Chair-Integrated User Interface With Proximity-Activated Controls
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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 lead to passenger complaints during travel.
Innovation Solution
An integrated user interface system is provided within a passenger chair, allowing interaction with information systems through interface elements disposed in armrests, which become visible and functional only when a user approaches, eliminating the need for separate handheld controllers.
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 control functionality is provided, but the system becomes complicated and difficult to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is merged with the passenger seat to form an integrated unit. The control interface is built into the seat structure, eliminating the need for separate handheld controllers or chair-mounted devices. This integration simplifies the overall system while maintaining full control functionality, directly resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat serves multiple functions: it provides both seating support and control interface functionality. The control system can operate various vehicle information system components (entertainment, navigation, climate control) through the integrated seat interface, making the seat a universal control hub that reduces overall system complexity while improving ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If separate handheld controllers are provided at each passenger chair, then control functionality is available, but the controllers are difficult to operate due to wired connections and tethering
Solution Approach 1:
The control interface is merged into the seat structure itself, eliminating separate handheld controllers. The integrated controls are built into the seat armrests or backrest, removing the need for tethered wireless controllers and their associated wired connections, thereby simplifying operation and reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control functionality is extracted from the handheld controller concept and embedded directly into the seat structure. This extraction eliminates the need for separate controller devices and their complex tethering systems, providing a more straightforward and easier-to-operate interface while reducing overall system complexity.
3Ease of operation
If multiple controllers and interface elements are disposed throughout the vehicle, then control functionality is provided, but clutter increases and user experience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple control functions that would traditionally be distributed across various handheld controllers and chair-mounted devices are merged into a single integrated seat-based control system. This consolidation eliminates clutter while maintaining comprehensive control functionality, directly improving user experience without sacrificing operational capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated seat controller serves as a universal interface for all vehicle information system functions, replacing the need for multiple specialized controllers. This multi-functional approach reduces system clutter and simplifies the user experience while providing access to entertainment, navigation, climate control, and other vehicle systems through a single unified interface.
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.