Vehicle Audio Interface Layout for Multi-Zone Sound Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automotive and vehicular audio systems require a user-friendly interface for managing diverse audio sources and settings, such as volume adjustments and content distribution to different occupant locations, to facilitate natural and understandable interaction with various user preferences.
Innovation Solution
A graphical user interface system with a primary panel and two sub-panels that includes audio settings configuration options, allowing users to control primary and secondary volumes and zone selections, as well as manage audio routing for incoming calls, enabling customizable audio experiences for multiple occupant locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a graphical user interface with multiple panels and sub-panels is implemented to provide comprehensive audio control options, then the ease of operation and user interaction is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The graphical user interface is segmented into a primary panel and multiple sub-panels, each handling specific audio control functions. The primary panel provides overview controls while sub-panels offer detailed configurations for different audio sources, occupants, or settings. This segmentation allows users to access comprehensive controls without being overwhelmed by a single complex interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface transitions from a two-dimensional flat display to a hierarchical three-dimensional structure with parent-child relationships between panels and sub-panels. Users can navigate through levels of detail, expanding or collapsing sub-panels as needed. This dimensional organization provides comprehensive functionality while maintaining a clean, manageable interface structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If audio settings configuration panel is displayed with multiple controls for primary volume, secondary volume, and zone selection, then the adaptability and customization options are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions or zones within the audio system are assigned different quality characteristics and control options. Each occupant zone (e.g., driver, front passenger, rear passengers) can have independent volume and audio source preferences. The interface allows users to customize settings for each specific zone rather than applying uniform controls globally, providing localized audio experiences.
Solution Approach 2:
The audio control system is designed with universal controls that can manage multiple audio sources, multiple occupant zones, and various audio settings through a unified interface. The same control mechanisms handle different scenarios (music playback, phone calls, navigation prompts) and different zones, reducing the need for separate specialized controls for each function.
3Ease of operation
If the primary panel displays visual content associated with previously active applications in selected sub-panels, then the ease of operation and application continuity is improved, but the loss of information about current application state may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides visual feedback by displaying icons, indicators, or thumbnails in the primary panel that represent the state of applications active in sub-panels. When users navigate between panels, the primary panel updates to reflect the current context, showing which applications are active and their basic state. This feedback mechanism maintains application continuity while preserving essential state information.
Solution Approach 2:
The primary panel acts as an intermediary between the user and the detailed application states in sub-panels. It provides a summary view that mediates access to full application functionality, showing key information and enabling users to navigate to specific applications without losing track of the overall system state. The intermediary panel preserves contextual information while enabling easy transitions.
Data Source
AI summary
An audio system, method, and computer readable medium that controls an audio system having a visual display and an input sensor for accepting user selections is provided. The visual display visually presents a primary panel, a first sub-panel, and a second sub-panel. The primary panel occupies a larger area of the visual display than do each of the first sub-panel and the second sub-panel. In various examples, audio and/or telephone configuration settings are displayed depending upon context.