Vehicle Hard Key Control for Combined Car and Smartphone Functions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing in-vehicle electronic control systems lack flexibility in simultaneously controlling both vehicle functions and smartphone functions, especially those unrelated to vehicle operation, and vice versa, leading to a suboptimal user experience.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that enables simultaneous control of multiple vehicle and smartphone functions through a single hard key within the vehicle interior, utilizing a software application that integrates with both vehicle and smartphone systems to manage user-configurable functions and allows interaction between vehicle and external devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing in-vehicle electronic control systems are used, then vehicle functions can be controlled, but flexibility to simultaneously control both vehicle functions and smartphone functions is lacking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility to control multiple functionsVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hard key is configured to perform multiple functions: it can activate vehicle functions (e.g., driving modes, window controls) and smartphone functions (e.g., messaging, smart home control) through a single input device. The system integrates both vehicle and smartphone control capabilities into one universal interface, eliminating the need for separate controls for each function type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces a software intermediary layer that translates hard key inputs into appropriate actions for either vehicle systems or smartphone applications. This mediator handles the complexity of coordinating between different control systems while presenting a simple unified interface to the user through the hard key.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If multiple separate controls are provided for vehicle and smartphone functions, then control capability is comprehensive, but ease of operation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of simultaneous controlVSAvoidnumber of control elements

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges vehicle function controls and smartphone function controls into a single hard key input mechanism. By combining multiple control functions into one physical button, the system reduces the number of control elements while maintaining comprehensive control capability through software-based function differentiation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The hard key serves as a universal control element that can trigger both vehicle-specific functions and smartphone-applications functions. This multi-functional design allows users to access diverse controls through a single element, significantly improving ease of operation without requiring multiple separate buttons or controls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If smartphone functions are integrated into the vehicle system, then user convenience is improved, but driver distraction may increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser convenienceVSAvoiddriver distraction

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows pre-configuration of hard key functions so that commonly used controls are automatically assigned to specific hard keys based on user preferences. This self-service configuration reduces the need for complex menu navigation during driving, as frequently needed functions are directly accessible through simple hard key presses, minimizing distraction while maintaining convenience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Users can pre-configure which vehicle functions and smartphone functions are assigned to each hard key before driving. This preliminary setup allows the system to present optimized control assignments that prioritize safety and minimize distraction during actual use, while still providing comprehensive access to both vehicle and smartphone functions through the configured hard keys.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12570147B2Method for simultaneously performing vehicle and smartphone functions using a hard key on vehicle

Publication Date: 2026.03.10 DR ING H C F PORSCHE AG

AI summary

A computer-implemented method and computer program product for simultaneously controlling vehicle functions and mobile device functions. The method includes the steps of: (a) connecting a mobile software application to an in-vehicle network; (b) configuring, in the mobile software application, a plurality of user-configurable functions, at least one first user-configurable function being associated with at least one vehicle function of a plurality of vehicle functions and at least one second user-configurable function being associated with an operation external to the vehicle that is performed by the mobile software application; and (c) controlling each of the at least one first and second user-configurable functions simultaneously with a hard key arranged within a vehicle interior. The computer program is configured to perform the aforementioned steps.