Priority-Based Light Animation for Vehicle Interior Visual Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for generating a light appearance in motor vehicles do not provide simple and understandable visual support for drivers without distracting them, particularly in various driving situations and environmental conditions.

Innovation Solution

A method for generating a light appearance in the interior of a motor vehicle based on operating states and environmental variables, using a horizontally oriented line-like animation in the cockpit, with specific animations triggered by priority levels to ensure driver support without distraction, and extending to other areas like instrument panels and door panels for enhanced visibility and interaction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If complex light patterns are generated to provide comprehensive visual information, then information completeness is improved, but driver distraction increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual information completenessVSAvoiddriver distraction
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The light display is segmented into distinct functional zones: a first light display section for warning/attention messages and a second light display section for information presentation. This segmentation allows different types of information to be presented separately, ensuring critical warnings are noticeable without being overwhelmed by additional information, thus reducing driver distraction while maintaining information completeness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different visual characteristics are applied to different sections: the first section uses high-contrast, attention-grabbing patterns for warnings, while the second section uses subtler patterns for information display. This local differentiation ensures that each zone serves its specific purpose effectively, providing comprehensive information while maintaining driver focus through appropriate visual hierarchy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Area of stationary object

If multiple lighting devices are used to enhance visibility across different interior areas, then visual support coverage is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight display coverage areaVSAvoidlighting system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each lighting device is designed to perform multiple functions: they can display warnings, present information, indicate vehicle status, and provide ambient lighting. By making each lighting element multi-functional, the system achieves comprehensive interior coverage without proportionally increasing the number of devices, thus managing complexity while expanding functionality.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting system utilizes multiple spatial dimensions and orientations (dashboard, door panels, instrument cluster) to distribute visual information. This dimensional distribution allows comprehensive coverage to be achieved through strategic placement of fewer lighting devices rather than uniformly distributing many devices throughout the interior, thereby reducing overall system complexity.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3556610B1Method for generating a light appearance image in the interior of a motor vehicle and motor vehicle for carrying out the method
Publication Date: 2022.11.16 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP3556610B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3556610B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3556610B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for generating a light display in the interior of a motor vehicle (K1, K2), wherein the light display is generated at least also depending on operating states (B1-B6) of the motor vehicle (K1, K2) acting as triggers (TAA, TBB, TCC) and/or environmental factors in the environment of the motor vehicle (K1, K2), wherein the light display is generated at least in the area of ​​the cockpit (1) by the motor vehicle (K1, K2) in the form of a horizontally oriented, line-like animation (A1-A29), wherein each trigger (TAA, TBB, TCC) associated with an animation is assigned a specific priority, wherein the occurrence of a trigger (TBB) with a higher priority than a trigger (TCC) causing a running animation (CC) leads to an end of the running animation (CC) and to a start of the animation (BB) associated with the higher-priority trigger (TBB), wherein upon the occurrence of a higher-priority,However, for non-time-critical triggers (TBB), a running animation (CC) is only performed in a partial animation (cc1), whereby the animation (CC) is terminated with its usual fade-out behavior (Fout) before the animation (BB) assigned to the higher-priority trigger (TBB) is started, and upon the occurrence of a higher-priority and time-critical trigger (TAA), a running animation (BB) is immediately aborted and the transition to the animation (AA) assigned to the higher-priority trigger (TAA) occurs via a generic fade (Foutin), as well as a motor vehicle (K1, K2).