Vehicle Infotainment UI Adaptation for Driver Distraction Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern vehicle infotainment systems present a complex user interface that can distract drivers, especially when in motion, due to the availability of numerous applications and features that require full attention for operation.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that adapt the user interface of vehicle infotainment devices based on the vehicle's state, restricting certain applications and simplifying the UI to minimize driver distraction by selecting from different operation versions based on vehicle speed, location, and other state inputs, allowing only essential applications to be displayed and accessible during driving.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the user interface presents complex applications and features, then the functionality and entertainment value are improved, but driver distraction and safety risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoiddriver distraction
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adapts the user interface complexity based on real-time vehicle state detection. When the vehicle is detected to be in motion, the system automatically simplifies the UI by hiding complex application features and presenting only essential information. When the vehicle is stationary, the full functionality is restored. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the interface versatile across different operational contexts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies different levels of interface complexity to different contexts (driving vs. parked). Instead of providing uniform full functionality, the interface quality is locally adjusted based on the vehicle state. Essential functions remain accessible while non-essential features are restricted during driving, thereby maintaining safety without completely sacrificing functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the user interface is simplified to reduce distraction, then driver safety is improved, but access to infotainment features is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver safetyVSAvoidfeature access
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions between simplified and full-featured modes dynamically based on vehicle state. During motion, a simplified interface prioritizes safety by limiting feature access. When the vehicle stops, the system automatically restores full feature access, ensuring that drivers do not permanently sacrifice infotainment capabilities for safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system prepares multiple interface versions in advance (simplified and full-featured) and selects the appropriate one based on detected vehicle state. This preliminary preparation allows seamless switching between safety-oriented and feature-oriented modes without loss of functionality when conditions permit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple applications are made available, then user entertainment and information needs are satisfied, but interface complexity and operation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication availabilityVSAvoidoperation difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the application interface into essential and non-essential components. During driving, only essential applications (e.g., navigation, phone) are made accessible with simplified operation. Non-essential applications are hidden or restricted. This segmentation reduces operation difficulty while maintaining access to critical functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different levels of application accessibility are applied based on vehicle state. During motion, the interface provides localized simplification by restricting non-essential applications while maintaining essential ones. When parked, full application availability is restored, ensuring ease of operation is context-dependent rather than uniformly compromised.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the system restricts applications during motion, then driver distraction is reduced, but user experience and entertainment value are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver distractionVSAvoidentertainment value
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts application restrictions based on real-time vehicle state detection. When motion is detected, the system restricts non-essential applications to minimize distraction. When the vehicle is stationary, restrictions are lifted and full entertainment functionality is restored, ensuring that entertainment value is not permanently compromised but temporarily adjusted for safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3704574B1Vehicle state based graphical user interface
Publication Date: 2024.01.03 HARMAN INT IND INC
  • EP3704574B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3704574B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5C
  • EP3704574B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

An intelligent system, and its corresponding method, is disclosed that is capable of rendering a user interface operation version that is most appropriate given a certain state of the vehicle ensuring the driver of the vehicle continues to drive safely without distractions. The method disclosed herein provides for operating a user interface of a vehicle infotainment device or an in-car entertainment device, the user interface being operable to present one or more applications. The method comprises retrieving vehicle state input data, processing the vehicle state input data at the processing module to select one of a plurality of different user interface operation versions based on the vehicle state input data, and operating the user interface according to the selected user interface operation version by the user interface operation module.