Apparatus and method for controlling vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus and method for controlling a vehicle. The apparatus includes a memory storing program instructions and a processor executing the program instructions. The processor outputs an available autonomous driving travel time associated with a portion of the travel route to the destination suitable for autonomous driving via a display of the vehicle and / or an audio system of the vehicle. An available autonomous driving travel time is determined based on the location of the vehicle. The processor allows media playback in the vehicle based on a determination that autonomous driving of the vehicle is activated.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0073043 filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on June 7, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to apparatus and methods for controlling a vehicle, and more particularly, to techniques for managing the time of autonomous driving to a destination. Background Art

[0004] As technology for electric vehicles continues to advance, the demand for autonomous driving increases. Autonomous vehicles are vehicles that are able to drive themselves to a destination with little or no driver control. The autonomous vehicle can drive itself to a destination by analyzing and reacting to its surroundings.

[0005] In several countries, displaying video visible to the driver inside a vehicle while the vehicle is moving is regulated by law. For example, local law may prohibit displaying video via a device (such as a broadcast television) for receiving or playing video content while the vehicle is being driven.

[0006] Therefore, an automatic blocking function is generally installed to prevent any information other than driving information such as route guidance and rear camera video from being provided as a moving or still image while the vehicle is traveling.

[0007] However, if an autonomous driving system is used for driving, it may not be necessary to restrict the use of mobile phones or prevent the display of videos at locations inside the vehicle where the video is visible to vehicle passengers while the vehicle is moving. The above-mentioned autonomous driving systems can be classified as partially autonomous driving systems, conditional fully autonomous driving systems, or fully autonomous driving systems. Specifically, a partially autonomous driving system may refer to an autonomous driving system that operates a vehicle under specified conditions but requires driver intervention when necessary (such as restricted operating conditions). A conditional fully autonomous driving system may refer to an autonomous driving system that operates a vehicle without driver intervention under specific conditions. A fully autonomous driving system may refer to an autonomous driving system that operates a vehicle without driver intervention in all environments. As autonomous driving technology becomes more prevalent, there is a growing demand for technologies that allow the use of multimedia-related convenience functions such as video viewing while the vehicle is moving. Summary of the invention

[0008] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art while keeping the advantages achieved by the prior art intact.

[0009] An aspect of the present disclosure provides an apparatus and method for controlling a vehicle, which enables a user to use various convenient functions available within the autonomous driving available time by providing the user with the autonomous driving available time throughout the driving route to a destination.

[0010] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides an apparatus and method for controlling a vehicle, which enables a user to use a multimedia function within an autonomous driving available time by determining whether the vehicle is in autonomous driving and allowing media playback when the vehicle is in autonomous driving.

[0011] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides an apparatus and method for controlling a vehicle, which enhances convenience when a user selects content available within the autonomous driving available time by recommending content that can be played back within the autonomous driving available time or recommending a playback speed of multimedia for playing back within the autonomous driving available time.

[0012] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides an apparatus and method for controlling a vehicle, which allows a user to actively respond to an event in which autonomous driving cannot be continued when an event in which autonomous driving cannot be continued occurs during autonomous driving of the vehicle, and improves the convenience of using multimedia by displaying the available time for autonomous driving in seconds or displaying the point of occurrence of the event on a display.

[0013] The technical problems to be solved by the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and any other technical problems not mentioned herein will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs from the following description.

[0014] According to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, an apparatus for controlling a vehicle may include: a memory configured to store program instructions; and a processor configured to execute the program instructions. The processor may be configured to output, via at least one of a display of the vehicle and an audio system of the vehicle, available autonomous driving driving time associated with a portion of a driving route to a destination that is suitable for autonomous driving. The available autonomous driving driving time may be determined based on the location of the vehicle. The processor may be further configured to allow media playback in the vehicle based on a determination that autonomous driving of the vehicle is activated.

[0015] The processor can be configured to output the available autonomous driving driving time by displaying at least one of: the entire driving route, the portion suitable for autonomous driving, the available autonomous driving driving time associated with the portion suitable for autonomous driving, and the vehicle's position on the driving route.

[0016] The processor may be further configured to determine recommended media content having a play time that is less than or equal to the available autonomous driving travel time.

[0017] The processor may be further configured to determine a recommended playback speed of the media content for completing playback of the media content within the available autonomous driving driving time based on the playback time of the media content being greater than the available autonomous driving driving time.

[0018] The processor may also be configured to: receive a selection of a playback speed; and determine recommended media content. The playback time of the recommended media content at the selected playback speed may be less than or equal to the available autonomous driving travel time.

[0019] The processor may be further configured to: start playback of the media content based on autonomous driving of the vehicle being activated; pause playback of the media content based on autonomous driving being deactivated; and resume playback of the media content from the paused position based on autonomous driving being reactivated.

[0020] The processor may also be configured to: based on the portion of the driving route including the at least two separate segments of the driving route, output via at least one of the display and the audio system: at least two driving times, each driving time associated with a respective segment of the at least two separate segments of the driving route, and the at least two separate segments of the driving route. The at least two driving times may be determined based on a position of the vehicle in one of the at least two separate segments of the driving route.

[0021] The processor may be configured to output the available autonomous driving travel time based on the event that deactivated autonomous driving.

[0022] The processor may be further configured to store, based on the event that deactivated autonomous driving, the portion of the travel route suitable for autonomous driving and the location where the event occurred in the memory or display.

[0023] The processor may be further configured to provide the available autonomous driving travel time to the terminal.The terminal may be connected to the vehicle via a wired or wireless connection.

[0024] According to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for controlling a vehicle may include: outputting, by a processor and via at least one of a display of the vehicle and an audio system of the vehicle, available autonomous driving travel time associated with a portion of a driving route to a destination suitable for autonomous driving. The available autonomous driving travel time may be determined based on a location of the vehicle. The method may further include: based on a determination that autonomous driving of the vehicle is activated, allowing, by the processor, media playback in the vehicle.

[0025] Outputting the available autonomous driving travel time includes: displaying at least one of: the entire driving route, a portion suitable for autonomous driving, the driving time associated with the portion suitable for autonomous driving, and the position of the vehicle on the driving route.

[0026] The method may further include determining recommended media content having a play time that is less than or equal to the available autonomous driving travel time.

[0027] The method may further include determining a recommended playback speed of the media content for completing playback of the media content within the available autonomous driving driving time based on the playback time of the media content being greater than the available autonomous driving driving time.

