Vehicle Operator Control Interface for Dynamic Function Availability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of vehicle functions and their varying availability due to market-specific regulations and user preferences lead to cluttered and unintuitive operator electronic control units, increasing user distraction and safety hazards, while also being cost-inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that dynamically match the operator electronic control unit to the current functional state of vehicle functions by ascertaining the scope of available functions and operating parameters, controlling the unit to only display and enable operable functions, thereby simplifying the user interface and reducing unnecessary controls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If operator electronic control units are provided with a wide variety of operator control elements to cover all possible vehicle function combinations, then all vehicle functions can be operated, but the control unit becomes cost intensive and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The operator electronic control unit dynamically adapts its interface by displaying only those operator control elements that correspond to currently available vehicle functions. This dynamic adjustment is based on detected operating parameters and functional availability, transforming a static control panel into a flexible, context-aware interface that reduces complexity while maintaining full functionality coverage
Solution Approach 2:
A single operator electronic control unit is designed to handle multiple vehicle function combinations through software-based function assignment. Instead of requiring different hardware configurations for different market regions or function sets, one universal control unit can adapt to various configurations by enabling or disabling specific operator control elements based on current functional availability
2Adaptability or versatility
If operator control elements are provided for all vehicle functions including those not currently available, then all possible functions can be accessed, but user comprehension deteriorates and distraction increases
Solution Approach 1:
Operator control elements corresponding to unavailable vehicle functions are extracted or removed from the displayed interface. The control unit detects which functions are currently available based on operating parameters and market-specific regulations, and selectively displays only those operator control elements that correspond to accessible functions, eliminating confusion from non-functional controls
Solution Approach 2:
The interface dynamically adjusts its content based on real-time detection of functional availability. When vehicle functions become available or unavailable due to changing operating conditions, the operator electronic control unit automatically updates the displayed operator control elements, ensuring the interface always reflects currently accessible functions and maintaining intuitive user comprehension
3Reliability
If market-specific vehicle functions are provided in predetermined countries or regions only, then regulatory requirements are met, but different equipment variants are required increasing cost
Solution Approach 1:
A single operator electronic control unit design serves multiple market regions and regulatory environments. The control unit determines available vehicle functions based on detected operating parameters including geographic location or market region, and accordingly enables or disables operator control elements to comply with local regulations while maintaining a unified hardware platform across all markets
Solution Approach 2:
The availability of vehicle functions is controlled by changing parameters such as geographic location, market region, or operational conditions. The operator electronic control unit detects these parameter changes and adjusts the displayed operator control elements accordingly, allowing one equipment variant to adapt to different regulatory requirements without requiring physical modification
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and apparatuses are provided for dynamically matching an operator electronic control unit of a vehicle to a current functional state of vehicle functions of the vehicle. An electronic control unit is configured to ascertain a scope of functions of the vehicle, ascertain operating parameters of the vehicle that can influence an availability of at least one vehicle function that is part of the ascertained scope of functions of the vehicle, ascertain a current functional state of the operator electronic control unit from the ascertained scope of functions and the operating parameters, control the operator electronic control unit in such a way that the ascertained functional state can be output by the operator electronic control unit.