Vehicle User Interface Mode Transition Animation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle user interfaces require high user concentration to navigate between different functionalities and views, as they often involve switching to a completely new interface when transitioning between modes, which can be distracting for drivers.

Innovation Solution

A method and operating system that allow users to switch between tile mode and full-screen mode with a transition animation, where graphic elements are rearranged and resized continuously, retaining familiar elements and minimizing the need for users to learn a new interface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a completely new user interface is displayed when switching between modes, then the interface can provide optimized layout for the current mode, but the user must pay more attention and concentrate harder to adapt to the changed interface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemode switching capabilityVSAvoiduser concentration requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The user interface dynamically transitions between different display modes (tile mode and full-screen mode) through continuous animation rather than abrupt switching. The graphic elements move and resize continuously during mode transition, allowing the interface to adapt to different modes while maintaining visual continuity and reducing user cognitive load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The transition between display modes is achieved through continuous animation where graphic elements smoothly transform from one arrangement to another. This continuous visual transformation maintains the user's mental model of the interface while enabling mode switching, eliminating the need for users to relearn the interface layout.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Loss of information

If the user interface is completely redesigned for full-screen mode, then the interface can optimize information display, but the user requires more time to learn and adapt to the new interface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation display efficiencyVSAvoidinterface adaptation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system prepares for mode switching by continuously animating the transformation of graphic elements before the mode change is complete. This preliminary visual preparation helps users anticipate the new layout and reduces the cognitive shock of sudden interface changes, thereby reducing adaptation time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The transition animation creates a visual copy or intermediate representation of the interface during mode switching, showing how elements will be rearranged. This visual copying process helps users understand the transformation and maintain spatial awareness, reducing the time needed to adapt to the new full-screen layout.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple functions are displayed simultaneously in tile mode, then the interface can provide overview of various functions, but switching to detailed view requires navigating a changed interface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-function display capabilityVSAvoidnavigation difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The user interface is segmented into multiple tiles that can be individually manipulated and transformed. Each tile represents a function or application, and during mode transition, these segmented elements are independently animated to their new positions and sizes, allowing smooth transition from overview mode to detailed view while maintaining clear spatial relationships.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3372436B1Method and operation system for providing a user interface
Publication Date: 2019.08.07 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP3372436B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2A
  • EP3372436B1 patent drawingFigure 2B~3A
  • EP3372436B1 patent drawingFigure 3B~3C

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for providing a user interface in which at least one application program is executed and graphic data of a user interface (10) is generated and output. A tile mode or a full-screen mode can be activated for the application program, wherein the user interface (10) has a sub-area (10.1; 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.4, 11.5) to which the application program is assigned and which comprises graphic elements (12, 13, 14, 15, 16; 22, 23, 24, 25, 26; 22.1, 22.2, 22.3, 22.4; 31 to 38) assigned to the application program. When tile mode is activated, the sub-area (11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.4, 11.5) has an initial area extent, and the graphic elements (12, 13, 14, 15, 16; 31 to 34) are arranged in an initial arrangement relative to each other. When full-screen mode is activated, the sub-area (10.1) A second surface area, different from the first surface area, and the graphic elements (20 to 26; 22.1, 22.2, 22.3, 22.4; 31 to 38) are arranged relative to each other in a second arrangement that differs from the first arrangement. When switching between tile mode and full-screen mode, a transition animation is generated and displayed, wherein the transition animation for at least a subset of the graphic elements (12, 13, 14, 15, 16; 31 to 34) includes a translation, and the translation is displayed as a continuous movement. The invention further relates to an operating system for providing an operating interface and to a vehicle with such an operating system.