[0028] The method may also include: receiving a selection of a playback speed; and determining recommended media content. The playback time of the recommended media content at the selected playback speed may be less than or equal to the available autonomous driving travel time.

[0029] The method may further include: starting playback of the media content based on autonomous driving of the vehicle being activated; pausing, by the processor, playback of the media content based on autonomous driving being deactivated; and resuming playback of the media content from a paused position based on autonomous driving being reactivated.

[0030] The method may further include: based on the portion of the driving route including the at least two separate segments of the driving route, outputting, by the processor via at least one of a display and an audio system: at least two driving times, each driving time associated with a respective segment of the at least two separate segments of the driving route, and the at least two separate segments of the driving route. The at least two driving times may be determined based on a position of the vehicle in one of the at least two separate segments of the driving route.

[0031] Outputting the available autonomous driving travel time may output the available autonomous driving travel time based on an event that deactivates autonomous driving.

[0032] The method may further comprise: based on the event that deactivated autonomous driving, storing or displaying: a portion of the travel route suitable for autonomous driving and a location where the event has occurred.

[0033] The method may further include providing, by a processor, the available autonomous driving travel time to a terminal, wherein the terminal is connected to the vehicle via a wired connection or a wireless connection. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:

[0035] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a vehicle control device;

[0036] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a vehicle control device;

[0037] Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example screen in which information including an autonomous driving available time and an autonomous driving available section is displayed on a display in a vehicle control device;

[0038] Figure 4 is a diagram showing a display in a vehicle control device that displays a multimedia playback screen including an autonomous driving available time;

[0039] Figure 5 An example screen showing, when the number of autonomous driving available sections in the entire driving route of the vehicle in the vehicle control device is equal to or greater than 2, information including the autonomous driving available time and the autonomous driving available sections is displayed on the display;

[0040] Fig. 6A is a diagram showing an example screen displayed on a display when the vehicle is normally in autonomous driving in a vehicle control device;

[0041] Figure 6B is a diagram showing an example screen displayed on a display when an event occurs during autonomous driving of a vehicle in which autonomous driving cannot be continued, in a vehicle control device;

[0042] Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example screen in which, when an event occurs that makes it impossible to continue autonomous driving, a point at which the event occurs in an autonomous driving available section is displayed on a display in a vehicle control device;

[0043] Figure 8 is a flow chart showing a vehicle control method;

[0044] Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing a method of displaying the autonomous driving available time when an event occurs that makes it impossible to continue the autonomous driving in a vehicle control method; and

[0045] Fig.10 A computing system is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] Hereinafter, one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the exemplary drawings. In addition, when adding reference numerals to components of the respective drawings, it should be noted that the same reference numerals designate the same or equivalent components even if the reference numerals are shown in other drawings. In addition, when describing the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, when it is determined that the detailed description of the related known configurations or functions interferes with the understanding of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the detailed description of the related known configurations or functions will be omitted.

[0047] When describing components according to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b) and the like may be used. These terms are intended only to distinguish components from other components, and these terms do not limit the nature, order or sequence of the components. Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meanings as those commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms (such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries) should be interpreted as having meanings consistent with their meanings in the context of the relevant art, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined as such herein.

[0048] In the following, reference will be made to Figures 1 to 10 One or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail.

[0049] Prior to the description, the autonomous driving to be mentioned below may include partially autonomous driving that operates the vehicle under specified conditions but requires driver intervention as needed (such as operating-limited situations), a conditional fully autonomous driving system that operates the vehicle under specified conditions without driver intervention, and a fully autonomous driving system that operates the vehicle without driver intervention in all areas.

[0050] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a vehicle control device.

[0051] The vehicle control device 100 may include a memory 110 and a processor 120 . Figure 1 The configuration of the vehicle control device 100 shown in FIG. 1 is an example, and the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the vehicle control device 100 may further include Figure 1 Components not shown.

[0052] The memory 110 may store commands or data. For example, the memory 110 may store one instruction or two or more instructions that, when executed by the processor 120, cause the vehicle control device 100 to perform various operations.

[0053] The memory 110 may be implemented as a single chip set with the processor 120, and may store various information related to the vehicle control device 100. For example, the memory 110 may store information on an operation history of the processor 120.

[0054] The processor 120 may provide (eg, output) the autonomous driving available time (eg, autonomous driving driving time) calculated in the vehicle to at least one of a display and an audio system of the vehicle or any combination thereof.

[0055] For example, the processor 120 may display on the vehicle's display the entire driving route, the autonomous driving available segment (e.g., the portion of the driving route suitable for autonomous driving), the available time for autonomous driving, and at least one of the vehicle's position on the entire driving route, or any combination thereof.

[0056] In this regard, the display of the vehicle may include at least one of an instrument panel, a head-up display (HUD), a central information display (CID), a passenger display (CDD), a side-view mirror display, and a rear-seat entertainment display, or any combination thereof.

[0057] The autonomous driving available section may include a section in which the vehicle can travel to the destination in the entire driving route in an autonomous driving mode. The autonomous driving available section may be determined based on map information, and the map information including the autonomous driving available section may be stored in the memory 110 of the vehicle.

[0058] For example, the autonomous driving available section may be displayed on the display based on the ratio of the length of the autonomous driving available section to the length of the entire driving route. In addition, the autonomous driving available section may be distinguished from the section in the entire driving route where the vehicle cannot travel in the autonomous driving mode, and the autonomous driving available section and the section where the vehicle cannot travel in the autonomous driving mode may be displayed in different colors on the display. For example, the autonomous driving available section may be displayed in blue on the display, and the section where the vehicle cannot travel in the autonomous driving mode may be displayed in white on the display.

[0059] The available time for autonomous driving may include the time required in the autonomous driving available section based on the position of the vehicle on the entire driving route to the destination. In this regard, the destination may be input by a user, or a destination pre-set via a vehicle controller, a wired / wireless terminal, etc. may be provided to the vehicle control device 100.

[0060] For example, the available time for autonomous driving may refer to the time during which the vehicle can travel in the autonomous driving mode. As a specific example, the available time for autonomous driving may be continuously updated and calculated in consideration of conditions such as at least one of the autonomous driving available section, the speed of the vehicle, and the traffic conditions to the destination, or any combination thereof.

[0061] For example, if the vehicle is traveling in a section where the vehicle cannot be driven in the autonomous driving mode, the autonomous driving available time may be the autonomous driving available time in the autonomous driving available section that comes first. If the vehicle is traveling in the autonomous driving available section, the autonomous driving available time may refer to the remaining available time for autonomous driving in the corresponding autonomous driving available section.

