In-Vehicle Display Area Splitting via Predetermined Ratios

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing in-vehicle electronic devices face issues with split display areas having inappropriate sizes and shapes, leading to difficulties in displaying information effectively, especially when the aspect ratio changes or when information is displayed in small areas.

Innovation Solution

The device employs a method to set split areas at predetermined ratios and layouts, using touch operations to dynamically adjust the display areas and display information types, ensuring an optimal and easy-to-see format through a combination of hardware components like touch panels and processing units that manage display rules and information types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If split areas are allowed to be freely resized by users, then adaptability of display layout is improved, but split areas may become too small or inappropriate for effective information display

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay layout adaptabilityVSAvoiddisplay area appropriateness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from completely free-sized split areas to predetermined ratio-based split areas. The display control unit changes the parameter of split area sizing from user-arbitrary to predefined ratios (e.g., 1:1, 1:2, 2:1), ensuring that split areas maintain appropriate dimensions for effective information display while still offering multiple layout configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the display area into multiple regions with predetermined ratios rather than allowing continuous customization. By dividing the display into standardized segments (such as half-screen, quarter-screen configurations), the system maintains layout flexibility while preventing excessively small or inappropriate display areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If aspect ratio is changed to fit images in split areas, then display flexibility is improved, but information becomes difficult to see

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage display flexibilityVSAvoidinformation visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by selecting different aspect ratios based on the specific split area configuration and image type. Rather than uniformly changing aspect ratios for all displays, the system selectively adjusts aspect ratios only when necessary and appropriate for the given split area, preserving information visibility while maintaining display flexibility for different image types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making aspect ratio changes conditional and context-dependent. The display control unit dynamically decides whether to change aspect ratios based on the split area size, image characteristics, and display requirements, rather than applying fixed aspect ratio rules. This dynamic approach prevents information loss while maintaining flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If multiple display configurations are provided, then user operation flexibility is improved, but operation load increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelayout adjustment flexibilityVSAvoidoperation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining multiple display configurations with predetermined ratios and layouts. Instead of requiring users to manually adjust split areas continuously, the system provides ready-made configurations (e.g., half-screen, quarter-screen, various aspect ratios) that users can select directly, reducing operation load while maintaining flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by providing a limited set of essential display configurations rather than all possible configurations. The predetermined ratios cover the most common display needs (1:1, 1:2, 2:1, etc.), offering sufficient flexibility for typical use cases without overwhelming users with excessive options.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3396514B1Display area dividing device, method and computer program
Publication Date: 2022.05.04 FAURECIA CLARION ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3396514B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3396514B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3396514B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is an in-vehicle device capable of setting split areas of appropriate sizes and displaying display information in each of the split areas in an easier-to-see display form. A layout of a plurality of display areas each displaying information can be easily changed by a user. The in-vehicle device including a display unit having a display area includes: an operation detection unit that detects an operation on a touch panel; a split area setting unit that identifies one layout among predetermined layouts related to split areas obtained by splitting the display area based on the operation having been detected and that sets the split areas according to the layout having been identified; and a display information generation unit that identifies an item and a display form of display information for each of the split areas based on a display information type and a shape type of each of the split areas corresponding to a setting position of each of the split areas, and that displays the display information in the corresponding split area in the display form having been identified.