Adaptive Touch Detection Area for Vehicle Control Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Touch-sensitive operating devices in motor vehicles face challenges in accuracy due to vibrations and accelerations, making it difficult for operators to effectively interact with virtual control elements, leading to erroneous inputs.

Innovation Solution

The method involves detecting vehicle acceleration and adjusting the position, orientation, shape, and size of touch-sensitive detection areas, as well as modifying actuating parameters such as dwell time and force, to enhance operation security by adapting to changing driving conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If touch-sensitive control elements are used in a moving vehicle, then the control device provides a modern interface, but vibrations and accelerations make it difficult to accurately tap and operate the controls

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol device functionalityVSAvoidtapping accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the detection area movable and adjustable in size. The detection area is dynamically repositioned and resized based on detected acceleration values, allowing it to adapt to vehicle movements and maintain operational accuracy despite vibrations and accelerations during driving

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes parameters by adjusting the position and size of the detection area based on acceleration parameters. When acceleration exceeds a threshold, the system modifies the detection area's characteristics (position and/or size) to compensate for the vehicle's movement, thereby maintaining tapping accuracy under varying driving conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the detection area size is increased to compensate for vibrations, then ease of operation improves, but the control device becomes less precise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol operation easeVSAvoidcontrol activation precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The detection area dynamically adjusts its size based on detected acceleration. During high acceleration events, the area expands to improve ease of operation, while during normal conditions, it maintains its standard size for precision. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by making the area size context-dependent

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the detection area size parameter in response to acceleration parameter changes. By linking the area size to the detected acceleration level, the system automatically optimizes between ease of operation and precision based on current driving conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If virtual control elements are moved to compensate for acceleration, then tapping accuracy improves, but the user interface becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetapping accuracyVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system performs self-service by automatically detecting acceleration and autonomously adjusting the detection area position and size without requiring user intervention. This automation maintains tapping accuracy while minimizing the perceived complexity for the user

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If dwell time requirements are extended to confirm intended actuations, then input safety improves, but operation speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinput safetyVSAvoidoperation speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the dwell time parameter dynamically based on detected acceleration. During high acceleration events, dwell time is extended to ensure intended actuation, while during normal conditions, it returns to standard duration, thus balancing safety and operational efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3715165B1Method for operating a contact-sensitive control device of a motor vehicle and motor vehicle for carrying out the method
Publication Date: 2022.12.21 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP3715165B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3715165B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3715165B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for operating a touch-sensitive control device of a motor vehicle. The control device provides at least one virtual control element to which at least one specific, triggerable function is assigned. At least one acceleration acting on the motor vehicle and/or the control device is detected, and a detection area assigned to the control element is changed in its position relative to the control device, in its orientation relative to the control device, in its shape, and/or in its size, depending on the detected acceleration. The invention proposes that, in addition, at least one actuation parameter for the detection area assigned to the control element is changed in its value depending on the detected acceleration in order to trigger the at least one function.