Vehicle Touch Interface with Tactile Guide for Eyes-Free Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch-sensitive operation devices in vehicles limit operability due to restricted movement operations and difficulty in performing accurate operations without visual attention, hindering the ability to control vehicle components effectively.
Innovation Solution
A touch-sensitive operation device with a guide part of convex or concave shape and planar operation parts, where the detecting unit recognizes slide operations on the guide part to accept operation instructions based on the status of the slide, allowing for various operations on vehicle components and enhancing usability without visual attention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a planar touch screen is used for vehicle operation, then the device structure is simple, but the operability is limited and accurate operation without visual attention is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating guide parts with convex or concave shapes at specific locations on the touch panel. These localized three-dimensional features provide tactile feedback and operational guidance without making the entire device complex. The guide parts are strategically positioned to indicate operation directions and locations, enhancing ease of operation while maintaining overall device simplicity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If only preset operation directions are allowed on the touch screen, then the device structure remains simple, but various kinds of operations for vehicle components cannot be performed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by enabling multiple operation directions (not just preset single directions) through the guide parts. The detecting unit can recognize slide operations in various directions along the guide parts, allowing the system to adapt to different operation needs. This dynamic capability lets users perform various vehicle component operations by sliding in different directions, increasing versatility without requiring a completely complex new device structure.
3Ease of operation
If accurate touch operation is required without visual attention, then operation safety improves, but the difficulty of performing accurate and complicated touch operations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide parts with convex or concave shapes provide self-service by offering tactile feedback that automatically guides the user's finger. The three-dimensional structure creates natural touch points and directional cues that the user can feel and follow without visual assistance. This self-guiding mechanism reduces the difficulty of detecting and measuring accurate operations, as the guide parts themselves provide the necessary operational information through touch.
Data Source
AI summary
An operation device according to the present invention includes a touch-sensitive operation surface placed in a vehicle and a detecting unit configured to detect touch operation by an operator on the touch-sensitive operation surface. On the touch-sensitive operation surface, a guide part having a convex shape or a concave shape and a planar operation part to be an operation location having a planar shape located around the guide part are formed. The detecting unit is configured to detect slide operation on the guide part from the planar operation part, and accept later operation on a predetermined operation location as an operation instruction set in accordance with a status of the slide operation on the guide part.