Adaptive Vehicle Control Interface for Occupancy-Based Display

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle operating devices are complex and distracting, requiring drivers to navigate multiple controls to operate devices like air conditioning and cameras, leading to unnecessary effort and potential distraction while driving.

Innovation Solution

An operating device with a detection system that displays only relevant graphical control elements on a touchscreen display based on the presence of individuals in specific areas of the vehicle, simplifying the operation of devices such as zone air conditioning systems by showing only necessary controls to the driver or passenger.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple camera adjustment controls are provided to change viewing direction, then the camera can be positioned correctly to monitor the back seat, but the driver faces considerable effort and distraction when selecting the right control element

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera positioning accuracyVSAvoiddriver operation effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The detection device automatically detects the back seat area and determines the appropriate camera viewing direction without requiring manual driver input. The system serves itself by autonomously selecting and adjusting camera settings based on detected occupancy, eliminating the need for the driver to navigate through multiple control options.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses detection signals from the detection device to provide feedback to the control device, which then automatically adjusts the camera's viewing direction. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures the camera is correctly positioned based on real-time detection of back seat occupancy, removing the need for manual trial-and-error adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If the air conditioning system is activated automatically when seat occupancy is detected, then the system responds to passenger presence, but the air conditioning activates even when the driver does not want it

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem response to occupancyVSAvoiddriver control authority
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides different operational modes for different zones: automatic activation for passenger areas based on occupancy detection, but manual control for the driver's area. This allows the air conditioning to adapt to passenger presence while preserving driver authority over their own environment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The control system dynamically adjusts its behavior based on the operator's preferences. When the driver manually adjusts the air conditioning, the system learns and adapts to disable automatic activation in that zone, while maintaining automatic response in passenger zones. This dynamic adaptation balances automation with user control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If all camera controls are displayed on the interface, then the driver can access all functions, but the display becomes cluttered and overwhelming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunction accessibilityVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control interface is segmented into context-relevant subsets based on detected occupancy. When the back seat is occupied, only camera controls relevant to back seat monitoring are displayed. When unoccupied, those controls are hidden. This segmentation maintains full functionality while reducing perceived complexity at any given moment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The interface dynamically reconfigures itself based on real-time detection data. Controls are shown or hidden depending on the current situation (occupancy status), creating a dynamic interface that adapts to context rather than presenting a static, comprehensive set of all possible controls.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3405841B1Adaptive operator control device for a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2019.09.04 AUDI AG
  • EP3405841B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to an operator control device (14) for a motor vehicle (10) for controlling at least one piece of equipment (16). The operator control device (14) has a control apparatus (18) and a detection apparatus (22). In this context, the at least one piece of equipment (16) and the detection apparatus (22) are coupled to the control apparatus (18). The detection apparatus (22) is configured to detect at least one person in a detection range (26). The operator control device (14) also comprises a display apparatus (20) which is coupled to the control apparatus (18). The control apparatus (18) is configured to display, in each case, on a display (24) of the display apparatus (20) for the at least one piece of equipment (16) a graphic operator control element (32, 34) for controlling the piece of equipment (16) as a function of the person detected in the detection range (26).