Vehicle Profile Selection via Instrument Cluster Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing vehicle systems require an extensive initialization process due to the complexity of main units or infotainment systems, leading to delays in selecting individual profiles at vehicle startup, which can be perceived as long and inconvenient.

Innovation Solution

The method involves initially selecting a profile using the vehicle's instrument cluster, which is immediately available upon startup, rather than the main unit, allowing for quicker profile selection and management, with the main unit handling computationally intensive functions separately to avoid delays.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the main unit is used for profile selection at startup, then comprehensive profile management is achieved, but startup time is significantly increased due to initialization requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprofile management capabilityVSAvoidstartup time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the profile selection function into two parts: initial profile selection is handled by the instrument cluster (fast, available at startup), while comprehensive profile management is handled by the main unit (comprehensive but slower). This segmentation allows the system to achieve both quick startup and full management capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The instrument cluster acts as an intermediary component that handles the time-critical profile selection task during startup, bridging the gap between the need for quick system response and the need for comprehensive profile management that only the main unit can provide.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the main unit handles all profile operations, then comprehensive control is achieved, but the initialization process delays vehicle operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprofile controlVSAvoidvehicle startup speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The instrument cluster performs the preliminary action of profile selection during the startup phase, before the main unit completes its initialization. This allows the system to be operational faster while still enabling comprehensive profile control through the main unit once it is ready.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If profile selection is delayed until main unit boot completion, then system stability is ensured, but user convenience is reduced due to waiting time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem stabilityVSAvoiduser convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the profile management functionality between two systems with different characteristics: the instrument cluster for time-critical operations and the main unit for comprehensive management. This allows the system to provide immediate responsiveness for user convenience while maintaining the stability benefits of having a dedicated comprehensive management system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3310622B1Personalization of a vehicle
Publication Date: 2018.12.26 MERCEDES BENZ GROUP AG
  • EP3310622B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3310622B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3310622B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The problem addressed by the invention is that of carrying out a personalization of a vehicle in a more convenient manner. This problem is solved by means of a control device and a method for operating a vehicle by providing a plurality of profiles which each contain user-specific setting data for the vehicle. An initial selection of one of the profiles is carried out by means of a combination instrument (14) of the vehicle. By contrast, changing and/or managing the respectively selected profile is carried out by means of a main unit (16) of the vehicle.