Method and assistance system for supporting time-coordinated communication and corresponding mobile system

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and an assistance system (14, 16) for supporting communication during a trip of a mobile system (1). Wherein the remaining travel time is determined for the contacts (7, 11) of the driver (2). The remaining travel time is compared to the remaining travel time of the mobile system (1) itself. On this basis, a potential communication partner (7) having a similar remaining travel time is determined and a profile of the potential communication partner (7) is output to the driver (2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a method and an assistance system for communication support during a journey via a mobile system. The invention also relates to a correspondingly configured mobile system. Background Art

[0002] The operation of a mobile system, i.e., driving by means of a motor vehicle, can be used not only for pure travel, but can also provide possibilities and opportunities for social contacts. For example, document DE 10 2011 080 490 A1 describes optimized route planning for a joint trip. Specifically, a journey management method for planning a route for at least two parties is described. A starting point and an arrival point as well as common travel aspects are defined for each party. At least one route plan is then selected, wherein a route leads from the starting point of each party to the arrival point of each party, respectively, and wherein the selection is optimized according to the common travel aspects.

[0003] As another application, document US2014 / 0244110A1 describes a method for supporting the use of recreational vehicles. In this method, data from users about paths, path conditions and points of interest in relevant areas are collected. Based on a corresponding user query to define a planned off-road route in one of these areas, a corresponding map containing path conditions and locations of interest is generated. During the movement of the user along this route by the recreational vehicle, the corresponding position information is detected. It is then published to other users based on the corresponding permissions of the user, and user feedback information about the route is collected from the user.

[0004] However, inconveniences may also occur in real-time communications related to a journey or a trip, for example when a journey or a trip ends or is interrupted, the communication, ie, for example, a conversation, must end abruptly and possibly unexpectedly for one of the callers. Summary of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to enable a particularly comfortable communication between the driver of a mobile system and the occupants of other vehicles during travel.

[0006] This technical problem is solved by the content of the independent claims. Other feasible designs of the present invention are given in the dependent claims, the description and the drawings. The features, advantages and feasible designs described in the description of one of the independent claims should at least be similarly regarded as the features, advantages and feasible designs of the corresponding contents of the other independent claims and each possible combination of the contents of the independent claims (combined with one or more dependent claims if necessary).

[0007] The method according to the invention is used to support communication during the operation of the mobile system, for example, during the driving of the mobile system, in particular voice communication or video call or AR or VR or MR conversation, such as telephone or IP-based or data-based conversation, etc. In one method step of the method according to the invention, the remaining travel time or travel duration of the mobile system to the driving target, i.e., the destination of the current trip is automatically determined. For this purpose, for example, the remaining travel time can be queried or calculated or estimated from the navigation system. In another method step of the method according to the invention, for the contacts in the address book of the driver of the mobile system or the corresponding contact persons, such as friends or acquaintances, in particular for the predetermined selection of contacts, it is determined whether they are also currently on the road, especially in the corresponding means of transportation. If necessary, that is, for those contacts that have been determined to be currently on the road, the corresponding remaining travel time or travel duration to their corresponding travel destination is also automatically determined, i.e., for example, queried or calculated or estimated, etc.

[0008] In a further method step of the method according to the invention, the determined remaining travel time of the contacts identified as currently on the road is automatically compared with the remaining travel time of the mobile system or the driver of the mobile system. That is, it is determined here which of the respective contacts are expected to be on the road for a shorter, approximately the same, or longer time than the mobile system or the driver of the mobile system until the respective journey destination is reached. On this basis, those contacts who are currently on the road and whose remaining travel time coincides with the remaining travel time of the mobile system or the driver of the mobile system to the extent that at least does not exceed a predetermined maximum deviation are determined and classified as potential communication partners for the driver of the mobile system. These potential communication partners are therefore persons given in the address book who are on the road or will be on the road at the same time as the driver of the mobile system with a travel time that is at least similar to the predetermined maximum deviation.

[0009] In a further method step of the method according to the invention, an overview of these potential communication partners is output to the driver, for example provided or displayed for selection, etc. Here, a plurality of contacts and potential communication partners are mentioned only in a general sense, but the case of only one contact and / or only one potential communication partner can also be included.

