In-Vehicle Interface Merging Handheld Data

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In-vehicle devices often face challenges in providing a seamless user interface experience when connected to handheld devices, due to gaps in functionality and display integration, making it inconvenient for users to navigate and access information across both platforms.

Innovation Solution

A managing system is implemented in the in-vehicle device that establishes communication with handheld devices, allowing for the combination or merging of user interfaces, enabling synchronized display of information and functions across both platforms, including navigation, music, and application data, through wireless or wired connections, using modules like determining, display, and execution modules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If separate user interfaces are displayed on handheld device and in-vehicle device, then individual device functions are maintained, but user convenience and integration are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidinterface integration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the user interface of the handheld device with the in-vehicle device display, creating a unified interface that combines functionality from both devices. The determining module detects connection status, and when connected, the display module presents a combined interface showing both in-vehicle and handheld device information simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate interface navigation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If user interfaces are merged across devices, then user convenience is improved, but communication requirements and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterface seamless accessVSAvoidconnection dependency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the user interface configuration based on connection status. The determining module continuously monitors whether the handheld device is connected to the in-vehicle device. When connected, the display module shows a merged interface; when disconnected, it automatically switches to displaying only the in-vehicle device interface, ensuring reliable operation in all connection states.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of information

If multiple device information is displayed simultaneously, then information accessibility is improved, but display organization and user comprehension become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation accessibilityVSAvoidinformation organization
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The unified user interface is segmented into distinct display regions: a first area dedicated to in-vehicle device information and a second area for handheld device information. This spatial segmentation allows both devices' information to be displayed simultaneously while maintaining clear visual separation, making it easy for users to distinguish and access specific information sources without confusion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11356726B2In-vehicle device and method for managing user interfaces
Publication Date: 2022.06.07 MOBILE DRIVE NETHERLANDS BV
  • US11356726B2 patent drawing
  • US11356726B2 patent drawing
  • US11356726B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method for managing user interface includes displaying related information of an in-vehicle device using a first user interface. An authority of accessing related information of a handheld device is acquired when the handheld device is in communication with the in-vehicle device. Once the related information of the handheld device is obtained, the related information of the in-vehicle device and the related information of the handheld device are displayed using a second user interface.