3D Optical Faceplate Interface for Low-Distraction Vehicle Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle user interfaces face challenges in combining the benefits of analog and digital interfaces, with two-dimensional displays causing driver distraction and difficulty in accurate input, while physical buttons lack integration with digital content.
Innovation Solution
A user interface that integrates a three-dimensional optical faceplate with a two-dimensional display, allowing for rotational and translational motions to be sensed as user input, providing a hybrid interface that enhances usability and safety by offering physical affordances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a two-dimensional touchscreen display is used to provide multiple functions, then the quantity of functions is improved, but driver distraction and difficulty in accurate input increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a two-dimensional display with a three-dimensional optical faceplate into a single integrated user interface. The faceplate overlays the display and provides physical interaction surfaces, merging the digital display functionality with tactile analog controls. This allows multiple functions to be accessed through both visual and tactile modes simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a third dimension by introducing a three-dimensional optical faceplate with raised features, buttons, and interactive elements that protrude from the two-dimensional display surface. This dimensional addition provides tactile feedback and physical affordances while maintaining the underlying digital display functionality.
2Ease of operation
If physical buttons are used to provide tactile feedback and ease of operation, then ease of operation is improved, but integration with digital content and adaptability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges physical buttons and tactile elements with a digital display by overlaying a three-dimensional optical faceplate on top of the two-dimensional display. The faceplate's interactive elements are positioned to correspond with digital content, allowing tactile interaction while maintaining visual feedback and digital adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical faceplate serves multiple functions: it provides tactile feedback for physical interaction, displays visual information through integrated display elements, and can be configured to correspond with various digital content. This multi-functionality allows the same physical structure to support both analog and digital interaction modes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a curved pixel matrix is provided in a movable knob integrated in touchscreen, then rotational and sliding movements can be sensed, but manufacturing cost and electrical connection complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an optical faceplate that optically couples with the display rather than requiring direct electrical connections to moving parts. The faceplate can be made from optical materials that guide or block light to create visual feedback without complex wiring, simplifying the electrical connection architecture while maintaining motion sensing capability through optical detection.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The hybrid interface simplifies user input methods without increasing complexity, improving ease of use and safety by allowing intuitive and expressive interactions, combining the benefits of both analog and digital interfaces.
Implementation Method 1
an optic light guide material provided between the contact surface and the three-dimensional display surface; wherein a two-dimensional display and the contact surface are arrangeable so that light emitted from the display for displaying information is receivable by the contact surface
Data Source
AI summary
A user interface for a vehicle is adapted to present visible information capture user input. The user interface includes an optical faceplate having a flat contact surface, a three-dimensional display surface, and an optic light guide material provided between the contact surface and the three-dimensional display surface. A two-dimensional display and the contact surface are arrangeable so that light emitted from the display is receivable by the contact surface. The faceplate is movably arrangeable at the two-dimensional display, and the user interface senses a motion of the faceplate on the two-dimensional display as user input. The user interface is adapted to sense a rotational motion of the faceplate and a translational relative motion between the faceplate and the two-dimensional display The rotational motion is defined by a rotation of the faceplate around a rotational axis being arranged perpendicular to the contact surface and/or the two-dimensional display.