DE102014203304A1 - Infotainment system for a vehicle and method for its adjustment - Google Patents

Abstract

To set an infotainment system (1) in a vehicle, adjustment data are stored in each case coupled with so-called usage data in an electronic storage device (12) to the infotainment system (1). The usage data comprise geographical data for at least one so-called recurring usage location, period data for a so-called recurring usage period and / or data for at least one so-called recurring usage, which are each representative of a location, a period and / or a usage of the vehicle, to which the vehicle is used recurrently. Furthermore, current data on a current location, a current usage time and / or a current usage of the vehicle is detected and based on a comparison of the respective stored usage data to the recurring locations, time periods and / or types of use with the respective current location, time and / or or usage-type-related data and by means of the respectively coupled setting data, the infotainment system (1) is set.

Description

The invention relates to an infotainment system for a vehicle and a method for setting the infotainment system.

In vehicles, especially in motor vehicles, today relatively complex infotainment systems are provided, which usually comprise at least one radio receiver and often have other components such as CD players or DVD players. Frequently, infotainment systems also provide interfaces for telephones, smartphones, music players or computer networks, for example, interfaces according to the Bluetooth standard according to IEEE 802.15.1 , Data and in particular music data can be exchanged via these interfaces and, for example, a piece of music stored on a smart phone can be output on the entertainment system via its loudspeaker system.

In such systems, usually by a person, in particular by the driver of the vehicle, the desired playback source and within its capabilities more details must be selected manually, for example, the radio as a data source and the transmitter. Such manual inputs distract the driver from his driving task and therefore affect driving safety.

In the US 6,374,177 B1 a system is described in which, by means of a global positioning system (GPS) provided in a vehicle, the current location of the vehicle is transmitted to a data service and to the vehicle location-specific data, for example, to local radio programs or other local services offered back.

It is an object of the invention to provide a control system for an infotainment system in a vehicle, which contributes to a needs-based adjustment of the infotainment system with minimal distraction of the driver can be done by his driving task.

This object is achieved by the invention specified in the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are indicated in the dependent claims.

According to the invention, to set an infotainment system in a vehicle, provision is made for setting data to be stored in an electronic storage device coupled to the infotainment system, in each case coupled with so-called usage data. The usage data comprise geographical data for at least one so-called recurring usage location, period data for a so-called recurring usage period and / or data for at least one so-called recurrent usage, which are each representative of a location, a period and / or a usage of the vehicle, to which the vehicle is used recurrently. Furthermore, current data on a current location, a current usage time and / or a current usage of the vehicle is detected and based on a comparison of the respective stored usage data to the recurring locations, time periods and / or types of use with the respective current location, time and / or or type-of-use-related data and by means of the respectively coupled setting data, the infotainment system is set.

The invention is based on the recognition that drivers at certain times, places and / or driving purposes, the rule recur regularly develop certain habits to use certain functions of an infotainment system and / or adjust the infotainment system in a certain way. One approach of the invention is to automatically adapt the infotainment system to such habits and thereby save the driver the hassle of manually re-adjusting the infotainment system each time the respective recurring situation occurs. In particular, infotainment sources no longer have to be manually activated or selected. Thus, with the invention, driver's time can be saved, his attention directed better to the driving tasks and the driving safety can be increased.

With the invention it is particularly advantageous possible to automatically set the driver of the vehicle at typical, recurring times a desired by him radio program. For example, on weekdays in the morning between 6:00 am and 9:00 am, during which the drive to the workplace typically takes place, a news station can be set up automatically, informing the driver of the current political and social events, while on these days in the evening Between 15:00 and 18:00, an entertainment program will be set automatically, allowing the driver to relax well. Of course, the respective times and radio programs can be specified by the driver in the form of setting data in corresponding profiles and the respective profile data in the infotainment system, stored and automatically retrieved there to set the infotainment system.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the comparison between the stored data and the current collected data based on specifiable conditions. The respective conditions may include a combination of data of different types of data, for example a combination of time data with location data. It could be checked on weekdays in the above period, for example, whether the vehicle is currently on a route to the workplace and, if appropriate, the news channels are set. If, on the other hand, the vehicle is in a different location during the same period of time, for example because the driver is traveling on a holiday trip, the automatic station setting could again be automatically suppressed.

