In-Vehicle Display Regulating Unit for Driver Distraction Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing in-vehicle information systems struggle to effectively restrict distracting applications on portable terminals while the vehicle is in motion, posing a safety risk due to the inability to control application execution on connected devices like smartphones.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates a display regulating unit that obscures specific image areas on the in-vehicle apparatus's touch panel during travel, preventing operation information transmission from restricted areas, and includes a traveling decision-making unit to determine the vehicle's state, ensuring only non-distracting content is accessible to the driver.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the in-vehicle apparatus allows application execution on connected portable terminals, then system functionality and user convenience are improved, but driving safety deteriorates due to potential driver distraction from accessible applications
Solution Approach 1:
The display screen is divided into multiple independent operation areas, each with distinct accessibility characteristics. The first operation area remains accessible during vehicle travel, while the second operation area is restricted. This segmentation allows the system to maintain versatility through multiple functional zones while eliminating driver distraction by blocking access to distracting applications in the restricted area.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the display screen are assigned different accessibility properties based on their intended use. The first operation area maintains normal accessibility for essential functions, while the second operation area implements restricted accessibility during travel. This local differentiation enables the system to preserve necessary functionality while preventing driver distraction in specific zones.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the system restricts application execution on portable terminals while the vehicle is traveling, then driving safety is improved, but system functionality deteriorates due to limited access to legitimate applications
Solution Approach 1:
The operation areas are segmented such that the first area permits application execution for essential functions during travel, while the second area restricts execution for potentially distracting applications. This selective segmentation preserves system functionality for necessary operations while eliminating driver distraction from inappropriate applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different accessibility qualities to different spatial regions of the display. The first operation area maintains full functionality for non-distracting applications, while the second operation area implements restrictions. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction by preserving necessary functionality in permitted zones while preventing distraction in restricted zones.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the display regulating unit obscures part of or all of the display screen during travel, then driver distraction is prevented, but ease of operation deteriorates due to reduced accessible interface area
Solution Approach 1:
The display screen is segmented into a first operation area that remains unobscured and accessible during travel, and a second operation area that is obscured. This segmentation prevents driver distraction by blocking the second area while maintaining ease of operation for essential functions through the accessible first area.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the display receive different visual treatments during travel. The first operation area maintains normal visibility and accessibility for essential operations, while the second operation area is obscured to prevent distraction. This local differentiation preserves ease of operation where needed while preventing distraction where harmful.
4Ease of operation
If the system allows touch operations in all display areas, then ease of operation is improved, but driving safety deteriorates due to potential interactions with distracting content
Solution Approach 1:
The touch-sensitive display is segmented into operation areas with different interaction permissions. The first operation area accepts touch operations during travel for essential functions, while the second operation area blocks touch operations to prevent interaction with distracting content. This segmentation maintains ease of operation for necessary functions while preventing driver distraction.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the display are assigned different touch sensitivity characteristics during travel. The first operation area maintains normal touch responsiveness for essential operations, while the second operation area implements touch blocking. This local quality differentiation preserves ease of operation where safe while preventing distraction where harmful.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
An in-vehicle information system includes: an information terminal; and an in-vehicle apparatus 1. At least one of the information terminal 2 and the in-vehicle apparatus 1 decides whether or not a vehicle is currently in a traveling state. The in-vehicle apparatus 1 includes a display unit with a display screen 11, and restricts an image area ranging over part of or all of the display screen 11 to be obscured from view when deciding that the vehicle is currently in a traveling state. The information terminal 2 includes an application stored therein, outputs an image corresponding to the application to the in-vehicle apparatus 1, and outputs regulatory information pertaining to an image area to be restricted within the image corresponding to the application, to the in-vehicle apparatus 1. The in-vehicle apparatus 1 sets an image area in the display screen 11 to be restricted by using the regulatory information output by the information terminal 2.