Steering Wheel Switch Status Display in the Driver's Line of Sight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicular display systems do not effectively convey the current status of operation switches on a steering wheel, making it difficult for occupants to understand the functions being operated without looking away from their primary view.
Innovation Solution
A vehicular display control device that detects operation of switches on the steering wheel and displays an image of the operation region and its status on a display screen in front of the driver, allowing occupants to view the current function status without needing to look away, with options for emphasized display and animation to indicate function changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If only images of operation switches are displayed on the display screen, then the display screen can show the operation region, but the current status of the functions is not visible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the operation region image display and function status display into a single integrated display region. The status image is merged with the operation region image, allowing both pieces of information to be presented together without requiring separate displays or additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The display region serves multiple functions: it displays both the operation region image and the function status image simultaneously. This multi-functional approach allows the same display area to convey both visual representation of controls and their current states without adding complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the driver needs to check the current situation of the function, then they can understand the status, but they must view another display or look away from the road
Solution Approach 1:
The operation region image and function status image are merged into the same display region that is already in the driver's line of sight. This eliminates the need to shift gaze to another display, as both operational controls and their statuses are presented together in the forward view.
Solution Approach 2:
The display system acts as an intermediary that brings the function status information directly to the driver's field of view. Instead of requiring physical movement or gaze shifting, the status information is mediated through the existing display interface that the driver is already observing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple switches are provided on the steering wheel, then more functions can be controlled, but it becomes difficult to identify which switch is being touched
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs color or visual emphasis changes in the operation region image to indicate which switch is currently being touched or operated. This visual differentiation allows the driver to easily identify the active control among multiple switches without confusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The display highlights the specific local region corresponding to the touched switch within the operation region image. This localized visual feedback provides precise information about which control is active, making it easy to identify among multiple switches.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular display control device including: a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory, the processor being configured to: detect when an operation region including plural switches provided to a steering wheel has been operated; and in a case in which operation of the operation region has been detected, display, at a display region set in front of a driving seat, an operation region image corresponding to the operation region and a status image indicating a current status of a function allocated to the switch that is being operated among the plural switches.