Vehicle Software Gateway for Flexible In-Vehicle Function Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle electronic control and driving assistance systems lack flexibility in displaying and controlling in-vehicle functions, which hinders user convenience and safety by not allowing seamless integration of user preferences without distracting from driving.

Innovation Solution

A method and computer program product that securely connects a software application to a vehicle network, enabling users to select and control in-vehicle functions through a user-friendly interface, aggregating data from various vehicle systems to present contextually relevant information and allow adjustments to multiple vehicle components with a single command.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If users connect smartphone to vehicle onboard computer through Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, then users can access mobile applications on vehicle display screen, but the system lacks flexibility in displaying and controlling in-vehicle functions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in displaying and controlling in-vehicle functionsVSAvoidsystem integration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments vehicle functions into distinct controllable entities that can be independently selected and managed. Each vehicle function is presented as a separate selectable item in the user interface, allowing the system to handle multiple functions independently while maintaining overall system integration through the gateway.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a software gateway as an intermediary component that bridges the smartphone application and the vehicle's electronic control units. This gateway receives control inputs from the mobile device, processes them, and transmits appropriate commands to the relevant vehicle systems, thereby enabling flexible control without direct complex integration between the smartphone and multiple vehicle subsystems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the system presents detailed information about vehicle functions to the user, then user control precision improves, but driver distraction increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser control precisionVSAvoiddriver distraction

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The user interface dynamically adapts its information presentation based on the driving context. The system can adjust the amount and type of information displayed according to driving conditions, providing sufficient detail for precise control when appropriate while minimizing distractions during active driving phases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides partial information presentation by showing only the most relevant vehicle function details at any given moment rather than overwhelming the driver with complete system status. Additional information becomes available through progressive disclosure or secondary interactions when driver attention is not critically needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS20250023976A1Integrated vehicle software and remote application therefore

Publication Date: 2025.01.16 DR ING H C F PORSCHE AG

AI summary

A computer-implemented method and computer program product for presenting information about a vehicle function to a user of a vehicle and enabling control of the vehicle function. The method includes the steps of: (a) securely connecting a software application to a vehicle network; (b) selecting a vehicle function from a plurality of vehicle functions; (c) presenting to the user the information about the selected vehicle function; and (d) controlling the selected vehicle function based on preferences of the user. The computer program is configured to perform the aforementioned steps.