Virtual Ring Display for Intuitive Vehicle Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing in-vehicle display systems require driver attention that can lead to distraction and safety hazards due to complex menu structures and navigation challenges, making it difficult for drivers to operate vehicle devices safely while driving.
Innovation Solution
A method and display device that uses a virtual, perspectively represented ring to arrange objects, allowing them to rotate like a carousel upon user input, enabling intuitive and quick access to information and vehicle controls, with calculated rotation angles and durations optimized for brief driver attention periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If hierarchical menu structures are used to display various operating and display options, then the display can present comprehensive information, but the driver's attention is required for navigation which creates distraction and safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The display is segmented into a virtual ring structure with multiple object positions arranged circumferentially. This segmentation allows information to be divided into discrete, easily distinguishable segments around the ring, enabling comprehensive display options while maintaining intuitive access through radial positioning rather than deep hierarchical navigation.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual ring provides a curved, circular arrangement of display objects that naturally guides the driver's eye around the interface. This curved layout offers more display real estate compared to linear arrangements while maintaining ergonomic viewing patterns that reduce cognitive load and improve operational safety.
2Loss of information
If complex menu structures are displayed to provide comprehensive vehicle control options, then information completeness is improved, but the time required for driver attention increases leading to distraction
Solution Approach 1:
The display transitions from traditional two-dimensional linear or grid layouts to a three-dimensional virtual ring structure. This dimensional change allows multiple levels of information to be arranged radially around the ring, providing comprehensive vehicle control options in a single view rather than requiring sequential navigation through multiple screens, thereby reducing driver attention time while maintaining information completeness.
3Ease of operation
If traditional display layouts are used to show vehicle information, then the display structure is simple, but the driver cannot quickly absorb and operate controls safely while driving
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual ring's curved geometry naturally accommodates the driver's peripheral vision and eye movement patterns, allowing quick absorption of information distributed around the ring. The circular arrangement provides intuitive radial access to controls without requiring complex scanning patterns, improving ease of operation while the virtual nature of the ring keeps the actual device structure relatively simple.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for displaying information in a motor vehicle, in which method a plurality of objects (6) are graphically depicted by means of a display (1) which is fastened in a motor vehicle. The method according to the invention is characterized in that a user interface device (2) generates graphic data which activate the display (1) in such a way that the graphic objects (6) are depicted so as to be arranged on a virtual, perspectively viewed ring (5), and that, in the event of an input by means of an input device (4), a processing unit (3) of the user interface device (2) changes the graphic data in such a way that the graphic objects (6) rotate on the virtual ring (5) in the manner of a carousel. The present invention also relates to a corresponding display device.