Vehicle Touch Interface with Periodic Light Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle user interfaces often receive undesired inputs and hinder interior design due to the need for constant illumination and input mechanisms, which can be inconvenient and aesthetically challenging.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle user interface apparatus featuring a light-emitting unit that emits light only when necessary, a touch sensor for user input, and a processor to control vehicle devices, integrated with a cover that transmits light into the passenger compartment, allowing for a sleek and functional design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a constant illumination and input mechanism is provided in the vehicle user interface, then the user can always access controls, but it receives undesired inputs and hinders interior design
Solution Approach 1:
The touch sensor is activated only during specific periods or conditions - when light is emitted from the light emitting unit. This periodic activation ensures the interface is accessible when needed (when illuminated) but remains inactive during other times, preventing undesired inputs and improving aesthetic appearance by not constantly displaying active controls
Solution Approach 2:
The cover is designed with specific optical properties - it transmits light in certain regions while maintaining aesthetic appearance in others. The cover allows the light from the light emitting unit to pass through to activate the touch sensor in specific areas, while maintaining a sleek design overall, thus resolving the conflict between accessibility and aesthetics
2Ease of operation
If the touch sensor is always activated, then user input is always responsive, but it increases energy consumption and may receive unwanted inputs
Solution Approach 1:
The touch sensor operates periodically rather than continuously - it is activated only when the light emitting unit emits light. This conditional activation maintains responsiveness during active periods while significantly reducing energy consumption during inactive periods, and prevents unwanted inputs when the system is not in use
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a user-friendly interface that minimizes unwanted inputs and enhances interior design by emitting light only when required, while enabling efficient control of vehicle functions through touch inputs, thus improving user experience and aesthetics.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitting unit configured to emit light
Implementation Method 2
the cover configured to transmit the light into a passenger compartment with a specific shape when the light is emitted
Implementation Method 3
a touch sensor configured to sense a touch
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle user interface apparatus for a vehicle including a light emitting unit configured to emit light; a touch sensor configured to sense a touch; a processor configured to control the light emitting unit to emit the light in response to an event, activate the touch sensor when the light is emitted, and provide a signal to control a vehicle device corresponding to a touch input received through the activated touch sensor; and a cover covering the light emitting unit, the touch sensor, and the processor, the cover configured to transmit the light into a passenger compartment with a specific shape when the light is emitted.