Vehicle Operation Interface Control for Adjacent Push-Touch Inputs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing operation control devices often inadvertently cancel intended operations due to the high probability of unintended operations when performing consecutive actions on push and touch switches, leading to user dissatisfaction.

Innovation Solution

An operation control device with a processor that limits process execution on a second operation region until a predetermined condition is met when an operation is performed in the direction of the second region from a first operation region, thereby reducing unintended operation execution and preventing intended operations from being canceled.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the operation device limits execution of processes corresponding to touch switch operations after receiving a push switch operation, then unintended operations are prevented, but intended consecutive operations may be canceled

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation accuracyVSAvoiduser convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating the treatment of different operation regions. The push switch operation region and touch switch operation region are treated differently - the system limits process execution only for the touch switch region after a push switch operation, while leaving other regions unaffected. This localized approach prevents unintended operations in the touch region without interfering with intended operations in other regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of process execution status based on the detected operation direction. When a push switch operation in the direction of the touch switch is detected, the system changes the execution status of processes corresponding to touch switch operations from executable to limited. This dynamic parameter change allows the system to adapt its behavior based on the specific operation sequence detected.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the operation device accepts all touch operations without restriction, then user convenience is maintained, but unintended operations may be executed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidoperation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by detecting the push switch operation in advance and preemptively limiting the execution of processes corresponding to subsequent touch switch operations. The system detects the direction of the push switch operation and, when it matches the direction toward the touch switch, proactively restricts touch switch process execution to prevent potential unintended operations before they occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by setting a flag or state when a push switch operation is detected, which then influences the handling of subsequent touch switch operations. This preliminary state change prepares the system to differentiate between intended and unintended consecutive operations, allowing it to selectively limit process execution based on the operation sequence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the operation device limits process execution for a fixed period after push switch operation, then unintended operations are prevented, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation accuracyVSAvoidcontrol logic complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential control logic to a simple directional comparison and state flag mechanism. Instead of implementing complex timing-based restrictions, the system extracts the core requirement - detecting whether a push switch operation occurred in the direction of the touch switch - and implements a minimal control structure that sets a limit state when the condition is met and clears it when the condition is no longer relevant.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4272988B1Operation control device, operation device, steering device, vehicle, operation control method, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2024.12.18 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP4272988B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4272988B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4272988B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An operation control device (56) includes a memory (60); and a processor (58) connected to the memory (60), the processor (58) being configured to: in a case in which the processor (58) receives, at an operation unit (12,40) that includes a first operation region (12A) and a second operation region (12B) adjacent to the first operation region (12A), an operation performed on the first operation region (12A) in a direction of the second operation region (12B), limit execution of processes corresponding to operations performed on the second operation region (12B) until a predetermined condition is met.