• – Audio- und/oder Video-Abspielquelle wie z.B. Radio, MP-3 Gerät, Smart Phone und/oder eine sonstige über eine Schnittstelle verbundene Datenquelle, beispielsweise eine über eine kabelgebundene AUX-In Schnittstelle oder über eine drahtlose Schnittstelle, insbesondere eine über eine Bluetooth- oder WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) Schnittstelle verbundene Datenquelle,
• – Radio- und/oder TV-Sender,
• – Genre von Radio- und/oder TV-Sendern,
• – Musiktitel-, Musiksammlung- und/oder Musikgenre-Auswahl,
• – Audio-Parameter wie z.B. Lautstärke, Equalizer-Parameter und/oder Fading-Parameter
• – Internet-Quelle wie z.B. Online-Nachrichtenquelle.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the setting of the infotainment system relates to at least one of the following parameters:

• - Audio and / or video playback source such as radio, MP-3 device, smart phone and / or any other connected via an interface data source, for example a via a wired AUX-In interface or via a wireless interface, in particular via a Bluetooth or WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) interface connected data source,
• - radio and / or TV channels,
• - genre of radio and / or TV stations,
• - music title, music collection and / or music genre selection,
• - Audio parameters such as volume, equalizer parameters and / or fading parameters
• - Internet source such as online news source.

The infotainment system may have the properties mentioned above and in particular have a wired or wireless, in particular radio-operated interface.

• – Fahrt zur Arbeit,
• – Fahrt von der Arbeit nach Hause,
• – Fahrt mit geöffneter Scheibe und/oder teilweise oder ganz geöffnetem Dach des Fahrzeugs,
• – Fahrt alleine oder in einer Gruppe.

The above recurring usage and / or recurring usage period may be associated with at least one of the following events:

• - Drive to work,
• - drive home from work,
• - drive with open window and / or partially or completely open roof of the vehicle,
• - travel alone or in a group.

The adjustment data and possibly comparison conditions for these types of use or events can be stored as corresponding profiles in the infotainment system.

With the invention, recurrent events, such as e.g. regular radio or television broadcasts (series, news, sports programs) are taken into account when hiring the infotainment system. For example, regular programs can be automatically called up or played back in the vehicle. With the invention it is also possible to pre-program individual programs. It is also possible, in particular when using digital radio / television transmitter and a corresponding digital receiving device, to deposit certain transmitter identifiers as recurring usage data, to check the current transmit data in each case and to automatically reproduce or output these with the infotainment system as soon as the respective transmission is received under this identifier. This type of playback is very comfortable for the user.

The data for the current time can be automatically detected and / or provided by means of a clock integrated in the infotainment system or connected to it by data technology. The current location data can be automatically acquired and / or provided by means of a satellite and / or radio-based positioning system. The current data for the type of use can be completely or partially automatically and / or manually recorded or entered into the infotainment system and / or provided. The current data for the type of use can be automatically detected and / or provided by means of a destination address entered in a navigation system of the vehicle and / or by means of an address stored in an address book of the infotainment system. They may also be collected and / or provided based on metadata, which may be stored in particular in a calendar appointment of the infotainment system, such as a vacation entry or a location entry.

In the following, further embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a figure.

