Vehicle Communication System Position Tracking Status Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle communication systems lack effective means for users to verify the status of vehicle functions when out of sight or range, leading to uncertainty about the successful execution of commands, especially in noisy environments.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle communication system that uses ultra-wideband transceivers to accurately track the position of a mobile communication unit relative to the vehicle, providing status updates through light, sound, or vibration to ensure users are informed of function status even when out of direct line of sight or audible range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the user is out of sight or audible range of the vehicle, then the user can control vehicle functions remotely, but the user cannot verify the status of vehicle functions
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by transmitting status information from the vehicle back to the mobile communication unit. The base station receives status information from vehicle systems, determines function status, and transmits this status to the mobile communication unit, which then provides status indication to the user. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables remote verification of vehicle function status.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile communication unit serves as an intermediary device between the vehicle and the user. It receives status information from the base station and provides status indication through visual, audible, or haptic feedback, bridging the gap between the vehicle systems and the remote user.
2Ease of operation
If the vehicle emits audible tones to signal function status, then the user can verify status within audible range, but the user cannot verify status in noisy environments or outside audible range
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from relying solely on audible feedback (one dimension) to multi-dimensional feedback including visual display, audible tones, and haptic vibration. This multi-dimensional approach ensures status verification works across different environmental conditions and user situations.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile communication unit can change the parameters of status indication based on environmental conditions. For example, it can switch from audible tones to visual display in noisy environments, or adjust vibration patterns to enhance user awareness when out of audible range.
3Loss of information
If the system provides status updates for all vehicle functions, then the user is fully informed, but unnecessary notifications increase user burden
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by providing differentiated status information based on user context. The base station determines function status and selectively transmits relevant status information to the mobile communication unit, which then provides appropriate status indication. Not all functions generate notifications - only those relevant to the current user situation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses partial action by providing status information selectively rather than continuously for all functions. The base station receives status information from vehicle systems and determines which status updates are necessary to transmit, avoiding unnecessary notifications while ensuring critical status information reaches the user.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables reliable and accurate status indication of vehicle functions, minimizing unnecessary notifications and ensuring users are aware of function success or failure without needing to visually or audibly confirm, thus enhancing user experience and security.
Implementation Method 1
track a position of the mobile communication unit with respect to the vehicle based on a time of flight of a communication between the mobile communication unit and at least the first transmitter and the first receiver
Implementation Method 2
the base station comprises a first transmitter for transmitting a signal to the mobile communication unit
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle communication system (100) comprises a base station (104) positioned in the vehicle (102) and a mobile communication unit (122). The base station (104) comprises a first transmitter for transmitting a signal to the mobile communication unit (122) and a first receiver for receiving an authentication signal from the mobile communication unit (122). The base station (104) is configured to track a position of the mobile communication unit with respect to the vehicle based on a time of flight of a communication between the mobile communication unit and at least the first transmitter and the first receiver, to receive a subsystem status signal relating to performance of a monitored vehicle (102) function and to determine, based on the subsystem status signal, a monitored function status relating to the monitored vehicle (102) function. The base station (104) is also configured to output a status update signal for receipt by the mobile communication unit (122), the status update signal being indicative of the monitored function status. The vehicle communication system (100) is configured to provide a status indication to a user based on the status update signal in dependence on the position of the mobile communication unit (122).