[0062] The position of the vehicle displayed on the display can be displayed on the entire driving route. For example, the position of the vehicle can be displayed as an icon, image, etc. that can represent the vehicle.

[0063] As an example, if the number of autonomous driving available sections in the entire driving route of the vehicle is equal to or greater than 2, the processor 120 may provide at least two available times for autonomous driving corresponding to the at least two autonomous driving available sections, respectively, and provide the at least two autonomous driving available sections to at least one of the display and audio system of the vehicle or any combination thereof.

[0064] For example, if the autonomous driving available section in the entire driving route consists of a first autonomous driving available section and a second autonomous driving available section that are not continuous with each other, the processor 120 may display the first autonomous driving available section based on the ratio of the length of the first autonomous driving available section to the length of the entire driving route, and display the second autonomous driving available section on the display based on the ratio of the length of the second autonomous driving available section to the length of the entire driving route. In addition, a first available time for autonomous driving corresponding to the first autonomous driving available section and a second available time for autonomous driving corresponding to the second autonomous driving available section may be displayed on the display.

[0065] For example, if the number of autonomous driving available sections in the entire driving route of the vehicle is equal to or greater than 2, then in addition to the available times of autonomous driving corresponding to at least two autonomous driving available sections respectively, the processor 120 may also provide the available times of autonomous driving in the autonomous driving available sections to at least one of the display and audio system of the vehicle or any combination thereof based on the position of the vehicle.

[0066] For example, if the autonomous driving available section in the entire driving route is composed of a first autonomous driving available section and a second autonomous driving available section that are not continuous with each other, then in the case where the position of the vehicle is the first autonomous driving available section, the processor 120 may separately display the remaining available time for autonomous driving based on the current position of the vehicle until the end of the first autonomous driving available section on the display of the vehicle. As an example, if the first available time for autonomous driving corresponding to the first autonomous driving available section is 1 hour and 26 minutes, and the second available time for autonomous driving corresponding to the second autonomous driving available section is 2 hours and 12 minutes, then in the case where the vehicle has currently been traveling in the first autonomous driving available section for 23 minutes, the processor 120 may separately display 1 hour and 03 minutes on the display, which is the remaining available time for autonomous driving until the end of the first autonomous driving available section.

[0067] For example, the processor 120 may determine whether the vehicle is in autonomous driving (e.g., the vehicle's autonomous driving is activated), and if the vehicle is in autonomous driving (e.g., the vehicle's autonomous driving is activated), allow the playback of multimedia (e.g., allow media playback). For example, if the vehicle is traveling in an autonomous driving mode, the processor 120 may control the user to play multimedia such as a video, and if the vehicle is not traveling in an autonomous driving mode, the processor 120 may control the user not to play multimedia such as a video.

[0068] For example, the processor 120 may compare the available time for autonomous driving with the play time of the content, and recommend to the user content having the same play time as the available time for autonomous driving (e.g., determining recommended media content), or recommend to the user content having a play time shorter than the available time for autonomous driving. In other words, the recommended media content may have a play time less than or equal to the autonomous driving travel time. In this regard, the content may include a play object, a play item, etc. played via multimedia. For example, if the available time for autonomous driving is 1 hour and 26 minutes, the processor 120 may recommend to the user content having a play time equal to or shorter than 1 hour and 26 minutes. In this case, the recommended content may be a plurality of contents.

[0069] For example, if the playback time of the content is longer than the autonomous driving available time, the processor 120 may recommend a playback speed of at least one multimedia that can complete the playback of the content within the autonomous driving available time (e.g., determine a recommended playback speed). For example, if the playback time of the content selected by the user is twice the autonomous driving available time, the processor 120 may recommend a playback speed of multimedia corresponding to a 2x or higher speed at which the corresponding content can be played within the autonomous driving available time.

[0070] As another example, if the user selects a playback speed that cannot be completed within the available time for autonomous driving while selecting multimedia (e.g., if the vehicle receives the selection of the playback speed), the processor 120 may provide a notification indicating that the multimedia playback cannot be completed to the user, or recommend a playback speed that can complete the playback to the user in consideration of the autonomous driving time. For example, if the available time for autonomous driving is 1 hour and 26 minutes, and the user selects multimedia with a playback time of 2 hours and 52 minutes (the playback speed is 1x speed), the processor 120 may provide a notification indicating that the playback cannot be completed within the available time for autonomous driving at a playback speed of 1x speed, or recommend a playback speed of 2x speed or higher that can complete the playback.

[0071] As another example, if the playback speed of multimedia is selected first, the processor 120 may recommend at least one content that can complete the playback of multimedia within the available time for autonomous driving if the playback is performed at the selected playback speed. For example, in a case where the available time for autonomous driving is 1 hour and 26 minutes, if the user selects the playback speed of multimedia (i.e., 2x speed), the processor 120 may recommend content that can be completely played at the playback speed (i.e., 2x speed) and has a playback time equal to or less than 2 hours and 52 minutes.

[0072] For example, the processor 120 may recommend content that can be played for each playback speed in consideration of the available time for autonomous driving. For example, at least one of the following may be displayed on the display: a list of playable content videos when 1x playback speed is selected, a list of playable content videos when 1.5x playback speed is selected, and a list of playable content videos when 2x playback speed is selected, or any combination thereof.

[0073] For example, if multimedia is being played (e.g., playback of media content is started) while the vehicle is in autonomous driving (e.g., autonomous driving of the vehicle is activated), the processor 120 may pause the playback of multimedia when autonomous driving is released (e.g., autonomous driving of the vehicle is deactivated). That is, if the user or the vehicle releases the autonomous driving mode while the vehicle is driving in autonomous driving mode and multimedia is playing, the processor 120 may temporarily stop the multimedia being played by not allowing the playback of multimedia. In addition, if the autonomous driving of the vehicle is resumed again (e.g., autonomous driving of the vehicle is reactivated), the processor 120 may allow the paused multimedia to be played continuously from the paused portion (e.g., the location within the media content where playback was paused) (e.g., resume playback of the media content). That is, if the autonomous driving mode is resumed by the user or systematically resumed while driving in normal driving mode, the processor 120 may allow the paused multimedia to be played again by allowing the playback of multimedia again.

