Adaptive Screen Image Generation for In-Vehicle Display Readability

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Solution Overview

Problem

When controlling an in-vehicle device from an information terminal, the screen images often appear too small or thin on the in-vehicle device due to the greater viewing distance, making it difficult for users to read characters and distinguish lines.

Innovation Solution

The information terminal generates two distinct screen images: one optimized for the portable terminal and another optimized for the in-vehicle device, with adjustable parameters such as character size, font, road thickness, and hue, based on the resolution and type of the in-vehicle device, ensuring clear visibility in both contexts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the screen image of the information terminal is displayed just as it is upon the screen of the in-vehicle device, then the display format is maintained, but the characters become too small or lines become too thin for the user to see clearly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay format compatibilityVSAvoidcharacter size and line thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by detecting the display resolution of the in-vehicle device and adjusting screen image parameters (character size, line thickness, font scale) based on the detected resolution. When the in-vehicle device is connected, the system generates a second screen image with modified parameters optimized for the larger display distance, whereas the first screen image maintains original parameters for close-range terminal viewing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Illumination intensity

If the screen image is optimized for the information terminal with close viewing distance, then the display is clear at 30 cm, but the same image appears too small and thin when displayed on the in-vehicle device at 60 cm or greater distance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual clarityVSAvoidcharacter size
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by creating different screen image versions with different local characteristics. The first screen image has local qualities (character size, line thickness) optimized for the information terminal's close viewing distance, while the second screen image has modified local qualities (larger characters, thicker lines) specifically for the in-vehicle device's greater viewing distance, allowing each display to have locally optimized visual properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If a single screen image is used for both information terminal and in-vehicle device, then the system complexity is reduced, but the readability and usability on the in-vehicle device deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescreen image generation systemVSAvoidreadability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the screen image generation process adaptive rather than static. The system dynamically selects between generating a first screen image (for information terminal only) or a second screen image (for in-vehicle device) based on connection status detection. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain simplicity when the terminal is used alone while automatically optimizing readability when connected to the in-vehicle device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2698968B1Information terminal, on-board information system, on-board device, and information terminal program
Publication Date: 2015.11.25 FAURECIA CLARION ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2698968B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2698968B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2698968B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

A portable information terminal that is connected to an in-vehicle device comprises: a first display unit; a display control unit that generates a first screen image for display upon the first display unit, and a second screen image for display upon a second display unit that is comprised in the in-vehicle device; and a screen image output unit that outputs the second screen image to the in-vehicle device.