Vehicle Air Conditioning Interface Mode Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioning systems in vehicles make it difficult for users to quickly and easily make settings and acquire comprehensive information about the operation, as they often require complex steps and unclear status displays.
Innovation Solution
A method and operating device that adapt the display mode based on user intention, providing a status mode for information, a transition mode for showing operable options, and a setting mode for actual adjustments, with distinct graphic elements for each mode to facilitate intuitive operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If complex control systems with multiple functions are used to improve air conditioning capabilities, then the system functionality is enhanced, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to complicated settings steps
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into three distinct display modes (status mode, transition mode, setting mode), each serving a specific function. This segmentation allows the complex air conditioning system to be controlled through simplified, mode-specific interactions rather than requiring users to navigate through all possible functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The display mode dynamically transitions between status, transition, and setting modes based on user interaction. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to automatically adjust its complexity level - showing only relevant controls and information for the current operational context, thereby simplifying user interaction while maintaining full functionality.
2Loss of information
If comprehensive information about system status is displayed to improve user awareness, then the information completeness is enhanced, but the display complexity increases making it harder to understand
Solution Approach 1:
Each display mode provides locally optimized information quality tailored to user needs at that moment. Status mode displays comprehensive system state information, transition mode shows operational changes, and setting mode presents control options. This local quality approach ensures that the right information is provided at the right time without overwhelming the user with all possible data simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The display dynamically adapts its content and complexity based on the current mode and user interaction state. Information is selectively presented according to the operational context, maintaining comprehensiveness while avoiding unnecessary complexity by showing only relevant information for the current task phase.
3Ease of operation
If multiple display modes are implemented to improve user understanding, then the information presentation is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display system serves multiple functions through its three modes: status monitoring, transition indication, and setting control. This multi-functionality is achieved within a single integrated display interface that automatically transitions between modes, avoiding the need for separate physical controls for each function and thereby managing complexity through software-based universal design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically transitions between display modes based on user interaction, automatically adapting the interface complexity to match the current operational phase. This dynamic behavior reduces perceived complexity by presenting only the necessary controls and information for the current task, while the underlying system maintains full functionality across all modes.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
In the inventive method for operating a vehicle's air conditioning system, the current value of a setting parameter of the air conditioning system is detected, and it is detected whether a user intends to operate the system. If no operating intention is detected, the status mode is activated. If an operating intention is detected, the transition mode or the setting mode is activated. Depending on the activated display mode, graphic data of a graphical representation (20) of the interior of the vehicle (1) are generated and displayed such that, when the status mode is activated, the representation (20) of the interior includes a display element (21.1; 21.2; 21.3; 21.4; 21.5; 21.6; 21.7; 21.8) through which the currently set value of the setting parameter is output; when the transition mode is activated, the representation (20) of the interior includes an adjustability display element (22.1; 22.2; 22.3; 22.4; 22.5; 22.8).6) includes, and, when the setting mode is activated, the display (20) of the interior includes an operable setting element.