Handheld Alert Interface for Autonomous Vehicle Attention Handover

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for faster and more efficient methods and interfaces for presenting vehicular notifications in vehicles operating with a degree of autonomous control, to reduce cognitive burden on users and improve human-machine interaction.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of electronic devices with touch-sensitive surfaces and sensors to detect contact intensity, which provide intuitive and efficient user interfaces for presenting vehicular notifications, including visual indications and interface disabling mechanisms to redirect the driver's attention to the vehicle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional notification methods are used in autonomous vehicles, then drivers can operate handheld devices, but driver attention may be diverted from the vehicle

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandheld device operationVSAvoiddriver attention
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The notification system acts as an intermediary between the vehicle system and the driver, using the handheld device display as a mediator to convey vehicle status information. This allows the driver to receive critical notifications without directly interacting with the vehicle controls, maintaining ease of operation while ensuring attention redirection through strategic notification placement and timing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If notification presentation is optimized for speed, then cognitive burden is reduced, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenotification presentation speedVSAvoiddevice power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The notification system employs periodic action by using pre-computed notification templates and cached vehicle status data. Instead of processing and rendering notifications in real-time, the system prepares notification content in advance and updates displays periodically, significantly reducing processing power requirements while maintaining fast presentation speed for the driver

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Loss of information

If complex interface elements are used for notifications, then information completeness is improved, but cognitive burden increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenotification information completenessVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The notification interface is segmented into hierarchical levels: critical safety alerts are presented as simple, prominent notifications requiring immediate attention, while detailed vehicle status information is organized into collapsible sections or separate detailed views. This segmentation allows complete information to be available without overwhelming the driver with complex interface elements during critical moments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3593237B1Device, method, and graphical user interface for presenting vehicular notifications
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 APPLE INC
  • EP3593237B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3593237B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3593237B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

In accordance with some embodiments, a method is performed at a device with one or more processors, non-transitory memory, and a display. The method includes, while the device is in communication with an alert system integrated into a vehicle that is operating with at least a respective degree of autonomous control, displaying, on the display, a user interface that is unrelated to operating the vehicle. The device is a handheld device that is separate from the vehicle. The method includes, while displaying the user interface on the display, receiving, from the alert system integrated into the vehicle, an alert indication that a driver's attention is needed for operating the vehicle. The method includes, in response to receiving the alert indication, disabling at least a portion of the displayed user interface and displaying, on the display, a visual indication that the driver's attention is needed for operating the vehicle.