Vehicle Wireless Device Pairing via Signal Vector Analysis

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In vehicles equipped with user interface systems, there is a need to efficiently and effectively detect and connect to a specific wireless device among multiple devices present, as multiple devices can attempt to pair with the system, potentially leading to control conflicts and safety issues while driving.

Innovation Solution

A processor-based system that receives and analyzes wireless signals from multiple devices to determine their location within the vehicle, using signal strength and vector analysis, and pairs with a particular device based on predefined settings, ensuring safe and appropriate device connectivity for controlling applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the user interface system allows multiple wireless devices to connect, then the system's versatility and adaptability improve, but the risk of control conflicts and safety issues increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice compatibilityVSAvoidcontrol safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system assigns different connection priorities to different devices based on their location within the vehicle. Devices in the driver's area receive higher priority than devices in passenger areas, creating localized quality differences that resolve control conflicts while maintaining multi-device support

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary location detection and priority assignment before allowing device connections. By determining device locations and establishing connection priorities in advance, the system prevents control conflicts before they occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the system uses signal strength analysis to detect devices, then the ease of operation improves, but the measurement precision may be affected by environmental factors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic device detectionVSAvoiddevice location accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses wireless signal vectors as an intermediary to translate signal strength measurements into location information. The vector analysis converts raw signal data into directional and distance information, mediating between the easy-to-measure signal strength and the more complex location determination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the system pairs with the first detected device, then the productivity improves, but the adaptability to different user needs decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection speedVSAvoiduser preference accommodation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The connection priority is not fixed but dynamically determined based on device location and predefined settings. The system can adapt priorities in real-time based on which devices are present and their locations, providing both speed and adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12184349B1Systems and methods for detecting and connecting to a device in a vehicle

Publication Date: 2024.12.31 UNITED SERVICES AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION (USAA)

AI summary

A system may include a processor. The processor may perform operations including receiving multiple light patterns from multiple wireless devices. The operations may also include determining a location for each of the multiple wireless devices based at least in part on the multiple light patterns. Moreover, the operations may include pairing a first wireless device of the multiple wireless devices to the processor based at least in part on the location for each of the multiple wireless devices.