Vehicle Remote-Control UI Adaptation by User Position

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Users of autonomous or semi-autonomous motor vehicles face difficulties in quickly finding relevant vehicle information and remote control options due to the overwhelming amount of data and functions available, leading to inefficient access and operation.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that determine the position of a portable operating device relative to the vehicle, adapting and configuring the user interface to display only relevant vehicle information and remote control options based on the determined position, thereby prioritizing and simplifying access to necessary functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If all vehicle information and remote control options are provided on the portable operating device, then the completeness of information and functions is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in finding relevant information

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompleteness of vehicle information and functionsVSAvoidease of finding relevant information
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The user interface is segmented into different display modes based on the user's position relative to the vehicle. When the portable device is detected near the vehicle, a condensed overview mode is displayed showing only the most relevant vehicle information and control options. When moved away, a detailed mode with comprehensive information becomes available. This segmentation allows the system to maintain completeness of functions while adapting the displayed information to the user's operational context.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If comprehensive vehicle information is displayed, then the adaptability of the system is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple apps and interfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevariety of vehicle information and control optionsVSAvoidnumber of apps and interfaces
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single user interface application performs multiple functions by dynamically adapting its content based on the detected position of the portable device relative to the vehicle. The interface universally handles both overview mode (when near vehicle) and detailed mode (when away), consolidating what would otherwise require multiple separate applications into one multi-functional interface that automatically adjusts to user needs.

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If all remote control options are made available, then the versatility of vehicle control is improved, but the reliability decreases due to potential misuse from too many options

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremote control optionsVSAvoidoperational safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The user interface applies local quality by displaying different sets of control options based on the user's physical location relative to the vehicle. When the portable device is detected near the vehicle, only essential and safe control options are displayed in the overview mode. The detailed control options are reserved for when the user is at a safe distance, reducing the risk of accidental activation while maintaining full versatility when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4406768A1Technique for providing a user interface for vehicle information and/or for remote control of a (partially) autonomously driving motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.07.31 MAN TRUCK & BUS SE
  • EP4406768A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4406768A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4406768A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method and a device for providing a user interface for displaying vehicle information and/or for remotely controlling vehicle functions of an autonomously or semi-autonomously driving motor vehicle. The method comprises determining (S1) the position of a portable control device (10) relative to the motor vehicle and providing and/or adapting (S2), depending on the determined position, a user interface (11) for displaying vehicle information and/or remotely controlling vehicle functions on the control device (10).