Vehicle Operating Module Wireless Programming for Custom Controls
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing complexity and variety of vehicle functions and components, coupled with the limitations of mechanical controls, lead to high production and warehousing costs, design complications, and the inability to personalize or customize mechanical buttons due to predefined labels and haptic feedback, while current software-based solutions face inefficiencies and security risks.
Innovation Solution
A method and module allowing wireless configuration of vehicle operating elements using a user's mobile device, enabling assignment of functions, logos, and haptic feedback through a wireless connection, eliminating the need for physical cables and central computer interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical control elements are designed with multiple variants to accommodate different vehicle functions and manufacturers, then the ability to represent different functions is improved, but production effort and warehousing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single mechanical button structure that can serve multiple functions through software configuration. Instead of creating different physical buttons for different functions, the system uses one universal button design that can be programmed to represent various vehicle functions (e.g., climate control, audio, navigation) through different display icons and haptic feedback patterns, thereby reducing the number of variants while maintaining adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the button's functional representation changeable over time through software updates. The button can dynamically switch between different functions, icons, and haptic feedback characteristics based on configuration data received from external devices or the vehicle's central computer, allowing the same physical component to adapt to different vehicle models and functions without physical modification
2Ease of operation
If programming is performed via physical connection to central computer, then programming capability is improved, but additional costs for cables and connectors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanics substitution by replacing the mechanical cable connection system with a wireless communication system. The programming device communicates with the vehicle's central computer or operating module via wireless signals (e.g., Bluetooth, Wi-Fi), eliminating the need for physical cables, connectors, and associated hardware, thereby reducing costs and simplifying the programming process
3Ease of operation
If programming is performed via wireless transmission through central computer, then ease of operation is improved, but security risks from illegal intrusion increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the intermediary principle by introducing a dedicated programming module as an intermediate component between the wireless programming device and the vehicle's central computer. This programming module acts as a secure gateway that receives programming data wirelessly, validates it against security criteria, and only transfers approved data to the central computer, thereby enabling wireless programming while mitigating security risks through layered security architecture
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
In a method for programming an operating module having multiple operating elements, wherein the operating elements can be assigned different functions of a vehicle, the following steps are carried out in the operating module: receiving (1) information relating to the functions available in the vehicle and/or the current status of the vehicle from a central control device of the vehicle; transmitting (2) the received information to an external device via a wireless connection; receiving (3) configuration data for programming the operating module from the external device via the wireless connection; and configuring (4) the operating module based on the received configuration data. The following steps are carried out in the external device: receiving (5) information relating to the functions available in the vehicle and/or the current status of the vehicle from the operating module via a wireless connection; detecting (6) user inputs of a vehicle user for programming the operating module; generating (7) configuration data for programming the operating module based on the detected user inputs; and transmitting (8) the configuration data to the operating module via the wireless connection.