Spatially Aware In-Car Entertainment for Passenger Boredom

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Solution Overview

Problem

Passengers on long automobile journeys often face boredom due to the lack of engaging entertainment options, particularly when children of different ages travel together, as traditional games require a playmate and are not adaptable to varying environments.

Innovation Solution

An automotive processing-unit with an infotainment system that utilizes spatial intelligence from sensors, cameras, and a geo-positioning system to create dynamic and environment-aware entertainment applications, allowing the vehicle to act as a game controller and providing interactive experiences that incorporate the surrounding scenery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional games are used for entertainment, then passengers can relieve boredom, but the games require a playmate and are not adaptable to varying environments or age groups

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different age groups and environmentsVSAvoidrequirement of a playmate

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables the vehicle to entertain passengers independently without requiring another person to play with. The automotive processing unit executes entertainment applications that interact with the passenger directly, using sensors to detect gestures and cameras to track gaze direction, allowing the vehicle itself to provide the entertainment experience rather than requiring a playmate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The entertainment system is designed to accommodate passengers of different ages and preferences through multiple application types including games, educational content, and information provision. The system adapts its behavior based on detected passenger characteristics and environmental context, making it universally applicable to various passenger demographics and travel conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the infotainment system uses spatial intelligence from sensors and cameras to create dynamic entertainment applications, then the entertainment value and engagement are enhanced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironment-aware entertainment capabilityVSAvoidintegration of sensors, cameras, and processing systems

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple existing vehicle systems (sensors, cameras, geo-positioning, infotainment processing unit) into an integrated entertainment system. Rather than adding separate components, the system merges these existing elements to create spatially-cognizant entertainment applications, reducing overall complexity while enhancing functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The automotive processing unit acts as an intermediary that processes data from various sensors and cameras, translating this information into entertainment applications. This mediator approach simplifies the system architecture by centralizing the processing logic and providing a unified interface between the physical sensors and the entertainment output

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Use of energy by moving object

If the entertainment application dynamically varies operation based on external features and passenger behavior, then the entertainment value increases, but the computational requirements and processing load increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveentertainment engagement and attention captureVSAvoidcomputational processing power required

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The system selectively processes spatial intelligence data based on the current entertainment application and detected passenger interest levels. Rather than continuously analyzing all sensor inputs, the system applies processing only when and where needed to maintain engagement, reducing overall computational load while preserving entertainment effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-processes and categorizes spatial intelligence data from sensors and cameras before executing entertainment applications. By preparing and organizing environmental data in advance, the system reduces real-time processing requirements during actual entertainment delivery, lowering power consumption while maintaining dynamic responsiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11745095B2Automotive entertainment applications

Publication Date: 2023.09.05 CERENCE OPERATING CO

AI summary

An apparatus for entertaining an entertainee in a passenger vehicle includes an infotainment system having an automotive assistant that executes a spatially-cognizant entertainment application that interacts with the entertainee. In doing so, the automotive assistant receives information about the vehicle's environment from peripheral devices connected to the infotainment system. This provides the entertainment application with spatial intelligence that it then uses while interacting with the entertainee.