Vehicle Data Collection Automation via Mediated Controller Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle management systems require direct vehicle access, impose significant risks and costs, and have limited functionality, especially with increasing vehicle complexity and the need for broader entity access to vehicle functions.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle system with a network of end points, including a controller that interprets automation descriptions to provide automated actions and responses, allowing entities to interact with vehicle functions without full vehicle knowledge or access, reducing costs and risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If direct vehicle access or OTA software updates are used to update vehicle operational capabilities, then vehicle functionality can be updated, but significant risks and costs are introduced including vehicle shutdown requirements, software update failures, and high management expenses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle functionality update capabilityVSAvoidvehicle operational reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of a cloud-based vehicle management platform and standardized communication protocols that mediate between external entities and vehicle controllers. This intermediary layer enables functionality updates without direct vehicle access or risky OTA updates, as the platform coordinates changes through controlled interfaces that maintain vehicle operational reliability throughout the update process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the vehicle system into independent functional modules with standardized interfaces, allowing specific vehicle capabilities to be updated or modified without requiring complete system reconfiguration or vehicle shutdown. This modular approach enables targeted functionality updates while maintaining the reliability of other vehicle systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If direct vehicle access is required for vehicle updates, then full vehicle knowledge and authority are obtained, but significant costs and limited functionality are imposed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveentity access to vehicle functionsVSAvoidimplementation cost and complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal vehicle management platform that provides standardized access to vehicle functions for multiple entities (manufacturers, dealers, service providers, consumers) without requiring each entity to have direct vehicle access or specialized vehicle knowledge. The platform's multi-functional interface handles various update and access scenarios through a single system, reducing implementation costs and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The standardized communication protocols and cloud-based platform act as intermediaries that translate high-level entity requests into vehicle-specific commands, eliminating the need for entities to possess detailed vehicle knowledge or authority while still enabling broad access to vehicle functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If more entities are granted access to vehicle functions, then broader functionality is achieved, but cost and risk increase due to vehicle complexity, safety regulations, and data security requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of entities with vehicle accessVSAvoidsystem complexity and risk management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cloud-based vehicle management platform serves as a centralized intermediary that manages access for multiple entities, coordinating their interactions with the vehicle through standardized protocols. This intermediary architecture reduces system complexity by centralizing authentication, authorization, and coordination functions, thereby managing risk while enabling broad entity access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the vehicle management platform continuously monitors vehicle state, access requests, and operational parameters, adjusting access permissions and coordination strategies based on real-time conditions. This feedback loop maintains system manageability and risk control as the number of accessing entities increases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12415479B2System, method, and apparatus for managing vehicle data collection

Publication Date: 2025.09.16 SONATUS INC

AI summary

An apparatus for managing vehicle data collection that includes a controller. The controller includes: an automation definition circuit structured to implement an automation user interface, and to interpret an automation request in response to user communications with the automation user interface; an automation management circuit structured to determine an automation description in response to the automation request; andan automation command circuit structured to provide the automation description to a controller of a vehicle. The controller of the vehicle is configured to implement an automated vehicle response, responsive to the automation description.