Vehicle User-State Control Using Historical Signal Context

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle systems lack short and long-term memory regarding user specifications, leading to inaccurate control of user-centric systems due to reliance on momentary sensor data without considering historical events.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method that obtains and reuses signals indicative of user characteristics, positions, and interactions over time to provide accurate control instructions for vehicle systems, utilizing sensors and AI/ML processes to enhance decision-making.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If automated systems use only momentary sensor input for control decisions, then the system response speed is fast, but the control accuracy and reliability deteriorate due to lack of historical context

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem response speedVSAvoidcontrol accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by continuously storing and processing user specification data over time before making control decisions. Historical sensor data and user preferences are pre-processed and stored in a database, allowing the system to quickly retrieve and utilize this pre-prepared information when control decisions are needed, thus maintaining fast response while improving accuracy through historical context

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring current sensor input alongside historical user specifications and control outcomes. This feedback loop allows the system to learn from past decisions and sensor patterns, adjusting current control decisions based on accumulated knowledge about user preferences and system performance over time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If the system considers historical user specifications and multiple time points, then the control precision is improved, but the processing complexity and data management requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the complex task of historical data processing into distinct functional modules: sensor data acquisition, data storage in database, historical data retrieval, data analysis, and control decision generation. This modular segmentation allows each component to handle specific aspects of historical data utilization independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high control precision through comprehensive historical analysis

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If multiple sensors are used to capture comprehensive user specifications over time, then the data accuracy is improved, but the system cost and hardware complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata accuracyVSAvoidhardware complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements multi-functionality by designing sensor and processing modules that can serve multiple purposes: the same sensor infrastructure captures various types of user specifications (position, temperature preferences, seating arrangements), the database stores diverse data types, and the processing system analyzes multiple parameters simultaneously. This universal approach improves data accuracy through comprehensive measurement while avoiding the need for separate dedicated hardware for each function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4663497A1Computer-implemented method for controlling a system of a vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 VOLVO CAR CORP
  • EP4663497A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4663497A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4663497A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a computer-implemented method (100) for controlling a system (20) of a vehicle (1), the method (100) comprising: - obtaining a first signal (S1) at a first time (t1), the first signal (S1) being indicative of a first specification relating to a user (2) of the vehicle (1), the first specification being at least one from a user characteristic, a user position, a user movement, and a user interaction with the vehicle (1), - obtaining a second signal (S2) at a second time (t2) later than the first time (t1), the second signal (S2) being indicative of a second specification relating to the user (2) of the vehicle (1), the second specification being at least one from a user characteristic, a user position, a user movement, and a user interaction with the vehicle (1), the second specification being different from the first specification, and - providing an instruction (INS) for controlling the system (20) of the vehicle (1) based on the first specification, the second specification, the first time (t1), and the second time (t2).