In-Vehicle Multi-View Interface With Grid-Snapped App Resizing

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Solution Overview

Problem

In-vehicle computing systems face challenges in displaying multiple applications simultaneously due to limited screen size, requiring users to manually switch between applications, which diverts attention from driving.

Innovation Solution

A multi-view user interface that allows simultaneous display of multiple applications, with dynamic resizing and content adjustment based on grid alignment, using a resize interface element to adjust the size and aspect ratio of each application interface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple applications are displayed simultaneously on a limited screen size, then application accessibility is improved, but interface layout complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication accessibilityVSAvoidinterface layout complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display screen is divided into a grid of cells, with each application interface occupying one or more complete cells. This segmentation allows multiple applications to be displayed simultaneously in an organized manner, improving accessibility while maintaining manageable layout complexity through systematic division of the display area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a grid dimension overlaying the display area, creating a two-dimensional structure for organizing application interfaces. This additional dimensional framework enables systematic arrangement of multiple applications without increasing operational complexity, as the grid provides automatic alignment and positioning rules.

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

2Area of stationary object

If application interfaces are resized dynamically, then screen space utilization is improved, but control precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescreen space utilizationVSAvoidcontrol precision requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The application interfaces are designed to be dynamically resizable, allowing users to adjust the size of each interface according to needs. The grid structure enables flexible reconfiguration of screen space while maintaining precise alignment through the cell-based framework, balancing dynamic adaptability with controlled precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The grid of cells is pre-established as a framework before any resizing operations. This preliminary structure provides predetermined alignment points and boundaries, reducing the precision burden during dynamic resizing by constraining adjustments to discrete cell boundaries rather than requiring continuous precision control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stability of the object's composition

If a grid system is used to align application interfaces, then layout consistency is improved, but display flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelayout consistencyVSAvoiddisplay flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The display area is segmented into a grid of cells that serve as standardized units. Application interfaces are configured to occupy complete cells, ensuring consistent alignment and layout. This segmentation provides structural consistency while the variable number of cells per interface maintains display flexibility for different application sizes and configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The grid cell structure serves multiple functions: it provides alignment references for consistent layout, defines resizable boundaries for flexible interface sizing, and enables systematic organization of multiple applications. This universal framework simultaneously achieves layout consistency and display flexibility through its multi-functional design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3374231B1User interface for in-vehicle system
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 HARMAN INT IND INC
  • EP3374231B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3374231B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3374231B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

Embodiments are disclosed for presenting a multi-view user interface in which a plurality of application interfaces are displayed simultaneously. An example in-vehicle computing system includes a display, a user input interface, a processor, and a storage device storing instructions executable by the processor to present a multi-view user interface including a plurality of simultaneously-displayed application interfaces displaying content for different applications, each application interface filling at least one cell of a grid. The instructions are further executable to detect user input requesting the application interfaces to be resized, the user input indicating an updated location of at least one boundary of at least two of the application interfaces, and adjust the size of each application interface by snapping the at least one boundary of the at least two application interfaces to a nearest cell boundary of a cell of the grid.