Vehicle Usage Mode Detection via Application Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle control systems do not efficiently adapt to varying usage modes for car sharing services, limiting convenience and flexibility in vehicle operation based on user purposes.

Innovation Solution

An information processing system that communicates with vehicles to determine usage modes by analyzing user and vehicle information, including application data, to control vehicle settings such as air conditioning, information provision, and travel modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If vehicle control systems use fixed traveling modes for different environments, then vehicle operation can be controlled based on environment type, but the system cannot adapt to varying usage modes for car sharing services

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveusage mode adaptabilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between multiple usage modes (personal use, car sharing, ride sharing, delivery service) based on real-time detection of application execution states. The control unit adjusts vehicle settings and operations according to the detected usage mode, making the system adaptable without requiring complex manual configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The vehicle control system automatically detects the current usage mode by monitoring application execution states and self-adjusts its operations without user intervention. The system identifies whether the vehicle is being used for personal purposes, car sharing, ride sharing, or delivery services, and autonomously optimizes settings accordingly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If the system switches between multiple usage modes, then convenience is improved, but the complexity of determining and managing usage modes increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle operation convenienceVSAvoidusage mode management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit automatically detects usage modes by monitoring which applications are executing on the terminal device. The system self-determines the usage mode (personal use, car sharing, ride sharing, or delivery service) and self-adjusts vehicle operations without requiring users to manually select or configure modes, thereby improving convenience while avoiding complex user-facing management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors application execution states as feedback to determine the current usage mode. Based on this feedback, the control unit adjusts vehicle settings and operations in real-time, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to changing usage conditions automatically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If vehicle parameters are adjusted based on navigation destination, then vehicle operation can be optimized for specific destinations, but the system lacks adaptability for varying usage purposes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveusage purpose adaptabilityVSAvoiduser information processing
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects usage modes by monitoring application execution states without requiring users to manually input or select usage purposes. The control unit self-determines whether the vehicle is being used for personal purposes, car sharing, ride sharing, or delivery services, and autonomously optimizes settings accordingly, eliminating the need for users to provide detailed information about their intended use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3566917B1Information processing device, information processing method, and non-transitory recording medium storing program
Publication Date: 2023.04.12 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP3566917B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3566917B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3566917B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An information processing device (30) includes: a communication unit (31) configured to communicate with a vehicle (20) used by a user; and a control unit (36) configured to receive user information on the user via the communication unit, determine a usage mode of the vehicle according to a use purpose of the vehicle, the use purpose being estimated based on the user information, and send usage mode information on the usage mode to the vehicle via the communication unit.