Vehicle UI Optical Faceplate for Tactile Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle user interfaces, particularly two-dimensional touchscreens, face challenges in providing user-friendly and distraction-free interaction due to lack of tactile feedback and contextual relevance, making it difficult for drivers to navigate numerous functions while driving.
Innovation Solution
A user interface that integrates a two-dimensional display with an optical faceplate and optic light guide material, allowing for a three-dimensional display surface that receives light from the two-dimensional display, enabling context-dependent information presentation and minimizing driver distraction by providing a combined digital-physical affordance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a two-dimensional touchscreen display is used to provide numerous functions, then the functionality and information display capability are improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to lack of tactile feedback and increased driver distraction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by introducing a three-dimensional faceplate structure that overlays the two-dimensional touchscreen display. The faceplate features raised buttons, knobs, and sliders that protrude from the display surface, creating tactile feedback while maintaining the digital interface beneath. This allows the system to provide numerous functions through the 2D display while adding a 3D interaction layer that improves ease of operation through physical affordance and tactile feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the two-dimensional touchscreen display with a three-dimensional physical interface layer in a hybrid user interface. The faceplate integrates physical buttons, knobs, and sliders that are positioned over corresponding digital elements on the touchscreen, combining the information display capabilities of the digital interface with the tactile feedback and operational ease of physical controls. This merging allows drivers to benefit from both the versatility of touchscreen functionality and the ease of physical interaction.
2Shape
If a faceplate covers the entire two-dimensional display to provide three-dimensional display surface, then the aesthetic appeal and tactile feedback are improved, but the cost-effectiveness deteriorates especially as the display gets larger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the faceplate into multiple sections: a first faceplate portion covering a first region of the display and a second faceplate portion covering a second region of the display. This segmentation allows for modular manufacturing and assembly, reducing the complexity and cost of producing large-scale faceplates while maintaining the aesthetic and tactile benefits across the entire display surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamics by making the faceplate configurable and adaptable. The system can dynamically adjust which regions of the display are covered by the faceplate based on usage context, driver needs, and display content. This dynamic configuration allows the faceplate to be optimized for different scenarios, reducing material usage and manufacturing complexity while maintaining aesthetic appeal and tactile feedback where most needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a touch-sensitive display is used to capture user input, then the functionality is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to lack of tactile feedback making accurate input difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by adding a three-dimensional physical interface layer over the two-dimensional touchscreen. The raised buttons, knobs, and sliders on the faceplate provide tactile feedback that enables precise physical input, while the underlying touchscreen maintains full digital functionality. This layered approach allows drivers to achieve accurate input through tactile physical controls while preserving the versatility of the touch-sensitive display beneath.
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 enhances user-friendliness and functionality by adapting information display based on vehicle context, reducing driver distraction and improving interaction through contextual relevance and tactile feedback, creating an intelligent and intuitive interface.
Implementation Method 1
an optic light guide material provided between the contact surface and the three-dimensional display surface
Data Source
AI summary
A user interface for a vehicle includes a two-dimensional display and an optical faceplate. The display displays information on a display portion. The optical faceplate includes a contact surface, a three-dimensional display surface for displaying information, and an optic light guide material. The optical faceplate is integrated into the display such the areal extension of the display surface and/or the contact surface is smaller than an areal extension of the display. The contact surface receives light emitted from the display. The user interface further includes comprises a device that determines a context according to a state of the vehicle, information that is visible on the display portion and/or the display surface, and/or user input captured by the user interface. The user interface displays contextually dependent information so that the information that is visible on the display portion and on the display surface depend on the determined context.