In-Vehicle Computing System Wearable Data Aggregation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing in-vehicle computing systems lack the ability to automatically adjust settings based on user data from wearable and mobile devices, such as physical condition and environment, to enhance the in-vehicle experience before the user enters the vehicle.

Innovation Solution

An in-vehicle computing system that aggregates input from wearable and mobile devices to automatically select and adjust settings for vehicle systems like climate control and audio systems, using sensors to infer user preferences and transmit control instructions before user input is received.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the in-vehicle computing system waits for user input via user interface to adjust settings, then the system operation is simple, but the user experience and comfort are poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic settings adjustmentVSAvoidsystem operation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by collecting user data from wearable devices and mobile devices before the user enters the vehicle, pre-determining optimal settings for climate control, audio, and other systems based on the user's physical condition and environment, so that settings are ready immediately upon vehicle entry without requiring user input

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the system collects and processes user data from wearable devices to automatically adjust settings, then the user experience is improved, but the data processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesettings adaptation to user conditionVSAvoiddata processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses an intermediary approach by leveraging existing mobile devices and wearable devices that users already carry, which contain the necessary sensors and data processing capabilities. The in-vehicle system receives pre-processed data from these external devices, reducing the processing burden on the vehicle's computing system while still achieving adaptive settings adjustment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the system adjusts settings before receiving user input, then the responsiveness to user needs is improved, but the time required for data collection and processing increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesettings adjustment speedVSAvoiddata collection and processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs data collection and processing in advance while the user is outside the vehicle, using the user's mobile device and wearable devices to gather physical condition data and environmental information, then pre-computes optimal settings before the user enters the vehicle, eliminating waiting time upon vehicle entry

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Measurement precision

If the system uses multiple sensors and data sources to infer user preferences, then the accuracy of settings adjustment is improved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser preference detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor and data source complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses universal multi-functional devices that users already possess - mobile devices and wearable devices - which serve multiple purposes including health monitoring, environmental sensing, communication, and entertainment. By leveraging these existing multi-functional devices, the system achieves accurate user preference detection without adding dedicated sensors or increasing system complexity

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

Data Source

PatentEP2871866B1Method and apparatus for using in-vehicle computing system based on input from wearable devices
Publication Date: 2020.06.17 HARMAN INT IND INC
  • EP2871866B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2871866B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2871866B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments are described for an in-vehicle computing system, and methods of controlling vehicle settings using the in-vehicle computing system based on input received from a wearable device. Input may also be received from a mobile device. The in-vehicle computing system may automatically adjust one or more vehicle settings based on the received input.