AR Vehicle Interface Overlaying Virtual Controls

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current technologies lack an effective method to seamlessly integrate virtual vehicle controls with augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR) devices, limiting users' ability to interact with vehicle settings and multimedia controls in a visually immersive and intuitive manner within the vehicle environment.

Innovation Solution

The method involves capturing image or video data from the vehicle interior using an AR/VR device, establishing a short-range wireless communications connection with the vehicle, and rendering virtual vehicle control graphics over the captured data, allowing users to interact with vehicle settings and controls through gestures or touch inputs, which are then communicated to the vehicle's system modules for action.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If virtual vehicle controls are integrated with AR/VR devices, then user interaction with vehicle settings becomes more intuitive and immersive, but device complexity and integration requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser interaction with vehicle settingsVSAvoidintegration requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The AR/VR device is designed to serve multiple functions: capturing vehicle interior images, displaying virtual controls, receiving user inputs, and communicating with vehicle systems. This multi-functionality allows a single device to replace traditional separate control interfaces, improving ease of operation while managing complexity through consolidation

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses an intermediary communication layer that translates between the AR/VR device's touch/gesture inputs and the vehicle's control system commands. This mediator handles the complexity of integration by providing a standardized interface protocol, shielding users from underlying system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Illumination intensity

If virtual controls are displayed over captured vehicle interior images, then visual immersion and aesthetics are improved, but processing requirements and latency increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual immersionVSAvoidprocessing latency
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-processes and stores vehicle interior image data in advance, preparing the visual canvas before virtual controls need to be overlaid. This preliminary preparation reduces real-time processing requirements and minimizes latency when displaying immersive visual content

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system merges the pre-captured vehicle interior images with virtual control graphics in a single integrated display output. By combining these elements efficiently in the rendering pipeline, the system maintains visual immersion while reducing the computational overhead of separate processing steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If wireless communication is established between AR/VR device and vehicle, then control functionality is enhanced, but communication reliability and security requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol functionalityVSAvoidcommunication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the vehicle system confirms receipt and execution of commands from the AR/VR device. This feedback loop ensures communication reliability by allowing the system to detect and retransmit failed communications, maintaining trustworthy control functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes preliminary authentication and authorization protocols before enabling control functionality. By pre-validating the AR/VR device's credentials and permissions, the system prevents unauthorized access and ensures communication security before any control operations occur

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentUS10410426B2Augmented reality vehicle user interface
Publication Date: 2019.09.10 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
  • US10410426B2 patent drawing
  • US10410426B2 patent drawing
  • US10410426B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A system and method of operating a vehicle using virtual vehicle controls, wherein the method includes: capturing image or video data from an area within an interior of the vehicle; sending a virtual vehicle control graphics request to a vehicle; receiving virtual vehicle control graphics response from the vehicle, wherein the virtual vehicle control graphics response includes virtual vehicle control graphics; and presenting the captured image or video data and the virtual vehicle control graphics on a display of the AR/VR device such that the virtual vehicle control graphics are presented over the captured image or video data, wherein the virtual vehicle control graphics includes one or more vehicle-user interface components.