Vehicle Input Preview Display for Error-Resistant Switch Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle input devices with multiple operation sections close together increase the likelihood of erroneous inputs due to the need to divert gaze for operation, especially when driving.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle input device with operation detection, preliminary action detection, and notification sections that allow occupants to detect and confirm the onboard unit operation without shifting gaze, using a display section to provide information on the onboard unit allocated to the operation section being touched or pressed, thereby reducing erroneous inputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple operation sections are disposed close together, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the likelihood of erroneous input increases
Solution Approach 1:
The notification section displays information about the onboard unit allocated to the operation section being touched before the actual operation is executed. This preliminary notification allows the occupant to confirm the function without needing to visually verify the switch position, preventing erroneous inputs while maintaining close spacing of operation sections
Solution Approach 2:
A notification section acts as an intermediary between the operation sections and the occupant's visual attention. It provides tactile-feedback-like information through visual display, allowing the occupant to identify the selected function without shifting gaze from the road, thus resolving the contradiction between close spacing and error prevention
2Device complexity
If multiple operation sections are disposed close together, then the device complexity is reduced, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The notification section provides immediate feedback by displaying information about the onboard unit corresponding to the touched operation section. This feedback loop allows the occupant to detect which operation section is selected through the display information rather than visual inspection of the closely-spaced sections themselves
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical/visual detection method (looking at the physical position of switches) with an information-based detection method (reading the display notification). This substitution allows operation sections to be spaced closer while maintaining detectability through the notification interface
3Ease of operation
If the occupant diverts gaze to operate the operation section, then the ease of operation is improved, but the safety decreases and loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The notification system serves itself by automatically displaying information about the touched operation section without requiring the occupant to initiate a separate confirmation action. The system proactively provides the information needed, allowing the occupant to maintain gaze on the road while the notification handles the identification function
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle input device comprises an operation detection section configured to detect input to an onboard unit allocated to one operation section of plural of operation sections provided in a vicinity of a driving seat due to the one operation section being operated, a preliminary action detection section configured to detect a preliminary action directly prior to the one operation section being operated, and a notification section configured to notify an occupant of information relating to the onboard unit allocated to the one operation section in a case in which the preliminary action has been detected by the preliminary action detection section.