Windshield Touch Interface for External Parallel Parking Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Challenging to maneuver vehicles in narrow or congested parking spaces, especially for individuals with insufficient strength, and slippery surfaces or rainy weather reduce friction, making it difficult to move vehicles during parallel parking.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that allows external control of a vehicle using sensors and a user interface on the windshield to receive commands from outside the vehicle, enabling movement and parking assistance through actuators controlled by a controller.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If a driver manually pushes a parked vehicle to maneuver it, then the vehicle can be moved in narrow parking spaces, but individuals with insufficient strength or on slippery surfaces cannot effectively move the vehicle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforce to move vehicleVSAvoidease of maneuvering vehicle

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical pushing system with an automated motorized system. The motor assembly provides the force to move the vehicle body, eliminating the need for manual pushing. The controller receives signals from the user interface and activates the motor to move the vehicle forward or backward, substituting human physical effort with an automated mechanical system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary control system between the user and the vehicle movement. The user interface (touchscreen or buttons on the windshield) serves as an intermediary that translates user intent into automated motor commands. This intermediary system allows users with insufficient strength to control vehicle movement without physically pushing the vehicle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If parallel parking in front of parked vehicles is done to maximize space utilization, then parking efficiency improves, but drivers need to push and move nearby vehicles which is difficult for individuals with insufficient strength

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparking efficiencyVSAvoidease of vehicle movement

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The automated motorized system replaces manual pushing, enabling easy vehicle movement for parallel parking maneuvers. The motor assembly provides sufficient force to move the vehicle into tight parking spaces without requiring the driver to physically push other vehicles, thus maintaining high parking efficiency while eliminating the strength requirement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If a traditional user interface inside the vehicle is used, then the vehicle user can control movement, but a person outside the vehicle cannot easily command movement for parking assistance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility of controlVSAvoidcontrol system accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal control system that serves multiple user scenarios. The user interface can be accessed both from inside the vehicle (traditional use) and from outside the vehicle (new functionality for parking assistance). The touchscreen or buttons on the windshield allow anyone outside the vehicle to control movement, making the control system universally accessible for different parking situations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extends the user interface from the interior dimension to the exterior dimension of the vehicle. By placing the touchscreen or buttons on the windshield surface, the control interface becomes accessible from outside the vehicle, adding a new spatial dimension for user interaction. This allows persons outside the vehicle to easily command movement without needing to enter the vehicle or reach for interior controls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS20250360789A1Parallel parking assist system for narrow parking spaces

Publication Date: 2025.11.27 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A method for externally moving a vehicle includes receiving sensor data from a sensor of the vehicle. The sensor data is indicative that a person outside of the vehicle touched a predetermined area of the windshield of the vehicle. The vehicle is initially parked. The method further includes displaying a user interface on the predetermined area of the windshield in response to determining that the person outside of the vehicle touched the predetermined area of the windshield of the vehicle. Moreover, the method includes receiving an input from the person outside of the windshield through the user interface. The input is indicative of a command to move the vehicle. The method includes commanding the vehicle to move by a predetermined distance in response to receiving the input from the person outside of the vehicle.