Proximity Sensing Interface for Vehicle Control Panel Readability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Motor vehicle control systems face challenges in user-friendly interface design due to limited space on control panels, making it difficult for drivers to observe and ascertain the functions of small buttons or dials, especially under poor visibility conditions.

Innovation Solution

An electronic control module interface system that includes a sensing surface with a symbol, a sensing device to detect proximity and generate browsing signals, and an output device to provide visual or audio notifications of the function before activation, allowing drivers to quickly identify the function without diverting attention from the road.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If buttons or dials are made small to fit limited control panel space, then the quantity of control functions increases, but the observability of symbols and functions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequantity of control functionsVSAvoidobservability of symbols

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by displaying function information in advance before the driver needs to activate the function. When a button is pressed, the system first shows what function will be activated, allowing the driver to confirm the correct button was selected without needing to closely examine small symbols on the control panel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The display device acts as an intermediary between the control buttons and the driver. Instead of requiring the driver to directly observe small symbols on buttons, the intermediary display provides enlarged function information, mediating the interaction and making it easier to identify functions without diverting attention from the road.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If drivers focus attention on the road conditions, then driving safety improves, but the ability to observe and ascertain button functions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriving safetyVSAvoidability to observe button functions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides immediate feedback when a button is pressed by displaying the corresponding function information. This feedback loop allows drivers to confirm button selection without needing to maintain visual focus on the control panel, enabling them to keep their attention on the road while still verifying their input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The display provides preliminary confirmation of the function that will be activated before the driver releases the button or proceeds with the action. This allows drivers to verify correct button selection with a brief glance rather than requiring sustained attention to small symbols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Quantity of substance

If symbol size is reduced to fit more functions on the control panel, then the density of control functions increases, but the readability and identification speed deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedensity of control functionsVSAvoididentification time

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from a two-dimensional constraint (small symbols on the control panel surface) to a third-dimensional solution by using a separate display device that can show enlarged function information. This dimensional change allows small buttons to remain compact while providing large, readable function descriptions elsewhere.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Reduces the attention span required to identify button functions, enabling drivers to interact with the control panel more efficiently, even at night or with poor vision, by providing clear and timely notifications of the functions through visual or audio outputs.

Implementation Method 1

a first sensor coupled to the sensing surface, and configured to sense a perpendicular distance between a physical pointer and the sensing surface and to generate a browsing signal when the perpendicular distance is less than a predefined threshold value

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectProximity sensing:

Implementation Method 2

a second sensor coupled to the sensing surface, and configured to generate a selection signal when the physical pointer contacts or depresses the sensing surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectContact sensing:

Data Source

PatentUS8451218B2Electronic control module interface system for a motor vehicle

Publication Date: 2013.05.28 TOYOTA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

An electronic control module interface system may include a sensing surface having a symbol representative of a function of a motor vehicle, a sensing device coupled to the sensing surface, configured to sense a proximity between a physical pointer and the sensing surface and to generate a browsing signal when the proximity is less than a predefined proximity threshold value, and configured to generate a selection signal when the physical pointer contacts or depresses the sensing surface, and an output device coupled to the sensing device, and configured to produce an output representative of the function of the motor vehicle upon receiving the browsing signal.