Vehicle Display Control for Intuitive Operating State Visualization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern vehicles require intuitive and efficient display of operating states for various in-vehicle devices to minimize driver distraction, as existing methods often fail to present information in a clear and easily understandable manner, especially when multiple systems need to be monitored simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that generate graphic data to display vehicle devices from a perspective where critical information is positioned at the front of the display, using a control device to adjust the representation of the vehicle's state, allowing for intuitive detection of operating parameters by positioning relevant vehicle equipment at the forefront of the display, with optional color changes and additional graphic objects for emphasis, and transitioning between states through animation to maintain viewer focus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If multiple vehicle systems and components are displayed simultaneously on the display device, then the quantity of information presented increases, but the driver's attention is distracted and the complexity of the display increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequantity of informationVSAvoiddisplay complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display is segmented into multiple hierarchical levels: a first graphic object showing an overview of the vehicle with major systems, and second graphic objects showing detailed views of individual systems or components. The control device selectively activates different levels of detail based on what information the driver needs, preventing information overload while maintaining comprehensive coverage of vehicle systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If detailed information about vehicle components is displayed, then the measurement precision of operating states improves, but the time required for the driver to process the information increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating state detection precisionVSAvoiddriver reaction time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control device continuously monitors all vehicle component operating states in advance and pre-processes this data. When a component requires attention or the driver requests information, the relevant detailed graphic objects are already prepared and can be displayed immediately, eliminating processing delays while maintaining precise operating state detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Different levels of detail are applied to different parts of the display based on their importance and the driver's current needs. Critical systems receive detailed graphic objects with precise operating state information, while less critical systems are shown in simplified form or omitted, allowing the driver to quickly grasp essential information without being overwhelmed by unnecessary details.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If the display shows a comprehensive overview of all vehicle systems, then the adaptability of the display increases, but the clarity of individual component information decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay adaptabilityVSAvoidinformation clarity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The display dynamically adjusts its content and level of detail based on driver input, vehicle operating conditions, and detected attention levels. The control device can switch between overview mode showing all major systems and detailed mode showing specific component information, allowing the display to adapt to different driving situations while maintaining clear, legible information presentation in each mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2766209B1Method and device for displaying operating states of units of a vehicle
Publication Date: 2019.05.22 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP2766209B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2766209B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2766209B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for displaying operating states of units (9, 10) of a vehicle (11), wherein a control device (3) generates graphics data which control a display device (1) so that a first graphics object (14) is displayed with a representation of the vehicle (11) in a first state, the operating states of the vehicle units (9, 10) are detected and transmitted to the control system (3), the control device (3) checks whether information relating to an operational state is to be output, in the event of a positive result of the check the representation of the first graphics object (14) is changed so that the vehicle (11) is represented in a second state from a viewing angle in which the vehicle units (9, 10) are intended to output information about the operational state, at the front in the representation of the vehicle (11), and that a second graphics object (17) is generated with a graphical representation of the vehicle unit (9, 10), which is displayed in the changed graphical representation of the vehicle (11) so that the arrangement of the second graphics object (17) of the vehicle unit (9, 10) in the first graphics object (14) of the vehicle (11) substantially corresponds to the real arrangement of the vehicle unit (9, 10) in the vehicle (11). Furthermore the invention relates to a corresponding device for carrying out this method and to a vehicle with such a device.