Vehicle-Mounted Apparatus for Remote Control via Separation Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing remote control systems for movable-body-mounted apparatuses, such as vehicles, face challenges when the apparatus is out of communication range, requiring manual input and leading to inefficiencies and potential loss of pre-registered control content, especially due to user interface limitations and communication range restrictions.

Innovation Solution

A communication system that includes a movable-body-mounted apparatus with a separation determination part to notify the user of disconnection and transmit stored information to a terminal device, allowing remote operation and notification of vehicle state even when out of communication range.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the on-vehicle equipment is out of communication range, then the user cannot remotely obtain control content, but manual input through the on-vehicle equipment interface is required which is time-consuming and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of remote operationVSAvoidtime for manual input
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by storing control contents and vehicle state information in the movable-body-mounted apparatus before communication is lost. When out of range, this pre-stored information is transmitted to the terminal device, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual input and allowing immediate remote access to control functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The movable-body-mounted apparatus acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap between the terminal device and the vehicle system when direct communication is unavailable. It stores and forwards control contents and vehicle information to the terminal device, enabling remote operation without real-time communication with the vehicle's main system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If control content is registered in advance to the remote control apparatus, then remote control capability is prepared, but the content cannot be obtained if out of communication range upon departure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremote control capabilityVSAvoidcontrol content
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by storing control contents not only in the remote control apparatus but also in the movable-body-mounted apparatus before departure. This dual-storage approach ensures that control content is available even when communication is lost, preventing information loss and maintaining remote control capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a copy of the control content and vehicle information in the movable-body-mounted apparatus. This copy serves as a backup that can be transmitted to the terminal device when direct communication with the vehicle system is unavailable, ensuring remote access to control functions without losing the control content.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Ease of operation

If the on-vehicle equipment interface is used for input, then control content can be entered, but the interface is not as easy to use as general-purpose computers due to installation area restrictions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser interface usabilityVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device serves as an intermediary interface between the user and the vehicle system. It provides a familiar, easy-to-use general-purpose computer interface for remote control operations, eliminating the need for users to interact with the limited and complex on-vehicle equipment interface while still achieving the same control functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of requiring users to input control content through the vehicle's limited interface, the system inverts the approach by allowing users to operate the vehicle remotely through a terminal device with a full-featured interface. The control commands are then transmitted back to the vehicle system, providing ease of use without sacrificing control capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Adaptability or versatility

If various control contents are registered in advance, then remote control options are available, but not all information can be remembered upon departure leading to wasted search effort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol content availabilityVSAvoidsearched information
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates comprehensive copies of vehicle information and control contents in the movable-body-mounted apparatus before departure. This ensures that all searched and selected information is preserved and can be transmitted to the terminal device even when communication is lost, preventing any waste of search effort and maintaining full adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by proactively storing all relevant vehicle information and control contents in the movable-body-mounted apparatus before communication is lost. This advance preparation ensures that no searched information is forgotten or lost, and all control options remain available for remote operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2755375B1Communication system with mobile-body-mounted device, terminal device, and center server
Publication Date: 2018.04.25 HITACHI LTD
  • EP2755375B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2755375B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2755375B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Provided is a communication system capable of enhancing convenience for remotely operating a movable-body-mounted apparatus mountable in a movable body such as a vehicle. For example, a communication system (10) includes a movable-body-mounted apparatus (20) including: a movable body information storage part (23) which stores movable body information including a received signal quality of a radio wave used for communication to/from a center server (30) and information on a vehicle (13); a separation determination part (26) which determines whether or not a user who moves along with the vehicle (13) is separated from the vehicle (13); and a movable body information notification part (27) which notifies the user of the movable body information stored in the movable body information storage part (23) when the separation determination part (26) determines that the user is separated from the vehicle (13).