3D Vehicle Instrument Cluster with Depth-Adaptive Navigation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional vehicle instrument clusters are two-dimensional and static, making it difficult for drivers to view important instruments, especially in critical situations, and existing solutions do not effectively address the need for customizable and attention-grabbing displays.

Innovation Solution

A system that generates a three-dimensional graphical output for a vehicle instrument cluster and navigation system, allowing users to control depth positioning and appearance, with elements moving closer or further away based on driving context and user preferences, using a stereoscopic, parallax-enabled 3D display.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional two-dimensional instrument clusters are used, then the device complexity is low, but the driver visibility and attention to important instruments are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver visibilityVSAvoiddisplay system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from traditional two-dimensional instrument clusters to a three-dimensional display system. Instruments are positioned at different depth levels, with critical instruments placed at closer depth levels to the driver's eye, creating a hierarchical spatial arrangement that naturally guides attention without increasing operational complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The display system dynamically adjusts the depth positioning and visibility of instruments based on driving context, vehicle state, and detected driver attention. Instruments can move between different depth levels and adjust their prominence automatically, providing adaptive visibility that responds to changing conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the instrument cluster position remains static, then the device complexity is low, but it is difficult for drivers to see some instruments at important times

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstrument visibilityVSAvoiddisplay adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Instruments are positioned at multiple static depth levels within the three-dimensional display, and the system dynamically selects which depth level to emphasize based on driving context. Critical instruments can be automatically promoted to closer depth levels when their information becomes relevant to the current driving situation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-positions instruments at multiple depth levels according to their importance and typical usage scenarios. When a driving condition is detected, the relevant instrument is already positioned at an optimal depth level, eliminating the need for real-time repositioning and ensuring immediate visibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Area of stationary object

If multiple virtual gauges are displayed at the same level, then the display area is efficiently used, but the user cannot easily access important information without navigating through multiple layers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay area utilizationVSAvoidinformation access ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent organizes virtual gauges in a three-dimensional hierarchical structure with multiple depth levels. Important instruments are positioned at closer depth levels while less critical instruments are placed at farther depth levels. The system can selectively bring specific instruments to the foreground depth level, allowing efficient display area utilization while ensuring important information is always easily accessible without navigating through other gauges

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP2896531B1Virtual three-dimensional instrument cluster with three-dimensional navigation system
Publication Date: 2018.10.31 HARMAN INT IND INC
  • EP2896531B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2896531B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP2896531B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

System, method, and computer program product to perform an operation, the operation comprising generating a three-dimensional graphical output comprising: a three-dimensional representation of a vehicle instrument cluster comprising a plurality of instruments at a first depth level, and a three-dimensional representation of a navigation system map at a second depth level, and outputting the three-dimensional graphical output for display on a three-dimensional display in a vehicle.