[0010] Basically, the travel time can be conveniently and practically used for conversations or phone calls, etc. For this purpose, for example, the desired conversation partner can be simply called at will. It is also possible to plan the corresponding conversation appointments before driving or determine the available conversation partners based on a shared appointment calendar, etc. But in practice this leads to problems. For example, the called conversation partner must interrupt his current activities when necessary or the conversation must end quite suddenly at the end of the journey, which is unforeseeable or unplanned for the called conversation partner. For example, this will be considered unpleasant or impolite. The corresponding appointment will also be associated with additional costs, which is usually disadvantageous. In addition, short-term updates, such as due to unplanned delays, etc., are not always appropriate or practical, especially for private conversations that are only used to keep in touch or exchange news, etc. Similarly, the shared appointment calendar is related to a lot of work for maintenance and updating, and therefore cannot always be represented as a reliable data basis to actually determine which people are actually available to talk at a certain time.

[0011] On the contrary, the present invention provides help here, before contacting, i.e., before calling, which contacts, i.e., persons, at least spend similar time periods in the vehicle, and therefore at least have a greater chance of being available for conversation with corresponding similar time periods. The driver can thereby know in advance which contacts he can communicate or talk with and for how long, without causing uncomfortable or impolite situations, or having to, for example, unilaterally end the conversation early, etc. Therefore, the two communication partners or conversation partners, i.e., the driver and the corresponding selected potential communication partner, can rationally utilize their corresponding travel time or driving time, without having to, for example, postpone or interrupt tasks or obligations. Since by using the method according to the present invention, the two communication partners or conversation partners will arrive at their respective travel destinations at least approximately at the same time, then even without explicit deadline agreements or negotiations or instructions, the two communication partners or conversation partners will usually strive to end the communication or conversation at least approximately at the same time, so that the communication or conversation constitutes a natural, harmonious and comfortable end.

[0012] Basically, the driver and other persons, such as contacts of the driver, can each select or specify whether they use the functions described here, i.e. whether they want to participate in the method. For example, it is possible to log in or out of participation in the method as required, or to activate or deactivate the corresponding functions as required. This can prevent, for example, persons who are classified as potential dialogue partners according to other available data, but who do not want corresponding communication, for example, basically or during the current journey, from participating in the communication.

[0013] The invention as a whole therefore provides a particularly comfortable, socially acceptable and contractually acceptable solution for communication and thus simplifies particularly comfortable contact with family, friends and acquaintances, for example. The invention can also be used to utilize the available time during travel, for example to have an effective conversation with work colleagues, business partners or service providers, such as workers on their way to a construction site, etc.

[0014] In the present invention, one or more potential communication partners can be determined respectively. If there are, for example, multiple potential communication partners, i.e., contacts with the same or similar remaining travel time, the driver can, for example, establish simultaneous communication or communication connections with multiple communication partners, for example within the scope of a conference conversation, etc.

[0015] In a possible design of the present invention, when route guidance is activated by means of a navigation system, at least the remaining travel time of the mobile system is queried from the navigation system. At least when route guidance by means of a navigation system is not activated, the remaining travel time is predicted based on the past travel history of the corresponding means of transport and / or the corresponding driver. For this purpose, for example, the corresponding pattern of the journey or the driver can be learned to predict the corresponding journey destination or directly predict the estimated remaining travel time. In particular, if only the corresponding estimated journey destination is predicted first, for example, the most likely route to the estimated journey destination can be determined. For this purpose, for example, a predetermined MPP algorithm (MPP: Most Probable Path) or the like can be used. In addition, for example, the remaining travel time along the route can also be determined by conventional travel or journey time estimation. For the prediction of the remaining travel time or at least the estimated journey destination proposed here, for example, a correspondingly trained machine learning device, i.e., for example, an artificial neural network or the like can be used. In contrast, today's common navigation systems automatically calculate the remaining travel time to reach the corresponding journey or navigation destination. Therefore, the corresponding remaining travel time can be read out from the corresponding navigation system. The design of the present invention proposed here enables a flexible, reliable and effective application of the method according to the present invention.

