Vehicle Function Control via Backend Mediation for Ridesharing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ridesharing systems lack the ability for users to dynamically control and regulate vehicle functions before a journey, limiting driving comfort and personalization.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that allows users to control and regulate vehicle functions through a central communication unit, enabling selection and control of vehicle features like air conditioning, multimedia, and navigation via a backend server, with secure communication and registration processes to ensure authorized manipulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users are limited to booking rideshares in real time without further technical interaction, then the system implementation is simple using GPS and mobile devices, but user control over vehicle functions and driving comfort is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser control over vehicle functionsVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments control functions into two parts: basic ride booking handled by simple GPS/mobile device integration, and advanced vehicle function control handled by a separate backend server that communicates with the vehicle's central communication unit. This allows users to access complex vehicle controls without overwhelming the basic ridesharing interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A backend server acts as an intermediary between the user's terminal device and the vehicle's central communication unit. The server receives control requests from users, validates them, and translates them into appropriate commands for the vehicle systems, enabling complex control functionality while keeping the user interface simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If users can dynamically control vehicle functions before each journey, then driving comfort and personalization are improved, but system complexity and communication requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle function personalizationVSAvoidcommunication system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables users to pre-configure vehicle functions (climate control, multimedia, navigation, seat positions) before each journey through the terminal device. These preliminary settings are transmitted to the vehicle via the backend server, allowing the vehicle to be ready with personalized settings upon user arrival, enhancing comfort without requiring complex real-time adjustments during the journey.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If users can control vehicle functions through terminal devices, then user convenience is improved, but security risks from unauthorized manipulation increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremote vehicle controlVSAvoidsystem security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The backend server implements a feedback mechanism that verifies vehicle function controllability before allowing user control. When a user requests to control a vehicle function, the server checks whether the selected vehicle supports that function and responds accordingly, preventing unauthorized or incompatible control attempts while maintaining user convenience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary validation of user credentials and vehicle compatibility before allowing any control operations. The backend server authenticates users and verifies that their requested control actions are authorized and compatible with the target vehicle, preventing unauthorized manipulation before it can occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

4Productivity

If the system selects vehicles based only on availability and proximity, then ride booking is simple and fast, but user preferences for specific vehicle functions cannot be met

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle selection speedVSAvoidvehicle function matching
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Users pre-specify their desired vehicle functions and preferences when initiating a ride request through the terminal device. The backend server receives these preferences along with the ride request, enabling it to filter and select vehicles that not only are available and nearby but also match the user's functional requirements, combining speed with personalization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3388301B1System for dynamic control and regulation of vehicle functions
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG
  • EP3388301B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3388301B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3388301B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention comprises a system and method for dynamically controlling and/or regulating vehicle functions in a large number of vehicles, each vehicle having a central communication unit. The system includes at least one backend server and at least one terminal that is set up to send a driving request to the backend server, the driving request at least a starting position, a selection of a vehicle type from the plurality of vehicles and at least one Request for control and / or regulation includes at least one vehicle function. In this case, the backend server is set up, after receiving the driving request, to send a driving request comprising the request for control and/or regulation to the central communication unit of the selected vehicle that has been determined. The at least one vehicle function of the selected vehicle is controlled and/or regulated according to the request for control and regulation in the vehicle request.