Vehicle Input System with Directional Arrow Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional input systems for vehicles require operators to look at both the display and the actuator simultaneously, making it difficult to operate the system reliably due to the lack of intuitive direction indicators for actuator movement.
Innovation Solution
The input system incorporates a graphic object on the display with arrows and function indicators around it, allowing operators to intuitively understand the directions for actuator movement and selecting functions by corresponding arrow directions, enabling reliable operation without needing to look at both the display and actuator simultaneously.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the display shows map and function indicators without directional arrows, then the display area is maximized, but the operator cannot intuitively understand actuator movement directions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a new visual dimension (directional arrows) to the display interface that provides operational guidance without significantly increasing the overall display area. The arrows are integrated around the graphic object representing the actuator, allowing operators to understand movement directions (up, down, left, right) intuitively while maintaining efficient use of the display screen real estate.
2Loss of information
If the operator must look at both display and actuator simultaneously, then all information is available, but operational reliability decreases due to divided attention
Solution Approach 1:
The display provides visual feedback by showing directional arrows that correspond to actuator movement directions. This feedback mechanism allows operators to understand the relationship between actuator position and function selection without needing to physically observe the actuator itself, thereby improving operational reliability while maintaining information availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The directional arrows serve as an intermediary visual element that mediates between the actuator position and the function indicators. Instead of requiring direct observation of the actuator, the arrows translate actuator position into intuitive directional guidance on the display, enabling reliable operation through visual mediation.
3Ease of operation
If directional arrows are added to the display, then operational intuitiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The directional arrows are localized around the graphic object representing the actuator, rather than being distributed throughout the entire display. This local placement provides operational guidance exactly where needed (near the actuator representation) without cluttering the rest of the display interface, thereby improving intuitiveness while minimizing the increase in overall display complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An input system for vehicle includes an actuator operable by an operator, a controller outputting a display signal in response to an operation on the actuator, and a display to display an image based on the display signals. The controller outputs a control signal to a target device that performs one or more functions. The image includes a graphic object indicating the actuator, one or more arrows located around the graphic object, and one or more function indicators located in one or more directions indicated by the one or more arrows, respectively. The one or more function indicators indicate the one or more functions, respectively. The controller is operable to, upon the operator operating the actuator in the direction corresponding to an arrow out of the one or more arrows, select a function indicator out of the one or more function indicators located in a direction indicated by the arrow, and to control the target device to perform a function out of the one or more functions indicated by the selected function indicator. The operator can operate the input system reliably.