Vehicle Mobile Device Integration for Driver Preference Portability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles shared among multiple drivers often require frequent adjustments to settings such as seat, mirror, and infotainment preferences, which are typically limited to finite memory settings that are not portable across vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a communication module in the vehicle to connect with a user's mobile device, obtaining and adjusting customizable operational features like steering wheel position, seat settings, and infotainment preferences based on user preferences stored in the device or a cloud server, allowing dynamic configuration according to the user's role and location within the vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If digital motor controls with memory settings are used, then driver preference retention is improved, but the number of memory settings is finite and not portable across vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses mobile devices (smartphones, tablets) as portable copies of driver preference settings. The system creates a digital replica of vehicle settings stored on the user's mobile device, which can be accessed across different vehicles. This copying approach allows unlimited portability while maintaining all preference data, resolving the contradiction between finite memory settings and cross-vehicle portability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple memory settings are provided, then different driver preferences can be accommodated, but the number of settings is still finite and requires frequent manual adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by automatically detecting when a mobile device is present in the vehicle and autonomously applying the stored preference settings. The vehicle system queries the mobile device for preferences and automatically configures seats, mirrors, climate control, and other settings without requiring manual driver intervention. This eliminates frequent manual adjustments while maintaining adaptability to different drivers.
Solution Approach 2:
Driver preferences are pre-configured and stored on the mobile device before entering the vehicle. The system performs preliminary setup by having users configure their preferences once, which are then automatically retrieved and applied each time they enter a vehicle, eliminating the need for repeated manual adjustments.
3Adaptability or versatility
If vehicle settings are adjusted manually for each driver, then personalized preferences can be achieved, but time is lost due to frequent adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of manual physical adjustments with an automated electronic system. Instead of manually moving seats, mirrors, and other components, the system uses electronic controls to automatically adjust settings based on data retrieved from the mobile device. This substitution eliminates the time required for manual adjustments while maintaining personalized preferences.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of apparatus and methods for configuring user customizable operational features of a vehicle are described. In embodiments, an apparatus may include a communication module configured to be disposed in the vehicle, and communicate with a mobile device a user. The apparatus may further include a controller configured to be disposed in the vehicle and coupled with the communication module, to obtain from the mobile device, one or more preferences of the user for one or more user customizable features of the vehicle, and adjust the one or more user customizable operational features of the vehicle based at least in part on the one or more preferences of the user obtained. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.