Vehicle Infotainment Device Dynamic Input Mode Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Infotainment systems in vehicles often cause driver distraction due to the need for prolonged visual contact and display of non-essential information while driving, leading to safety concerns.

Innovation Solution

An infotainment device with calculation means to distinguish driving and stop situations, offering a quicker input mode (less than 2 seconds of visual contact) during driving, and limiting display of distracting information, allowing only essential vehicle-related information and quick functions to minimize driver distraction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the infotainment system allows full access to all input modes and information during driving, then the ease of operation and information access are improved, but driver distraction and safety risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to input modesVSAvoiddriver distraction
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the available input modes based on vehicle motion state. When the vehicle is detected to be in motion, only the second input mode (requiring ≤2 seconds visual contact) is enabled. When the vehicle is stationary, both first and second input modes become available. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making ease of operation conditional on safety requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of visual contact duration threshold based on vehicle state. During driving, the threshold is set to ≤2 seconds to minimize distraction. When parked, the threshold allows >2 seconds for comprehensive input mode access. This parameter adjustment directly addresses the contradiction between operational ease and driver safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of information

If the infotainment system displays all information including entertainment content during driving, then the information completeness is improved, but driver distraction increases

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

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts and removes distracting entertainment information from the display during vehicle motion. Only essential vehicle-related information and safety-critical displays remain visible. This extraction approach maintains necessary information availability while eliminating harmful distracting content, resolving the contradiction between information completeness and driver safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the system allows complex functions requiring prolonged interaction during driving, then the functionality and versatility are improved, but the risk of driver distraction and unsafe operation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctionality accessVSAvoiddriving safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

During vehicle motion, the system permits only partial access to functions through the second input mode, which is designed for quick ≤2 seconds interactions. Complex functions requiring prolonged engagement are blocked. This partial action approach maintains essential functionality while preventing excessive interaction that would compromise driving safety and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3941774B1Infotainment device for a vehicle
Publication Date: 2023.03.29 STELLANTIS AUTO SAS
  • EP3941774B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

Disclosed is an infotainment device for a vehicle, comprising: -computing means, -detection means designed to distinguish a situation in which the vehicle is driving from a situation in which the vehicle is stationary, and connected to the computing means, -input means connected to the computing means and allowing user information to be input according to: a first input mode requiring visual contact with the input means for a period longer than two seconds, a second input mode requiring visual contact with the input means for a period shorter than or equal to two seconds, characterised in that the computing means are configured to propose only the second input mode when the vehicle is in a driving situation.