Nomadic Device Status Alerting in In-Vehicle Infotainment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicle occupants often incorrectly assume that issues with nomadic devices connected to in-vehicle systems, such as dropped calls or slow data streaming, are due to the in-vehicle system when they are actually caused by the nomadic device or its connection, leading to unnecessary support center calls.

Innovation Solution

A method where the nomadic device determines its current status and provides this information to the in-vehicle system, allowing the system to alert the occupant through display, audio, or tactile signals, helping them identify if the problem is with the nomadic device rather than the in-vehicle system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the nomadic device provides status information to the in-vehicle system, then the vehicle occupant can accurately diagnose issues, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveissue diagnosis accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The in-vehicle system acts as an intermediary that receives status information from the nomadic device and presents it to the vehicle occupant through the infotainment system. This mediator approach allows accurate issue diagnosis without requiring the nomadic device itself to become more complex, as the processing and presentation functions are distributed to the in-vehicle system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The in-vehicle infotainment system is utilized for multiple purposes: its existing display and audio capabilities are used both for standard infotainment functions and for presenting nomadic device status information. This multi-functionality approach avoids adding dedicated complex diagnostic hardware, as the existing universal system is leveraged for dual purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of information

If the in-vehicle system presents status information through display and audio, then the occupant is better informed, but the ease of operation decreases due to additional controls needed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestatus information deliveryVSAvoiduser interface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The infotainment system's existing display and audio output capabilities are repurposed to present status information alongside standard infotainment functions. This approach delivers comprehensive status information without requiring separate dedicated controls or interfaces, as the universal infotainment system handles both purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically presents status information without requiring the vehicle occupant to manually query or configure anything. The nomadic device and in-vehicle system handle the information exchange automatically, and the infotainment system automatically displays or announces status updates, eliminating the need for additional user controls.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2960098B1Methods, device and system for assisting a vehicle occupant utilizing functionality of a nomadic device via an in-vehicle system
Publication Date: 2020.11.04 VOLVO CAR CORP
  • EP2960098B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2960098B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2960098B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a method performed by a nomadic device (3) paired with an in-vehicle system (2) of a vehicle (1), for assisting a vehicle occupant utilizing functionality of the nomadic device via the in-vehicle system, in avoiding incorrectly assuming the in-vehicle system to be at fault rather than the nomadic device. The nomadic device determines (1003) status data (30) reflecting a current status associated with the nomadic device. The nomadic device furthermore provides (1005) status information (301) to the in-vehicle system, which status information is based on the status data. Indicative information (200) derived from the status information is adapted to be presented by the in-vehicle system. The disclosure also relates to a nomadic device in accordance with the foregoing, an in-vehicle system and a method performed therein, and a vehicle (1) comprising such an in-vehicle system.