Vehicle Command Mediation for User-Intent-Aware Function Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a risk that third-party applications may access vehicle functions and information at unintended times or with unintended contents, potentially operating the vehicle inappropriately.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle control device is configured to cooperate between applications providing services to the vehicle and functional blocks performing processing within the vehicle. It converts commands from applications into vehicle-dependent forms and determines whether these commands align with the user's intention, preventing execution if they do not.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If third-party applications are allowed to access vehicle functions freely, then service versatility is improved, but vehicle operation safety deteriorates due to potential inappropriate operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice versatilityVSAvoidvehicle operation safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a vehicle control device as an intermediary between third-party applications and vehicle functional blocks. This intermediary receives first commands from applications, converts them into vehicle-specific second commands, and determines whether to permit execution based on user intention alignment, thus enabling versatile application access while maintaining operational safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the command execution process into distinct stages: command reception from applications, command conversion to vehicle-specific format, user intention determination, and conditional execution permission. This segmentation allows for controlled access where each stage can independently verify safety requirements before proceeding

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If command conversion from application format to vehicle format is implemented, then system compatibility is improved, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem compatibilityVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle control device performs multiple functions within a single system: receiving commands from diverse applications, converting between different command formats, determining user intention, and controlling vehicle operations. This multi-functionality achieves broad system compatibility without requiring separate conversion systems for each application type

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250196871A1Vehicle control device, vehicle control system, acceptance determination method, and storage medium storing program

Publication Date: 2025.06.19 DENSO CORP

AI summary

A vehicle control device mounted on a vehicle and configured to control the vehicle is provided. The vehicle control device is configured to implement cooperation between an application configured to provide a service to the vehicle and a functional block configured to perform processing in the vehicle. The functional block is configured to convert a first command represented in a form independent of the vehicle and transmitted from the application into a second command in a form dependent on the vehicle and output the second command. The first command transmitted from the application is transferred to the functional block. The vehicle control device is further configured to determine whether the first command meets an intention of a user, and not to cause the functional block to output the second command when it is determined that the first command does not meet the intention of the user.