Vehicle Control Display with Proximity Sensor Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle operators must divert their gaze from the road to locate and interact with vehicle controls, such as adjusting temperature or changing radio stations, leading to distractions and increased risk while driving.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses proximity sensors to detect the operator's approach and contact with vehicle controls, displaying graphical representations of the controls on a central display, including current values, allowing operators to maintain their line of sight on the road during interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vehicle controls are located physically in the cockpit and displays are placed near controls, then operators can access control information, but operators must divert gaze from the road leading to distraction and safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the physical control element and its display in the heads-up display field of view. The graphical representation of the control element and its associated display are projected onto a virtual surface in the driver's line of sight, allowing the operator to interact with and view control information without diverting gaze from the road.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a camera and processing system as an intermediary between the physical control and the operator. The camera captures images of the control area, and the system processes these images to generate and display virtual representations in the heads-up display, mediating the interaction between the operator and physical controls.
2Productivity
If operators must locate physical controls by visual scanning or feeling around, then control location can be found, but time is lost and attention is diverted from driving
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by capturing images of the control area with a camera and pre-processing these images to identify and highlight control elements before the operator needs them. The virtual representation of the control is prepared and displayed in advance in the operator's field of view, eliminating the need for visual scanning or tactile searching.
3Ease of operation
If displays are located near physical controls, then control information is accessible, but operators must maintain visual contact with the control area to determine when desired control value is reached
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the control display in the heads-up display field of view. The graphical representation of the control element includes visual indicators showing the current control value and the desired target value, allowing the operator to monitor whether the desired value has been reached without diverting gaze from the road.
Data Source
AI summary
Vehicle control information is displayed to a vehicle operator in a central display area. In one embodiment, a sensor associated with a vehicle control is configured to detect an approaching operator. A graphical representation of the vehicle control may be displayed in a central display area and, in one embodiment, is displayed with a varying physical characteristic representative of the distance between the vehicle operator and the vehicle control itself. A second graphical representation of the vehicle control may be displayed in the central display area in response to detecting that the vehicle operator has contacted the vehicle control. In one embodiment, the second graphical representation includes a current control value for the vehicle control.