Vehicle Display Configuration via Multi-Touch Gesture Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Navigating complex menu structures in vehicles can distract drivers and impair their attention, making it difficult to quickly and intuitively absorb information displayed by the vehicle's display devices, which is crucial for safety while driving.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that allow users to switch to a configuration mode using multi-touch gestures on a touch-sensitive display surface, enabling customization of the main view by assigning, rearranging, and grouping graphic objects, allowing for intuitive and quick access to information display settings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If complex hierarchical menu structures are used to display diverse operating options, then the completeness of information display is improved, but the driver's attention is impaired and navigation becomes time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompleteness of information displayVSAvoidtime for navigating menus
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The display area is segmented into multiple independent graphic objects, each representing a specific function or information element. This segmentation allows the driver to directly access individual functions without navigating through hierarchical menus, reducing navigation time while maintaining information completeness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a one-dimensional hierarchical menu structure to a two-dimensional graphical interface with multiple objects arranged spatially. This dimensional change enables parallel access to multiple functions through direct manipulation of graphic objects, eliminating the need for sequential menu navigation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If hierarchical menu structures are used, then comprehensive information can be displayed, but the operation becomes complex and difficult to perform quickly while driving

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomprehensive information displayVSAvoidsimplicity of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses graphic objects that visually represent the functions they control, creating a direct visual copy or metaphor for the underlying system. This visual representation makes the interface more intuitive and easier to operate, as drivers can understand function purposes at a glance without navigating complex menu hierarchies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The graphical interface allows dynamic manipulation of graphic objects through gestures such as dragging, dropping, and repositioning. This dynamic interaction enables drivers to quickly reconfigure the display to prioritize important functions, making the system adaptable to different driving situations while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of information

If the display shows detailed information, then information completeness is improved, but the driver's attention is distracted from the road

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoiddriver distraction
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent displays only the most relevant graphic objects and information in the main view, rather than showing all available information simultaneously. This partial display approach provides sufficient information for safe driving without overwhelming the driver, while additional information can be accessed through simple gestures when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the display area have different functions and visual characteristics. The main view displays priority graphic objects with prominent visual properties, while secondary information is displayed with reduced visual prominence. This local differentiation allows comprehensive information to be available while minimizing distraction from non-critical elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2917062B1Method for displaying information in a vehicle, and a device for controlling the display
Publication Date: 2020.03.04 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP2917062B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2917062B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for displaying information in a vehicle, in which list entries from a list are allocated to graphical objects (7) and, in a main view, a partial amount of said graphical objects (7) is displayed by a display device (1) arranged in the vehicle, a control device (3) modifying the graphical data, as a result of an input from an input device (4, 6), such that the graphical objects (7) in the displayed partial amount are modified. The claimed method is characterised in that, as the result of an input using an input device (4, 6), the control device (3) changes to a configuration mode which determines which graphical objects (7) are allocated to the partial amount whose graphical objects (7) are displayed in the main view. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out said method.