Touchscreen Vehicle Interface for CAN Bus Data Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern vehicle control systems are limited by analog-era display and control functions, which fail to leverage the full potential of digital technologies, particularly in providing users with access to and control over vast amounts of data available on vehicle data buses.

Innovation Solution

A touch-screen user interface system that communicates with the vehicle's CAN bus, allowing users to read and control various vehicle functions, utilizing a stand-alone tablet or an integrated display module that includes functionality such as a radio tuner and power amplifier, and provides a graphical interface for accessing and manipulating vehicle data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If traditional analog control switches and buttons are used, then the control system is simple and reliable, but the user interface cannot access or control the vast amounts of data available on vehicle data buses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to vehicle data bus informationVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical control switches and buttons with a touch-screen display interface. The touch-screen provides graphical user interface elements that can display and control vast amounts of vehicle data bus information, replacing the limited functionality of physical switches while maintaining control capabilities through digital interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The touch-screen display serves multiple functions: it displays vehicle data bus information, provides control interfaces for various vehicle functions, and can adapt to show different types of data and controls. This single device replaces numerous specialized switches and buttons, providing universal access to vehicle systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of information

If digital control systems with data buses are implemented, then access to vehicle data is improved, but the user interface remains limited by analog-era display and control functions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to vehicle data bus informationVSAvoiduser interface functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces analog-era display and control functions with a modern touch-screen interface that can natively handle digital data bus information. The touch-screen provides adaptive graphical interfaces that can display and control various vehicle functions, fully leveraging the capabilities of digital control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The user interface is dynamic and adaptive, changing its display and control options based on the vehicle's current state and the data available on the data bus. The touch-screen can present different interfaces for different functions, providing versatility that static analog controls cannot match.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple control switches and buttons are provided for different vehicle functions, then control capability is comprehensive, but the interface becomes complex and redundant

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol capabilityVSAvoidnumber of control elements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The touch-screen display provides a universal control interface that can access and control all vehicle functions through a single device. Instead of having separate switches and buttons for each function, the touch-screen presents contextual menus and controls that provide comprehensive functionality in one adaptive interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The touch-screen interface can create virtual representations of control elements that appear on demand. When a user needs to control a specific function, the appropriate control interface is copied or generated on the touch-screen, providing familiar control paradigms without the physical clutter of multiple switches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS10579232B2Touchscreen-based vehicle interface

Publication Date: 2020.03.03 METRA ELECTRONICS CORP

AI summary

An interface/electronics module for reading information from a vehicle data bus and controlling functions available through the vehicle data bus. A graphical user interface is provided. The interface may include a stand-alone tablet computer or may be part of an integrated and permanently-mounted display. The interface/electronics module may include the functionality of the factory audio system (such as a radio tuner, power amplifier, etc.). In addition, the interface/electronics module is able to transmit commands via the vehicle's CAN bus.