Apple's In-Car Technology Ambitions Revealed in 'Digital Dash' Patents

Earlier today, the U.S Patent and Trademark Office granted a patent to Apple (via AppleInsider) addressing in-vehicle navigation and information systems based on touchscreens offering tactile feedback. The feedback would allow users to operate their vehicle's systems in a safer manner while keeping their eyes on the road.

The disclosed invention, including co-pending applications incorporated by reference, contains unique embodiments which allow one to interact, by feel, with a display, called herein a "programmable tactile display". It encompasses two main focus areas: A display having features commonly associated with a touch screen, but in a new form which can be sensed in several tactile manners, as well as visually. A tactile selection or adjustment means, such as a knob, slider, or switch, programmable in its tactile or visual nature, and generally operated in conjunction with the touch screen just described.

The inventor listed on the patent is Timothy Pryor of Windsor, Ontario, and as we investigated his background we discovered that he is responsible for a concept he calls "Digital Dash", emphasizing a tactile display using knobs and switches that can be dynamically reconfigured via software to provide a multitude of functions based on whatever aspect of the navigation or information system is needed.

digital_dash_1

Pryor's concept for a reconfigurable "Digital Dash" with tactile input methods

The Reconfigurable Tactile Display (RTD) Control Interface offers a multifunctional display and control surface that answers the needs of stylists, product planners, engineers, and most importantly, consumers. Using the same display and control surface, the RTD dramatically changes its appearance and functionality with just a change of software. It features real knobs switches and sliders, which contribute to its intuitiveness and ease of use. [...]

Consumers can benefit from a personalized control layout and software graphics configuration. Graphics may cover the entirety of the RTD, and these can easily change colors and design. The RTD offers all the telematics and digital entertainment options of other multifunctional solutions while remaining intuitive and easy to use.

digital_dash_2

Pryor's concept for a reconfigurable "Digital Dash" with tactile input methods

In examining Pryor's previous patents, we discovered that Apple acquired the rights to a number of his patents and patent applications related to the technology, as well as future patents derived from those works, back in March 2010. A copy of the assignment agreement was filed with the patent office shortly after.


Other patents related to the "Digital Dash" initiative include methods for sensing touch inputs on displays such as vehicle navigation systems, as well as additional details on how in-vehicle displays can be dynamically reconfigured.

ios_in_the_car_traffic

Apple's "iOS in the Car" vision for iOS 7

With the technology detailed in these Digital Dash patents dating back to before their 2010 acquisition by Apple, other options for vehicle integration have of course become possible, with Apple having focused on Siri as a means for interacting with navigation and other services while in the car. Apple rolled out an "Eyes Free" mode for Siri in iOS 6 last year, although carmakers are only just getting around to building support for the feature. Apple is becoming even more ambitious in iOS 7 with "iOS in the Car", which would allow iOS devices to take over in-car displays via AirPlay to provide seamless integration.

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro 34ths Perspective

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 10 New Features

Sunday March 23, 2025 10:00 am PDT by
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of March 2025: Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models have a titanium frame, and the iPhone ...
iOS 18

iOS 18.4 Expected Next Week - Here Are the Release Notes

Friday March 28, 2025 2:01 pm PDT by
With the second release candidate of iOS 18.4 that Apple seeded out today, the company finally provided us with release notes that give a full rundown on what to expect. There's an Apple Vision Pro app, new Apple Intelligence features for notifications and additional language support, plus an Apple News Food feature for Apple News+ subscribers, and several updates that should improve the...
Magic Mouse Green

What to Expect From the Magic Mouse 3

Saturday March 29, 2025 10:15 am PDT by
Apple is reportedly working on a new Magic Mouse. Below, we recap what to expect. The two key rumors for the Magic Mouse 3 so far include a relocated charging port, along with a more ergonomic design. It was briefly rumored that the Magic Mouse 3 would also feature voice control, but that was misinterpreted information. Relocated Charging Port While the Magic Mouse switched from...
Foldable iPhone 2023 Feature Homescreen

Six Things to Know About Apple's Upcoming Foldable iPhone

Friday March 28, 2025 3:54 pm PDT by
We've been hearing rumors about a foldable iPhone for almost a decade now, but it looks like we might finally see the device come to fruition in 2026. We're going to be waiting many more months for the foldable iPhone, but so far we're hearing good things. Apple wants to make it creaseless. It's taken Apple multiple years to design a foldable iPhone that it's satisfied with because Apple ...
top stories 2025 03 29

