Animated In-Vehicle Display Mode Switching

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Modern vehicles require intuitive and quick information display systems to minimize driver distraction, as they need to present a large amount of diverse information, including navigation, communications, and multimedia applications, while allowing easy operation of vehicle devices.

Innovation Solution

A method and operating device that generate graphic data to display objects in multiple modes, with animated transitions between modes, using a touch-sensitive display area and proximity detection to facilitate easy switching between display modes, allowing users to quickly and intuitively select and operate graphic objects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If multiple information systems (navigation, communications, multimedia) are integrated into the vehicle display system, then the quantity of information displayed increases, but the complexity of the display system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequantity of informationVSAvoiddisplay system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display device is designed to serve multiple functions by integrating navigation, communications, multimedia, and vehicle status display capabilities into a single multifunctional interface, allowing one system to perform multiple information display tasks rather than requiring separate dedicated displays for each function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The display area is divided into multiple independent display regions or zones that can be individually configured to show different types of information (navigation maps, communication interfaces, multimedia content, vehicle status), allowing the system to manage large quantities of information through spatial segmentation rather than overwhelming a single display area

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If detailed information is displayed to help drivers operate vehicle devices, then the ease of operation improves, but the driver's distraction increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of device operationVSAvoiddriver distraction
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Different display regions are assigned different levels of detail and interactivity based on their function and the driver's needs, with critical operational information displayed in easily accessible areas with simplified interfaces, while less critical information is placed in areas that require less attention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-organizes and pre-displays commonly needed operational information in intuitive formats before the driver needs to interact with it, reducing the cognitive load and time required for the driver to locate and understand control options

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If the display transitions between different modes quickly, then the productivity of information access improves, but the clarity of transition animation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation access speedVSAvoidtransition time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The display uses periodic or sequential animation frames to transition between modes, where a series of rapidly displayed intermediate states creates the perception of smooth motion while maintaining relatively fast overall transition speed, balancing animation quality with transition efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP2766211B1Method for making available an operator control, in particular in a vehicle, and operator control for a vehicle
Publication Date: 2019.09.18 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP2766211B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2766211B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2766211B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for making available an operator control (6) in a vehicle (37), in which graphic data are regenerated by a control device (3) and actuate a display face (2) in such a way that a plurality of graphic objects (20-1 to 20-10) can be displayed in at least two display modes, wherein, in the first display mode the graphic objects (20-1 to 20-10) are displayed arranged one next to the other in a single row (20), and in the second display mode the graphic objects (20-1 to 20-10) are displayed arranged in a matrix (26; 27), at least one control button (23 to 25) for changing between the display mode is displayed, the position of an activation object in front of or on the display face (2) is sensed relative to the control button (23 to 25), and a control signal for activating the control button (23 to 25) is generated as a function of the sensed position and a changeover from the currently displayed display mode into the other display mode is carried out by means of the control signal, wherein, during the changeover from the currently displayed display mode into the other display mode, an animated image sequence is represented in which the graphic objects (20-1 to 20-10) are moved from the positions in the currently displayed display mode to the positions in the other display mode. Furthermore, the invention relates to an operator control (6) for carrying out this method and to a vehicle (37) with such an operator control (6).