Cylindrical Menu Interface for Vehicle Hierarchy Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional motor vehicle user interfaces with hierarchical menu structures are confusing due to inconsistent display and input environments, making it difficult for users to distinguish between different hierarchical levels and navigate the menu structure effectively.
Innovation Solution
An operating device featuring a screen that projects a circular cylinder with an end face and lateral surface, where the longitudinal axis deviates by less than 45° in one state and more than 45° in another, allowing for continuous rotational movement to maintain uniform input and display across states, avoiding media discontinuity and optimizing the limited screen space by hiding or emphasizing relevant information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If hierarchical menu structures are displayed in the same interface format (always list form or always circular arrangement), then the display is consistent, but the user cannot determine which hierarchy level the displayed menu items belong to
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by transitioning from a 2D circular menu display to a 3D cylindrical menu display. The cylindrical shape provides inherent hierarchical differentiation through its geometry - the circular cross-section maintains consistency while the 3D structure allows visual distinction of hierarchy levels through perspective and spatial arrangement, solving the problem of losing hierarchy information while maintaining display consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the visual properties of menu items at different hierarchy levels within the same cylindrical interface. Different hierarchy levels can be displayed with different visual characteristics (such as position on the cylinder, size, or highlighting), allowing users to distinguish hierarchy levels while maintaining overall interface consistency.
2Loss of information
If hierarchical levels are differentiated based on display environment, then hierarchy is visible, but a media break occurs when transitioning between hierarchy levels
Solution Approach 1:
By using a 3D cylindrical display, the patent creates a continuous spatial transition between hierarchy levels. Instead of switching between different 2D display formats (which causes media breaks), the cylindrical interface allows smooth rotational transitions between levels, maintaining operational continuity while preserving hierarchy distinction through the 3D spatial arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling continuous rotational movement of the cylindrical menu between hierarchy levels. This dynamic transition replaces static format switching with a smooth, continuous animation that maintains the user's operational context and reduces cognitive load during navigation between hierarchy levels.
3Device complexity
If the same user interface controls are used at different hierarchy levels, then the interface is simple, but the user must associate the same control with different functions depending on the hierarchy level
Solution Approach 1:
The 3D cylindrical display provides spatial context that helps users understand the current hierarchy level through visual cues (such as the cylinder's orientation or the position of menu items). This spatial information works together with consistent controls to reduce ambiguity, allowing simple controls to function clearly at different hierarchy levels based on the user's spatial context.
Data Source
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AI summary
A device (100) for operating a motor vehicle is described. The device comprises a screen (102) for displaying a projection (106) of a circular cylinder (108) with an end face (110) and a lateral surface (112), and an input unit (104) for inputting a direction of rotation (120) and a selection confirmation (124). In a first state, a longitudinal axis (114) of the circular cylinder deviates by less than 45° from a direction (116) of the projection. In a second state, the longitudinal axis (114) of the circular cylinder deviates by more than 45° from the direction (116) of the projection. The input of the direction of rotation (120) causes a continuous rotational movement (122) of the circular cylinder (108) about its longitudinal axis (114). The entry of the selection confirmation (124) in the first state causes a continuous rotational movement (126) of the circular cylinder (108) about an axis (128) perpendicular to the projection direction (116) into the second state.In the first state, a multitude of selection points are arranged on the end face (110). In the second state, a multitude of sub-selection points are arranged on the lateral surface (112).