Top Stories: WWDC 2025 Announced, iPhone 17 Pro and iOS 19 Rumors, and More

Saturday March 29, 2025 6:00 am PDT by
Apple's big developer event is a little over two months away, and rumors about what we can expect to see in Apple's next major operating system updates are becoming increasingly frequent. A public release of iOS 18.4 is also imminent with a number of updates and improvements, although we won't be getting the major Apple Intelligence Siri upgrades that had reportedly been planned for this...
iOS 19 visionOS UI Elements

Apple Codename Provides Clue About iOS 19's Rumored New Design

Sunday March 30, 2025 6:40 am PDT by
Multiple sources have claimed that iOS 19 will introduce a new design with more translucent buttons, menus, notification banners, and more, and there is now another clue that points towards this glass-like appearance. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today said the new design project is codenamed "Solarium" internally. A solarium is a room with glass walls that allow in plenty of sunlight, so this...
Facebook Feature

Facebook's New iPhone App Feature Turns the Clock Back to 2007

Thursday March 27, 2025 1:59 pm PDT by
In the mid-to-late 2000s, Facebook was all about staying connected with friends and family. However, as the social media platform added new features and grew over time, that core experience began to get drowned out. That changes starting now, according to Meta, which today introduced a new feature that will "bring back the joy" of classic Facebook. Specifically, Meta has redesigned the...
Foldable iPhone 2023 Feature Homescreen

iPhone Foldable Display Said to Feature iPad-Style 4:3 Aspect Ratio

Friday March 28, 2025 3:44 am PDT by
Apple's upcoming "iPhone Fold" will feature a foldable screen with a 4:3 aspect ratio, according to a Chinese leaker who previously leaked the book-style device's display dimensions. The Weibo-based account Digital Chat Station claims that Apple will adopt a "roughly" 4:3 aspect ratio on the inner display in order to achieve consistency between the outer display, as well as to ensure parity...

Top Rated Comments

WestonHarvey1 Avatar
153 months ago
Grotesque mockups.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ChrisCW11 Avatar
153 months ago
Already prior art on this

I mean, Tesla has a large tablet as a control interface and a few luxury car brands have digital dash concepts already in prototype products.

http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/08/qnx-concept-bentley-continental-gt/

However in general I find that On-screen buttons and control knobs goes against the message of safety while driving.

Currently with "real" buttons, I can adjust the temp, change the volume, or even the a radio station without having to look at the interface. However with a virtual dashboard, I have to first look to ensure I am on the right view, and then I have to look specifically to ensure my finger is in the right area to change a setting, and maintain sight to ensure I reach the right setting value. Tactile feedback such as the screen vibrating when I am in the right area is not "good enough".

This also goes against Apple's "sightless" concepts for bringing more Siri like features into the car that do not require a screen or interface to interact with.

Overall while this concept is "cool", it's overall not safe and should be left in an R&D notebook. This will also encourage bringing "apps" onto the car dashboard which further distracts the driver from doing the one and only thing that matters while in a car, driving.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
carlgo Avatar
153 months ago
...

Currently with "real" buttons, I can adjust the temp, change the volume, or even the a radio station without having to look at the interface. ...

...


Someday, some luxury brand will "introduce" analogue controls and people will be amazed at how easy and safe they are to operate. Then, others will copy that and everyone will look at these screens as old fashioned and stupid.

Actual knobs and buttons are better than virtual ones in every respect.

These screens just impress people who don't know better.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
scottjl Avatar
153 months ago
I have a vehicle with Ford MyTouch in it, have to say it's an absolutely horrible system. Horrible UI, poor performance and regular crashes (black screens of death requiring me to pull over, stop the vehicle, wait a few minutes, then start the car back up to reboot the system). I've had the HVAC go haywire when MFT has crashed on me as well. I've upgraded my system 3 times so far and I'm not alone in issues with MFT (though there are some people who say they have never had a problem).

My next vehicle will have a plain old radio that just plays music, far too much to fail on these systems
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tmarks11 Avatar
153 months ago
I hate touch screen controls in a car. Analog old style knobs and buttons that you can turn and push without looking at are the way to go.

Touch screen controls that you have to look at to operate are a crash waiting to happen. Worse then using a cellphone while driving to induce loss of driver awareness IMHO.

I drove a rental car recently that had all touch screen controls. To change ventilation air from floor vent to defrost required 5 separate pushes of the touchscreen. SELECT CONTROLS... VENTILATION... CHANGE VENT MODE.... SELECT DEFROST ... ARE YOU SURE (YES/NO) :eek:?. Really, like if I pushed defrost by accident the car would blow up! What was the point of the verification screen? Asinine. PITA.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TimeSquareDesi Avatar
153 months ago
1) Mockups circa the the internet in 1995.

2) This is a great idea and Tesla already has a similar setup in their cars. I have been using a tablet in my car for years and am in the process of mounting an ipad mini in front of my head unit. Nothing beats google maps for navigation!!
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)