[0074] For example, if the number of autonomous driving available sections in the entire driving route of the vehicle is equal to or greater than 2, the processor 120 may compare the total available time for autonomous driving with the playback time of the content, and recommend content to the user, the total available time being the sum of at least two available times for autonomous driving corresponding to at least two autonomous driving available sections (e.g., at least two separate sections of the driving route), respectively.

[0075] As a specific example, content having a play time equal to or shorter than the total available time for autonomous driving, which is the sum of at least two available times for autonomous driving, may be recommended. For example, if the autonomous driving available section in the entire driving route consists of a first autonomous driving available section and a second autonomous driving available section that are discontinuous with each other, in the case where the first available time for autonomous driving corresponding to the first autonomous driving available section is 1 hour and 26 minutes and the second available time for autonomous driving corresponding to the second autonomous driving available section is 2 hours and 12 minutes, the processor 120 may compare the play time of the content with 3 hours and 38 minutes, which is the total available time for autonomous driving, i.e., the sum of 1 hour and 26 minutes of the first available time for autonomous driving and 2 hours and 12 minutes of the second available time for autonomous driving. In addition, the processor 120 may recommend content having a play time equal to or shorter than 3 hours and 38 minutes.

[0076] As another example, if there are at least two contents that can be completely played within the total available time for autonomous driving, all of the at least two contents may be recommended.

[0077] As an example, if the number of autonomous driving available sections in the entire driving route of the vehicle and the corresponding available time for autonomous driving are equal to or greater than 2, when the playback time of the content is greater than the total available time for autonomous driving, the total available time is the sum of at least two available times for autonomous driving, the processor 120 may recommend a playback speed of at least one multimedia that can complete the playback of the content within the total available time for autonomous driving.

[0078] As an example, in the case where the number of autonomous driving available sections in the entire driving route of the vehicle is equal to or greater than 2, the processor 120 may not allow the multimedia to be played in the autonomous driving unavailable section existing between at least two autonomous driving available sections. For example, in the case where the autonomous driving available sections in the entire driving route are composed of a first autonomous driving available section and a second autonomous driving available section that are not continuous with each other, if the autonomous driving mode is released when the vehicle leaves the first autonomous driving available section, the multimedia being played may be paused. In addition, if the autonomous driving mode is resumed again by entering the second autonomous driving available section, the paused multimedia may be played again from the paused portion.

[0079] As an example, the processor 120 may provide the autonomous driving available time to the terminal. The terminal may be connected to the vehicle via a wired or wireless connection. For example, since the available time for autonomous driving is provided to the user's smart device, the user may use the smart device to play multimedia during autonomous driving.

[0080] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a vehicle control device.

[0081] Figure 2 Examples of vehicle control devices shown in the figure may include at least one of an electronic control unit (ECU) 230, a vehicle external information sensor 242, a GPS receiver 244, a vehicle internal information sensor 246, a map database 248, a multimedia connection 252, a wired / wireless terminal connection 254, a human-machine interface (HMI) 262, a direction indicator 264, an emergency flashing indicator 266, a braking system 272, a drive system 274, and a steering system 276, or any combination thereof, but may not necessarily be limited to the exemplary embodiment.

[0082] For example, ECU 230 may include at least one of an external condition recognition device 231, a user input device 232, a driving state recognition device 233, a display controller 234, a lighting controller 235, a vehicle control device 200, an autonomous driving time determination device 236, a vehicle position recognition and route determination device 237, a collision determination prediction device 238, and a driving controller 239, or any combination thereof.

[0083] For example, the external condition recognition device 231 may recognize the external condition of the vehicle based on information acquired via the vehicle external information sensor 242. For example, the external condition recognition device 231 may recognize the overall condition of the road on which the vehicle is traveling.

[0084] For example, the user input device 232 may include at least one interface. For example, the user input device 232 may obtain a signal input from the user related to the driving of the vehicle based on at least one of a touch input, a voice input, and a motion input received from the user, or any combination thereof. As a specific example, the user may input a destination or select multimedia via the user input device 232.

[0085] For example, the driving state recognition device 233 can recognize the driving state of the vehicle based on at least a portion of the information acquired via the vehicle interior information sensor 246. For example, the driving state recognition device 233 can recognize the driving state of the vehicle based on at least one of the driving speed, driving direction and driving acceleration of the vehicle or any combination thereof.

[0086] For example, the display controller 234 may control information displayed on a display of the vehicle or a human-machine interface (HMI) 262. For example, the display controller 234 may display information about at least one of the entire driving route, the autonomous driving available section, the available time for autonomous driving, and the position of the vehicle on the entire driving route, or any combination thereof, on the display, the HMI 262, etc.

[0087] For example, the lighting controller 235 may control at least one lighting device provided in the vehicle. For example, the lighting controller 235 may control the lighting device to indicate a lighting state corresponding to at least one of a change in the driving direction of the vehicle, a parking state of the vehicle, and an emergency state of the vehicle, or any combination thereof.

[0088] For example, the vehicle control device 200 may include a memory 210 for storing program instructions and a processor 220 for executing the program instructions stored in the memory 210 .

[0089] For example, the processor 220 can execute program instructions. For example, the processor 220 is operably connected to at least one of the memory 210, the external condition recognition device 231, the user input device 232, the driving state recognition device 233, the display controller 234, the lighting controller 235, the autonomous driving time determination device 236, the vehicle position recognition and route determination decoration 237, the collision determination prediction device 238, and the driving controller 239, or any combination thereof.

[0090] For example, the autonomous driving time determining means 236 may calculate the available time for autonomous driving, which is the time required in the autonomous driving available section, based on the position of the vehicle on the entire driving route until the destination. For example, the autonomous driving time determining means 236 may continuously update and calculate the available time for autonomous driving in consideration of conditions such as at least one of the autonomous driving available section, the speed of the vehicle, and the traffic conditions until the destination, or any combination thereof.

[0091] For example, the vehicle position recognition and route determination device 237 can determine the vehicle's driving route by identifying the vehicle's current position. For example, the vehicle position recognition and route determination device 237 can set the vehicle's destination and determine the entire driving route from the current position to the destination to control the vehicle's driving.

[0092] For example, the collision determination prediction device 238 may calculate the possibility of the vehicle colliding with an external object (e.g., at least one of another vehicle, a building, a guardrail, and a person, or any combination thereof). For example, the collision determination prediction device 238 may calculate the possibility of a collision caused by an area around the vehicle when controlling autonomous driving of the vehicle.