[0016] In another feasible design of the present invention, in order to determine at least the remaining travel time of the mobile system, the appointment calendar of the corresponding driver is evaluated in terms of relevant time information and / or relevant position information, especially for the next appointment. The appointment calendar or the time and / or position information contained therein can be considered as an input or auxiliary or boundary condition for determining the travel time. For example, if the time and place for the next appointment is given in the appointment calendar, it can be automatically checked based on the current time point and the current position of the mobile system whether the expected travel time to the corresponding place of the appointment is at least basically consistent with the remaining time period of the time information to the appointment, for example, it does not exceed the predetermined tolerance. If so, the expected travel time to arrive at the appointment place can be determined as the remaining travel time. Similarly, for example, the corresponding appointment calendar of the contact can be analyzed to determine its corresponding remaining travel time.

[0017] The design proposed by the present invention can be used, for example, even without the activation of route guidance by the navigation system, or thus achieve a higher accuracy and reliability of communication support when route guidance is activated. For example, if the travel time or driving time to reach the set itinerary or navigation destination according to the navigation system is significantly greater, for example, greater than the remaining time to the start of the next appointment registered in the appointment calendar to the extent of exceeding a predetermined tolerance, then the appointment can be made, for example, at a point along the navigation route, for which the driver does not need to activate route guidance specifically. Then, for example, with the end of the appointment, if necessary even depending on the movement state of the mobile system, the estimated travel time to reach the set itinerary or navigation destination can be used as the remaining travel time. Accordingly, for example, the potential communication partner can be displayed to the driver only after the end of the appointment or when the mobile system moves again after the appointment or the corresponding intermediate stop.

[0018] In another feasible design of the present invention, the predicted intermediate stations of the mobile system along the journey to the final journey destination are determined. For example, it can be read out or automatically predicted from the corresponding navigation system during active route guidance, such as similar to the method for determining travel time described in other positions. Then the remaining travel time is determined as the remaining travel time until the next intermediate station, or the time period between two preceding intermediate stations, or the time period between the last intermediate station and the final journey destination. For example, if according to the navigation system or according to the usual habits of the driver, that is, the history of the journey or the corresponding learned journey pattern, the driver stops as an intermediate station or intermediate destination on his journey to the workplace in the morning, such as at a daycare kindergarten or a school or a bakery, then it can be determined and output potential communication partners for example only for or only for the remaining travel time from the intermediate station to the final journey destination, that is, to the driver's workplace. Similarly, in the corresponding situation, after the intermediate station or after starting from the intermediate station, the contacts who follow the corresponding route or the corresponding journey pattern are considered or displayed or output as potential communication partners. The design of the present invention proposed here realizes more accurate coordination of communication and the actual travel behavior of the driver. Therefore, the present invention can provide more flexible and reliable communication support.

[0019] In another feasible design of the present invention, the remaining travel time and contacts of the mobile system and / or the driver are stored in the corresponding user configuration. These user configurations are managed in a server device outside the vehicle, such as a backend or cloud server or data center, etc. Then, a list of contacts is used as the driver's address book, and the contacts agree to participate in the method and their user configuration is correspondingly associated with the driver's user configuration. Data for determining the corresponding remaining travel time, such as data from the navigation system of the corresponding vehicle, etc., can be sent to the server device, and then the server device can determine the corresponding remaining travel time. Similarly, the corresponding remaining travel time can also be determined locally, such as in the corresponding vehicle itself. The determined remaining travel time can be sent directly to the server device, for example, or first stored, that is, saved in the local user configuration, that is, locally in the instance of the corresponding user configuration stored in the corresponding vehicle. The local user configuration can then be synchronized with the server device or the instance of the corresponding user configuration stored in the server device. The integration of the server device outside the vehicle into the execution of the method according to the present invention proposed here can realize a particularly simple, effective and reliable application of the method according to the present invention. For example, this can minimize the data transmission cost, that is, reduce the use of the communication network used, especially the use of mobile wireless networks. Likewise, data protection requirements can thereby also be met particularly easily and effectively.

