Digital Tachograph Activity Timeline Display for Clear Multi-Activity Overview

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tachographs struggle with limited display resolution and clarity, making it difficult to effectively visualize and manage multiple activities over time, requiring manual printing for clear presentation and cumbersome manual entry.

Innovation Solution

A control device with a high-resolution display (320 x 240 pixels) that provides a graphical representation of activity sequences, including time series and pictograms, allowing simultaneous display of multiple activities and enabling efficient manual input.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a low-resolution display (128x24 pixels) is used in the tachograph, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing cost is lowered, but the clarity and ability to display graphical representations of activity sequences is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay resolutionVSAvoiddisplay capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by upgrading the display resolution from 128x24 pixels to 320x240 pixels. This parameter change enables the display to show graphical representations of activity sequences, time series, and multiple pictograms simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and display capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of information

If only one activity is displayed at a time with its duration, then the device complexity remains low, but the overview of multiple activities and activity transitions becomes difficult to obtain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactivity overview clarityVSAvoidinformation presentation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dimensionality change by transitioning from a one-dimensional sequential display (one activity at a time) to a two-dimensional graphical representation that displays multiple activities simultaneously with their transitions. The time series and pictogram arrangements provide a comprehensive overview without increasing device complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the display into multiple functional areas: time series representation, activity pictograms, and transition indicators. This segmentation allows simultaneous presentation of multiple activities and their relationships, improving information clarity while maintaining manageable device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Loss of information

If manual printing is used to present activity data clearly, then the information clarity is improved, but the productivity and ease of operation deteriorates due to the need for printing and manual review

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactivity data clarityVSAvoidinspection efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the physical printing process with a digital graphical representation displayed on the high-resolution screen. The display creates a visual copy of the activity data that is equally clear and immediately accessible, eliminating the need for printing and manual review while improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

4Loss of information

If a high-resolution display (320x240 pixels) is implemented to show graphical representations, then the clarity and overview of activity sequences is improved, but the manufacturing cost and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegraphical display clarityVSAvoiddisplay system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the display device universal by enabling it to perform multiple functions: displaying numerical data, graphical representations, time series, multiple pictograms, and activity transitions all on the same 320x240 pixel screen. This multi-functionality justifies the higher resolution while managing overall device complexity through integrated design.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4657400A1Control device for a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, vehicle, method, computer program and/or computer-readable medium
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 ZF CV SYST GLOBAL GMBH
  • EP4657400A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2(B)
  • EP4657400A1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4657400A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Control device (100) for a vehicle (200a), in particular a commercial vehicle (200b); wherein the control device (100) is designed as a digital tachograph (101); and the control device (100) comprises: a data processing device (102) for controlling the control device (100) and for recording, determining, processing and/or storing distinguishable activities (A1, A2, A3, A4) of a user (10) of the vehicle (200a), in particular a commercial vehicle (200b), and/or the vehicle (200a), in particular a commercial vehicle (200b), associated with times (t1, t2, t3); and a display device (120) for visually displaying the distinguishable activities (A1, A2, A3, A4) associated with times (t1, t2, t3); wherein the control device (100) is configured to display a graphical representation (122) of a sequence (A) of activities (A1, A2, A3, A4) via the display device (120).