Vehicle Interior Lighting Module with Segmented Touch Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle interior lighting systems lack user-friendly control mechanisms for independently managing multiple light sources and providing real-time feedback on lighting adjustments, making it difficult for drivers and passengers to comfortably operate and visualize the lighting effects.
Innovation Solution
A lighting device with a control system that allows independent control of multiple light sources via an operating device, featuring a touch-sensitive display or keypad that shows a partial image of the vehicle interior, enabling users to adjust lighting parameters like brightness, color, and angle, and select pre-defined lighting programs for specific zones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light sources are controlled independently of one another, then lighting versatility and customization are improved, but device complexity and difficulty of operation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control interface is segmented into multiple display zones corresponding to different light sources or lighting regions. Each zone can be independently selected and controlled, allowing users to manage individual light sources without being overwhelmed by the entire system. This segmentation transforms a complex multi-light control problem into manageable regional controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spatial dimension to the control interface by displaying a visual representation (image) of the vehicle interior with overlaid control zones. Instead of traditional linear controls, users interact with a two-dimensional spatial map where touch-sensitive zones correspond to physical lighting regions, making complex control more intuitive.
2Ease of operation
If a touch-sensitive display with image representation is used, then ease of operation and user feedback are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides immediate visual feedback by displaying an image of the vehicle interior that updates in real-time to reflect current lighting states and user selections. When users touch a display zone, the corresponding region in the image provides feedback about the lighting effect, allowing users to visualize changes before they occur. This feedback loop simplifies operation by making the system's response transparent and predictable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy (display image) of the physical vehicle interior lighting environment. This graphical representation serves as a simplified interface model that mirrors the actual lighting zones, allowing users to interact with a manageable visual copy rather than directly controlling multiple physical light sources. The copy abstracts complexity while preserving functional correspondence.
3Measurement precision
If real-time image feedback is provided, then measurement precision and user awareness of lighting effects are improved, but information processing requirements and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuously updating the display image at high frequency, the system updates the visual representation periodically or on-demand based on user interactions and lighting changes. The display refreshes when a zone is selected or when lighting parameters change, rather than maintaining constant high-rate updates. This periodic approach maintains necessary feedback while reducing unnecessary energy consumption from continuous image processing and display refreshing.
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting device for illuminating the vehicle interior of a motor vehicle is provided. The motor vehicle includes a plurality of light sources for illuminating the vehicle interior and a control device that can be used to actuate the plurality of light sources independently of one another. The motor vehicle further has an operator control device connected to the control device and includes segments and operator control elements that can be used to actuate the light sources independently of one another by a user. A display unit displays at least a partial image of the vehicle interior that can be illuminated or is illuminated by the controllable light sources.