Vehicle Touchscreen Interface With Dynamic Miniature Setting Button

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Modern vehicles require intuitive and quick operation of various systems without distracting the driver, as the increasing amount of information needs to be displayed in a way that minimizes the time the driver looks away from the road.

Innovation Solution

A method and operating device where actuating a button on a touchscreen display generates graphic data to show a miniature setting button, allowing parameter value adjustment without menu changes, with the setting button automatically closing after use, reducing complexity and operation time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a list of buttons is displayed for selecting parameters and menu changes occur after button activation, then the parameter can be changed, but the operation becomes complex and time-consuming with multiple menu transitions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation simplicityVSAvoidoperation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The display area is segmented into different regions: a first display area showing a list of buttons for parameter selection, and a second display area that appears after button activation to show the setting button and current parameter value. This segmentation allows the interface to present different functional elements in dedicated spaces, reducing cognitive load and enabling faster operation without complex menu transitions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple menu levels are used to organize operating functions, then functions can be structured systematically, but the driver needs to look at the display longer to complete operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunction organizationVSAvoiddriver attention time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The interface dynamically transitions from a static list of buttons to an active setting mode when a button is activated. The second display area dynamically appears to show the setting button and current value, and the setting button itself can be dynamically adjusted by swiping. This dynamic behavior allows the system to adapt to user actions in real-time, completing operations in a single continuous interaction rather than requiring navigation through multiple static menu levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If conventional touchscreen operation with menu changes is used, then parameter settings can be changed, but the operation is not intuitive and requires multiple steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation intuitivenessVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The setting button serves multiple functions: it displays the current parameter value, allows adjustment through swipe gestures, and automatically manages its own display lifecycle (appearing after button selection and disappearing after use). This self-service capability reduces interface complexity by eliminating the need for separate confirmation dialogs, back buttons, or menu navigation structures, making the operation more intuitive while maintaining full functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2885153B1Method for providing an operating device in a vehicle and operating device for a vehicle
Publication Date: 2019.11.06 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP2885153B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2885153B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2885153B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for providing an operating device (6) in a vehicle (12), in which method graphic data are generated by a control device (3), these data controlling a display area (2), such that a list (13) containing buttons (14-1 to 14-6) is displayed, and an actuation of one (14-6) of the buttons (14-1 to 14-6) is detected, whereupon graphic data are generated by the control device (3), these data controlling the display area (2), such that an adjusting button (16) allocated to the actuated button (14-6) appears and is displayed for adjusting a value of a parameter which is allocated to the button (14-6). The invention also relates to a corresponding operating device (6) for carrying out the method.