Chair Armrest Interface That Appears on Hand Proximity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle information systems are complex and difficult for passengers to operate, requiring chair-mounted or tethered controllers that are cumbersome and often source of complaints during travel.
Innovation Solution
An integrated user interface system is provided at the passenger chair, eliminating the need for separate controllers by incorporating interface elements into the chair's armrests, which become visible and usable only when a passenger approaches, allowing natural and intuitive interaction with the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If chair-mounted or tethered controllers are used for passenger interaction with vehicle information systems, then system functionality is provided, but operation complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the controller functions directly into the chair structure itself, eliminating separate handheld or tethered controllers. The chair back or armrests are integrated with control interfaces, buttons, and display elements, allowing passengers to operate the information system through the chair they are already seated in, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The chair becomes self-serving by incorporating the control interface directly into its structure. Passengers interact with the information system through controls embedded in the chair itself, eliminating the need for separate controllers that would add complexity. The chair provides both seating and control functions in one integrated unit.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate handheld controllers are provided at each passenger chair, then control functionality is available, but system complexity increases and operational difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The chair structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides seating support and integrated control functionality for the information system. By making the chair universal (both seat and controller), the system eliminates the need for separate specialized controllers, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining full control adaptability and versatility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional vehicle information systems with multiple controls are implemented, then comprehensive viewing content control is provided, but passenger interaction becomes difficult and complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The control interface is localized to the immediate vicinity of the passenger through integration into the chair structure. Controls are positioned on the chair back or armrests within easy reach, and display elements are positioned for optimal viewing angles. This local placement of control quality enhances passenger interaction ease while maintaining comprehensive viewing content control capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated user interface system being disposed at a chair and methods for manufacturing and using same. The user interface system comprises one or more interface elements that are disposed at an armrest or other suitable chair location and that are obscured from view or otherwise de-emphasized when a user is distal from the user interface system. At least one selected interface element becomes emphasized when a user hand becomes proximate to the user interface system. The selected interface element can become emphasized, for example, by becoming visible and/or by forming a raised projection. Upon becoming emphasized, the selected interface element is activated for use and can be manipulated to interact with available system resources. The chair advantageously can appear to be an ordinary chair when the user interface system is not in use and can present the user interface system when the user wishes to access the system resources.