Vehicle Display State Highlighting for Low-Distraction Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle display systems face challenges in providing clear visual cues for switching between different operating states without causing driver distraction, particularly when transitioning between head-up displays and instrument clusters.

Innovation Solution

A display system with a switching mechanism and actuating means that allows for visually perceptible changes in display indications, such as illumination or glow effects, to highlight the active operating state, minimizing distraction by using intuitive controls like rocker switches or touch-sensitive elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If visual indications are displayed large and conspicuously to improve perceptibility, then the driver is distracted from the driving situation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveperceptibility of operating stateVSAvoiddriver distraction
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by displaying visual indications at specific local positions within the existing display content rather than as separate prominent elements. The indications are integrated into the display at locations that do not dominate the visual field, providing subtle cues that are perceptible to the driver without creating excessive distraction. This resolves the contradiction by making the indication quality local and context-appropriate rather than globally prominent.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses partial action by implementing visual indications that are just sufficient to convey the operating state information without being excessive. The indications are designed to provide the minimum necessary visual change to communicate the active display device, avoiding over-emphasis that would cause distraction. This partial approach balances perceptibility needs with distraction reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If visual indications are displayed small and inconspicuously to reduce driver distraction, then the operating state becomes difficult to recognize

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver distractionVSAvoidperceptibility of operating state
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions visual indications at carefully selected local locations within the display where they can be effectively perceived without being prominently intrusive. By integrating indications into the existing display layout at appropriate positions, the system achieves adequate recognizability while maintaining a low-profile appearance that minimizes distraction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements visual indications with just enough visual weight to be recognizable - not so strong as to cause distraction, but sufficient to convey the operating state. This partial action approach finds the optimal middle ground between visibility and subtlety, ensuring the information is communicated effectively without excessive emphasis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Loss of information

If additional displays are added to highlight operating state to improve perceptibility, then occlusion and contrast limitations in head-up display are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveperceptibility of operating stateVSAvoiddisplay occlusion and contrast limitations
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the operating state indication function with the existing display content by integrating visual indications directly into the display output. Rather than adding separate indication displays that would compound occlusion and contrast issues, the indications are combined with the primary display content, sharing the same visual channel and resources. This resolving approach avoids the harms of additional displays while maintaining perceptibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the existing display device multi-functional by using it both for primary information display and for indicating the operating state through integrated visual indications. This universal approach eliminates the need for dedicated indication displays, reducing overall display complexity and avoiding the occlusion and contrast limitations that would result from multiple overlapping displays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4380811B1Display system for a vehicle and method for optically highlighting different operating states in the vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP4380811B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4380811B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4380811B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a display system (10) for a vehicle (50), comprising a first display means (11) for displaying information at a first location in the vehicle (50), a second display means (12) for displaying information at a second location in the vehicle (50) remote from the first location, an operating unit (13) for manual operation of the first display means (11) and the second display means (12), a switching means (14) for switching between two operating states (S1, S2), an indicating means (15) for creating visually perceptible indications (16, 17) in the respective operating states (S1, S2), and an actuation means (18) for optically highlighting the first operating state (S1) and the second operating state (S2) by optically changing the first indication (16) in the first operating state (S1) and/or the second indication (17) in the second operating state (S2) by manual actuation of the actuation means (18). The invention also relates to a vehicle (50) having a display means (11) according to the invention, to a method for optically highlighting different operating states (S1, S2) using a display means (11) according to the invention, to a computer program product (20) for carrying out a method according to the invention, and to a storage means (21) in which a computer program product (20) according to the invention is stored.