Vehicle Function Settings via App-Version Control Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicle function setting systems require complex processes such as downloading installation packages and user authorization before software updates can be executed, making it difficult to easily and quickly change vehicle function specifications.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle function setting system that includes a mobile terminal with an application allowing users to select control contents and an in-vehicle storage device storing options for different application versions, enabling direct communication with the in-vehicle control device to update functions without factory intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the conventional software update process is used (downloading installation package, user notification, authorization), then the software can be updated, but the process is complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoftware update reliabilityVSAvoidupdate process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential function of software updates by allowing direct execution of update content without the conventional complex process of downloading installation packages and user authorization. The update content is directly transmitted and executed, removing unnecessary intermediate steps while maintaining update reliability through content verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-preparing update content in a verified and ready-to-execute format before transmission. The update content is packaged with necessary execution permissions and verification data in advance, eliminating the need for post-download processing and user authorization steps during the actual update.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the conventional software update process is used, then the software can be updated, but it requires factory intervention and cannot be easily updated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoftware update reliabilityVSAvoidsoftware update ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables self-service updates by allowing the in-vehicle control device to autonomously receive, verify, and execute update content directly without requiring factory intervention. The system performs self-verification of update content authenticity and self-execution of updates, making the process as simple as receiving a signal while maintaining reliability through built-in verification mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If the software update is executed without user authorization process, then the update can be executed quickly, but user control and safety may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupdate execution speedVSAvoidupdate safety

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary verification mechanism where update content is authenticated against pre-stored verification data before execution. This intermediary check acts as a safety gate that automatically verifies update authenticity and integrity without requiring user intervention, maintaining both speed and safety by replacing human authorization with automated cryptographic verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple control contents are stored for different application versions, then the adaptability is improved, but the storage device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication version adaptabilityVSAvoidstorage device complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements universality by designing the storage device to handle multiple application versions and their corresponding control contents through a unified structure. The storage device uses a standardized mapping relationship between application version identifiers and control content, allowing it to serve multiple versions without requiring separate storage systems for each version, thus maintaining simplicity while achieving versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4575767A1Vehicle function setting system, vehicle function setting method, and vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.06.25 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

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AI summary

A vehicle function setting system (20) is configured to set at least one control content to be executed by an in-vehicle control device (10) upon a provision of a predetermined function of the vehicle and includes a mobile terminal (30) on which an application that enables a user to select the control content is installed, and an in-vehicle storage device (17) that stores a plurality of options of the control content for each of a plurality of versions of the application. The mobile terminal (30) allows the user to select the control content from the options corresponding to the version of the installed application, and sends information indicating the control content selected by the user to the in-vehicle control device. The in-vehicle control device acquires the control content corresponding to the information from the mobile terminal from the in-vehicle storage device.