[0020] In another possible design of the present invention, a ranking table, i.e., a ranking of potential communication partners, is created. Then, according to the ranking table, i.e., in particular, starting from the highest level in descending order or corresponding classification, the potential communication partners are output to the driver of the mobile system. Here, a smaller difference between the remaining travel time of the potential communication partner and the remaining travel time of the driver of the mobile system leads to a higher level in the ranking table, i.e., a higher ranking. In other words, potential communication partners whose remaining travel time is particularly accurately consistent with the remaining travel time of the mobile system or the driver are output preferentially. In this way, it can be achieved or realized that the communication or the selection of the corresponding communication or dialogue partner is particularly accurately coordinated according to the remaining travel time of the mobile system or the driver. In this way, the advantages described in other parts can be achieved particularly effectively.

[0021] In a further possible embodiment of the invention, for the ranking list, i.e. for the creation of the ranking list or for the corresponding ranking of the potential communication partners, the corresponding estimated, i.e. expected noise load and / or the estimated, i.e. expected load or load, in particular the estimated cognitive load, of the corresponding potential communication partners along the corresponding travel route is determined and taken into account. Here, a lower estimated noise load and / or a lower estimated load leads to a higher ranking in the ranking list.

[0022] In order to determine the expected load, for example, the corresponding environment and / or stress or vital signs of the corresponding potential communication partner can be determined and taken into account. For example, a journey in an inner city, especially when the traffic density is high, is more demanding or more stressful or more stressful than a journey along a straight highway with a speed limit, especially when the traffic density is low. Similarly, in order to determine the expected load, for example, the auxiliary system equipment of the corresponding vehicle of the corresponding potential communication partner or the degree of automation of the corresponding vehicle can be taken into account. Here, higher quality, more complete equipment or a higher degree of automation leads to lower expected pressure. For example, pressure values ​​or vital signs can be determined as or based on data from a driver observation device, especially a driver observation camera, and / or as or based on data from corresponding sensors worn on the body, etc. Such sensors can, for example, be connected or associated with the server device mentioned in the corresponding vehicle or other parts or the corresponding configuration managed there.

[0023] For determining the predicted noise load, for example, the predicted speed and / or the predicted traffic density and / or the presence of construction sites and / or the road surface conditions along the respective travel route can be taken into account. For example, a higher noise load can be assumed in the case of higher speeds or higher traffic density or the presence of construction sites or poorer road surface quality. Poor road surface quality is present, for example, in the case of a large number of potholes or icy roads. Likewise, for example, paved stone roads, i.e., stone roads, etc., are of poorer quality than roads made of asphalt, in particular open-pore asphalt, i.e., so-called noise-reducing asphalt.

[0024] By means of the embodiment of the invention proposed here, the communication support can be coordinated not only in time but also in the corresponding environment. This can further improve the user's comfort. For example, this can make it possible for the driver to select a communication or conversation partner particularly simple and reliable, thereby achieving a communication with this partner that is particularly easy to understand and / or particularly stress-free from an acoustic point of view and is therefore ultimately particularly pleasant and comfortable.

[0025] In another possible design of the present invention, in order to output potential communication partners, they are shown in an overview by a display device, especially a display device of a mobile system. In this overview, the potential communication partner itself can be identified by a predetermined status symbol, and / or its corresponding remaining travel time can be displayed next to the potential communication partner, for example, next to its name or avatar, etc. The remaining travel time can be clearly displayed here, that is, for example, displayed with a numerical value or a running counter, or can be implicitly displayed, that is, for example, displayed by color coding. For example, a green mark indicates that the remaining travel time is particularly good or just matched, a yellow or orange mark indicates a not very good match, and a red mark indicates that the remaining travel time is even worse. The remaining travel time can be displayed or output as an absolute value or a difference with the remaining travel time of the mobile system or the driver himself. By outputting the remaining travel time of the potential communication partner, the driver can, for example, adjust his speed so that his remaining travel time is better matched with the remaining travel time of the desired communication partner. In addition to the potential communication partner, the overview can also contain or display other contacts of the driver. By the design of the present invention proposed here, it is realized for the driver to be able to select the desired communication or dialogue partner particularly easily and comfortably.

