In-Vehicle Computing System for Mobile Device Exit Alerts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users often forget objects, such as mobile devices, in their vehicles upon exiting, leading to potential loss or damage due to the lack of a reliable alert system.
Innovation Solution
An in-vehicle computing system that connects with mobile devices and vehicle systems to detect user exit and vehicle shutdown, then alerts the user through various means, including audible, visible, and tactile signals, to remind them of left-behind objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the in-vehicle computing system continuously monitors for mobile devices and provides alerts, then the reliability of preventing lost items is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing connections with mobile devices before the user exits the vehicle. The in-vehicle computing system proactively monitors for the presence of connected devices and prepares alert mechanisms in advance, triggering notifications before the user actually leaves the vehicle. This prevents the loss rather than reacting after it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the presence status of mobile devices and providing real-time alerts to users. When a connected device is detected to remain in the vehicle after the user exits, the system sends notifications back to the user's mobile device or presents alerts through the vehicle's display system, creating a closed-loop feedback mechanism that improves reliability.
2Reliability
If the system provides multiple types of alerts (audible, visible, tactile), then the effectiveness of alert delivery is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alert system is designed with multi-functionality to address different user scenarios. It can deliver alerts through multiple channels: audible alerts via the vehicle's speaker system, visible alerts through display screens, and tactile alerts through vibration motors in the seat or steering wheel. This universal approach ensures that at least one alert method reaches the user regardless of the situation, improving effectiveness while consolidating the alert delivery function.
3Reliability
If the system monitors multiple mobile devices simultaneously, then the coverage of device detection is improved, but the use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial monitoring by focusing resources on devices that are already connected to the in-vehicle computing system. Rather than attempting to detect all possible mobile devices in the vehicle, the system monitors only those with established connections, which are the most relevant to alert. This selective approach maintains coverage for connected devices while reducing overall energy consumption compared to universal monitoring.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments are disclosed for a method of alerting a user to the presence of a mobile device in a vehicle. In some example embodiments, a method includes identifying, via an in-vehicle computing system of a vehicle, presence of a mobile device. The method further includes providing an alert responsive to the user exiting the vehicle when the mobile device is still located in the vehicle.