Vehicle Touch Display Input for Intuitive Sliding Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle input devices do not provide an intuitive and comfortable way for occupants to control on-board equipment, as information displayed is separate from the touch operation area, leading to confusion in understanding changing conditions of on-board equipment.

Innovation Solution

An input device with a display region in the vehicle cabin front portion and a touch sensor, where sliding operations on the image within the display region output signals to on-board equipment, allowing the image to move in accordance with the operation, enabling intuitive control of on-board equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If information is displayed in a separate region from the touch operation area, then the display can be provided at the instrument panel, but the occupant cannot intuitively understand changing conditions of on-board equipment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintuitive understanding of changing conditionsVSAvoidoperability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the display region and touch sensor into a single integrated display region that serves both as information display and operation input area. This merging allows the image to be displayed and touched at the same location, enabling intuitive understanding of changing conditions while maintaining ease of operation through direct touch interaction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an image as an intermediary element that moves in response to touch operations. This image serves as a visual mediator between the occupant's touch input and the on-board equipment's changing conditions, providing intuitive feedback about system state changes while maintaining simple touch-based operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the display region is disposed at the instrument panel, then the structure is conventional, but the operability is reduced compared to a rear-side display

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveoperabilityVSAvoiddisplay positioning complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent moves the display region from the traditional instrument panel (front view) to the rear side of the steering handle (rear view dimension). This dimensional repositioning places the display in a more accessible location for the occupant's hand and finger, improving operability without significantly increasing overall system complexity.

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

3Ease of operation

If the display region is made accessible for operation, then operability is improved, but accidental operation by passenger side occupant may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveoperabilityVSAvoidaccidental operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by displaying different types of information in different regions of the display area. Frequently operated items are placed in the outer side region (easier to reach), while travel-related information is positioned in the inner side region (harder to accidentally touch). This spatial differentiation of information types reduces accidental operation while maintaining ease of operation for intended functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4484200A1Input device for a vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.01.01 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP4484200A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4484200A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4484200A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An input device for a vehicle, the input device includes: a display region (32L, 32R, 33L, 33R, 35L, 35R) provided in a vehicle cabin front portion, configured such that a predetermined image is displayed at the display region, and a touch sensor (TSL, TSR) being provided at the display region, wherein, when a sliding operation of the image in the display region is detected on the basis of signals received from the touch sensor (TSL, TSR), the input device for a vehicle (14) is configured to: output a signal corresponding to the sliding operation to on-board equipment; and move the image in the display region in accordance with the sliding operation.