Vehicle Input Device Gesture Gauge Bar Menu Selection
Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in accurately selecting menu items on a vehicle's display interface while driving, as existing systems require precise cursor movement, leading to potential errors or increased time for selection.
Innovation Solution
An input device with a touch sensor and controller that displays a gauge bar aligned with user gestures, allowing intuitive selection of icons by adjusting the bar's length and position, and providing tactile feedback for accurate input without needing direct gaze at the menu.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a cursor is moved according to input amount to select menu items, then the selection process can be automated, but the accuracy and speed of selection deteriorate when the user is engaged in other tasks like driving
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cursor movement system with a gesture-based direct selection system. Instead of moving a cursor step-by-step through menu items, the user's gesture direction and magnitude directly determine the selected menu item. This substitution eliminates the intermediate cursor movement step, allowing accurate selection even when the user's attention is divided during driving tasks.
2Measurement precision
If precise cursor movement is required for menu selection, then selection accuracy can be improved, but the time required for selection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by displaying multiple gauge bars in advance, each corresponding to a different gesture direction. The gauge bar aligned with the user's intended gesture direction is automatically highlighted or emphasized, allowing the user to confirm selection without precise cursor movement. This pre-positioning of selection options eliminates the time-consuming process of moving a cursor to the exact target.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of gesture magnitude to the selection process. Instead of only horizontal or vertical cursor movement, the user's gesture strength or distance determines the selection among multiple options along a continuum. This dimensional addition allows rapid selection across multiple menu items in a single gesture, reducing total selection time while maintaining accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If the user focuses on the display for accurate menu selection, then selection accuracy improves, but the user's attention is diverted from driving tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides self-service by using the user's existing driving-oriented gestures (natural hand movements while driving) directly for menu selection. The gauge bar alignment mechanism automatically interprets the gesture direction and magnitude without requiring the user to consciously adjust their input or focus intently on the display. This allows accurate selection with minimal cognitive load and visual attention, reducing distraction from driving tasks.
Data Source
AI summary
This input device provides an input for operating a user interface (UI) including a first menu and displayed by a display disposed in a vehicle, and includes: a first touch sensor which receives a gesture made as a touch by a user; and a controller which causes the display to display, as the first menu, a plurality of first icons aligned in a first direction. The controller causes the display to display a first gauge bar extending from a first reference position as an origin in the first direction and having a length corresponding to the length of a first gesture input to the first touch sensor, and selects a first icon disposed in a first region where an end portion of the first gauge bar displayed on the display is located when an input indicating confirmation is provided among a plurality of first regions seamlessly aligned.