Method for operating a vehicle information system, vehicle information system and computer program

Abstract

Method for operating a vehicle information system, which comprises a user interface (3), a computer unit (1) and a communication interface (5) which is designed to communicate with an external computer unit (7), in which - an external application program assigned to the external computer unit (7) is made available to a user of the vehicle by means of the user interface (3), - an operating manual assigned to the external application program is made available to the computer unit (1) in the form of a container with its own file system, - when the user calls up the operating instructions assigned to the external application program by means of the user interface (3), the entry data contained in the container are signalled by means of the user interface (3), - when a link is called which refers to a section of the operating instructions of the respective external application program, starting from currently signaled operating instructions data of the external application program by the user via the user interface (3), data belonging to the respective link are only searched for within the container and, after being found, are signaled via the user interface (3).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for operating a vehicle information system, a vehicle information system and a computer program.

[0002] Vehicle information systems are increasingly integrating a broader range of functions via a uniform user interface, such as a radio, additional audio sources such as CDs, navigation aids, vehicle status information, and the like. Furthermore, a multitude of application programs, also known as apps, are available via external computing units, such as an external mobile device such as a smartphone. It is desirable to make such apps available to the user of the vehicle information system, particularly to vehicle occupants, via the user interface. Such apps are subject to rapid development; they are continually being developed, while new ones are constantly being made available.

[0003] DE 10 2009 059 140 A1 discloses a method for integrating a component into an information system of a vehicle, in which at least one application that can be executed or is provided by the component is made available to a user of the vehicle via a human-machine interface of the information system. When an application of the component connected to the information system is started, the application is assigned at least one priority value with regard to the human-machine interface. A priority value specifies a rank with which the application of the component is treated with preference or subordination compared to another application that is executed or is to be executed by the information. Preferably, when the application of the component is started, a message is transmitted to the information system in which the resources of the human-machine interface required by the application for its execution are transmitted.One or more of the human-machine interface resources required by the application are assigned a respective priority value.

[0004] DE 10 2007 002 197 A1 relates to a data processing device for a driver assistance system for a vehicle providing a plurality of driver assistance functions, comprising an input for receiving data from a plurality of sensors, processing means for processing the received data and for generating an output signal for each driver assistance function of the plurality of driver assistance functions, and an output for outputting the output signal for each driver assistance function of the plurality of driver assistance functions.

[0005] DE 10 2010 047 411 A1 relates to a method for automatically generating a recommendation for at least one driver assistance function in a motor vehicle that is tailored to vehicle usage, comprising the steps of: capturing driving data by at least one vehicle sensor and transmitting the driving data to a first computing unit; analyzing the driving data with respect to user driving behavior by the first computing unit and generating a vehicle usage profile based on the analyzed driving data; providing a pool that includes at least a plurality of driver assistance function profiles; comparing the vehicle usage profile with the function profiles and determining at least one driver assistance function whose function profile matches the vehicle usage profile; generating the recommendation for the specific driver assistance function.

[0006] US 2010 / 0 292 867 A1 relates to a motor vehicle control unit, comprising: a microkernel; several entities; and a software bus via which the entities can communicate with each other and with the microkernel, wherein one or more of the entities each represent one or more modules of the AUTOSAR basic software.

[0007] The object underlying the invention is to provide a method for operating a vehicle information system, a vehicle information system and a computer program that contributes to a comfortable and safe operation of the vehicle information system.

[0008] The object is achieved by a method for operating the vehicle information system, a vehicle information system designed to operate it accordingly, and a computer program according to the respective independent claim.

[0009] Advantageous embodiments are characterized in the subclaims.

[0010] According to a first aspect, the invention is characterized by a method for operating a vehicle information system, which comprises a user interface, a computer unit, and a communication interface designed to communicate with an external computer unit. The user interface is designed to communicate with a user of the vehicle information system, i.e., in particular, a vehicle occupant. For this purpose, it has corresponding input and output units. It can thus have optical and / or acoustic output units and, for example, it can have acoustic and / or haptic input units. The external computer unit can, for example, be an external mobile terminal, such as a smartphone. However, it can also be any other external computer unit and can thus, for example, also be a server in a communication network.It can also be a central computer, for example of the vehicle manufacturer.

