Automated tracking of vehicle operation and synchronized gamified interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle computer systems fail to effectively reduce distracted driving by integrating mobile device notifications and vehicle tracking services, leading to safety risks during vehicle operation.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle computer system that synchronizes content delivery with the status of a mobile device's do-not-disturb mode and vehicle tracking service, providing media or gamified interfaces when both are active, and halting content delivery if either is inactive, thereby incentivizing users to keep their devices in do-not-disturb mode and activate vehicle tracking services.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If mobile device notifications are allowed during driving, then users can access information and communicate, but driver distraction and safety risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to information and communicationVSAvoiddriver distraction

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts and separates notification delivery from the driver's direct interaction with the mobile device. Notifications are delivered through the vehicle's audio system and display, allowing the driver to receive information without handling the device or being distracted by visual/physical interaction with the phone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The vehicle computer system acts as an intermediary between the mobile device and the driver. It receives notifications from the mobile device, processes them, and delivers them through appropriate channels (audio output, display screen) that do not require driver attention or device manipulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If vehicle tracking service is activated, then vehicle operation can be monitored and safety improved, but system complexity and data processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle operation monitoringVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle computer system performs multiple functions: it manages content delivery, monitors vehicle operation through tracking service, synchronizes these systems, and controls notification delivery. By consolidating these functions in a single system, the patent avoids adding separate complex subsystems while achieving comprehensive vehicle monitoring and control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If content delivery is continuously provided, then user engagement and entertainment are improved, but driver distraction risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser engagementVSAvoiddriver distraction

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors the driver's state and vehicle conditions, using this feedback to dynamically control content delivery. When the driver appears distracted or vehicle conditions warrant attention, the system adjusts or pauses content delivery. This feedback loop maintains user engagement while prioritizing safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Content delivery is made dynamic rather than static. The system adjusts content type, volume, and delivery timing based on real-time conditions such as driving context, driver state, and vehicle operation status. This allows entertainment to continue adaptively without creating consistent distraction risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Object-affected harmful factors

If mobile device notifications are silenced during driving, then driver distraction is reduced, but important communications may be missed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriver distractionVSAvoidmissed communications

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle computer system serves as an intermediary that ensures communications are not lost during driving. It receives notifications from the mobile device, maintains them in a queue, and delivers them through appropriate channels (audio announcements, display messages) that the driver can perceive without direct device interaction, thus preventing missed communications while maintaining safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11302121B1Automated tracking of vehicle operation and synchronized gamified interface

Publication Date: 2022.04.12 QUANATA LLC

AI summary

The described methods and systems decrease instances of distracted driving, encourage more frequent use of vehicle tracking services, and generally improve the risk profile of a driver and vehicle. These benefits are achieved by way of a vehicle computer system that incentivizes users to place mobile devices in a do-not-disturb (DND) mode and to activate vehicle tracking services. The vehicle computer system encourages these behaviors by enabling content delivery for devices within the vehicle based on the status of the mobile device(s) and the status of the vehicle tracking service(s). Specifically, the content delivery may comprise data for providing a gamified user interface within the vehicle.