[0093] For example, the driving controller 239 can control the autonomous driving of the vehicle by controlling at least one of the braking system 272, the drive system 274, and the steering system 276 related to the driving of the vehicle, or any combination thereof, based on the current position, predicted position, and driving route of the vehicle calculated by the vehicle position identification and route determination device 237, or any combination thereof.

[0094] For example, the vehicle external information sensor 242 may collect external information of the vehicle (eg, at least one of another vehicle information or road information, weather information, or any combination thereof) using at least one sensor.

[0095] For example, the GPS receiver 244 may use at least one sensor to acquire information about the current location of the vehicle.

[0096] For example, the vehicle interior information sensor 246 may obtain interior information of the vehicle (eg, at least one of user status information, driving status, and component operation status, or any combination thereof) using at least one sensor.

[0097] For example, the map database 248 may include map information for identifying the current location of the vehicle. For example, the map database 248 may include information about a location including the driving location of the vehicle. As another example, the map database 248 may include information about a road including an autonomous driving available section.

[0098] For example, the multimedia connection 252 may include a connection to an external device including multimedia data. For example, a memory storing multimedia data, a communication device that can receive multimedia data, etc. may be connected to the ECU 230.

[0099] For example, the wired / wireless terminal connection 254 may include a connection with a user's terminal (eg, a smart phone). For example, the ECU 230 may transmit information about the available time for autonomous driving of the vehicle, multimedia data, etc. to the wired / wireless terminal connection 254.

[0100] For example, the human-machine interface (HMI) 262 may include at least one multimedia device (e.g., a display, etc.). For example, the at least one multimedia device may include a device provided on at least one of a central instrument panel, a windshield, a side glass, and an instrument panel, or any combination thereof to output information to the outside or receive information from the outside. As a specific example, the HMI 262 may visually or audibly provide the user with at least one of the driving state, autonomous driving state, and external conditions of the vehicle, or any combination thereof, and may receive various inputs related to the vehicle from the user.

[0101] For example, the direction indicator 264 may indicate information about the driving direction based on the driving state of the vehicle. For example, the direction indicator 264 may visually display information about the driving direction based on the control of the ECU 230.

[0102] For example, the emergency flashing indicator 266 can provide a flashing indication about an emergency situation of the vehicle. For example, the emergency flashing indicator 266 can provide a flashing indication including information indicating that the current situation of the vehicle corresponds to an emergency situation based on the control of the ECU 230.

[0103] For example, the braking system 272 may control the braking of the vehicle. For example, the braking system 272 may control the braking of the vehicle under autonomous driving conditions based on the control of the driving controller 239. As a specific example, the braking system 272 may include at least one braking device (e.g., a brake).

[0104] For example, the drive system 274 can control the driving of the vehicle. For example, the drive system 274 can control the driving of the vehicle in an autonomous driving state based on the control of the travel controller 239. As a specific example, the drive system 274 can include at least one drive device (e.g., a motor).

[0105] For example, the steering system 276 can control the steering of the vehicle. For example, the steering system 276 can control the steering of the vehicle under autonomous driving conditions based on the control of the driving controller 239. As a specific example, the steering system 276 may include at least one steering device (e.g., a steering wheel, etc.).

[0106] The vehicle controls may allow the user to Figure 2 The various components shown in the figure use various convenient functions that are available during the autonomous driving available time, or by providing the user with information related to the autonomous driving of the vehicle (including the autonomous driving available time, etc.) together with the various components.

[0107] Figure 3 : is a diagram showing an example screen in which information including available time for autonomous driving and autonomous driving available sections is displayed on a display in a vehicle control device.

[0108] Reference Figure 3 , the vehicle control device may display, on a display 300 of the vehicle, an available time 350 for autonomous driving corresponding to an autonomous driving available section 330 in the entire driving route 320 to the destination.

[0109] For example, the autonomous driving available section 330 may be displayed to be distinguished on the entire driving route 320 to the destination. For example, the entire driving route 320 and the autonomous driving available section 330 may be displayed in different colors. Specifically, the autonomous driving available section 330 in the entire driving route 320 may be displayed in blue, and the section where the vehicle cannot travel in the autonomous driving mode may be displayed in white.

[0110] For example, the autonomous driving available section 330 may be displayed on the display 300 based on the ratio of the length of the section that the vehicle can travel in the autonomous driving mode to the length of the entire driving route 320. For example, if the length of the entire driving route 320 is 10 km and the length of the section that the vehicle can travel in the autonomous driving mode in the entire driving route 320 is 6 km, the entire driving route 320 and the autonomous driving available section 330 may be displayed on the display 300 at a length ratio corresponding to 10:6.

[0111] For example, the vehicle control device may display the available time 350 for autonomous driving corresponding to the autonomous driving available section 330 together with the autonomous driving available section 330 on the display 300. In this regard, the available time 350 for autonomous driving corresponding to the autonomous driving available section 330 may be a time calculated by reflecting the speed of the vehicle, the surrounding traffic conditions, etc., and may not change even when the vehicle travels in the autonomous driving available section 330. In other words, the available time 350 for autonomous driving corresponding to the autonomous driving available section 330 may not mean the remaining available time for autonomous driving based on the current position of the vehicle in the corresponding autonomous driving available section 330. The user may recognize the available time 350 for autonomous driving corresponding to the autonomous driving available section 330 in advance and refer to the available time 350 for autonomous driving when using the multimedia function.

[0112] For example, the vehicle's location may be displayed throughout the travel route 320 and may be represented as an icon, image, etc. 340 that may represent the vehicle's current location. As the vehicle travels toward a destination, the vehicle's location may start at a "departure" point and move to an "arrival" point.

[0113] For example, the vehicle control device may display, based on the vehicle position, the available time 310 required for autonomous driving in the autonomous driving available section in the entire driving route 320 to the destination on the display 300. For example, if before the vehicle enters the autonomous driving available section 330, the available time 310 required for autonomous driving in the autonomous driving available section based on the vehicle position may be displayed as the same time as the available time 350 for autonomous driving corresponding to the corresponding autonomous driving available section 330, and if after the vehicle enters the autonomous driving available section 330, it may be displayed as the autonomous driving available time remaining until the corresponding autonomous driving available section 330 ends.

