Vehicle Display Content Selection via Spatial Corridor Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current display systems in vehicles only allow basic on/off switching of display content based on hand proximity, lacking advanced interaction capabilities such as selecting and displaying additional content based on precise hand position and movement.
Innovation Solution
A method and system using sensors to monitor a spatial corridor within a vehicle, defining virtual reference surfaces, and adjusting the opacity or intensity of display content based on the hand's position relative to these surfaces, allowing for the selection and display of additional content through hand gestures and movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If direct proximity detection is used to switch display content on/off, then the display can be controlled with simple sensor technology, but no advanced interaction or selection of additional content is possible
Solution Approach 1:
The spatial corridor is segmented into multiple zones using virtual boundary surfaces and reference surfaces. Each zone can be associated with different display content or interaction modes, enabling advanced interaction without requiring a completely new sensor system. The existing proximity sensor is used to detect which segment the hand is in, providing versatile control while reusing existing hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from binary proximity detection (hand near/far) to multi-dimensional spatial analysis by defining a corridor with boundary surfaces and reference surfaces. This creates multiple interaction zones along the approach path, enabling selection of different display content based on the precise position within the corridor, thus adding interaction capability without proportionally increasing sensor complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the hand must be in direct proximity to the display panel for interaction, then sensor detection is simple, but user comfort is reduced and no preview of additional content is possible
Solution Approach 1:
The system prepares multiple items of display content in advance and associates them with different positions within the spatial corridor. As the hand approaches and enters different zones defined by reference surfaces, the corresponding display content is pre-loaded or highlighted, allowing users to preview options before making a selection. This eliminates the need for direct contact while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Virtual reference surfaces act as intermediaries between the user's hand and the display content. Instead of requiring direct hand-to-display interaction, the system uses these invisible spatial markers to mediate the interaction, detecting hand position relative to the surfaces and triggering appropriate display responses. This improves user comfort by allowing interaction from a distance while achieving precise position detection through the defined spatial model.
3Adaptability or versatility
If only binary proximity states are recognized, then the control system is simple, but no selection among multiple display content items is possible
Solution Approach 1:
The spatial corridor is divided into multiple segments using virtual boundary surfaces and reference surfaces positioned at different locations. Each segment can be associated with a specific item of display content. The control system determines which segment the hand is currently in and displays the corresponding content, enabling multi-item selection without requiring complex gesture recognition or additional hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds spatial dimensionality to the interaction model by defining a corridor with multiple reference surfaces at different positions along the approach path. This transforms the simple near/far detection into a multi-zone spatial recognition system, where the depth position of the hand within the corridor determines which display content is shown, enabling content selection while keeping the control system relatively simple.
4Illumination intensity
If additional display content is shown with high opacity, then content visibility is improved, but existing display content may be obscured
Solution Approach 1:
The opacity of additional display content is made dynamic rather than static. As the hand moves through the spatial corridor and approaches reference surfaces, the opacity of corresponding additional content gradually increases. This dynamic adjustment ensures that additional content becomes visible only when the user is actively selecting it, while existing content remains visible at lower opacities, preventing complete obscuration and allowing smooth transitions between states.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables advanced interaction with display content by allowing users to select and activate specific items without direct hand contact, enhancing user comfort and maintaining existing display content visibility, while enabling precise categorization of hand interactions for more intuitive control.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor is used, using which a spatial corridor in the interior of the vehicle is optically monitored
Data Source
AI summary
A method for displaying at least one additional item of display content on a display panel which is arranged in an interior of a vehicle, in which at least one sensor is used, using which a spatial corridor in the interior of the vehicle is optically monitored. The spatial corridor is delimited by two virtual boundary surfaces. At least one spatial virtual reference surface is defined in the spatial corridor between the virtual boundary surfaces, to which the at least one additional item of display content is assigned. The at least one sensor is used to detect whether a hand of a user is located in the corridor.