[0011] An external application program assigned to the external computer unit is made available to a user of the vehicle via the user interface. This may include, in particular, the user being able to call up and / or control the application via the user interface and, if necessary, outputting the application program via the user interface.

[0012] An operating manual assigned to the external application program in the form of a container with its own file system is made available to the computer unit. When the user calls up the operating manual assigned to the external application program via the user interface, the access data contained in the container is signaled via the user interface. When the user calls up a link that refers to a section of the operating manual of the respective external application program, based on currently signaled operating manual data of the respective external application program, the data assigned to the respective link is searched only within the container. Once found, this data is signaled via the user interface.

[0013] In this way, in addition to the respective application program, the associated operating instructions can also be made conveniently available to the user via the user interface. In this context, it can also be ensured that a schematic input and output functionality of the user interface, which is tailored to the specific requirements of the vehicle environment, is also used for the operating instructions of the respective external application program. This contributes to safety, even while driving, by requiring as little attention as possible from the driver and / or by activating or deactivating interaction with the user based on the driving situation. Furthermore, by making use of the information contained in the respective operating instructions, convenient operation of respective external application programs in the vehicle information system is also possible.

[0014] In this context, making the operating instructions assigned to the respective external application program available in the form of a container with its own file system contributes to highly flexible integration into the vehicle information system, even in cases where files with the same file names are managed, such as those of other operating instructions of other external application programs or even application programs statically present internally in the vehicle information system. This way, ambiguities can be avoided, especially when following links, which also includes the integration of images.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment of the first aspect, a respective identifier of entry data of the operating instructions assigned to the respective external application program is embedded in a list of predefined sorting, and in the case of an already identical identifier, an identifier of the respective external application program is added to the respective identifier of the entry data as an element of the list. In this way, the respective identifiers of entry data of the operating instructions assigned to the respective external application program can be clearly embedded in the list, thus avoiding ambiguities or multiple identical entries in the list when the list is displayed via the user interface.

[0016] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the first aspect, if the operating instructions associated with the respective external application program are not available in a predefined language version, a signal to this effect is provided via the user interface, specifically in a predefined language. In this way, the user of the vehicle information system can easily understand that the respective operating instructions are not available in the predefined language version, since this information is signaled to them in the predefined language, which may, for example, be their native language.

[0017] In this context, it is advantageous if, in the event that the operating instructions assigned to the respective external application program are not available in the specified language version, the language version of the operating instructions is signaled via the user interface, specifically in the specified language. The user is offered a language version selection via the user interface, and depending on the language version selected, the operating instructions are signaled in the respectively assigned language version. In this way, the user can conveniently select an alternative language version and then receive the respective operating instructions in the selected language version.

[0018] According to a further advantageous embodiment, a cache memory is assigned to the computer unit. Following the establishment of a connection between the communication interface and the external computer unit, a check is carried out to determine whether the container of the operating instructions assigned to the respective external application program is already stored in the cache memory. If so, the container stored there is used to make it available to the computer unit. Otherwise, upon the container being made available by the communication interface, the container is stored in the cache memory.In this way, if the respective container is present in the cache memory, on the one hand the required data transfer volume from the external computer unit to the vehicle information system can be kept low and on the other hand the information accompanying the respective operating instructions can be made available to the user very quickly.

[0019] According to a second aspect, the invention is characterized by a vehicle information system comprising a user interface, a computer unit and a communication interface designed to communicate with an external computer unit, wherein the vehicle information system is designed to carry out the first aspect of the invention.

[0020] According to a third aspect, a computer program is provided which comprises computer program code means suitable for carrying out the steps according to the first aspect or its embodiments when the program is executed on the computer unit of the vehicle system.

[0021] Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the schematic drawings. They show: Fig. 1 a vehicle information system, Fig. 2 a block diagram of parts of the vehicle information system, Fig. 3 a first screen representation on the user interface, and Fig. 4 a second screen display on the user interface.

[0022] Elements of the same design or function are marked with the same reference symbols throughout the figures.

[0023] A vehicle information system comprises a computer unit 1, a user interface 3 and a communication interface 5. The vehicle information system is arranged in a stationary manner, i.e. permanently installed, in the vehicle.