The figure shows an infotainment system 1 for a motor vehicle that has a data interface 2 with a data bus 3 the vehicle is connectable, for example, with a data bus, which is designed according to the MOST (Media Oriented Systems Transport) standard. The infotainment system 1 can be directly or indirectly connected to other data buses of the vehicle, for example to a CAN (Controller Area Network) bus. On the data bus 3 Further control devices of the vehicle may be connected, for example a navigation device 4 , The navigation device 4 On the other hand, it can already be used in the infotainment system 1 be integrated. In particular, it comprises a satellite and / or radio-based position determination system. Furthermore, a wireless radio interface 5 on the infotainment system 1 provided, which is designed according to the Bluetooth standard. Instead or in addition to the bluetooth interface 5 One or more further wireless and in particular radio-based interfaces may be provided, such as one according to the Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). Standard of IEEE 802.11 Family-trained interface and / or a Near Field Communication (NFC) interface. In the infotainment system 1 It is also possible to provide a wired AUX-In interface for importing or reproducing audio signals on the loudspeaker system 15 ,

In the infotainment system 1 are also a radio reception section 6 , a TV receiver (TV) 7 and a player 8th intended for digital music files (MP3). They are with a control 9 connected, with the continued a display 10 and an input device 11 as input / output interface (HMI, Human Machine Interface) for operating the infotainment system 1 are connected. The input device 11 For example, a keyboard, a touch screen (possibly the display 12 may include) and / or include a scroll wheel. Furthermore, in the infotainment system 1 a device for an access point be provided, with the example, via a WLAN connection and / or via a mobile phone connection access of the infotainment system 1 to the internet is possible.

The infotainment system 1 also includes a centralized controller 9 in which the infotainment system is based on a comparison of the respective stored usage data with respect to the recurring locations, time periods and / or types of use with the respective current location, time and / or usage-type-related data and with the respectively coupled setting data 1 is set. The control 9 is in this respect a comparison and adjustment. It may have ansich known electronic components, in particular control hardware and / or software or firmware. The control 9 may include a microprocessor or similar device such as a FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), in which a computer program is executed or deposited and that, for example, in a program memory 13 is stored.

About the input device 11 For example, radio stations can be selected manually, audio parameters can be set and profiles can be created in which the usage data for a recurring usage, a recurring usage period or a recurring usage period and / or a recurrent usage of the vehicle are stored. These usage data are in the infotainment system 1 in a non-volatile electronic parameter memory 12 stored for example in an Erasable Programmable Read Only (EPROM) memory. In such a profile data is still stored to a desired audio and / or TV source, so that they are logically coupled with the recurring usage data. A profile name can also be created and saved for the respective profile.

First example

For example, a profile named "drive to work" may have the following recurring usage data:
Period: Monday to Friday 6:00 to 9:00.
Audio source: radio
Sender Genre: News Channel
Sender: Bavaria 5
Noise level: level 6 ,

If the profile is activated during operation of the motor vehicle, then checks the infotainment system 1 based on the parameter memory 12 stored profile data, based on the current, from a clock 14 of the infotainment system 1 or time provided by another clock of the vehicle and by the controller 9 whether the conditions specified in the profile are fulfilled in each case, ie in particular whether the current time is within the period stored in the profile, may automatically set the station "Bayern 5 "In the radio reception section 6 and controls with its signals or data the speaker system 15 with the volume level 6 at. In an automated process, all stored profiles are automatically checked at the start of the journey and the profile that best suits the current conditions is activated. If the conditions of several profiles are met, a corresponding display on the display 10 be done and the driver be prompted about the input device 6 to select one of these profiles.

Second example

In this example, a profile named "way home" may have the following recurring usage data:
Places: Route from work to home
Audio source: MP3
Artist: Brian Adams
Title: coincidence
Volume: Level 8th ,

The route data can be used to store the data, for example, from the navigation system 4 be read after the user has been prompted to enter or call up the corresponding route in the navigation system.

To activate this profile automatically during operation of the motor vehicle calls the Infotainment system 1 from the navigation system 4 its current route data and compares it with the route data stored in the profile as recurring locations. If they match, the infotainment system chooses 1 automatically the audio source 8th (MP3) and signals this, by the interpreter "Brian Adams" all available titles in random mode to play. Then it controls with the signals or data of the audio source 8th the speaker system 15 with the volume level 8th at.

