Tachograph Display Control for Ergonomic Function Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

The development of digital tachographs faces challenges in implementing ergonomic control of complex functionality within limited space and cost-effectiveness, particularly due to the need to manage various functions and data storage while ensuring operator ergonomics and preventing unauthorized access.

Innovation Solution

The method organizes functions into a level structure with selection menus, prioritizes displayed options, and adapts the display to the assigned data memory group, allowing for space-saving design and enhanced user guidance through language adaptation and clear visualization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the display shows all available functions and options, then the user has access to complete functionality, but the display becomes too complex and difficult to navigate within limited space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctionality accessVSAvoiddisplay complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The display is segmented into multiple levels of menus organized by data memory groups. Each level presents a subset of functions relevant to that group, allowing users to navigate through hierarchical categories rather than facing a flat, overwhelming list of all possible functions simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the display are allocated to different data memory groups based on their relevance and usage frequency. The display adapts its content dynamically, showing group-specific functions when that group is active while maintaining a consistent, manageable interface structure for each group.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If the display adapts to the specific data memory group, then operator ergonomics improve and unauthorized access is prevented, but the display must dynamically reconfigure based on group affiliation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator ergonomicsVSAvoiddisplay reconfiguration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display interface dynamically reconfigures itself based on which data memory group is currently active. The control unit automatically adjusts the displayed menu structure and available functions according to the group affiliation, providing a customized interface that adapts to the user's role and authorized capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically determines the appropriate display configuration based on the inserted data memory group without requiring manual setup or user input. The control unit self-adjusts the interface parameters, menu structure, and available functions based on the detected group affiliation, eliminating the need for complex manual configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the display prioritizes important events, then critical information is noticed, but less important information may be obscured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimportant information visibilityVSAvoidless important information
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary sorting and prioritization of events before they are displayed. Important events are automatically identified and positioned in prominent display locations, while less important events are arranged in secondary positions or grouped together, allowing users to quickly identify critical information without being overwhelmed by all events equally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP1880366B1Display control of a tachograph
Publication Date: 2011.07.13 CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
  • EP1880366B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1880366B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1880366B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for controlling a display (4) of a tachograph (DTCO) which can be connected to data memories (7) that are associated with defined groups. The aim of the invention is to improve this method so as to allow for an ergonomic control of the complex functionality of a digital tachograph while requiring little space. For this purpose, individual groups are associated with defined functional groups or dialogs of the display (4) and the operational controls (3). The tachograph (DTCO) identifies the group the data memory (7) is associated with and then displays a selection of functional groups that can be selected by means of operational controls (3). The display (4) displays only functions and functional groups that are associated with the group of the data memory (7).