Dynamic Instrument Panel Button Interface for Vehicle Manufacturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial and large vehicles face challenges in managing a large number of buttons on their instrument panels, leading to increased manufacturing costs, restricted interior design, and potential operational errors due to the complexity and variety of buttons required for different vehicle options and purposes.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus utilizing telematics to provide a vehicle user interface, where a vehicle identification number is transmitted to a telematics server to retrieve and display button user interface information, allowing control signals to be input through an instrument panel device, thereby simplifying the management and control of electrical systems within the vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a large number of physical buttons are installed on the instrument panel to support various vehicle options and functions, then the vehicle can provide comprehensive control capabilities for different electrical systems, but the manufacturing cost increases and the interior design becomes restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a display screen to create a visual copy of button interfaces, replacing physical buttons with graphical representations. Each button function is represented by an icon or graphic on the display, allowing the same control capabilities to be provided without manufacturing actual physical buttons for each function. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining adaptability through software-based button interfaces while significantly reducing manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The display screen serves as a universal interface that can display different button configurations depending on the vehicle model, options, and required functions. A single physical display device replaces multiple specialized physical buttons, providing multi-functionality across different vehicle configurations. This allows comprehensive control capabilities to be achieved with a single versatile component rather than numerous specialized buttons.
2Adaptability or versatility
If various types of buttons are mounted on the instrument panel for different vehicle purposes and options, then the vehicle can accommodate diverse functional requirements, but the instrument panel design becomes restricted and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The button interface is made dynamic through software control, allowing the display to adapt its button configuration based on the vehicle model, selected options, and operational context. Instead of fixed physical buttons, the system can dynamically generate, modify, and rearrange button interfaces to match different functional requirements. This resolves the contradiction by providing adaptability through dynamic software-based interfaces while keeping the physical instrument panel design simple and uniform.
3Adaptability or versatility
If numerous buttons are installed on the instrument panel to cover all vehicle functions, then complete control over electrical systems is achieved, but operational errors increase due to complexity
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing physical buttons with graphical copies on a display screen, the system reduces the physical complexity that leads to operational errors. The graphical interface can provide clearer visual feedback, highlighting active functions and preventing incorrect selections. This maintains complete control coverage while improving operational accuracy by reducing the cognitive load and physical complexity associated with numerous physical buttons.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling an instrument panel (IP) device includes transmitting a vehicle identification number (VIN) to a telematics server through an IP application, receiving vehicle production information corresponding to the VIN from the telematics server, and displaying a button user interface (UI) classified as at least one group corresponding to the vehicle production information through the IP application.