Telematics Unit Mobile Device Selection via Account Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

The current telematics systems in vehicles require users to manually select which paired cellular device to use for making calls, which can be confusing and distracting, especially while driving, leading to increased difficulty in vehicle operation.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that utilizes short-range wireless connections to retrieve account data from multiple mobile devices, allowing voice detection and recognition to determine which device to operate for placing calls based on user input, thereby simplifying the call placement process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the telematics unit pairs with multiple cellular devices, then the system provides greater versatility and convenience for the vehicle operator, but the complexity of device selection increases and becomes confusing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to use multiple paired devicesVSAvoidcomplexity of call placement process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically determines which paired device should be used for call placement by analyzing account data and user input, eliminating the need for manual device selection. The telematics unit autonomously resolves the device selection based on pre-retrieved account information and voice or text input, making the system self-serve the user's intent without requiring the user to navigate complex selection interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical process of selecting a device through interface navigation is replaced with automated voice detection and recognition systems. The user simply speaks their intent, and the system automatically translates this into the appropriate device selection and call placement action, substituting the manual selection mechanism with an automated acoustic recognition system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If the vehicle operator manually selects which paired device to use for calls, then the system maintains control over device selection, but the ease of operation decreases and becomes burdensome while driving

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of call placementVSAvoidtime required for device selection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system retrieves and stores account data from all paired devices in advance, before the call placement operation is needed. This preliminary action prepares the system with all necessary information about available devices and their associated accounts, so that when the user wants to place a call, the system can immediately match the user's intent with the appropriate pre-analyzed device information without requiring time-consuming manual selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the system requires manual device selection, then the operator maintains awareness of which device is being used, but the distracting nature increases and makes vehicle operation more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator awareness of active deviceVSAvoiddistraction during driving

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides automated feedback to the operator about which device is being used for the call. After analyzing the user input and determining the appropriate device, the system communicates this information back to the user, maintaining operator awareness of the active device while eliminating the need for manual selection and reducing distraction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10674427B2System and method to select and operate a mobile device through a telematics unit

Publication Date: 2020.06.02 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A system for mobile computing device selection and operation thereof, the system including: a memory configured to include one or more executable instructions; a controller configured to execute the executable instructions; and where the executable instructions enable the controller to: establish a first short-range wireless connection (SRWC) with a first mobile computing device; establish a second SRWC with a second mobile computing device; retrieve account data from the first mobile computing device via the first SRWC; retrieve account data from the second mobile computing device via the second SRWC; receive a user input regarding the retrieved account data; determine whether the retrieved account data is associated with the first or second mobile computing device; and operate the first or second mobile computing device based on the determination of whether the retrieved account data is associated with the first or second mobile computing device.