Wireless Interface Module Configuration for Incompatible Car Audio Protocols

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicles often face communication challenges due to mismatched or incompatible communication protocols between head units and peripheral devices, preventing effective communication and control between these systems.

Innovation Solution

A programmable interface is introduced that can identify and bridge the incompatibility between different communication protocols used by head units and peripheral devices, utilizing a mobile device to detect protocols and access a remote network for necessary information exchange protocols, allowing the interface to translate data between the two protocols.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a programmable interface is introduced to bridge incompatible communication protocols, then communication compatibility between head units and peripheral devices is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication compatibilityVSAvoidinterface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A programmable interface module is introduced as an intermediary component between the head unit and peripheral devices. This interface includes a protocol identification module that detects communication protocols, a database module that stores protocol information, and a protocol conversion module that translates between incompatible protocols, enabling communication between devices with different protocols without modifying the devices themselves

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The programmable interface is designed with multi-functional capabilities to handle multiple communication protocols simultaneously. It can identify, store, and convert between various protocols (CAN, LIN, MOST, FlexRay, etc.), making a single interface solution applicable to diverse device combinations rather than requiring dedicated interfaces for each protocol pair

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If protocol identification and conversion modules are added to the interface, then communication capability between mismatched devices is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotocol compatibilityVSAvoidinterface manufacturing

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Protocol information is pre-stored in a database module during the manufacturing process. The interface is pre-configured with knowledge of various communication protocols, their structures, and conversion rules, eliminating the need for complex real-time protocol analysis and reducing manufacturing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The interface uses programmable parameters and configurable settings to adapt to different protocol requirements. Rather than hardcoding multiple protocol handlers, the system changes operational parameters based on protocol identification, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If wireless communication is used for interface configuration, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability of configuration may worsen due to potential connection issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration convenienceVSAvoidconfiguration reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless configuration system implements feedback mechanisms where the interface module confirms successful reception of configuration data and validates the applied settings. This feedback loop ensures that configuration changes are reliably transmitted and correctly applied, compensating for potential wireless communication issues

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs validation checks and error detection before finalizing wireless configuration transfers. Configuration data is verified for integrity, and the system prepares fallback options or retry mechanisms to cushion against potential wireless transmission failures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS20230421667A1Wireless configuration and programming of automotive aftermarket peripheral interfacing modules

Publication Date: 2023.12.28 AAMP OF FLORIDA

AI summary

A method of bridging incompatibility of a radio head unit in a vehicle and a peripheral device configured to control a peripheral device in the vehicle. The method comprises receiving, from a first image sensor, a first scanned code identifying the vehicle, and receiving, from the first image sensor or a second image sensor, a second scanned code identifying the radio head unit. Based on the first scanned code, identifying a first communication protocol used by the peripheral device. Based on the second scanned code, identifying a second communication protocol used by the radio head unit. Based on the first communication protocol and the second communication protocol, determining a communication configuration ID identifying a target information exchange protocol executable to bridge the incompatibility between the first communication protocol and the second communication protocol. Additionally, the method includes the step of transmitting the communication configuration ID to an interface module, where the interface module is configured to execute the identified information exchange protocol to bridge the incompatibility between the first communication protocol and the second communication protocol.