Vehicle Seat Control Interface Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing user interfaces for vehicles require numerous operating actions to adapt settings for multiple seat positions, leading to reduced comfort and driving safety due to the complexity of adjusting vehicle functions like air conditioning and heating across different seating positions.

Innovation Solution

A user interface method that utilizes a display unit to present seat-specific controls, allowing users to select synchronized adjustments for multiple seat positions via predefined buttons, reducing the number of operating steps required through intuitive touch-sensitive and proximity-detection technologies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate seat-position-specific controls are provided for each seating position, then different settings can be assigned to different seat positions (e.g., driver vs. passenger), but the complexity of the user interface increases and adjusting settings for multiple seat positions requires numerous operating actions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseat-position-specific settingsVSAvoiduser interface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple seat-position-specific controls into a single unified control interface. When a user selects a setting to be adjusted for multiple seat positions, the system merges the separate adjustment operations into one synchronized operation, allowing simultaneous modification of settings across driver, passenger, and other seating positions through a single control panel

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control panel is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a seat-position-specific control interface and as a universal synchronized adjustment interface. The same display unit and control elements can operate in different modes: individually for specific seating positions or collectively for multiple positions simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate dedicated controls

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate seat-position-specific controls are provided for each seating position, then different settings can be assigned to different seat positions, but the number of operating actions required to adjust settings for multiple seat positions increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseat-position-specific settingsVSAvoidadjustment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by automatically detecting which seat positions are occupied and pre-configuring the control interface to offer synchronized adjustment options for those positions. When users enter the vehicle, the system anticipates their needs and prepares the appropriate control modes, so that when adjustment is needed, the synchronized option is already available and requires minimal additional steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple adjustment operations that would normally need to be performed separately for each seating position are merged into a single synchronized operation. When a user selects a setting and chooses to apply it to multiple occupied seats, the system combines the adjustment actions, allowing one control input to simultaneously modify settings across multiple seat positions, dramatically reducing the number of operating steps required

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If separate seat-position-specific controls are provided for each seating position, then different settings can be assigned to different seat positions, but user attention is required for each adjustment which reduces driving safety

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseat-position-specific settingsVSAvoiddriving safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges multiple separate adjustment operations into a single synchronized control action. When adjusting settings for multiple seating positions, the driver performs one operation instead of multiple separate operations, reducing the need for continuous user attention and minimizing distraction from the driving task while maintaining the ability to customize settings for different positions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2960099B1User interface and method for adjusting a setting of a means of transport by means of a display unit of a user interface
Publication Date: 2021.03.17 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP2960099B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2960099B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2960099B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A user interface and a procedure for adjusting a setting of a means of transport using a display unit of a user interface of the means of transport are proposed. The procedure comprises the steps: - Displaying a first control element for operating the setting for the driver position or for the passenger position of the means of transport on the display unit, - Displaying a predefined button on the display unit, - Receiving user input regarding the predefined button, and in response to this - Displaying a second control element (7) for operating the setting for the driver position and the passenger position of the means of transport.