Infotainment Handwriting Input Layout for Scroll Gesture Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing infotainment systems face challenges in distinguishing between scrolling gestures and handwriting input during handwriting recognition, leading to incorrect operations while driving, as the current methods often confuse scroll gestures with character inputs.

Innovation Solution

A method that activates handwriting recognition mode by displaying a control panel in a corner of the touch-sensitive display, allowing intuitive activation without full attention, and separates input areas for scrolling and handwriting, using a semi-transparent handwriting recognition input field to maintain list visibility and prevent confusion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If handwriting recognition is activated across the entire touch-sensitive screen, then character input becomes possible, but scrolling gestures are incorrectly recognized as character inputs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharacter input capabilityVSAvoidgesture recognition accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The touch-sensitive display is divided into two distinct areas: a first area for scrolling operations and a second area for handwriting input. This spatial segmentation allows the system to differentiate between scrolling gestures and character input based on the location of the touch interaction, thereby preventing misinterpretation of gestures while maintaining both functionalities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If the handwriting recognition input field is made opaque, then handwriting input is clear, but the underlying list becomes invisible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandwriting recognition clarityVSAvoidlist visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The handwriting recognition input field is implemented with semi-transparent properties, allowing the underlying list content to remain visible through the input field. This transparency solution maintains both the clarity needed for handwriting recognition and the visibility of the list entries, eliminating the need for users to switch between opaque input mode and list viewing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

3Ease of operation

If the handwriting recognition control panel is placed in a corner of the display, then activation becomes intuitive while driving, but the panel occupies display space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactivation intuitivenessVSAvoiddisplay space occupation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The handwriting recognition control panel is positioned in a corner of the display and activated only when needed. This partial activation approach allows the control panel to occupy minimal display space during normal operation while being readily accessible when handwriting input is required, balancing space efficiency with ease of activation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3404525B1Method and device for operating an infotainment systems, motor vehicle and computer program
Publication Date: 2024.07.10 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP3404525B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3404525B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3404525B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method and a device for operating an infotainment system (200). A list of selectable entries is displayed on a touch-sensitive display unit (30, 30'). To enter selection criteria for choosing entries in the list or search criteria for searching for entries in a database, the display is switched to a handwriting recognition mode. For this purpose, a handwriting recognition control panel (36) is displayed on the display unit (30, 30') to activate the handwriting recognition mode, preferably in a corner of the display unit (30, 30'). The handwriting recognition mode is initiated when an operator touches the handwriting recognition control panel (36).