Vehicle Workspace Control for Shared User Device Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern vehicles lack a comprehensive system to enable users to conveniently operate user devices such as laptops or tablets within the vehicle, limiting user experience and productivity.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle workspace management system that utilizes vehicle input devices like display screens, track pads, and monostable shifters to allow users to operate user devices from within the vehicle, with the system determining availability and prioritizing access based on user position and requests.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If vehicle input devices are activated for user device operation, then user productivity and experience are improved, but risk of virus or illness spread between users increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system (vehicle computer) that mediates between multiple users and shared input devices. The system detects user presence, determines availability, and manages device allocation, creating a protective layer that enables shared device access while minimizing direct contact between users and reducing virus transmission risk.
2Adaptability or versatility
If vehicle input devices are made available for user device operation, then user experience is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes vehicle input devices (display screens, track pads, shifters) multi-functional by enabling them to serve both traditional vehicle operations and user device control. This universality enhances user experience without requiring entirely new devices, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service mechanisms where the vehicle computer automatically detects user presence, determines input device availability, and activates appropriate devices without requiring manual configuration. This automation reduces the operational complexity for users while maintaining high adaptability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple users can access vehicle input devices, then resource utilization is improved, but difficulty of managing device availability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the vehicle computer continuously monitors user presence through detection mechanisms and maintains an availability status for each input device. This real-time feedback enables automatic allocation and prevents conflicts when multiple users attempt to access devices, simplifying multi-user management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-determining the availability status of input devices before users attempt to access them. The vehicle computer proactively manages device allocation based on detected user presence, preventing access conflicts and simplifying the coordination of multiple users sharing devices.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle having a first vehicle device configured to provide inputs to a first user device associated with a first user is disclosed. The vehicle further comprises a camera configured to capture images of the first user in the vehicle. The vehicle further comprises processor configured to obtain the images from the camera, and determine that the first user is operating the first user device in the vehicle based on the images. The processor may be further configured to determine an availability of the first vehicle device responsive to a determination that the first user is operating the first user device, and activate the first vehicle device to enable the first user to operate the first user device via the first vehicle device when the first vehicle device is available.