Virtual Joystick Controls for Vehicle Component Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicle control systems are cumbersome and inefficient, requiring multiple buttons or levers to adjust various components, and can be prone to damage and inconsistency across different vehicles.

Innovation Solution

A virtual joystick control system using a touch-sensitive display and processor to allow intuitive control of vehicle components like mirrors, seats, headlights, and cameras through a capacitive or resistive touch-sensitive interface, enabling single or multi-finger gestures to adjust positions and settings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple buttons or levers are used to control vehicle components, then each component can be adjusted independently, but the device complexity and number of controls increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent control capabilityVSAvoidnumber of buttons and levers

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single touch-sensitive display surface serves multiple functions: selecting different adjustable components (mirrors, seats, headlights, cameras) and controlling their adjustment directions (up, down, left, right, forward, backward). This universal control interface replaces multiple dedicated buttons and levers, reducing device complexity while maintaining full adaptability for controlling all vehicle components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the selection function and adjustment control function into a single integrated touch-sensitive display. Instead of having separate buttons for component selection and separate levers for adjustment, both functions are merged into one interactive surface where different touch zones and gestures control different aspects of the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If multiple buttons and levers are provided for component adjustment, then precise control is achieved, but the space required and mechanical equipment increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent adjustment controlVSAvoidcontrol interface space

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical buttons and levers with a touch-sensitive display interface. Electrical signals generated by touch gestures substitute for mechanical actuation, eliminating the need for physical buttons, switches, and linkages. This substitution maintains precise control capability while dramatically reducing the space required for the control interface and removing mechanical equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional buttons and levers are used, then control functions are established, but reliability decreases due to mechanical failure and inconsistency across vehicles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol function consistencyVSAvoidcontrol system durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By replacing mechanical buttons and levers with a touch-sensitive display, the patent eliminates mechanical wear, contact fatigue, and physical failure modes. The solid-state touch interface has no moving parts that can break, significantly improving reliability. Additionally, this electronic interface ensures consistent control behavior across all vehicles, eliminating the inconsistency inherent in mechanically manufactured components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If separate buttons are used for each component, then each component can be controlled independently, but the ease of operation decreases due to multiple steps required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent selection capabilityVSAvoidadjustment process simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges component selection and adjustment control into a single unified touch interface. Users can select a component and adjust it in any direction using the same display surface, eliminating the need to switch between different buttons or modes. This integration maintains the ability to control each component independently while dramatically simplifying the adjustment process to a single continuous interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Streamlines the control of vehicle components by reducing the need for multiple buttons or levers, enhancing user experience with intuitive gestures, and providing a consistent interface across vehicles while minimizing mechanical equipment and space requirements.

Implementation Method 1

control element 210 on a touch-sensitive display 205, such as a capacitive touch-sensitive display

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitive touch-sensitive effect: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

a capacitive or resistive touch-sensitive interface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResistive touch-sensitive effect: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentUS10635290B2Virtual joy stick controls for adjustable components in vehicles

Publication Date: 2020.04.28 KARMA AUTOMOTIVE LLC

AI summary

There is provided a vehicle comprising a first adjustable component, a touch sensitive display, a non-transitory memory storing an executable code, and a hardware processor executing the executable code to display, on the touch sensitive display, a user interface including a control element for controlling the first adjustable component using the touch sensitive display, receive a first selection input from a user using the user interface to select the first adjustable component, receive a first control input including a first initial touch input and a first subsequent drag input from a user using the control element of the user interface to control the first adjustable component, and continuously change an angle of the first adjustable component based on the first control input.