Vehicle Display Prompting for Reliable Steering Takeover

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle display systems annoy occupants with frequent requests to grip the steering wheel, affecting their ability to react appropriately and ensuring safe driving.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle display control device that adjusts the prominence of the inducement image based on the need for the occupant to grip the steering wheel, displaying it more prominently before switching from autonomous to manual driving mode or before a vehicle event, and less prominently when the vehicle is already in autonomous mode.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the inducement image is displayed prominently to ensure the occupant grips the steering wheel, then the reliability of manual takeover is improved, but the occupant becomes annoyed and their reaction ability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of manual takeoverVSAvoidoccupant annoyance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by varying the display prominence of the inducement image based on the specific situation. When manual takeover is required, the image is displayed prominently in the center of the meter display. When manual takeover is not required, the image is displayed less prominently at the lower left or right positions. This localized adjustment of display quality resolves the contradiction by making the image conspicuous only when necessary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making the display state of the inducement image changeable based on operational conditions. The display control unit dynamically adjusts between prominent central display and less prominent peripheral display according to whether manual takeover is required. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain reliability when needed while reducing annoyance during autonomous operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the inducement image is displayed frequently to maintain occupant awareness, then the reliability of driving mode switching is improved, but the occupant's ability to appropriately react deteriorates due to annoyance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of driving mode switchingVSAvoidoccupant reaction ability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses local quality to differentiate display prominence based on situational context. The inducement image is displayed prominently only in situations where manual takeover is required, while being displayed less prominently when autonomous driving continues. This selective prominence maintenance ensures reliability without causing continuous annoyance that would impair reaction ability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harm of frequent display into benefit by strategically timing the prominent display only when manual takeover is required. The frequent but subdued displays during autonomous operation serve as gentle reminders without causing annoyance, while the prominent displays at critical moments ensure reliable takeover. This transforms what could be harmful frequent interruption into a beneficial adaptive notification system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Loss of information

If the inducement image is displayed prominently to convey urgency, then the information transmission effectiveness is improved, but the occupant experience deteriorates due to increased annoyance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation transmission effectivenessVSAvoidoccupant annoyance
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by positioning the inducement image differently based on urgency. When urgent manual takeover is needed, the image is displayed prominently in the center. When less urgent, the image is displayed at the lower left or right positions with reduced prominence. This spatial and visual quality differentiation ensures effective information transmission only when necessary while minimizing annoyance during less critical periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3960518B1Vehicle display control device, vehicle display system, vehicle display control method, and vehicle display control program
Publication Date: 2025.02.26 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP3960518B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3960518B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3960518B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A vehicle display control device (10), includes a memory (32); and a processor (30) coupled to the memory. The processor (30) is configured to cause a display unit (24, 26) provided in a vehicle cabin to display an inducement image requesting that an occupant grip a steering wheel in a case in which it is necessary for the occupant to grip the steering wheel, and cause the display unit (24, 26) to display the inducement image more prominently in a case of requesting that the occupant grip the steering wheel before the vehicle switches from an autonomous driving mode to a manual driving mode as the vehicle is continuing to drive autonomously, than in a case of requesting that the occupant continue to grip the steering wheel as the vehicle is continuing to drive autonomously.