Integrated Telltale Image for Driving Support Function State

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users of vehicles equipped with driving support functions find it difficult to recognize whether these functions are set to valid or invalid states, leading to confusion and potential safety issues.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle control apparatus and display control method that utilize a driving support device and display device to display integrated telltale images and function state notifications, using graphic symbols and character groups to clearly indicate when driving support functions are set to valid or invalid states, with distinct display modes to facilitate user recognition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple driving support functions are provided with individual setting options, then the functionality and versatility of the vehicle is improved, but the complexity of the display and user recognition becomes problematic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving support functionsVSAvoiddisplay complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple individual function settings into a single integrated telltale image that displays the overall setting state of all driving support functions. Instead of showing separate indicators for each function, the system merges them into one unified display element that provides comprehensive status information, thereby reducing display complexity while maintaining full functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated telltale image serves multiple functions simultaneously: it displays the setting state of all driving support functions, provides visual feedback about system status, and enables batch operation control. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate display elements for each function, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of information

If individual setting states of each driving support function are displayed separately, then the information completeness is improved, but the ease of user recognition and operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoiduser recognition
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges individual function setting states into a single integrated telltale image that preserves complete information about all functions while presenting it in a unified, easily recognizable format. The integrated display shows the overall status without requiring users to interpret multiple separate indicators, thus maintaining information completeness while improving ease of recognition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple individual function settings are provided, then the adaptability is improved, but the time required for user operation and recognition increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunction setting optionsVSAvoidoperation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated telltale image pre-consolidates all function setting states into a single display element, allowing users to immediately recognize the overall status without sequentially checking individual functions. This preliminary organization of information eliminates the time required for users to scan through multiple separate settings, while the batch operation button enables simultaneous modification of all functions in one action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Measurement precision

If detailed individual function status is displayed, then the measurement precision of function state is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring the overall system state increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunction state detectionVSAvoidoverall system state recognition
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges individual function state detections into a single integrated telltale image that provides precise information about each function's setting state while simultaneously presenting the overall system state in a unified manner. This integration allows users to detect both individual and collective function statuses without the difficulty of interpreting multiple separate indicators, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and detection difficulty.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3736161B1Vehicle control apparatus and display control method
Publication Date: 2023.03.15 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP3736161B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3736161B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3736161B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A vehicle control apparatus includes a second display device which is connected to a driving support ECU, and a meter ECU. The driving support ECU performs a plurality of diving support functions by executing a plurality of driving support controls. The meter ECU hides an integrated telltale image in a predetermined area of the second display device when all of a plurality of recommended driving support functions selected among the driving support functions have been set in the valid states. The meter ECU displays the integrated telltale image in the predetermined area of the second display device when at least one of the recommended driving support functions which has been set in the invalid state is present.