Vehicle Display Animation for Intuitive Function Recognition

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current in-vehicle display systems distract drivers due to the need for attention when assigning functions to graphic objects, leading to potential distraction while driving, as static icons and small display areas make it difficult for drivers to quickly and intuitively recognize menu items and their associated functions.

Innovation Solution

The method involves animating graphic objects to illustrate their functions through a schematic image sequence, such as rotation, which is played before selection, allowing for quicker recognition and intuitive operation, even in small display areas, and can be repeated continuously after execution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If static graphic objects are displayed in small display areas, then the display area utilization is efficient, but the driver recognition speed and intuitiveness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay area utilizationVSAvoiddriver recognition speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transforming static graphic objects into animated sequences. The animation plays continuously in the display area of each graphic object, showing a schematic image sequence that corresponds to the function being offered. This dynamic visualization enables drivers to quickly understand menu item functions through motion-based cues rather than static icons, resolving the contradiction between efficient space utilization and fast recognition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The animation provides preliminary action by pre-demonstrating the function of each menu item before the driver selects it. The schematic image sequence shows what will happen when a menu item is activated, allowing the driver to understand the function in advance without needing to read text or interpret static symbols. This preliminary visualization accelerates recognition and reduces cognitive load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of information

If detailed function information is provided for each menu item, then the information completeness is improved, but the driver attention requirement and distraction risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoiddriver attention requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses visual changes in the animation to convey function information. The schematic image sequence employs visual transformations, movements, and state changes to communicate what each menu item does. This visual-language approach provides complete functional information without requiring the driver to read detailed text descriptions, thereby maintaining information completeness while reducing attention requirements and distraction risk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

3Productivity

If the animation plays continuously, then the information recognition speed is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation recognition speedVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements partial action by playing animations only in the specific display areas of individual graphic objects rather than animating the entire display simultaneously. Each menu item's animation plays independently and continuously in its allocated space, providing ongoing visual cues for fast recognition. This partial animation approach maintains high information recognition speed while consuming less energy compared to full-screen continuous animation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP2344356B1Method and device for displaying information, in particular in a vehicle
Publication Date: 2013.03.06 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP2344356B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2344356B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2D

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for displaying information, in particular in a vehicle, in which a list comprising a plurality of graphical objects (6) is displayed graphically by way of a display (1), wherein a display area of the display (1) is assigned to each displayed graphical object (6), and wherein the objects can be selected for the purposes of generating a function. The method according to the invention is characterized in that prior to the selection of one of the objects (6) an animation is run in the display area of at least one of the graphical objects (6), said animation illustrating the function assigned to the graphical object (6). The invention further relates to a device for carrying out the method described above.