Vehicle Entertainment Unit Bluetooth Control Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aftermarket vehicle entertainment units cannot be controlled via a vehicle's existing center stack control system, and pre-installed units often require expensive custom software for control, making it difficult to replace malfunctioning units without disrupting the center stack control system.

Innovation Solution

Establishing a BLUETOOTH connection between the center stack control system and the vehicle entertainment unit, using the Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP) to transmit metadata and control commands, allowing the center stack control system to control the vehicle entertainment unit's functions, such as media source selection and playback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If an aftermarket vehicle entertainment unit is installed in the vehicle, then the vehicle gains additional entertainment functionality, but the unit cannot be controlled via the vehicle's existing center stack control system

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveentertainment functionalityVSAvoidcontrol capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A Bluetooth communication interface is introduced as an intermediary between the center stack control system and the vehicle entertainment unit. The control system transmits control commands via Bluetooth to the entertainment unit, enabling remote control without direct physical connection or custom software integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If pre-installed vehicle entertainment units use custom proprietary software for control, then the control system can manage the entertainment unit, but replacement becomes expensive and difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol integrationVSAvoidunit replacement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The control system uses universal Bluetooth communication protocols instead of custom proprietary software. This allows any Bluetooth-compatible entertainment unit to be controlled by the center stack system, enabling easy replacement without software reconfiguration or customization costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If custom proprietary software is pre-installed in the center stack control system, then the pre-installed entertainment unit can be controlled, but the system becomes complex and inflexible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveentertainment unit compatibilityVSAvoidsoftware complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/software-based control integration (custom proprietary software) with a wireless communication system (Bluetooth). This substitution eliminates the need for complex software integration while maintaining control capability, reducing both software complexity and improving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9591432B2Vehicle entertainment unit and method of controlling the same

Publication Date: 2017.03.07 VOXX INT CORP

AI summary

A method of controlling a vehicle entertainment unit mounted in a vehicle using a center stack control system of the vehicle includes establishing a BLUETOOTH connection between the center stack control system and the vehicle entertainment unit, retrieving metadata from the vehicle entertainment unit, transmitting the metadata from the vehicle entertainment unit to the center stack control system via the BLUETOOTH connection, receiving a control command at the vehicle entertainment unit via the BLUETOOTH connection, mapping the control command to a corresponding function of the vehicle entertainment unit at the vehicle entertainment unit, and executing the corresponding function at the vehicle entertainment unit.