Finger-Operated Control Bar with Haptic and Visual Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current infotainment systems in vehicles lack intuitive and haptic feedback mechanisms for swipe gestures, particularly in switchless cockpit designs, making it difficult for users to navigate and adjust functions like audio volume and climate control without visual attention.
Innovation Solution
A device featuring a linear or curved finger strip with a concave/convex structure for haptic guidance, a detection unit for swipe gestures, and a linear light outlet for visual feedback, allowing users to perform swipe gestures and adjust functions without looking at the interface, with optically and haptically delimited key fields for clear input recognition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a switchless cockpit design is used to achieve a modern aesthetic, then the visual appearance is improved, but haptic feedback for user inputs is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a finger bar with integrated light guide as an intermediary element between the user and the infotainment system. The light guide acts as a mediator that provides both visual appearance (maintaining switchless design) and haptic feedback (through tactilely detectable structure and light-based user feedback), resolving the contradiction between aesthetic design and operational feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The finger bar features a locally differentiated structure with a tactilely detectable top side that provides haptic feedback only where needed for user interaction. The light guide is integrated specifically in the finger bar region, providing localized visual feedback without requiring a complete redesign of the cockpit interface. This localized approach maintains the switchless aesthetic while providing necessary haptic and visual feedback at the point of interaction.
2Shape
If conventional rotary pushbuttons are removed to achieve switchless design, then the modern aesthetic is improved, but significant haptic feedback on user inputs is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical feedback of rotary pushbuttons with a combined optical and tactile system. The light guide provides optical feedback (light emission, color changes, intensity variations) to replace the mechanical click feedback of pushbuttons. Simultaneously, the finger bar's tactilely detectable structure provides passive haptic guidance without requiring active mechanical components, thus eliminating rotary mechanisms while preserving haptic interaction quality.
3Measurement precision
If users must direct their gaze to the user interface to make inputs, then input precision is improved, but traffic safety deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide provides real-time feedback to the user through light emission, color changes, and intensity variations that correspond to user gestures and system states. This feedback mechanism allows users to confirm their inputs and understand system responses without visual inspection, enabling safe operation while maintaining input accuracy. The feedback loop closes the gap between gesture execution and confirmation, ensuring accurate input without requiring gaze diversion.
4Ease of manufacture
If a finger bar with light guide is integrated into the display unit, then integration into vehicle interior is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light guide with the finger bar structure, creating an integrated component that combines aesthetic lighting elements with functional input guidance. The light guide is embedded within or coupled to the finger bar, eliminating the need for separate lighting components and reducing the number of assembly steps. This merging approach maintains design integration while simplifying manufacturing compared to implementing separate lighting and structural elements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides intuitive and safe operation by offering haptic and visual feedback, enhancing user experience and traffic safety by allowing input without visual attention, and integrating seamlessly into the vehicle's design.
Implementation Method 1
The detection unit can (for example capacitively) detect a movement of human tissue carried out on the finger strip and convert it into electrical signals
Implementation Method 2
a light source located behind it can emit light in the direction of the user
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
Disclosed are an infotainment system, a device for controlling an infotainment system of a means of locomotion, a means of locomotion, a user interface, and a method for outputting feedback about input performed using a finger-operated control bar. The disclosed method involves the steps of: - detecting a predefined number of fingers placed on the finger-operated control bar (1), and in response thereto, - having a light output emit light of a color associated with the number of fingers placed on the control bar.