Vehicle Mobile Device Access via On-Board Computer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle systems lack efficient methods for passengers to access and control vehicle electronics and settings via mobile devices, limiting personalized comfort and convenience during travel.
Innovation Solution
A system that enables vehicles to share data with mobile devices, allowing passengers to access and control vehicle controls, settings, and applications through a wireless connection, using an on-board computer with communication circuitry and occupancy sensors to identify seat locations and provide tailored environmental settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If passengers are provided with access to vehicle controls via mobile devices, then passenger comfort and convenience are improved, but vehicle system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mobile device as an intermediary between the passenger and the vehicle control system. The mobile device runs an application that communicates with the vehicle's on-board computer, which then interfaces with various vehicle subsystems. This intermediary approach allows passengers to control vehicle features without directly complicating the core vehicle control architecture, as the mobile device handles the complexity of multiple control interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle control system is designed to support multiple types of mobile devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops) through a universal communication interface. The on-board computer can handle various wireless communication protocols and device types, allowing a single system to serve multiple functions and device platforms without requiring separate control systems for each device type.
2Ease of operation
If personalized environmental settings are provided to passengers, then passenger comfort is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides environmental controls tailored to specific passenger locations within the vehicle. Different zones (front seat, rear seat, driver side, passenger side) can have independent climate and lighting settings. This local quality approach ensures that energy is consumed only in the specific areas where passengers are present and require personalized settings, rather than conditioning the entire vehicle uniformly.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows passengers to pre-configure their preferred environmental settings before entering the vehicle or before the trip begins. These preferences are stored and automatically applied when the passenger enters, reducing the need for continuous adjustments and minimizing the time that systems operate at non-optimal settings, thereby reducing overall energy consumption.
3Ease of operation
If wireless connectivity and cloud services are integrated into the vehicle, then passenger convenience is improved, but system reliability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts its connectivity behavior based on operational conditions. When the vehicle is in motion or certain safety-critical functions are active, wireless connectivity to mobile devices is automatically restricted or disabled. When the vehicle is stationary or in safe operating modes, full connectivity is available. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain reliability by preventing distractions during critical periods while still providing convenience when safe.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems of a vehicle for sharing vehicle controls are provided. One system includes an on-board computer that is part of the vehicle and communications circuity having connection to the on-board computer. The communications circuitry is configured to interface with a wireless network for accessing the Internet. The on-board computer is configured to execute instructions for enabling wireless connection to portable devices that enter the vehicle and are provided with access to said wireless connection. Vehicle electronics are interfaced with one or more vehicle systems and the on-board computer. The on-board computer is configured to provide access to at least one graphical user interface to the portable device via the wireless connection. The at least one graphical user interface includes input options that enable control for features of a vehicle system of the vehicle. A wireless signal of the wireless connection with the portable device is processed by the on-board computer to identify a location of the portable device within the vehicle. The location of the portable device is utilized to identify a seating location in the vehicle and provide the portable device with access said vehicle system that pertains to an environment area associated with the seat location that was identified.