Vehicle Status Bar Content Adaptation via User Input

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing status bars in human-machine interfaces (HMIs) of vehicles face challenges in adapting information content to user needs due to limited space and diverse customer expectations, often requiring compromises in information selection and display.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that allow users to customize the content of a status bar on a touch-sensitive screen by receiving input focus and user input, enabling the addition or removal of information, rearrangement, or display of additional icons or text to better match user requirements, without activating new functions, through gestures or voice commands, and allowing configuration of information ensembles in a settings menu.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the status bar displays a fixed set of information icons, then the system is simple to operate, but the adaptability to different user needs is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability of status bar contentVSAvoidcomplexity of status bar configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The status bar enables users to independently select and customize which information icons are displayed based on their specific needs. Users can activate input focus on the status bar and select desired information types (e.g., climate control, media playback, navigation) without requiring system administrator intervention or complex configuration procedures, thus achieving self-service customization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The status bar transitions from a static, fixed configuration to a dynamic, user-adaptable interface. The system allows users to modify the content of the status bar during operation by selecting different information types and arranging icons according to personal preferences, making the interface flexible and adaptable to changing user requirements without restarting the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Quantity of substance

If more information is displayed in the status bar, then the information density increases, but the available display space is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequantity of information displayedVSAvoiddisplay area of status bar
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system resolves the space constraint by implementing a selection mechanism that allows users to choose which information dimensions to display. Instead of attempting to display all possible information simultaneously in the limited horizontal space, users can activate specific information types (climate, media, navigation, etc.) one at a time or in combination, effectively utilizing the available display area while providing access to a larger set of information dimensions through selective display.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The status bar information is segmented into distinct, selectable categories (climate control, media playback, navigation status, telephone status, etc.). Each category can be independently activated or deactivated, allowing users to compose a customized set of information icons that fits within the available display space while providing access to comprehensive information when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the status bar content is customized for each user, then the ease of operation improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of customizing status barVSAvoidcomplexity of customization system
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The customization process is designed as a self-service operation where users directly interact with the status bar by activating input focus and selecting desired information types. The system provides intuitive feedback and automatic arrangement of selected icons, eliminating the need for users to navigate complex menus or understand technical configuration parameters, thus maintaining ease of operation while enabling personalized customization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3063611B1Device and method for adapting the content of a status bar
Publication Date: 2020.09.16 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP3063611B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3063611B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3063611B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~5D

AI summary

The invention relates to a device and to a method for adapting the content of a status bar (1) to a screen (2), in particular a human-machine interface of a means of locomotion (10). According to the invention, the following steps are carried out; activation (300) of an input element (6) with respect to the status bar (1), reception (400) of user input and in accordance therewith, adaptation (500) of the contents of the status bar (1) thereto, in which additional information 7a; 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 42a, 42b) is displayed.