Vehicle UI Gesture Switching via Proximity Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users, especially in vehicle environments, face difficulty in switching between screen views using swipe gestures due to increased hand-eye coordination requirements, leading to distraction and potential operating errors.

Innovation Solution

A method and user interface that detects user input proximity and displays indications on screen edges for switching between screen views, allowing for swipe or 3D gestures without requiring direct contact, enabling safe and convenient operation by distinguishing between interactions with screen edges and individual tiles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If swipe gestures are used to switch between screen views, then screen view switching is enabled, but hand-eye coordination requirements increase and user distraction occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescreen view switchingVSAvoiduser safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces contact-based mechanical swipe gestures with contactless 3D gestures detected by sensors. Users can switch between screen views by performing gestures in the air (e.g., moving hand horizontally in front of the display) without touching the screen, thereby eliminating the need for precise hand-eye coordination while maintaining functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces visual indicators (e.g., arrows or icons displayed at screen edges) as intermediaries that guide users on how to perform 3D gestures. These indicators appear in response to detecting hand presence near the device, providing intuitive feedback that reduces cognitive load and prevents user distraction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If contact-based swipe gestures are required, then precise control is achieved, but operating difficulty increases especially in vehicle environments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegesture control precisionVSAvoidoperating convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes contact-based mechanical interaction with contactless gesture recognition using sensors (e.g., cameras, infrared sensors, or capacitive sensors). The system detects hand position and movement in 3D space, enabling precise control without requiring physical contact with the screen, thus improving ease of operation in vehicle environments where users may be wearing gloves or need to minimize contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extends gesture recognition from 2D screen contact to 3D spatial movement. Users can perform gestures in the air with greater freedom of motion, and the system interprets these movements based on multiple spatial dimensions, maintaining precision while significantly improving operational convenience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple interaction methods are supported, then versatility is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegesture recognitionVSAvoidsystem architecture
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal gesture recognition system that handles multiple gesture types (3D swipes, pinches, taps in air) through a single integrated sensor array and processing pipeline. The same hardware infrastructure supports both contactless gestures for screen switching and contact-based gestures for tile manipulation, reducing overall system complexity compared to implementing separate systems for each gesture type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enhances user interface operation by allowing seamless switching between screen views without precise handling, reducing operating errors and improving safety, especially during vehicle use by allowing contactless gestures.

Implementation Method 1

an input device (e.g. a user's hand) is detected in an approach area of an input unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectProximity sensing:

Data Source

PatentEP3140147B1User interface and method for changing between screen views of a user interface
Publication Date: 2021.01.06 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP3140147B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3140147B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3140147B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A user interface and a method for changing from a first screen view (I) to a second screen view of a user interface are proposed. The method comprises the steps: – detecting an input means (13) in an approximation region of an input unit, – displaying a message (7a, 7b) at an edge of the first screen view (I) relating to the possibility of changing over to the second screen view, – recognising a predefined gesture of a user, and – changing from the first screen view to the second screen view.