Multifunction Display Adaptation for Vehicle Actuation Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Multifunction display and operating devices in motor vehicles face challenges in providing safe and efficient operation of vehicle systems and services, particularly when numerous operating options are available, leading to increased risk of incorrect operation and user distraction while driving.

Innovation Solution

The device dynamically displays only available operating options based on the vehicle's state, using a control unit to determine and present these options, with virtual control elements distributed evenly across the display surface, ensuring optimal actuation safety and reducing the complexity of user interaction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If all possible operating options are displayed on the display surface, then the user has access to complete vehicle control functions, but the risk of incorrect operation and user distraction increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveavailability of operating optionsVSAvoidactuation safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and displays only the operating options that are currently available based on the vehicle's state, removing unavailable options from the display. This selective extraction reduces the number of displayed elements from all possible options to only those relevant in the current context, thereby improving actuation safety while preserving access to necessary functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The display dynamically adapts its content based on the vehicle's state. The control unit continuously monitors vehicle parameters and adjusts which operating options are displayed accordingly. This dynamic behavior ensures that the display reflects the current operational context, preventing users from attempting to access unavailable functions and reducing distraction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If numerous operating options are displayed simultaneously, then comprehensive vehicle control is available, but the complexity of user interaction increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of operating optionsVSAvoidinteraction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the relevant operating options for the current vehicle state and displays them, removing unnecessary options. This extraction principle simplifies the interface by presenting a reduced set of actionable items, making the system easier to operate while maintaining access to the full range of vehicle functions when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If all operating options are always displayed, then users can access any function at any time, but the time required to detect and execute available options increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility of functionsVSAvoiddetection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit performs preliminary actions by pre-determining which operating options are available based on the current vehicle state before the user needs to interact. This preliminary filtering and organization of options reduces the time required for users to detect and execute available functions, as the relevant options are already prepared and displayed in an optimized manner.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP1992515B1Multifunctional display and operational device and method for operating a multifunctional display and operational device in a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2010.09.15 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP1992515B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP1992515B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP1992515B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The device (2) has position detecting unit (10) e.g. touch screen, for detecting actuation of an actuating element e.g. finger of a user, in a display area (6) of a display unit relative to representation of control elements on the area. Control options are controlled depending on conditions of a motor vehicle (1) using a control unit (5). Control elements e.g. push-button, are assigned to the options and are displayed in an operating mode. The representation of the control elements takes place such that a safety is achieved with the actuating element for an actuation action/activity. An independent claim is also included for a method for operating a multifunctional display and operational device in a motor vehicle.