Vehicle Portable Device Control via Location-Based Function Deactivation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions fail to effectively deactivate portable device functions specifically for drivers while allowing passengers to use them, leading to potential distractions and increased accident risks during vehicle operation.

Innovation Solution

A portable device control apparatus that detects the location of portable devices within a vehicle and selectively deactivates functions using a communication unit and processor, determining the region based on signal strength and vehicle state, to prevent driver distraction by disabling functions when the device is near the driver seat, while allowing passenger access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If portable device functions are deactivated when a device is detected in the vehicle, then driver distraction is reduced and safety is improved, but passenger convenience deteriorates because functions are deactivated for both drivers and passengers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving safetyVSAvoidpassenger convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the vehicle interior into different zones (driver zone and passenger zone) and applies different control rules to each zone. The portable device control apparatus determines the location of the device relative to the driver's seat and only deactivates functions when the device is in the driver zone, while allowing normal operation in the passenger zone. This resolves the contradiction by making the deactivation rule location-specific rather than universal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If portable device functions are deactivated based on vehicle motion state, then driver distraction is prevented during manual driving, but flexibility deteriorates because functions cannot be accessed even when the vehicle is stationary or in autonomous mode

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving safetyVSAvoidfunction accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The control rule is made dynamic by continuously monitoring the vehicle's motion state and automatically adjusting the deactivation status. When the vehicle transitions from manual driving mode to autonomous driving mode or stops moving, the system automatically lifts the deactivation restriction, allowing the portable device functions to be accessed. This resolves the contradiction by making the control rule adaptable to changing vehicle states rather than static.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If the system continuously monitors portable device location and vehicle state to determine function deactivation, then control precision is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation detection accuracyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The portable device itself participates in the detection process by providing its location information and response to the control apparatus. The system uses simple signal transmission and response mechanisms where the portable device self-identifies its location relative to the driver's seat, reducing the need for complex monitoring infrastructure. This resolves the contradiction by distributing the detection burden and using simple, reliable signal-based location determination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3133800B1Apparatus and method for controlling portable device in vehicle
Publication Date: 2018.10.10 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3133800B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3133800B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3133800B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A portable device control apparatus (600) including a communication unit (110) configured to detect (S810) at least a first portable device (650a) in a passenger compartment (510) of a vehicle (1); and a processor (640) configured to select (S850) at least one function of the first portable device (650a) to be deactivated based on the first portable device (650a) being located within a predetermined limit region (700) including at least part of the driving seat (500a) of the vehicle (1), and transmit (S860) a command for deactivating an execution of at least one function to the first portable device (650a) through the communication unit (110).