of vehicle systems is improved, but attention is diverted from driving and time is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system (instrument panel with camera and display) that captures images of symbols and provides instant explanations, eliminating the need for users to consult physical manuals. The camera captures the symbol, the processor retrieves information, and the display shows the explanation immediately, serving as a mediator between the user and the vehicle system information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical manual consultation with an electronic/digital system. Instead of users physically flipping through paper manuals, the system uses cameras to capture symbols, processors to retrieve data, and displays to present information digitally, substituting the entire mechanical information-retrieval process with electronic components.
2Loss of information
If users review instrument panel symbols while driving, then awareness of vehicle status is improved, but attention from driving is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the information display from the traditional two-dimensional instrument panel directly in front of the driver to a mobile device that can be positioned in various locations, including those less distracting to the driver. The system also adds the dimension of on-demand information retrieval, where users can request explanations only when needed, rather than continuously monitoring the panel.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by capturing images of symbols and preparing explanations in advance, so that when a user needs information, it is immediately available without requiring the user to actively search or interpret symbols in real-time while driving. The information is pre-processed and ready for instant delivery.
3Loss of information
If instrument panel symbols are made manufacturer-specific to provide detailed system information, then information accuracy is improved, but ease of operation is reduced due to variability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal system that can handle multiple manufacturer-specific symbol types through a single interface. The camera-based capture method and database-driven explanation system can accommodate symbols from any vehicle manufacturer, making the system multi-functional and universal rather than requiring separate systems for each manufacturer's symbol set.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by capturing images of the actual symbols displayed on the instrument panel and matching them against a database of known symbols. Instead of requiring users to memorize or interpret unique manufacturer-specific symbols, the system creates a digital copy of the visual symbol and retrieves the corresponding explanation, standardizing the information delivery regardless of the original symbol's manufacturer-specific design.
4Loss of information
If detailed information about all vehicle systems is provided on the instrument panel, then completeness of information is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex information processing and display functions from the traditional instrument panel system and relocates them to a separate mobile device. The instrument panel itself remains relatively simple, while the comprehensive information retrieval, processing, and presentation capabilities are taken out and implemented in the mobile device's processor and display system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing system that sits between the vehicle's existing instrument panel and the user. The camera captures symbols from the panel, the processor retrieves and processes detailed information from databases, and the mobile device display presents the information in an user-friendly format, mediating the complexity rather than adding it to the original panel system.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables users to conveniently and safely learn about vehicle components and systems, reducing confusion and improving safety by providing information and guidance through a wearable device, allowing users to focus on driving while receiving necessary information.
Implementation Method 1
A Li-Fi communication system that uses light fidelity technology to provide users with information about vehicle systems and symbols through a wireless device
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for light fidelity (“Li-Fi”) communication of a vehicle are provided. The systems and method may include determining an event associated with the vehicle. The systems and methods may generate, based upon the determined event, a Li-Fi communication specific to a location within the vehicle. The Li-Fi communication may include information based on an operational characteristic of the vehicle. The generated Li-Fi communication may be sent to a wireless device.