[0114] As a specific example, if the available time 350 for autonomous driving corresponding to the autonomous driving available section 330 is 1 hour and 3 minutes, if the available time 310 for autonomous driving required in the autonomous driving available section based on the vehicle position before the vehicle enters the autonomous driving available section may be displayed as 1:03 corresponding to 1 hour and 3 minutes, and the available time 310 for autonomous driving required in the autonomous driving available section based on the vehicle position may be displayed as 0:33 corresponding to 33 minutes, then if the vehicle travels under autonomous driving for 30 minutes after entering the autonomous driving available section, the 33 minutes is the remaining time until the end of the autonomous driving available section 330.

[0115] like Figure 3 As shown, since the available sections for autonomous driving and the available time for autonomous driving in the entire driving route are provided to the user via an example screen that displays information including the available time for autonomous driving and the available sections for autonomous driving on a display, the vehicle control device can improve user convenience, such as selecting content that can be played in consideration of the available time for autonomous driving.

[0116] Figure 4 A diagram showing a display in a vehicle control device that displays a multimedia playback screen including an available time for autonomous driving.

[0117] refer to Figure 4 , the vehicle control device may display the available time 410 for autonomous driving on a display that displays the multimedia playback screen.

[0118] For example, even when multimedia is being played, the user can recognize the available time 410 for autonomous driving. In this regard, the available time 410 for autonomous driving can be the available time for autonomous driving required in the autonomous driving available section based on the location of the vehicle.

[0119] like Figure 4 As shown, even while watching a multimedia video, a user may identify available time 410 for autonomous driving.

[0120] Figure 5 An example screen is shown in which, if the number of autonomous driving available sections in the entire driving route of the vehicle is equal to or greater than 2 in the vehicle control device, information including the available time for autonomous driving and the autonomous driving available sections is displayed on the display.

[0121] refer to Figure 5 If the autonomous driving available sections in the vehicle's entire driving route 520 are two sections 532 and 534, the vehicle control device can display the available times 552 and 554 for autonomous driving corresponding to the sections 532 and 534, respectively, on the vehicle's display 500.

[0122] As an example, the vehicle's entire driving route 520 may include a first autonomous driving available section 534 and a second autonomous driving available section 532 in which the vehicle can travel in an autonomous driving mode, the first autonomous driving available section 534 may represent a section from point P1 to point P2, and the second autonomous driving available section 532 may represent a section from point P3 to point P4.

[0123] As an example, a first autonomous driving available segment 534 may be displayed on the display 500 based on a ratio of a length of the first autonomous driving available segment 534 to a length of the entire driving route 520, and a second autonomous driving available segment 532 may be displayed on the display 500 based on a ratio of a length of the second autonomous driving available segment 532 to a length of the entire driving route 520.

[0124] For example, the location of the vehicle may be displayed throughout the travel route 520 and may be represented as an icon, image, etc. 540 that may indicate the current location of the vehicle. As the vehicle travels toward a destination, the location of the vehicle begins at a "departure" point and moves to an "arrival" point.

[0125] For example, the vehicle control device may display the first autonomous driving available section 534 and the corresponding first available time 554 for autonomous driving, and the second autonomous driving available section 532 and the corresponding second available time 552 for autonomous driving on the display 500 .

[0126] As another example, the vehicle control device may display on the display 500 the available time 510 required for autonomous driving in the autonomous driving available section 534 in the entire driving route 520 to the destination based on the vehicle position.

[0127] For example, if the vehicle is traveling between point P0 and point P1 because before the vehicle enters the first autonomous driving available section 534, the available time 510 required for autonomous driving in the autonomous driving available section 534 based on the position of the vehicle may be displayed as 1:26 corresponding to the first available time 554 for autonomous driving.

[0128] For example, if the vehicle drives in the autonomous driving mode for 23 minutes after entering the first autonomous driving available section 534, the autonomous driving available time 510 required in the autonomous driving available section 534 based on the vehicle's position may be displayed as 1:03, which is the available time remaining for autonomous driving until the point at which the first autonomous driving available section ends.

[0129] For example, if the vehicle is traveling between point P2 and point P3 because before the vehicle enters the second autonomous driving available section 532, the available time 510 required for autonomous driving in the autonomous driving available section 532 based on the position of the vehicle may be displayed as 2:12 corresponding to the second available time 552 for autonomous driving.

[0130] As another example, when recommending content that can be played, the vehicle control device may compare the play time of the content with 3 hours and 38 minutes, which is the sum of 1 hour and 26 minutes as the first available time 554 for autonomous driving and 2 hours and 12 minutes as the second available time 552 for autonomous driving, which is the total available time for autonomous driving. For example, the vehicle control device may recommend content having a play time equal to or shorter than 3 hours and 38 minutes, which is the total available time for autonomous driving. In this regard, if there are at least two contents that can be played within the total available time for autonomous driving, all of the at least two contents may be recommended.

[0131] Fig. 6A is a diagram showing an example screen displayed on a display in a case where the vehicle is normally in autonomous driving in a vehicle control device.

[0132] Figure 6B is a diagram showing an example screen displayed on a display if an event that makes it impossible to continue autonomous driving (eg, an event that disables autonomous driving) occurs during autonomous driving of a vehicle in a vehicle control device.

[0133] refer to Fig. 6A and Figure 6BThe vehicle control device may include on the display 600 information about available time 610 and 620 required for autonomous driving in an autonomous driving available section based on the position of the vehicle, a virtual vehicle virtually representing a traveling vehicle, and at least one of virtual roads 630 and 640 that may represent a driving mode, or any combination thereof.

[0134] As Fig. 6A For example, if the vehicle is normally in autonomous driving, the available time 610 required for autonomous driving in the autonomous driving available section based on the position of the vehicle may be displayed on the display 600 in units of hours / minutes.

[0135] As Fig. 6A As another example, the vehicle control device may change the color representing the virtual road 630 based on whether the vehicle is traveling in the autonomous driving mode and display the virtual road 630 on the display 600. For example, if the vehicle is not traveling in the autonomous driving mode, the virtual road 630 may be displayed in black, and if the vehicle is traveling in the autonomous driving mode, the virtual road 630 may be displayed in blue.

[0136] As Figure 6B In an example, if an event that makes it impossible to continue autonomous driving occurs during autonomous driving of the vehicle, the vehicle control device may display and provide the available time 620 for autonomous driving on the display 600 of the vehicle. For example, after changing the hour / minute unit to the second unit, the available time 620 for autonomous driving required in the autonomous driving available section based on the position of the vehicle may be displayed on the display 600. In this case, the autonomous driving available time 620 displayed in seconds and the autonomous driving available time displayed in hours / minutes may be displayed in different colors. As a specific example, the autonomous driving available time displayed in hours / minutes may be displayed in white, and the autonomous driving available time 620 displayed in seconds may be displayed in red.