Instead of route information, it is also possible to use individual or several locations that are otherwise grouped, wherein the current position determination is preferably carried out by the navigation device provided in the motor vehicle 4 he follows. However, the location and other parameters provided for the above-described control (such as the current time) can also be detected with vehicle-independent devices such as a smart phone and, for example, via the Bluetooth interface 5 into the infotainment system 1 be transmitted.

Of course, other data or parameter combinations and in particular other usage data may be included in a profile than those indicated in the two examples.

After parking the vehicle, the last used configuration or setting of the infotainment system 1 be maintained and at the next operation, in particular when switching on the ignition, loaded and used until the vehicle user makes a different setting.

The described devices and system components and in particular the controller 9 In particular, they may be controlled by computer programs and may include other known per se elements of computers and digital control devices such as a microprocessor, volatile and non-volatile memory, interfaces, and the like. Therefore, the invention can also be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product which, when loaded and executed on a computer, completely or partially effects a sequence according to the invention. The computer may in particular be integrated in and / or interact with an electronic control unit (ECU) of a vehicle.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 6374177 B1 [0004]

Cited non-patent literature

• Bluetooth standard according to IEEE 802.15.1 [0002]
• Standard of IEEE 802.11 [0018]

Claims (10)

Method for setting an infotainment system ( 1 ) in a vehicle, in which - in an electronic storage device ( 12 ) to the infotainment system ( 1 Setting data are stored in each case coupled with so-called usage data, wherein - the usage data comprise geographical data for at least one so-called recurring usage location, period data for a so-called recurring usage period and / or data for at least one so-called recurrent usage, which are each representative of a place, a period and / or a type of use of the vehicle to which the vehicle is used recurrently, - current data on a current location, a current time of use and / or a current type of use of the vehicle are detected and - based on a comparison of the respective stored Usage data for the recurring locations, time periods and / or types of use with the respective current location, time and / or usage type-related data and by means of the respectively coupled setting data, the infotainment system ( 1 ) is set. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the comparison is carried out on the basis of predeterminable conditions. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the setting of the infotainment system ( 1 ) concerns at least one of the following parameters: - audio and / or video source ( 6 . 7 . 8th ), - radio and / or TV stations, - genre of radio and / or TV channels, - music title, music collection and / or music genre selection, - audio parameters and / or - Internet access device. A method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the recurring usage and / or the period of use is associated with at least one of the following events: - drive to work, - drive from work to home, - drive with open window and / or partially or fully open roof of the vehicle, - travel alone or in a group. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data at the current time automatically by means of a clock ( 14 ) and / or the current whereabouts data are automatically retrieved by means of a satellite and / or radio-based positioning system ( 4 ). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the current data for the type of use completely or partially automatically and / or manually detected and / or provided. A method according to claim 6, characterized in that the current data for the type of use automatically based on a in a navigation system ( 8th ) of the vehicle entered destination address and / or based on a in an address book of the infotainment system ( 1 ) stored and / or provided and / or metadata, in particular in a calendar appointment of the infotainment system ( 1 ) are stored, recorded and / or provided. Infotainment system for a vehicle, comprising - an electronic storage device ( 12 ) in which to the infotainment system ( 1 Setting data in each case coupled with so-called usage data are storable, wherein - the usage data include geographical data for at least one so-called recurrent use location, period data to a so-called recurrent use period and / or data for at least one so-called recurrent usage, each of which is representative of a place, period and / or type of use of the vehicle to which the vehicle is used recurrently, - with a detection device ( 4 . 14 ) current data on a current location, a current time of use and / or a current usage of the vehicle are recorded and - in a comparison and adjustment ( 9 ) based on a comparison of the respective stored usage data to the recurring locations, time periods and / or types of use with the respective current location, time and / or Nutzungsartbezogene data and by means of the respectively coupled setting data infotainment system ( 1 ) is set.  Infotainment system according to claim 8, comprising means for carrying out a method according to one of claims 2 to 7. Vehicle, in particular motor vehicle, comprising an infotainment system ( 1 ) according to one of claims 8 or 9.

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