[0024] The user interface 3 is designed to communicate with a user, in particular a vehicle occupant of a vehicle in which the vehicle information system is arranged. The user interface 3 comprises one or more input units and output units. The output units can be designed as optical and / or acoustic output units and thus, for example, comprise a screen. In addition, the user interface 3 comprises one or more input units, which can, for example, be designed as acoustic and / or manual input units. For example, an input unit can be designed as a rotary push-button and / or as a touchscreen and / or as a microphone.

[0025] The communication interface 5 is designed to communicate with an external computer unit 7. The communication interface 5 can be designed as any communication interface 5 known to those skilled in the art for such purposes. It can thus be designed for wireless communication and, for example, comprise a mobile radio interface and / or a WLAN interface. However, it can alternatively or additionally also be designed for wired communication and, for example, comprise a USB interface. Furthermore, communication with the external computer unit 7 can take place via the interposition of a communication network, which can, for example, comprise the Internet.

[0026] The external computer unit 7 can be configured, for example, as an external mobile device, in particular as a smartphone. However, it can also be configured, for example, as a server, such as a central computer, which is operated, for example, by a vehicle manufacturer or the like.

[0027] The computer unit 1 comprises at least one program and / or data memory and / or a computing unit in which programs stored in the data and program memory are executed. The computer unit 1 optionally comprises a cache memory 9. In the computer unit 1, signals are generated for signaling by means of the user interface 3 and, on the other hand, signals generated by corresponding inputs at the user interface 3 are evaluated.

[0028] For example, application programs can be stored in the data and / or program memory of the computer unit 1, which can also be referred to as internal application programs and which are stored, for example, in the data and / or program memory of the computer unit 1 before the vehicle is put into operation for the first time. These internal application programs can, for example, include the functionality of a radio, in particular an FM radio. A respective operating manual is assigned to each internal application program, which can also be referred to, for example, as an integrated operating manual (IBA).

[0029] Furthermore, an external application program assigned to the external computer unit 7 can also be made available to the vehicle user via the user interface 3. For this purpose, the respective external application program can be provided, for example, at the communication interface 5 and thus transmitted as such from the external computer unit to the vehicle information system. However, the external application program is preferably executed on the external computer unit 7, and only actions relating to input and output are performed via the vehicle information system.

[0030] For example, the external computer unit 7 can function as a so-called application server or app server and, for example, by means of the user interface 3, provide the user with a web radio and / or a communication service such as Twitter or the like as an external application program.

[0031] A Block App Server can thus comprise one or more external application programs of a respective external computer unit 7, as shown in the Fig. 2. A corresponding block diagram representation can also be signaled on the user interface 3 and, for example, the Fig. 2 marked blocks are signaled as selection blocks that can be selected by means of a corresponding input element, such as an input element corresponding to the functionality of a computer mouse.

[0032] Each internal application program is assigned an integrated operating manual (IBA), which contains relevant information about the respective internal application program and can be called up by the user by making a suitable selection.

[0033] An operating manual assigned to the respective external application program is made available to computer unit 1 in the form of a container with its own file system. This operating manual assigned to the respective external application program can, for example, be generally referred to as App Help and thus, in the case of a web radio as the external application program, for example, be a web radio integrated operating manual, WebRadio IBA. In the case of an external application program that enables Twitter access, it can, for example, be a Twitter integrated operating manual, Twitter IBA.

[0034] The respective container is made available, for example, together with the respective external application program. The container can be made available to computer unit 1, for example, in the form of a ZIP file. To do this, the external computer unit transmits the corresponding container to the communication interface 5 of the vehicle information system.

[0035] Optionally, the computer unit 1 has the cache memory 9, and following a connection establishment between the communication interface 5 and the external computer unit 7, it is checked whether the container of the operating instructions assigned to the respective external application program is already stored in the cache memory 9. In this case, the container stored there can then be used immediately to make it available to the computer unit. Otherwise, the respective container is preferably stored in the cache memory 9 upon provision of the respective container by the communication interface 5.

[0036] When the user calls up the operating instructions associated with the respective external application program via user interface 3, the entry data contained in the container is signaled via user interface 3. When the user calls up a link that refers to a section of the operating instructions of the respective external application program, based on the currently signaled operating instructions data of the external application program, the data associated with the respective link is searched for only within the container and, once found, signaled via the user interface. Thus, for example, a search is always only performed within the respective ZIP file.

