Vehicle Interface Layout Customization via Swipe Gesture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing in-vehicle graphical user interfaces require undivided user attention for configuration, making them unsuitable for use while driving.

Innovation Solution

A device and method that allows intuitive and rapid changes to graphic object arrangements using a swipe gesture on a touch-sensitive display, enabling users to configure layouts without diverting attention from the road, with features like basic grids, placeholder sizes, and widget objects for vehicle functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional configuration methods are used for graphical user interfaces in vehicles, then the interface can be customized according to user preferences, but the user must divert attention from the road, creating a safety hazard

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterface customizationVSAvoiddriver attention requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adapts the interface configuration process to the driving context. During active driving, the system restricts complex configuration operations and provides only essential, safety-critical adjustments. When the vehicle is stationary or in parking mode, the system enables full configuration capabilities. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the interface both customizable and safe to operate under different driving conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of the configuration interface based on vehicle state. When detecting driving conditions through sensors (accelerometer, GPS speed, ignition state), the system modifies available configuration options, response times, and interaction modes. This parameter change allows full customization capability while preventing dangerous operations during active driving, thus resolving the safety vs. functionality contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If complex layout configurations are offered to users, then the interface can be highly customized, but the configuration process becomes time-consuming and complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelayout customization optionsVSAvoidconfiguration time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by providing pre-configured layout templates that are pre-optimized for different driving scenarios and user needs. These templates include common configurations for navigation, media playback, vehicle settings, and safety information. Users can instantly apply these templates without manual configuration, significantly reducing setup time while maintaining high adaptability through subsequent fine-tuning options.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The configuration system is segmented into multiple independent modules or layers. Users can configure only the specific aspects they need (e.g., just the navigation panel layout) without having to configure the entire interface. This modular approach allows users to achieve desired customization with minimal time investment by focusing only on relevant segments rather than comprehensive reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Quantity of substance

If multiple information sources and vehicle functions are integrated into the display, then comprehensive information is available, but the display becomes cluttered and difficult to navigate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation display capacityVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from two-dimensional cluttered displays to three-dimensional spatial organization of information. Different information sources (navigation, media, vehicle status) are arranged in layered depth planes, with critical safety information in the foreground and secondary information in the background. This dimensional separation allows comprehensive information display while maintaining visual clarity through depth-based organization and selective focus.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The interface implements nested information structures where detailed information can be accessed by drilling down into hierarchical levels. The main display shows summarized key information from multiple sources, while detailed views are nested within or adjacent to relevant summary elements. This nesting allows comprehensive information availability without cluttering the primary view, as users can expand or collapse nested details as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP2930051B1Method and device for providing a graphical user interface in a vehicle
Publication Date: 2020.01.01 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP2930051B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2930051B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2930051B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3h

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (1) for providing a graphical user interface in a vehicle (12). The device (1) according to the invention comprises a display device (2) with a display surface (3) on which graphical objects (7.1-7.3) can be displayed in a predetermined arrangement. The device (1) further comprises a storage unit (13) in which a number of possibilities for the arrangement of the graphical objects (7.1-7.3) on the display surface (2) are stored. The device (1) also comprises a detection unit (4.1, 4.2) by means of which a first user action can be detected, by means of which the number of possibilities for the arrangement of the graphical objects (7.1-7.3) can be displayed, and by means of which a second user action can be detected, by means of which one of the possibilities can be selected.Finally, the device (1) includes a control unit (5) by means of which the display area (3) can be controlled such that the graphic objects (7.1 - 7.3) can be displayed in the selected arrangement when the detection unit (4.1, 4.2) has detected the second operating action. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for providing a graphic user interface in a vehicle (12).