Dynamic Priority Notification Management for Vehicle HMI

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing notification management systems for vehicle-based human-machine interfaces face challenges in efficiently selecting and delivering proactive notifications to drivers without causing distraction, fatigue, or discomfort, especially due to the complexity of multiple interaction channels and the need for extensive user configuration.

Innovation Solution

A notification management method that assigns a dynamic priority number to each notification, which can be understood as a resource to 'purchase' forwarding to a notification channel. The method sets a time-varying channel threshold for each notification channel based on driving data, vehicle environment data, and user behavior, ensuring that only notifications with the highest priority are delivered through the most appropriate channel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple interaction channels are provided for transmitting information, then the information delivery capability is improved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation delivery capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The notification management system segments the multitude of notifications into different priority levels (first priority, second priority, etc.) and assigns them to different notification channels based on their priority. This segmentation allows the system to manage multiple interaction channels systematically without overwhelming complexity, as each channel handles specific priority levels independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of notification delivery by dynamically adjusting which notification channel is activated based on the priority level of incoming notifications. High-priority notifications trigger specific channels (e.g., visual alerts), while lower-priority notifications use other channels (e.g., haptic feedback), allowing flexible adaptation without requiring complex manual configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If rule-based selection with initially configured priorities is used, then notification prioritization is achieved, but administrative overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenotification prioritization efficiencyVSAvoidadministrative overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The notification management system automatically assigns priority levels to notifications based on their type and source, without requiring manual configuration by users. The system self-manages the prioritization process by evaluating notification characteristics and assigning appropriate priority levels, thereby eliminating the administrative overhead of manual rule configuration while maintaining efficient notification delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of information

If proactive notifications are delivered frequently, then information completeness is improved, but driver distraction increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoiddriver distraction
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different delivery strategies to different priority levels of notifications. High-priority notifications that require immediate driver attention are delivered through channels that minimize distraction (e.g., brief visual alerts), while lower-priority notifications are delivered through less intrusive channels (e.g., haptic feedback or delayed delivery). This local differentiation of delivery quality ensures information completeness while minimizing overall distraction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system delivers only the necessary portion of notification information through each channel, avoiding excessive information presentation. By selectively delivering notifications based on priority and using appropriate channels for each priority level, the system provides sufficient information for driver awareness without overwhelming the driver with excessive notifications simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Adaptability or versatility

If notification channels are activated based on user configuration, then notification relevance is improved, but configuration complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenotification relevanceVSAvoidconfiguration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The notification management system automatically determines the appropriate notification channels to activate based on the priority level and type of each notification, without requiring users to manually configure channel preferences. The system self-adapts to delivery situations by evaluating notification characteristics and selecting suitable channels, thereby achieving notification relevance while eliminating configuration complexity for users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4494367B1Notification management method for a vehicle-based human-machine interface, and vehicle comprising a notification management system
Publication Date: 2025.06.11 MERCEDES BENZ GROUP AG
  • EP4494367B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4494367B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a notification management method for a vehicle-based human-machine interface comprising at least one notification channel. A notification management system withholds a notification directed to at least one vehicle occupant and/or a vehicle functional module or forwards the notification to the notification channel on the basis of a priority linked to the notification. The method according to the invention is characterized in that - the priority linked to the notification is defined by a priority number; - the notification is selected and forwarded to the notification channel if the priority number thereof exceeds a channel threshold assigned to the notification channel and if the notification has the highest priority number for the respective notification channel; and - the channel threshold can vary over time and, in a normal operating mode, is determined between a minimum threshold and a maximum threshold by the notification management system in a specified time interval on the basis of driving data and/or vehicle surroundings data and/or vehicle data and/or state data of the human-machine interface and/or at least one chronologically previous notification transmission and/or vehicle occupant monitoring data.