[0037] A first screen display on the user interface 3 ( Fig. 3) comprises entries in a list with a predefined sorting and with various identifiers, such as "Airbags" and "Google Search Help". Following the coupling of the external computer unit 7 to the vehicle information system and the concomitant making available the respective external application program(s) assigned to the external computer unit 7, respective identifiers of entry data of the operating instructions assigned to the respective external application program are embedded in the list with a predefined sorting, as can be seen from the second screen display of the user interface 3 in the Fig. 4. The default sorting may, for example, include an alphabetical sorting, but it may also be based on historically recorded frequencies of calls to the respective identifiers.

[0038] In the case of an already identical identifier such as the identifier “Airbags” as an element of the list, an identifier of the respective external application program is added to the respective identifier of the entry data, for example “[Dynamic Music]” or “[Google™ Search]” or “[MINIMALISM Analyser]”.

[0039] If the operating instructions associated with the respective external application program are not available in a specified language version, a corresponding signal is provided via the user interface in a specified language. Preferably, the language can be specified in advance by the user, for example, in their native language. This makes it easy to ensure that the user understands that the specified language version is not available for a particular external application program. The corresponding signal can be provided, for example, in the form: "The external application program is not available in German!"

[0040] Optionally, in the event that the operating instructions assigned to the respective external application program are not available in the specified language version, the language version(s) in which the operating instructions are available can be signaled via user interface 3, specifically in a specified language. This specified language is therefore highly likely to be easily understandable for the respective user of the vehicle information system. In this context, the user is offered a language version selection via user interface 3, and depending on the language version selection, the operating instructions are signaled in the respective assigned language version.For example, if Chinese is specified, the user can be signaled in Chinese that the respective operating instructions are only available in English, French and German and the user then has the option of selecting English, for example, which then subsequently leads to the respective operating instructions being signaled in the English language version. Reference symbol 1 vehicle information system 3 Computer unit 5 User interface 7 Communication interface 9 external computer unit

Claims

[1] Method for operating a vehicle information system, which comprises a user interface (3), a computer unit (1) and a communication interface (5) which is designed to communicate with an external computer unit (7), in which - an external application program assigned to the external computer unit (7) is made available to a user of the vehicle by means of the user interface (3), - an operating manual assigned to the external application program is made available to the computer unit (1) in the form of a container with its own file system, - when the user calls up the operating instructions assigned to the external application program by means of the user interface (3), the entry data contained in the container are signalled by means of the user interface (3), - when a link is called that refers to a section of the operating instructions of the respective external application program, based on currently signaled operating instructions data of the external application program by the user via the user interface (3), data belonging to the respective link are only searched for within the container and, after being found, are signaled via the user interface (3). [2] Method according to claim 1, in which a respective identifier of entry data of the operating instructions which is assigned to the respective external application program is embedded in a list of predetermined sorting and, in the case of an already identical identifier, an identifier of the respective external application program is added as an element of the list to the respective identifier of the entry data. [3] Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which, in the event that the operating instructions associated with the respective application program are not available in a predetermined language version, a signal to this effect is provided by means of the user interface, specifically in a predetermined language. [4] Method according to claim 3, in which, in the event that the operating instructions assigned to the respective external application program are not available in a predetermined language version, it is signalled in which language version(s) the operating instructions are available by means of the user interface (3) and in a predetermined language, wherein the user is offered a language version selection by means of the user interface and, depending on a language version selection made, the operating instructions are signalled in the respectively assigned language version. [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which a cache memory (9) is assigned to the computer unit (1), wherein following a connection setup between the communication interface (5) and the external computer unit (7), a check is carried out as to whether the container of the operating instructions assigned to the respective external application program is already stored in the cache memory (9) and, in this case, the container stored there is used to make it available to the computer unit (1) and, otherwise, upon provision of the container by the communication interface (5), the container is stored in the cache memory (9). [6] Vehicle information system comprising a user interface (3), a computer unit (1) and a communication interface (5) designed to communicate with an external computer unit (7), wherein the vehicle information system is designed to carry out the method according to one of the preceding claims. [7] A computer program comprising computer program code means suitable for carrying out the steps according to any one of claims 1 to 5 when the program is executed on the computer unit (1) of the vehicle information system.

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