Vehicle Computing Device Mobile Interface Extraction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle computing devices require large displays and mechanical controls, leading to space constraints, user distraction, and increased theft risk due to fixed mounting, while also being expensive to produce.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle computing device that uses a mobile client device as a user interface via wireless communication, transmitting control instructions to enable control of vehicle systems without the need for a display or mechanical controls, allowing flexible placement and reducing production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a large display and mechanical controls are used to provide detailed information and control functions, then the user interface can display maps and control multiple systems, but the user interface takes up a considerable amount of space in the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the user interface functions (display and controls) from the vehicle computing device and relocates them to the user's mobile device. The computing device retains only the processing and control capabilities, while the mobile device provides the display interface, maps, and control elements, thereby freeing up significant space in the vehicle's center console and dashboard areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the mobile device's existing display, processor, and control interface capabilities to serve multiple functions: displaying maps, showing vehicle system information, and providing control elements for operating various vehicle systems. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for dedicated vehicle-specific display and control hardware.
2Ease of operation
If the display and control elements are fixed in position to provide stable interface, then the computing device can be mounted in dashboard, but the device becomes prone to theft
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the vulnerable display and control elements from the fixed dashboard mounting location and relocates them to the user's personal mobile device. The computing device can then be mounted in hidden or inaccessible positions within the vehicle, eliminating the theft risk associated with visible dashboard mounts while maintaining interface stability through the mobile device's fixed position in the user's possession.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple mechanical controls are provided to control numerous functions, then all vehicle systems can be operated, but the large number of control elements is confusing to operate and requires driver memorization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the mobile device's touchscreen interface and existing control elements (such as virtual keyboards, sliders, and buttons) to control multiple vehicle systems. A single control interface on the mobile device can adapt to control different functions based on the active application, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated physical controls and reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic control interface where the mobile device's display and control elements can be reconfigured based on the active vehicle system or function. The interface can change layout, control types, and information display according to the current task, providing adaptability without requiring the driver to memorize fixed control positions for multiple functions.
4Adaptability or versatility
If functions are operated through sub-menus on a fixed display, then multiple vehicle systems can be controlled, but the driver needs to focus on the display resulting in distraction from traffic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the display and control interface functions from the fixed vehicle dashboard display and relocates them to the user's mobile device. This allows the driver to interact with vehicle systems using familiar mobile device interfaces while potentially reducing distraction through the mobile device's positioning and interface design, while the computing device remains in a hidden or inaccessible location.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle computing device and a method of providing a user interface to a vehicle system to control at least one function of the vehicle system are provided. The vehicle computing device communicates with a mobile client device over a wireless data connection. At the vehicle computing device, control instructions are provided. The control instructions comprise instructions for displaying at least one graphical control element at the client device to control the at least one function of the vehicle system. The vehicle computing device can be configured to transmit the control instructions to the client device over the wireless data connection.