On-Board Unit Interface Using Smartphones for Telematic Services
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing on-board units (OBUs) for telematic traffic services have small displays that make information difficult to read and limited user interaction capabilities, with pushbuttons being inconvenient and costly to enhance for more complex interfaces.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an on-board unit with a data processing unit and a proximity communications module that uses external user devices like smartphones or tablets for a user interface, allowing for efficient and easy interaction with the OBU via software applications, including voice commands and additional services without increasing the OBU's cost or size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the display size of the OBU is increased to improve information display capability, then the user can read information more easily, but the cost and size of the OBU increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an external user device (smartphone, tablet, or wearable device) as an intermediary between the user and the OBU. The external device displays telematic traffic service information and receives user commands, eliminating the need for a large display on the OBU itself. The OBU only needs a small indicator light to show connection status, while the external device handles complex information presentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the display function and complex user interface from the OBU and relocates it to an external user device. The OBU retains only essential functions (radiofrequency communication, proximity communication, and basic indicator lights), while the external device provides the enhanced display and input capabilities.
2Ease of operation
If pushbuttons are used for user interaction, then the OBU structure remains simple, but the user interaction capability is limited and inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The external user device acts as a mediator that provides sophisticated input methods (touchscreen, voice recognition, physical buttons on the external device) while the OBU maintains its simple structure. The proximity communications module enables wireless or wired connection between the external device and OBU, allowing complex interactions without adding complexity to the OBU hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical pushbuttons on the OBU with electronic input methods on the external device (touchscreen, voice commands, or wireless communication). This substitution allows for more versatile and convenient user interaction while keeping the OBU structure simple.
3Ease of operation
If a more sophisticated user interface is provided on the OBU, then user interaction is improved, but the cost of the OBU increases undesirably
Solution Approach 1:
The external user device serves as a cost-effective intermediary that already possesses sophisticated user interfaces (smartphones, tablets, wearables). By leveraging these existing devices, the system provides enhanced user interaction capabilities without incurring the additional cost of integrating expensive display and input hardware into the OBU.
Solution Approach 2:
The external user device serves multiple functions: it displays telematic traffic service information, provides input methods for user commands, and can potentially be used for other purposes. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated expensive hardware in the OBU, as the external device already performs these roles.
Data Source
AI summary
A system comprising an on-board unit (OBU) for a telematic traffic service, for example an automatic toll collection service, and a software application which can be executed by an external user device, for example a smartphone, is described. The OBU comprises both a radiofrequency communication module for communicating with the road-side units (RSU) of the telematic traffic service and a proximity communications module (for example Bluetooth) for communicating with the external user device. The data processing unit of the OBU executes software applications which support the telematic traffic service and additional services. The software application executed by the external user device provides the user, via the user interface of the external user device and the proximity communications module of the OBU, with access to the telematic traffic service and to the additional services supported by the OBU.