Programmable Vehicle Buttons for Faster Function Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern luxury vehicles require complex menu navigation through touchscreens and physical controls, leading to potential distractions and decreased driving focus, as they fail to provide a seamless and intuitive way for users to personalize their driving experience.
Innovation Solution
Customizable physical buttons on the steering wheel and pilot panel allow users to select and program desired functions, enabling quick and convenient access to frequently used features, reducing distractions and enhancing personalization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If complex menu navigation through touchscreens and physical controls is used to provide multiple vehicle functions, then the versatility and number of available functions increase, but the ease of operation decreases and driving distractions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments vehicle functions by creating customizable button groups that can be assigned to specific physical buttons on the steering wheel. Each button group contains functions related to a specific category (e.g., climate control, audio, navigation), allowing drivers to access frequently used functions through dedicated buttons rather than navigating through comprehensive menus.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by allowing drivers to pre-configure and program custom buttons with their preferred functions before driving. The programmable buttons store function assignments in memory, so when a driver enters the vehicle, their preferred function layouts are already prepared and ready for immediate access, eliminating the need to navigate menus during driving.
2Adaptability or versatility
If comprehensive menus and sub-menus are provided through touchscreens to allow function selection, then the adaptability and personalization options increase, but the complexity of the control system increases and driving focus decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts frequently used functions from complex touchscreen menus and assigns them to physical buttons on the steering wheel. By pulling out the most essential functions and placing them on dedicated buttons, the system reduces the need for drivers to interact with complex menu structures while maintaining access to comprehensive vehicle controls through the touchscreen when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The programmable buttons serve multiple functions: they can be configured for different vehicle systems (climate, audio, navigation, etc.), store multiple function assignments, and work across different driving scenarios. This multi-functionality allows a single button to replace what would otherwise require multiple menu navigation steps, reducing overall system complexity from the driver's perspective.
3Adaptability or versatility
If physical controls and touchscreen menus are used for function selection, then the number of available functions increases, but the time required to access functions increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary configuration by allowing drivers to program their preferred functions to custom buttons before driving. Once programmed, these buttons provide immediate one-touch access to frequently used functions, eliminating the time required to navigate through menus during driving operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates simplified copies of complex menu functions by assigning touchscreen-controlled functions to physical buttons. These button copies provide direct access to the same functions that would otherwise require multiple touchscreen interactions, significantly reducing the time to access commonly used vehicle features.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments relate to a method and apparatus for selecting and performing a function selectable by a custom button by a user in a vehicle, utilizing an on-board system controller, the on-board system controller comprising a processor and a memory. The method includes the operations of: identifying a pressing of a custom button; receiving a selection of a function from a display panel; linking the function to the custom button; and automatically performing the function when the custom button is subsequently pressed.