Vehicle Policy Table for Mobile Device Access Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Managing the transfer of control between multiple mobile devices in vehicles while ensuring safety and determining who is in control, especially when passengers need to access vehicle functions, is a contextual challenge that existing systems fail to address effectively.
Innovation Solution
A computing platform in the vehicle is programmed to receive requests from mobile devices to access secure vehicle functions, query a local policy table for permissions based on the user's seat location, and request driver authorization when necessary, while mobile devices can update policy tables and display access indicators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple mobile devices are integrated to control vehicle functions, then accessibility and ease of operation are improved, but control management complexity and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
A policy table is introduced as an intermediary data structure that mediates between mobile devices and vehicle functions. The policy table stores permission rules that define which devices can access which functions under specific conditions, eliminating the need for complex real-time negotiation and decision-making logic in the control system.
Solution Approach 2:
Permission policies are predetermined and stored in the policy table before actual control requests occur. The system pre-establishes rules about which devices can control which functions based on factors like device type, user role, and vehicle state, so that when a control request is made, the system only needs to lookup and enforce pre-defined policies rather than making complex decisions.
2Ease of operation
If passenger devices are permitted to control vehicle functions, then ease of operation is improved, but safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
Different permission levels and control capabilities are assigned to different vehicle zones and device types. For example, devices in passenger zones may have limited permissions compared to driver devices, and specific functions may only be accessible from certain seating positions. This localized quality approach allows passenger control where appropriate while maintaining safety through spatial differentiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors device location, vehicle state, and active policies to dynamically enforce appropriate access controls. When a passenger device requests control, the system checks current policies and vehicle conditions, providing feedback that either grants or denies access based on real-time assessment of safety and permission rules.
3Reliability
If driver authorization is required for all device access, then safety is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies driver authorization requirements selectively rather than universally. For low-risk functions or trusted devices, access is granted automatically without requiring driver approval. Driver authorization is only requested when policies indicate it is necessary based on the function being accessed, the device type, and current vehicle conditions, thus avoiding excessive authorization requests while maintaining safety.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for managing mobile device control of vehicle functions and subsystems using policy control are disclosed. A computing platform of a vehicle may receive a request, from a mobile application, to access one or more secure vehicle functions and subsystems. The computing platform may retrieve application permissions for the mobile application from a policy table to determine whether to allow the requested access, deny the requested access or to prompt a driver for permission to allow access to the secure vehicle function.