Vehicle Interface Controls Using Global and Contextual Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle computing system user interfaces are difficult to use by muscle memory without looking at the screen, and are cluttered with soft-key identifiers, requiring drivers to perform reach and touch actions to select commands.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing global controls for navigation between user interface screens and contextual controls for function selection within a screen, with indications displayed to aid in understanding command relationships, allowing control via the steering wheel and reducing clutter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a customizable touch-screen interface with soft-key identifiers is used to control VCS functions, then the interface can be customized and provide visual feedback, but the interface becomes cluttered and requires drivers to perform reach and touch actions that are difficult to execute by muscle memory
Solution Approach 1:
The control interface is segmented into two distinct parts: global controls with fixed functions (e.g., volume, track navigation) and contextual controls that change based on the current screen. This segmentation allows the global controls to remain simple and operable by muscle memory while the contextual controls provide screen-specific functionality without cluttering the entire interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The contextual controls are dynamic in nature, automatically updating their function and labels based on the currently displayed screen. For example, when the navigation screen is active, the contextual controls display navigation-specific commands; when the media screen is active, they display media-specific commands. This dynamic adaptation reduces clutter by only showing relevant controls for the current context.
2Loss of information
If soft-key identifiers are displayed on the touch-screen to identify command functions, then drivers can see what commands are available, but the display becomes cluttered and requires visual attention that distracts from the road
Solution Approach 1:
The information display is segmented between the main road-view and the control interface. The contextual controls provide command function identification in a dedicated, minimal area that does not dominate the driver's field of view. This segmentation allows essential information to be displayed without requiring sustained visual attention to the screen.
Solution Approach 2:
The contextual controls act as an intermediary between the driver and the complex VCS functions. They provide simplified, context-relevant command identifiers that are easier to interpret quickly than full-screen displays, reducing the cognitive load and visual attention required while still conveying necessary information.
3Ease of manufacture
If all control functions are integrated into a single touch-screen interface, then the system is unified and easier to manufacture, but the interface requires blind reach and touch actions that are difficult to perform safely while driving
Solution Approach 1:
The global controls are designed with universal functions that remain consistent across different screens (e.g., volume up/down, track skip). This multi-functionality allows these controls to be operable by muscle memory regardless of which screen is active, eliminating the need for blind reach and touch to determine control function. The contextual controls complement this by providing screen-specific functions in a predictable location.
Data Source
AI summary
A system may include global controls, each associated with a different one of a plurality of user interface screens of a vehicle; contextual controls, each associated with a command function available from a selected one of the plurality of user interface screens; and a vehicle processor configured to display a current one of the plurality of user interface screens, and update command functions associated with the contextual controls responsive to user input to the global controls. A method may include, responsive to receiving an indication of a user input press of a global control, updating command functions associated with contextual controls in accordance with command function available from a user interface screen associated with the global control; and upon receiving a user input release of the global control within a predetermined threshold period of time, navigating to the user interface screen associated with the global control.