Smart Floor Mat User Presence Detection and Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle floor mats primarily serve to protect the vehicle floor from dirt and do not utilize their potential as information processing centers or controllers for internal systems, lacking the ability to personalize settings based on user preferences.

Innovation Solution

Equipping floor mats with sensors and communication interfaces to detect user presence and characteristics, allowing them to communicate with a central controller to control internal vehicle systems such as heating, air-conditioning, audio, and lighting based on user preferences stored in a mapping database.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If floor mats are equipped with sensors and communication interfaces to detect user presence and characteristics, then the ability to personalize vehicle settings is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepersonalization capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The floor mat is transformed from a single-function protective component to a multi-functional device that combines user detection, data processing, and system control capabilities. The mat integrates sensors for detecting user presence and characteristics, processes this information locally, and communicates with vehicle systems to personalize settings, thereby achieving multiple functions within a single component.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The floor mat acts as an intermediary device between the user and the vehicle's internal systems. It captures user characteristics through sensors, processes this information, and transmits relevant data to the vehicle's control systems, serving as a mediating interface that enables personalized control without requiring direct user interaction with multiple vehicle systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If floor mats integrate sensors and processing capabilities to act as information processing centers, then the functionality is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation processing capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges previously separate components (floor mat, sensors, processing unit, communication interface) into a single integrated assembly. The floor mat structure incorporates the sensing elements and processing capabilities directly within the mat itself, eliminating the need for separate mounting components and simplifying the assembly process despite the increased functional complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If the floor mat automatically controls internal systems based on detected user characteristics, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanual intervention requirementVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The floor mat system performs self-service by automatically detecting user characteristics and autonomously controlling vehicle internal systems without requiring manual user input. The mat processes user data locally and triggers appropriate system responses automatically, enabling the system to serve itself and the user simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring user presence and characteristics through sensors, processing this information, and automatically adjusting vehicle systems accordingly. The detection- processing- control loop creates a closed feedback system that responds dynamically to user needs without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3505394B1Method, system, and device for controlling internal systems within a vehicle based on user preferences
Publication Date: 2021.08.25 WIPRO LTD
  • EP3505394B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3505394B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3505394B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method, system, and device for controlling internal systems within a vehicle based on user preferences is disclosed. The method includes detecting, by a floor mat, presence of a user seated on a seat within the vehicle. The method further includes capturing, by the floor mat, at least one user characteristic associated with the user in response to detecting presence of the user. The method includes controlling, by the floor mat, at least one internal system within the vehicle based on the at least one user characteristic, wherein the floor mat communicates with a central controller in the vehicle to control the at least one internal system.