Vehicle Control Illumination for Clear Operability Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle operating systems lack clear and user-friendly indicators for the operability state of control elements, leading to confusion and inefficiency in user interaction.

Innovation Solution

An operating system with a control element that adjusts lighting parameters based on detected actuation intentions and operability states, using a detection unit to identify user intent and a control unit to adjust lighting accordingly, providing clear visual and haptic feedback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If control elements have fixed functions and standard illumination, then the device structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the user cannot easily understand which operating options are available and the interface lacks adaptability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability of control element illuminationVSAvoidcomplexity of operating system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the illumination state of control elements changeable based on detected actuation intentions. The control element transitions between different illumination states (first state for available operations, second state for unavailable operations) depending on the detected user intent, making the interface adaptive rather than static.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by using a detection unit to sense the user's actuation intention and a control unit to adjust the illumination state accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system provides real-time information about which operations are available, enhancing user understanding without requiring complex manual configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of information

If control elements provide clear information about operability state, then user understanding is improved, but additional detection and control units increase device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation about operability stateVSAvoidcomplexity of operating system
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses feedback through detection units that sense actuation intentions and control units that adjust illumination accordingly. This provides real-time information about operability states using existing system components, minimizing the need for additional hardware while maximizing information delivery to the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies color/illumination changes as a visual indicator of operability state. The control element's illumination transitions between a first state (indicating available operations) and a second state (indicating unavailable operations), providing intuitive information feedback without requiring complex displays or additional indicators.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

3Ease of operation

If buttons or controls have fixed functions, then the device is easy to manufacture and operate, but the user must adapt to different operating methods and cannot access context-aware controls

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of control operationVSAvoidadaptability to different operating contexts
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the control interface dynamic by adjusting the illumination state of control elements based on detected actuation intentions. This allows the same physical control element to contextually indicate different operability states, providing ease of operation through familiar hardware while achieving adaptability through intelligent illumination control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances user understanding of control element usability by clearly indicating activated and deactivated states, reducing confusion and improving interaction efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a lighting unit (6) for illuminating the control element (2) with a first or a second lighting parameter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light

Data Source

PatentEP4025448B1Operating system for a vehicle and method for operating an operating system for a vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP4025448B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4025448B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4025448B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The operating system for a vehicle (1) comprises an operating element (2) having a first or a second operating state, an illumination unit (6) for illuminating the operating element (2) with a first or a second illumination parameter, a detection unit (5) for detecting an actuation intention and the operating state of the operating element (2), as well as a control unit (4) coupled to the operating element (2), the illumination unit (6) and the detection unit (5). In addition, the control unit (4) is designed to adjust the first or second illumination parameter of the illumination unit (6) according to the detected operating state and according to the detected actuation intention.