Infotainment User Interface with Segmented Display Areas

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing user interfaces for infotainment systems in vehicles lack ergonomic display and operation, particularly with touch-sensitive surfaces, as split-screen concepts have not been effectively implemented to reduce user interactions and enhance traffic safety.

Innovation Solution

A user interface with a matrix display device that divides the screen view into a main interaction area and a secondary area, where tiles can be configured and resized based on user input, allowing for context-dependent information display and reducing the number of operating steps through swipe gestures and adaptive layout adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a split-screen concept is implemented with touch-sensitive surfaces, then different functional scopes can be displayed simultaneously, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to complex user interactions required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay of different functional scopesVSAvoiduser interactions
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The display screen is segmented into multiple independent areas (first area for media player, second area for climate control, third area for navigation) that can be simultaneously accessed. Each area functions as an independent interaction zone, allowing users to control different functions without navigating through multiple screens or menus, thus maintaining ease of operation while displaying multiple functional scopes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from sequential screen navigation (time dimension) to spatial parallel display (space dimension). Multiple functional scopes are arranged side-by-side on the same screen plane, enabling users to access different functions simultaneously through touch gestures on different areas, reducing the number of interaction steps while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of information

If more information is displayed on the screen, then context-dependent information becomes more accessible, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontext-dependent informationVSAvoidscreen view division
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The screen is divided into distinct functional areas, each dedicated to specific types of information (media control, climate settings, navigation). This segmentation allows comprehensive information display without creating a cluttered interface, as each area maintains its own simplified layout and controls, reducing perceived complexity while increasing information availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each area of the screen has specialized characteristics optimized for its specific function. The media player area has audio control elements, the climate area has temperature and airflow controls, and the navigation area has map display. This local optimization allows each zone to present information in the most appropriate format without requiring the entire screen to accommodate all information types equally, managing complexity through functional specialization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2937771B1User interface for an infotainment system of a means of transport
Publication Date: 2019.04.10 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP2937771B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2937771B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2937771B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a user interface for an infotainment system of a means of transport comprising: - a display device for displaying a selectable screen view (3), - an input device for receiving user input, and - an evaluation unit, wherein the display device is configured to divide the screen view (3) by a demarcation boundary (6) into a first area (A) and a second area (B), wherein - the first area (A) comprises a main interaction area for displaying and controlling a first range of functions of the means of transport, and - the second area (B) comprises a first plurality of tiles (7, 8, 9) of a home screen which display information on different ranges of functions of the means of transport.