Proximity-Based User Settings Transfer in Multi-Vehicle Fleets

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for providing user-specific settings in motor vehicles are inadequate when multiple users share a vehicle or a fleet of vehicles, as they do not account for different users or vehicles being used alternately.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a central data processing device that stores user-specific data and vehicle positions, allowing wireless transmission and proximity-based activation of settings, enabling user-specific settings across multiple vehicles without requiring the mobile communication appliance to be present in the vehicle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If user-specific settings are stored locally in the motor vehicle, then the settings can be quickly accessed, but the settings cannot be transferred when different users or multiple vehicles are used alternately

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser-specific settings transferabilityVSAvoiddata management system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A central data processing device is introduced as an intermediary between multiple motor vehicles and mobile communication appliances. This central device stores user-specific settings and vehicle position data, enabling seamless transfer of settings across different vehicles without requiring direct communication between vehicles and user devices. The intermediary resolves the contradiction by providing a shared repository that maintains adaptability while simplifying individual vehicle complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from local, vehicle-specific data storage to a cloud-based, centralized data storage dimension. By moving user-specific settings from the local vehicle memory to a remote central data processing device accessible via network, the system enables cross-vehicle transferability without increasing the complexity of individual vehicle systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the motor vehicle continuously transmits position data, then user-specific settings can be automatically activated, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic settings activationVSAvoidvehicle energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous transmission, the motor vehicle transmits position data periodically or at specific events such as when the vehicle is parked or when a certain time interval has elapsed. This periodic transmission maintains the capability for automatic settings activation while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous real-time transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile communication appliance performs self-service by repeatedly ascertaining its own position and comparing it with the stored vehicle position. This eliminates the need for the vehicle to continuously transmit position data, as the user's device independently determines proximity and triggers settings activation, thereby reducing vehicle energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If the mobile communication appliance continuously monitors position, then proximity detection is accurate, but battery consumption of the appliance increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproximity detection accuracyVSAvoidmobile appliance battery consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile communication appliance performs position ascertainment periodically rather than continuously, checking its position at intervals or when triggered by specific conditions. This periodic monitoring maintains sufficient proximity detection accuracy for the application while significantly reducing battery consumption compared to continuous real-time tracking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

4Adaptability or versatility

If user-specific settings are stored in the central data processing device, then settings can be managed across multiple vehicles, but data transmission requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-vehicle settings managementVSAvoiddata transmission volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts and stores only essential identification data (vehicle position and user-specific setting identifiers) in the central data processing device, rather than transmitting complete setting datasets. When a vehicle needs settings, only the necessary data is retrieved and transmitted, significantly reducing overall data transmission volume while maintaining multi-vehicle management capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS9043049B2Method for providing user-specific settings in a motor vehicle and method for determining an assignment of a mobile communications device to a motor vehicle from a plurality of motor vehicles

Publication Date: 2015.05.26 AUDI AG

AI summary

Data and consequently settings in a motor vehicle are personalized in the present case using a central data processing device. The latter knows the positions of a motor vehicle or a plurality of motor vehicles and transmits these positions to a mobile communication appliance, which compares the transmitted positions with its own. If the result of the comparison is that the mobile communication appliance is situated in proximity to one of the motor vehicles, personalized data are transmitted, which can then be used to make personalized settings.