Rotating Graphic Object User Interface for Vehicle Control Adaptability

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing complexity of vehicle control systems with numerous mechanical buttons and controls leads to user confusion and increased risk of distraction, as they struggle to manage diverse functions and country-specific variants, necessitating an adaptable graphical user interface for efficient operation by multiple users.

Innovation Solution

A method and device for a graphical user interface where a flat graphic object rotates from a first to a second side upon triggering specific control signals, allowing flexible adaptation of displayed information based on user requirements, with user identification and customizable content, enabling intuitive operation and reducing clutter.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple mechanical buttons and controls are provided to cover diverse functions and country-specific variants, then the system can accommodate more functions and user requirements, but the device complexity increases and users experience confusion and distraction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunction coverageVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single graphical user interface displays multiple functions and settings that would traditionally require separate physical buttons and controls. The interface can adapt to different country-specific variants and user requirements through software configuration rather than hardware variations, allowing one control system to perform multiple functions.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses visual representations and icons on the display to represent physical controls and functions. Instead of requiring actual physical buttons for each function, the system creates visual copies or representations of control elements on the screen that can be selected and manipulated through the graphical interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

If more control elements are added to handle diverse functions, then the system becomes more versatile, but the ease of operation decreases as users struggle to understand and access essential functions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunction varietyVSAvoiduser accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The graphical user interface divides complex control functions into separate, easily accessible icons and menus on the display. Each function is segmented into its own visual element that can be independently selected and operated, making the overall system easier to navigate despite the variety of functions available.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from two-dimensional physical button layouts to a multi-layered graphical interface that uses visual depth, icons, and menu hierarchies. This dimensional change allows more functions to be accessed intuitively through visual cues and graphical representations rather than requiring users to locate and understand numerous physical controls.

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

3Ease of operation

If a graphical user interface is used to replace mechanical controls, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the adaptability to different user requirements and country-specific variants may be limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol simplicityVSAvoiduser customization
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The graphical user interface is designed to be dynamic and reconfigurable. Different users can access and customize the display to show only the functions and settings relevant to their needs. The interface can adapt to different country-specific variants by loading appropriate configuration data, allowing the same hardware to serve multiple purposes without requiring physical reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows users to change parameters such as language, measurement units, and functional preferences through the graphical interface. The display can be configured to show different sets of controls and options based on user preferences and regional requirements, maintaining simplicity while providing extensive adaptability through software-based parameter adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2545430B1Method and device for operating a user interface
Publication Date: 2018.02.21 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP2545430B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2545430B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2d
  • EP2545430B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3d

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for operating a user interface, wherein at least one flat graphics object (20) is shown on a display surface (11) in a first view, which shows a first side (21) of the object (20), and in a second view, which shows the second side (22) of the object (20). On different sides (21, 22) of the object (20), different information is shown and the view of the graphics object (20) is varied such that, in a perspective view on the display surface (11), the graphics object rotates from the first side (21) to the second side (22) when a first or a second control signal has been triggered. The method according to the invention is characterised in that, after a rotation from the first side (21) to the second side (22) depending on whether the first or the second control signal has been triggered, different information is shown on the second side (22a; 22b). The invention further relates to a related device (10) for providing such a user interface.