[0137] As Figure 6B As another example, if an event in which autonomous driving cannot be continued occurs during autonomous driving of the vehicle, the vehicle control device may change the color of the virtual road 640 and display the virtual road 640. For example, after the event in which autonomous driving cannot be continued occurs, the vehicle control device may change the color of the virtual road 640 that has been displayed in blue before the event in which autonomous driving cannot be continued occurs to red, and display the virtual road 640. In this case, after the event in which autonomous driving cannot be continued occurs, the virtual road 640 displayed in red may be displayed while repeatedly flashing.

[0138] like Fig. 6A and Figure 6BAs shown, if an event occurs during autonomous driving that makes it impossible to continue autonomous driving, safe driving can be promoted by clearly identifying the time point (e.g., location) for releasing the autonomous driving mode via the available time 620 for autonomous driving displayed in seconds and the virtual road 640 displayed in a changed color.

[0139] Figure 7 : is a diagram showing an example screen showing a point on a display at which an event that has occurred in an autonomous driving available section is displayed if an event that makes it impossible to continue autonomous driving has occurred in a vehicle control device.

[0140] refer to Figure 7 The vehicle control device may display on the display 700 at least one of the autonomous driving available time 710 required in the autonomous driving available section in the entire driving route to the destination based on the position of the vehicle, and the point 730 at which the event has occurred, or any combination thereof.

[0141] For example, if an event occurs during autonomous driving of the vehicle that makes it impossible to continue autonomous driving (e.g., an event that deactivates autonomous driving), the vehicle control device may display the autonomous driving available section and the point 730 at which the event occurs on the vehicle's display 700, or store the autonomous driving available section and the point 730 at which the event occurs in a memory.

[0142] For example, if an event that makes it impossible to continue autonomous driving occurs during autonomous driving in the autonomous driving available section of the vehicle, the vehicle control device may display the point where the event occurs in the autonomous driving available section 730. In this regard, the event that makes it impossible to continue autonomous driving may include at least one of the following situations: a situation in which the user is requested to transfer control (TD, transfer request), a situation corresponding to risk minimization driving (MRM, minimum risk maneuver), a situation corresponding to emergency driving (EM, emergency maneuver), and a situation in which road construction is in progress, or any combination thereof.

[0143] like Figure 7 As shown, the vehicle control device can reflect information about point 730 where the event of disabling autonomous driving has occurred in map information, etc., so that the user can visually identify the position of point 730 where the event of disabling autonomous driving has occurred on the entire driving route.

[0144] Figure 8 is a flow chart showing a vehicle control method.

[0145] In the following, it can be assumed that Figure 1 The processor 120 executes Figure 8 in the processing.

[0146] refer to Figure 8In an exemplary vehicle control, the processor may receive an available time for autonomous driving from the vehicle. In this regard, the available time for autonomous driving may include the time required in an autonomous driving available section in the entire driving route to the destination based on the location of the vehicle.

[0147] As an example, the processor may provide the autonomous driving available time calculated by the vehicle to at least one of a display and an audio system of the vehicle or any combination thereof ( S810 ), and the processor may determine whether the vehicle is in autonomous driving ( S820 ).

[0148] For example, if the vehicle is in autonomous driving ("Yes" in S820), the processor may activate the multimedia playback function of the vehicle (S830). In this case, the user can play multimedia including videos during the autonomous driving of the vehicle.

[0149] For example, if the vehicle is not in autonomous driving (no in S820), the processor may deactivate the multimedia playback function of the vehicle (S840). In this case, during vehicle driving, the user cannot play multimedia including videos.

[0150] Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing a method of displaying the autonomous driving available time if an event occurs that makes it impossible to continue the autonomous driving in a vehicle control method.

[0151] refer to Fig. 9 In an exemplary vehicle control method, a processor may receive an available time for autonomous driving from a vehicle. In this regard, the available time for autonomous driving may include a time required in an autonomous driving available section in the entire driving route to a destination based on the location of the vehicle.

[0152] For example, the processor may provide the autonomous driving available time calculated by the controller of the vehicle to at least one of a display and an audio system of the vehicle, or any combination thereof ( S910 ).

[0153] As an example, the processor may determine whether the vehicle is in autonomous driving ( S920 ).

[0154] For example, if the vehicle is not in autonomous driving (No in S920), the processor may return to the operation of providing the autonomous driving available time normally calculated by the vehicle's controller to at least one of the vehicle's display and audio system or any combination thereof (S910).

[0155] For example, if the vehicle is in autonomous driving (Yes in S920 ), it may be determined whether an event has occurred in which the autonomous driving cannot continue.

[0156] For example, if an event that makes it impossible to continue autonomous driving has occurred (Yes in S930), the processor may display and provide the available time for autonomous driving on the display of the vehicle. As a specific example, the processor may display the available time for autonomous driving in seconds (S940). In this regard, the color of the available time for autonomous driving displayed in seconds may be different from the color of the available time for autonomous driving displayed in hours / minutes.

[0157] For example, if an event that makes it impossible to continue the autonomous driving has not occurred (No in S930 ), the processor may display the available time for the autonomous driving in units of hours / minutes ( S950 ).

[0158] Fig.10 A computing system is shown.

[0159] refer to Fig.10 , the computing system 1000 may include at least one processor 1100 , a memory 1300 , a user interface input device 1400 , a user interface output device 1500 , a storage device 1600 , and a network interface 1700 connected via a bus 1200 .

[0160] The processor 1100 may be a central processing unit (CPU) or a semiconductor device that performs processing on commands stored in the memory 1300 and / or the storage device 1600. The memory 1300 and the storage device 1600 may include various types of volatile or nonvolatile storage media. For example, the memory 1300 may include a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0161] Therefore, the operation of the method or algorithm described in conjunction with one or more exemplary embodiments disclosed herein may be directly embodied as a hardware or software module executed by the processor 1100, or as a combination thereof. The software module may reside on a storage medium (i.e., memory 1300 and / or storage device 1600) such as RAM, flash memory, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, registers, hard disk, removable disk, and CD-ROM.

[0162] For example, the storage medium is coupled to the processor 1100, and the processor 1100 can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. In another method, the storage medium can be integrated with the processor 1100. The processor and the storage medium can reside in an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The ASIC can reside in a user terminal. In another method, the processor and the storage medium can reside in a user terminal as separate components.

