Vehicle Control System Map Display Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle control systems, such as Positive Train Control (PTC), face limitations where prompts for operator responses overlay or occlude the map display, hindering visibility and operator response efficiency, especially with multiple or lengthy prompts.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control system and method that displays a map within a designated viewing area while presenting prompts outside of this area, allowing operators to respond without overlaying the map, and dynamically adjusting layouts to accommodate multiple or lengthy prompts by displaying them in a separate area without obstructing the map.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If prompts are displayed on the map area to save display space, then the system can present multiple prompts and detailed information, but the map visibility is occluded and operators cannot efficiently respond to prompts
Solution Approach 1:
The display is segmented into distinct functional areas: a map display area and a prompt display area. This segmentation allows the map and prompts to be presented simultaneously without overlapping, ensuring both map information visibility and prompt accessibility are maintained independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The prompt information is moved from the two-dimensional map overlay space to a separate dimensional space (the prompt display area at the bottom of the screen). This dimensional separation eliminates the occlusion problem while preserving all information display capabilities.
2Loss of information
If multiple prompts are displayed simultaneously to provide comprehensive information, then operators have access to all pending responses, but the display space is consumed and map information becomes hidden
Solution Approach 1:
The display screen is divided into separate functional zones: the upper portion dedicated to map visualization and the lower portion dedicated to prompt information. This spatial segmentation allows multiple prompts to be displayed simultaneously without encroaching on the map display area.
Solution Approach 2:
A dedicated prompt display area acts as an intermediary zone between the map information and the operator interface. This intermediary space accommodates multiple prompts and detailed information without directly competing with the map display for screen real estate.
3Loss of information
If prompts are made lengthy with detailed text to provide complete information, then operators have all necessary context, but the prompts consume excessive display space and may occlude the map
Solution Approach 1:
Detailed prompt information is relocated to a dedicated prompt display area in a different spatial dimension (the bottom portion of the screen). This allows prompts to be lengthy and detailed without consuming map display space, as the two information types occupy separate display dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the display are assigned different functional qualities: the map area optimizes for spatial visualization while the prompt area optimizes for text information density. This local quality differentiation allows each area to display information in the most effective format for its purpose.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle control system and method display a map within a designated viewing area of a display device. The map provides information on a location of a vehicle and restrictions on vehicle movement. Prompts for response from a vehicle operator are displayed with the map. The prompts are based on the vehicle location and/or the movement restrictions. The are displayed on the vehicle display device but outside of the designated viewing area of the vehicle display device. Operator input is received in response to the one or more prompts to verify that the vehicle is moving according to the one or more restrictions on the movement of the vehicle.