Touch Display Mode Switching for Vehicle Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern user terminals and transportation systems face challenges in maintaining user interface clarity and safety due to the increasing number of displayed elements, as existing solutions do not adequately differentiate between driver and passenger operations or adjust content based on seat position and travel speed, leading to potential distractions and reduced usability.

Innovation Solution

A method and arrangement that utilize a touch-sensitive display device with proximity sensors to detect user position and switch between display and operating modes, ensuring that only relevant elements for the current user are displayed, maintaining a tidy interface and enhancing safety by preventing unnecessary function access during driving.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the number of displayed elements is increased to provide more functions, then the functionality and versatility of the user interface is improved, but the overview and visual appearance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidvisual appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The user interface dynamically adapts its content based on the detected seat position. When a user approaches the display device, the system transitions from a static display mode optimized for visual appearance to an operating mode that provides ergonomic usability with modified screen contents, including enlarged operating elements and adjusted layout

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the display are treated differently based on user position. Operating elements assigned to specific seat positions are enlarged and emphasized when that position is detected, while other elements maintain their original appearance, creating localized optimization for the active user

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If operating elements are made more prominent and enlarged for better usability, then the ease of operation is improved, but the display becomes less tidy and visually appealing

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveusabilityVSAvoiddisplay tidiness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The display dynamically switches between two states: display mode with tidy, compact layout optimized for visual appearance, and operating mode with enlarged, prominent elements optimized for usability. The transition is triggered by detecting user approach, ensuring the appropriate layout is active at the appropriate time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If all functions are always accessible on the display, then the versatility is improved, but the distraction risk and safety deteriorate during driving

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunction accessibilityVSAvoiddistraction risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system identifies which operating elements are relevant to the current user based on seat position detection. Only elements assigned to the detected position are enlarged and made prominent in operating mode, while elements for other positions maintain their subdued appearance, preventing unnecessary distractions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The seat position detection system acts as an intermediary that filters and selects which functions should be prominently displayed. Based on the detected position, the system intermediates between the full set of available functions and the subset that should be actively presented, reducing distraction risk

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides improved user support by maintaining a calm and tidy display appearance, enhancing driving safety by preventing distractions and ensuring only relevant functions are accessible based on the user's position, thereby simplifying operations and reducing the risk of accidental parameter adjustments.

Implementation Method 1

The detection can take place, for example, by the same sensor by means of which the approach is detected. Alternatively or additionally, another sensor (in means of transportation, for example a seat occupancy sensor) can be used to detect the user's absence from the second position.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitive sensing: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

The detection can be capacitive and/or optical and/or infrared-based, for example.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical detection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3416848B1Arrangement, means of locomotion and method for assisting a user in the operation of a touch-sensitive display device
Publication Date: 2022.04.13 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP3416848B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3416848B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3416848B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An arrangement, a user terminal, a means of locomotion and a method for assisting a user in the operation of a touch-sensitive display device are proposed. The method comprises the steps of: – presenting a display content (9), visible from a first position and a second position, by means of the display device – detecting when the user approaches the display device, – detecting that the user is remote from the second position relative to the display device, – changing an operating state of the display device from a presentation mode to an operator control mode, wherein at least one display element (18) of the display content (9), which display element is presented on the display device and associated with the second position relative to the display device, and for which a display mode and an operator control mode are provided, remains in a display mode.