[0163] The above description is merely an illustration of the technical concept of the present disclosure, and those skilled in the art may make various modifications and changes without departing from the essential features of the present disclosure.

[0164] Therefore, the exemplary embodiments disclosed in the present disclosure are not intended to limit the technical concept of the present disclosure, but are used to illustrate the present disclosure, and the scope of the technical concept of the present disclosure is not limited by the embodiments. The scope of the present disclosure should be interpreted as being covered by the scope of the attached claims, and all technical concepts falling within the scope of the claims should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present disclosure.

[0165] The present technology provides the user with autonomous driving available time throughout the driving route to the destination, so that the user can use various convenient functions available within the available time for autonomous driving.

[0166] In addition, the present technology determines whether the vehicle is in autonomous driving, and allows the playback of multimedia if the vehicle is in autonomous driving, so that the user can use the multimedia function during the autonomous driving available time.

[0167] In addition, the present technology recommends content that can be played back within the available time for autonomous driving or recommends the playback speed of multimedia for playing back within the available time for autonomous driving, so that if the user selects content that can be used within the available time for autonomous driving, convenience can be enhanced.

[0168] In addition, the present technology displays the available time for autonomous driving in seconds, or if an event occurs during the autonomous driving of the vehicle that makes it impossible to continue autonomous driving, the point at which the event occurred is displayed on the display, so that the user can actively respond to the event that makes it impossible to continue autonomous driving and improve the convenience of using multimedia.

[0169] Furthermore, various effects directly or indirectly recognized by this document can be provided.

[0170] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings, the present disclosure is not limited thereto but various modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as claimed in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A device for controlling a vehicle, the device include: a memory configured to store program instructions; as well as a processor configured to execute the program instructions, Wherein, the processor is configured to: outputting, via at least one of a display of the vehicle and an audio system of the vehicle, available autonomous driving travel time associated with a portion of a driving route to a destination that is suitable for autonomous driving, wherein the available autonomous driving travel time is determined based on a location of the vehicle; and Based on a determination that autonomous driving of the vehicle is activated, media playback in the vehicle is permitted.

2. The device according to claim 1, in, The processor is configured to output the available autonomous driving driving time by displaying at least one of: the entire driving route, the portion suitable for autonomous driving, the available autonomous driving driving time associated with the portion suitable for autonomous driving, and the position of the vehicle on the driving route.

3. The device according to claim 1, in, The processor is further configured to determine recommended media content having a play time that is less than or equal to the available autonomous driving travel time.

4. The device according to claim 1, in, The processor is further configured to determine a recommended playback speed of the media content for completing playback of the media content within the available autonomous driving driving time based on the playback time of the media content being greater than the available autonomous driving driving time.

5. The device according to claim 1, in, The processor is further configured to: receiving a selection of a playback speed; and Recommended media content is determined, wherein a play time of the recommended media content at a selected play speed is less than or equal to the available autonomous driving travel time.

6. The device according to claim 1, in, The processor is further configured to: Based on the autonomous driving of the vehicle being activated, starting playback of media content; Based on the autonomous driving being deactivated, pausing playback of the media content; as well as Based on the autonomous driving being reactivated, resuming playback of the media content from the paused position.

7. The device according to claim 1, in, The processor is further configured to: Based on a portion of the driving route that includes at least two separate segments of the driving route, outputting via at least one of the display and the audio system: at least two travel times, each travel time being associated with a respective segment of the at least two separate segments of the travel route, and the at least two separate sections of the travel route, Therein, the at least two travel times are determined based on the position of the vehicle in one of the at least two separate sections of the travel route.

8. The device according to claim 1, in, The processor is configured to output the available autonomous driving travel time based on an event that deactivates the autonomous driving.

9. The device according to claim 1, in, The processor is further configured to store in the memory or display based on an event that deactivates the autonomous driving: the portion of the driving route suitable for autonomous driving, and The location where the event in question has occurred.

10. The device according to claim 1, in, The processor is further configured to provide the available autonomous driving travel time to a terminal, wherein the terminal is connected to the vehicle via a wired connection or a wireless connection.

11. A method for controlling a vehicle, the method include: outputting, by a processor and via at least one of a display of the vehicle and an audio system of the vehicle, available autonomous driving travel time associated with a portion of a driving route to a destination that is suitable for autonomous driving, wherein the available autonomous driving travel time is determined based on a location of the vehicle; and Based on a determination that autonomous driving of the vehicle is activated, media playback in the vehicle is enabled by the processor.

12. The method according to claim 11, in, The output of available autonomous driving time includes: At least one of: the entire driving route, the portion suitable for autonomous driving, the available autonomous driving driving time associated with the portion suitable for autonomous driving, and the position of the vehicle on the driving route is displayed.

13. The method according to claim 11, further comprising: include: Recommended media content having a play time less than or equal to the available autonomous driving travel time is determined.

14. The method according to claim 11, further comprising: include: Based on the playback time of the media content being greater than the available autonomous driving travel time, a recommended playback speed of the media content for completing playback of the media content within the available autonomous driving travel time is determined.

15. The method according to claim 11, further comprising: include: receiving a selection of a playback speed; as well as Recommended media content is determined, wherein a play time of the recommended media content at a selected play speed is less than or equal to the available autonomous driving travel time.

16. The method according to claim 11, further comprising: include: Based on the autonomous driving of the vehicle being activated, starting playback of media content; Based on the autonomous driving being deactivated, pausing, by the processor, playback of the media content; as well as Based on the autonomous driving being reactivated, resuming playback of the media content from the paused position.

17. The method according to claim 11, further comprising: include: Based on a portion of the driving route that includes at least two separate segments of the driving route, outputted by the processor via at least one of the display and the audio system: at least two travel times, each travel time being associated with a respective segment of the at least two separate segments of the travel route, and the at least two separate sections of the travel route, Therein, the at least two travel times are determined based on the position of the vehicle in one of the at least two separate sections of the travel route.

18. The method according to claim 11, in, Outputting the available autonomous driving travel time includes outputting the available autonomous driving travel time based on an event that deactivates the autonomous driving.

19. The method according to claim 11, further comprising: include: Based on an event that deactivates the autonomous driving, storing or displaying: the portion of the driving route suitable for autonomous driving, and The location where the event in question has occurred.

20. The method according to claim 11, further comprising: include: The available autonomous driving travel time is provided by the processor to a terminal, wherein the terminal is connected to the vehicle via a wired connection or a wireless connection.

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