Touch-Sensitive Display Volume Control via Swipe Gesture

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing user interfaces for volume control in vehicles and mobile devices require the display of additional buttons and operating steps, which occupy valuable screen space and are not intuitive for changing volume independently of audio playback content.

Innovation Solution

A method using a touch-sensitive display unit that recognizes swipe gestures to control volume without initially displaying a volume control, allowing volume changes through a linear motion starting on any button, and enabling volume adjustment independently of audio playback content, with optional display of a volume controller for user orientation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a volume control is displayed on the screen before operation, then the user can control the volume, but screen space is occupied and additional operating steps are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevolume control accessibilityVSAvoidscreen space
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-configures the interface with multiple functional buttons that can recognize swipe gestures. When a swipe gesture is detected on any button, the system immediately activates volume control functionality without requiring preliminary display of volume controls or menu navigation, thus saving screen space while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The buttons in the interface are designed to serve multiple functions: they can be tapped to execute their primary functions, or swiped to activate volume control. This multi-functionality allows the same interface elements to provide both content navigation and volume control without requiring separate dedicated volume controls, thereby conserving screen space

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional buttons are displayed for volume control, then volume adjustment is possible, but the interface complexity increases and screen space is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevolume control functionalityVSAvoidinterface structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The volume control functionality is merged with the existing multiple buttons in the interface. Instead of adding separate volume control buttons, the system combines volume control capability with the primary functional buttons through gesture recognition, thereby maintaining interface simplicity while achieving adaptability for volume adjustment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If volume control is integrated into audio playback menu, then volume can be controlled, but additional menu switching steps are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevolume adjustment speedVSAvoidmenu switching time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system prepares the buttons to recognize swipe gestures for volume control before any menu navigation is required. When the user performs a swipe gesture on any button, volume control is immediately activated without requiring the user to first navigate to an audio playback menu, thus eliminating menu switching time and enabling rapid volume adjustment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This approach allows for intuitive and space-efficient volume control without occupying screen space with additional buttons, enabling rapid volume adjustments without switching to an audio playback menu, reducing unnecessary operating steps and enhancing user experience.

Implementation Method 1

a touch-sensitive display unit (1)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitive sensing: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

Detection in front of the display unit can be achieved, for example, using a proximity sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectProximity sensing:

Data Source

PatentEP3096969B1User interface and method for controlling a volume by means of a touch-sensitive display unit
Publication Date: 2022.05.11 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP3096969B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3096969B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3096969B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a user interface and to a method for controlling a volume by means of a display unit. The method comprises the following steps: - displaying a plurality (4) of buttons on a display unit, - recognizing a swipe gesture (P) in front of and/or on one of the buttons, and in response thereto - controlling the volume according to the swipe gesture (P).