HUD Switch State Indication for One-Way Steering Wheel Controls

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users may misunderstand the operation of one-way switches in a vehicle's steering wheel switch array when the image of the switch array is displayed on a head-up display (HUD), particularly after pressing the switch twice or more.

Innovation Solution

A vehicular display control device that displays an image of a switch on a HUD, where the switch transitions from a first state to a second state upon a first press, and either does not allocate any function or allocates a third function upon subsequent presses. The device displays a first symbol indicating no function allocation or a second symbol indicating the third function allocation in the switch's display region.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If the switch array image is displayed on the HUD, then the user can see the switch layout, but the user may misunderstand the operation of the one-way switch when pressed twice or more

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveswitch operation informationVSAvoidswitch operation clarity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses different display colors or visual states to indicate whether a switch is a one-way switch or a two-way switch. When a switch is pressed and becomes a one-way switch, its display color or visual state changes to indicate that further presses will not return to the original state, preventing user misunderstanding

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the switch display information by showing different visual indicators for different switch states. The display is divided into segments that show the current state of each switch, including whether it is a one-way or two-way switch, providing clear visual feedback for each switch's operational characteristics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the switch operates as a one-way switch after first press, then the function transitions from first state to second state, but the user cannot return to the first state by pressing again

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveswitch function allocationVSAvoidswitch operation reversibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic switch functionality where the switch behavior changes based on the number of presses. After the first press, the switch dynamically transitions from a two-way operation mode to a one-way operation mode, with the display dynamically updating to reflect this change and prevent user confusion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12280669B2Vehicular display control device, vehicular display device, vehicular display control method, and non-transitory computer-readable recording medium recorded with program

Publication Date: 2025.04.22 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

A vehicular display control device that is configured to: display an image of a switch, the switch being allocated a first function configured to cause a transition from a first state to a second state when being pressed a first time, and being either not allocated any function or allocated a third function when being pressed more than a first time, the second function being configured to cause a transition from the second state to the first state; and in a state in which the image of the switch is being displayed, when the switch has been pressed once, display either a first symbol indicating that a function has not been allocated, or a second symbol indicating that the third function has been allocated, when the switch is pressed a more than a first time, in a display region corresponding to the switch.