In-Vehicle Video Call Control With Driver Field-of-View Display

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current in-vehicle communication systems do not provide an in-car video feed to an external party during driving, and exchanging location information via voice is distracting and cognitively demanding for the driver.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that allows a driver to control a video call by displaying a still image of the calling party within their field of view while driving, using voice, gesture, or touch commands, and transmitting live video streams to other occupants, with the ability to exchange location information efficiently during the call.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If location information is exchanged via voice during a video call while driving, then communication with the calling party is maintained, but driver distraction and cognitive load increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoiddriver operation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically performs location information exchange during video calls without requiring driver intervention. The in-vehicle communication system handles the entire process autonomously, from receiving location requests to transmitting location data, freeing the driver from manual voice commands or manual navigation operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The in-vehicle communication system acts as an intermediary between the driver and the calling party for location information exchange. Instead of the driver directly communicating location via voice, the system mediates this interaction by automatically handling the location data transmission through the video call interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a video call is provided to an external party while driving, then communication capability is enhanced, but driver safety and distraction are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication versatilityVSAvoiddriver distraction
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The video call interface is segmented into different display zones within the driver's field of view. Critical information such as caller ID and essential call controls are positioned in peripheral or non-distracting areas, allowing the driver to maintain awareness of the call status without focusing attention away from the road.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of requiring the driver to actively manage video call controls through voice commands or manual input, the system inverts the control model by providing automatic acceptance or rejection of video calls based on driving context, and handling location sharing automatically once initiated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Measurement precision

If manual control of video call features is required during driving, then call control precision is maintained, but cognitive load and operation time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecall control precisionVSAvoidcall setup time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-positioning control interfaces and pre-processing location data before they are needed during the call. The video call interface and location sharing options are prepared in advance, allowing immediate activation without requiring complex manual configuration during the driving phase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3537712B1Method, system and computer program product for controlling a video call while driving a vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG
  • EP3537712B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

It is described a method for controlling a video call while driving a vehicle, the method comprising: receiving a request to start a video call from a calling party to a user of the vehicle while driving a vehicle; in response to the request to start the video call from the calling party: displaying, by an output interface of the vehicle, the request to start the video call from the calling party to the user of the vehicle; receiving, by an input interface of the vehicle, a first control command of the user to start the video call; determining a field of view of the user of the vehicle; determining a display in the field of view of the user of the vehicle; and, if the user of the vehicle is a driver of the vehicle, displaying a still image corresponding to the video call from the calling party on the determined display in the field of view of the driver.