Vehicle Dual-Display Interface for Driver Distraction Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern vehicles require an intuitive and efficient operating system to minimize driver distraction while operating various devices, as the complexity of modern vehicle systems necessitates a unified and simplified control method that reduces attention diversion from driving.

Innovation Solution

An operating method and system utilizing a dual-display setup where a touch-sensitive surface is used in conjunction with a primary display area, with the display content adapting based on the driver's line of sight, allowing buttons on the secondary touch-sensitive area to provide additional information on the primary display without requiring the driver to look away, enhancing intuitive operation and reducing the need for mechanical controls.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a unified operating concept with few operating elements is used to control various vehicle devices, then device complexity is reduced, but the driver may become distracted while operating the devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating element complexityVSAvoiddriving safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The display system is segmented into a first display area for primary vehicle information and a second display area for control interface elements. This spatial segmentation allows the driver to access device controls without diverting attention from primary driving information, thus reducing distraction while maintaining unified control capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second display area acts as an intermediary between the driver and the vehicle's control systems. By providing a dedicated touch-sensitive area for controls separate from the main information display, it mediates the interaction in a way that minimizes cognitive load and visual distraction from driving tasks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If display information is placed in the driver's primary field of vision, then information accessibility is improved, but the display area available is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation accessibilityVSAvoiddisplay area
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from a single two-dimensional display space to a three-dimensional spatial arrangement with multiple display areas at different positions and orientations. The first display area provides primary information in the driver's field of vision, while the second display area extends the interface space, effectively increasing total display area without compromising information accessibility.

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

3Reliability

If separate mechanical control elements are provided for each vehicle device, then operational reliability is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoidcontrol element quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces separate mechanical control elements with a touch-sensitive second display area that provides electronic control interfaces. This substitution reduces the quantity of physical controls while maintaining operational reliability through the graphical user interface, thereby reducing dashboard clutter and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The second display area serves as a universal control interface for multiple vehicle devices and functions. Instead of requiring dedicated mechanical controls for each device, this single multi-functional touch interface handles various operations, significantly reducing the total number of control elements needed.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2941685B1Operating method and operating system in a vehicle
Publication Date: 2020.02.26 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP2941685B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2941685B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b

AI summary

The present invention relates to an operating method in a vehicle, according to which method first graphic data is displayed on a first display surface (3) arranged in the interior of the vehicle (6) within the field of view of a person (9) sitting in a driver's seat (20) of the vehicle (6), and second graphic data, which presents at least one interface button, is displayed on a second display surface (5) having a touch-sensitive surface and arranged separately from the first display surface (3) within reach of the person (9) sitting on the driver's seat (20). The operating method according to the invention is characterized in that when the touch-sensitive surface on the second display surface (5) is touched at the displayed interface button, the graphic data displayed on the first display surface (3) is modified in such a manner that additional information (15-1 to 15-4) associated with the interface button is displayed on the first display surface (3). The invention further relates to an operating system for performing this operating method.