User interface for operating air conditioner of vehicle and method of controlling the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
The user interface for vehicle air conditioners does not effectively indicate when air is being discharged in synchronization control mode, leading to user misunderstandings about airflow direction and potential malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle user interface with a display apparatus and controller that outputs activation or deactivation indications for air conditioner blowing positions, allowing intuitive control through push buttons, enabling SYNC control between driver and passenger seats, and changing indications based on user input and preset times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If SYNC control is implemented for air conditioner blowing discharge, then the air conditioner can provide coordinated cooling/heating to both driver and passenger seats, but the user interface fails to clearly indicate the wind discharge direction, causing user misunderstanding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses different colors for push buttons to indicate different operational states: blue indicates the button is currently active/discharging air, while gray indicates inactive buttons. This color coding system provides clear visual feedback to users about which blowing positions are currently active, resolving the information loss problem in SYNC control mode
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides immediate visual feedback by lighting up the corresponding push button in blue when air discharge is activated for that position. This feedback mechanism allows users to understand the current state of the air conditioner and make informed decisions about adjustments, eliminating the misunderstanding issue
2Loss of information
If the user interface indicates blowing air operation status, then users can see whether air is being discharged, but users cannot provide input when the indication is displayed, leading to mistaken malfunction perception
Solution Approach 1:
The push buttons dynamically change their state and responsiveness based on the current operation status. When a button is not active (gray state), it remains clickable and responsive to user input. When a button is active (blue state), it provides visual feedback but the system prevents contradictory inputs. This dynamic behavior allows the interface to be both informative and operational simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares the user interface by displaying the current state before requiring user action. The blue indication is shown in advance to confirm the system understands the user's intent, and only after this confirmation does the system execute the command. This preliminary indication prevents users from thinking the system malfunctioned
Data Source
AI summary
A user interface for operating the air conditioner of a vehicle is disclosed. The user interface includes a display apparatus configured to receive a user input for the air conditioner, and a controller configured to output activation indication and deactivation indication in multiple areas of the vehicle in response to the user input and a time point, and control the display apparatus to change the activation indication and deactivation indication.