Motor Vehicle Information System with Component-Linked Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle information systems are cumbersome and difficult for users to navigate, requiring knowledge of vehicle system designations to locate relevant information, and they do not provide comprehensive information about vehicle systems, functions, and services in an intuitive manner.

Innovation Solution

An information system that allows users to select vehicle systems, functions, or services by interacting with real components or graphical representations, using detection sensors and a graphical user interface, enabling intuitive selection and information retrieval without needing to know the system designations, and providing multimedia output for easy understanding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If users navigate through printed manuals or electronic guidebooks to find information about vehicle systems, then comprehensive information can be obtained, but the process becomes laborious, complex and tedious requiring knowledge of system designations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomprehensive information about vehicle systemsVSAvoidease of accessing information
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle components themselves serve as the interface for information retrieval. When a user touches or actuates a component (e.g., air conditioning controls, radio, seats), the system automatically provides information about that specific component without requiring the user to search through manuals or know system designations. The component 'services' itself by being the selection input.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

A control unit acts as an intermediary between the user and the vehicle's information system. The control unit receives touch inputs from users on various vehicle components, retrieves corresponding information from storage devices, and outputs the information through output devices. This intermediary translates physical component interaction into information retrieval without requiring user knowledge of system designations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If traditional text-based information displays are used, then information can be provided, but the presentation is not intuitive and fails to engage users who are reluctant to read extensive technical content

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation deliveryVSAvoidadaptability to user preferences
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The information output is made dynamic by allowing users to select from multiple presentation formats (text, audio, video, graphical displays) based on their preferences. The system adapts the information delivery mode in real-time according to user selection, transforming static text-based information into dynamic, multi-format content that engages different user preferences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameters of information presentation by offering different output formats (audio, video, text, graphical) and allowing users to select their preferred mode. This parameter change in information delivery adapts to user preferences and makes the information more engaging and accessible to different types of users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of information

If comprehensive information about all vehicle systems is provided, then users can learn about vehicle functions, but the system complexity and difficulty of navigation increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomprehensive information availabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The information system is segmented into component-specific information modules. Each vehicle component (air conditioning, radio, seats, etc.) has its own dedicated information set that is retrieved only when that specific component is touched or actuated. This segmentation divides the comprehensive information into manageable, context-relevant portions, reducing the perceived complexity for the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2137022B1Information system and method for furnishing information in a motor vehicle with improved operability
Publication Date: 2016.12.28 AUDI AG
  • EP2137022B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2137022B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2137022B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for furnishing information, and an information system (8) in a motor vehicle (13), having at least one output unit, one control unit (27), one storage unit (29) in which information regarding vehicle systems, vehicle functions, and/or services is stored, and at least one input unit for identifying a user selection input for the selection of one of the vehicle systems, vehicle functions, or services. The control unit is designed to output at least a part of the information regarding the selected vehicle system, the selected vehicle function, or the selected service by means of the at least one output unit as a response to the selection identified by the user selection input. An information mode is provided in which the user selection can be inputted for the selection of the vehicle systems, vehicle functions, or services by means of operating or touching a component or an operating element of the motor vehicle, the component or operating element being provided for the operation, use, execution, and/or provision of one of the vehicle systems, vehicle functions, and/or one of the services.