Vehicle Input Output Device with Dynamic Haptic Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle user interfaces require drivers to look away from the road to input commands, compromising safety and convenience, as they need to interact with multiple displays located out of reach or require separate input devices for each passenger.

Innovation Solution

An input/output device with a touch panel and haptic module that senses touch inputs and generates tactile feedback, allowing drivers to control multiple vehicle displays without visual distraction, by setting feedback regions based on the content displayed and executing functions through a communication unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If drivers interact with multiple displays located out of reach using separate input devices, then each display can be controlled independently, but the driver must look away from the road, compromising safety

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol capabilityVSAvoiddriving safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A single touch panel device performs multiple functions by controlling different displays (instrument panel display, center fascia display, navigation display) through a unified interface, eliminating the need for separate input devices for each display and allowing drivers to operate all displays from one location within reach

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If displays are placed within driver reach, then drivers can control them without looking away, but passengers cannot control their assigned displays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriving safetyVSAvoidpassenger control capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system adds a communication dimension between the touch panel and multiple displays, allowing a single input device at the driver location to control displays throughout the vehicle. The touch panel communicates control signals to any display in the system, enabling both driver safety (centralized control) and passenger convenience (access to assigned displays).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If separate input devices are provided for each display, then each display can be controlled independently, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent controlVSAvoidnumber of input devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple separate input devices are merged into a single touch panel with haptic feedback capabilities. This unified device provides independent control for each display through software-based function assignment, reducing the physical number of input devices while maintaining independent control capability for each display.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Device complexity

If a single touch panel controls all displays, then device complexity is reduced, but tactile feedback precision for different control regions decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of input devicesVSAvoidtouch input precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The touch panel implements local quality through haptic feedback by generating different tactile effects in different feedback regions corresponding to different control functions. When a user touches a specific region, the haptic module provides localized tactile feedback only in that region, enabling precise identification of control zones without visual assistance and maintaining high touch input precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 quick and convenient execution of desired functions while looking ahead, integrates control of multiple displays, and allows passengers to control their assigned displays using a single input device, enhancing safety and reducing the risk of accidents.

Implementation Method 1

a touch panel configured to sense touch input

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitive sensing: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

a haptic module configured to generate a tactile effect on the touch panel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic vibration: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3508370B1Input output device and vehicle comprising the same

Publication Date: 2021.02.03 LG ELECTRONICS INC

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AI summary

The present disclosure relates to an input/output device (800A, 800B, 800) mounted on a vehicle (100, 200) having a plurality of displays (840A), and the input/output device (800A, 800B, 800) may include a touch panel (810) configured to sense a touch input, a haptic module (820) configured to generate a tactile effect on the touch panel (810), a communication unit (430, 830) configured to perform communication with any one of the displays (840A), and a processor (270, 370, 470, 810, 860) configured to set one or more feedback regions (840A, S1050) on the touch panel (810) based on a screen being displayed on the display (840A, 840B, 840C, S1030), and control the haptic module (820) to generate a tactile effect when a touch is applied to the one or more feedback regions (840A, S1050), wherein the one or more feedback regions (840A, S1050) vary according to the screen being displayed on the display (840A, 840B, 840C, S1030).