Central Search Component for Driver Information Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional driver information systems (DIS) in vehicles are not suitable for operation while driving, as they distract the driver, increasing the risk of accidents and injuries due to the need for attention away from the driving task.

Innovation Solution

A central search component is integrated into the DIS architecture to provide a global search function that can be accessed category-specifically, allowing users to perform searches with minimal interaction time and distraction, using acoustic, mechanical, or gestural inputs, and displaying results in a user-friendly manner, with options for next interaction steps and category changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional interaction methods (keyboard, touchscreen, mouse) are used in driver information systems, then users can access system content effectively, but driver distraction increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to system contentVSAvoiddriver safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical input methods (keyboard, touchscreen, mouse) with voice recognition and gesture control systems. Voice commands allow drivers to interact with the FIS without physical manipulation, while gestures provide alternative control methods that require minimal visual attention, thereby maintaining ease of operation while improving driver safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces voice recognition software and gesture detection systems as intermediary layers between the driver and the FIS. These intermediaries translate natural human interactions (speech, hand movements) into system commands, reducing the cognitive load and attention required compared to conventional interface methods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If comprehensive search functions are added to FIS, then information accessibility improves, but interaction time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation accessibilityVSAvoidinteraction time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements pre-configured search categories and context-aware search functions that anticipate driver needs. By organizing information into predefined categories (navigation, media, vehicle settings) and using context from the current FIS state, the system reduces the time required to locate information while maintaining comprehensive accessibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal search component that operates across all FIS categories and applications. This single search interface provides access to diverse information types (navigation destinations, media files, vehicle diagnostics) through a consistent interaction model, improving information accessibility without requiring category-specific interaction procedures

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

Data Source

PatentEP3074265B1System-wide search in driver information systems
Publication Date: 2021.07.14 BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG
  • EP3074265B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3074265B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3074265B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a driver information system (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one central control unit (7), a display (5), at least one input means (3), and a plurality of applications (56a, 56b, 56c, 56d, 56e), which each define a category and which are each connected to a database (58a, 58b, 58c, 58e, 58d) having category-specific data, wherein the central control unit (7) contains a central search component (50; 50b), one or more instances of which can be called up at any time by a user of the driver information system (1) by means of a human-machine interface (50), wherein an application of the driver information system currently running in the foreground defines a context for a search, and wherein each of the one or more instances of the search component performs, in at least one category associated with one of the applications, a context-specific search query in the category-specific data, in that searching is performed primarily in the category-specific data of the application from which the search was called up and secondarily in all available data.