[0026] The present invention also relates to an auxiliary system, which comprises an input interface for collecting input data, a data processing device for processing the input data and generating an output, and an output interface for issuing a corresponding output. The input interface and the output interface can be separate or integrated or combined in a common interface. The input interface and the output interface can be implemented in hardware and / or software in whole or in part. The auxiliary system according to the present invention is configured to execute, in particular automatically execute, the method according to the present invention or participate in the method according to the present invention, that is, to be used for the method according to the present invention. For example, the auxiliary system can be designed as an auxiliary device for a mobile system, or include an auxiliary device for a mobile system. Similarly, the auxiliary system can be or include a server device external to the vehicle described in combination with the method according to the present invention, or a combination thereof with at least one auxiliary device for a mobile system. According to the design of the auxiliary system, it can be configured to execute one or more or all of the method steps, measures or processes in combination with the method according to the present invention. For example, the auxiliary system in its design as an auxiliary device for a mobile system or a corresponding part of the auxiliary system can be configured to execute the method steps on the vehicle side, and the auxiliary system in its design as a server device external to the vehicle or a corresponding part of the auxiliary system external to the vehicle can be configured to execute the method steps on the server side.

[0027] The corresponding arrangement of the auxiliary system may, for example, indicate that the data processing device comprises a processing device, such as a microchip or a microprocessor or a microcontroller, etc., and also comprises a computer-readable data memory connected thereto, wherein a corresponding operating program or computer program is stored in the data memory. The operating program or computer program may encode or implement corresponding method steps, measures or processes or corresponding control instructions, and may be executed by the processing device to perform the corresponding method or corresponding method steps.

[0028] The invention also relates to a mobile system having a communication device for collecting data on potential communication partners for the driver of the mobile system and an output device, in particular a screen or a display, which is used to output the corresponding potential communication partners based on the remaining travel time. The mobile system is configured to execute the method according to the invention or to participate in the method according to the invention. For this purpose, the mobile system can be equipped with an auxiliary system according to the invention, which is designed as an auxiliary device for the mobile system or a part of the corresponding vehicle side equipped with the auxiliary system according to the invention. The mobile system according to the invention can in particular be a mobile system in combination with the method according to the invention and / or in combination with the auxiliary system according to the invention, or a mobile system corresponding thereto. For example, the data on potential communication partners detected by the communication device can be or include a list of these potential communication partners and / or their remaining travel time.

[0029] Other features of the present invention can be derived from the following description of the drawings and from the drawings. The features and feature combinations mentioned in the above description, as well as the features and feature combinations shown in the following description of the drawings and / or in the drawings alone, can be used not only in the given combination, but also in other combinations or alone without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The single FIGURE shows a schematic overview with a plurality of vehicles and associated navigation routes as well as a server device in order to illustrate a method for supporting communication during a journey. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Figure 1 The schematic diagram of the overview with a plurality of vehicles and their navigation routes is shown. Specifically, a mobile system 1 is shown here, which is driven by a driver 2 along a travel route 3. Along the travel route 3, the mobile system 1 first reaches an intermediate destination 4 and from there continues to reach the travel destination 5.

[0032] Also shown here is a first other person's vehicle 6 , whose driver is a first contact 7 of the driver 2 of the mobile system 1 . The first other person's vehicle 6 is traveling along a first route 8 to a first travel destination 9 .

[0033] Also shown here is a second other person's vehicle 10, whose driver is a second contact 11 of the driver 2 of the mobile system 1. The second other person's vehicle 10 travels along a second route 12 to a second travel destination 13.

[0034] Also shown here is a vehicle-external server 14 .

[0035] The mobile system 1 and the other vehicles 6 , 10 can communicate with a server 14 via radio signals 15 , which are schematically shown here, and / or can communicate directly with each other if necessary.

[0036] During the journey to the travel destination 5, the driver 2 may have time and desire to communicate. Due to the different lengths of the travel route 3, the first route 8 and the second route 12 and possibly other restrictions, such as due to the mobile system 1 stopping at an intermediate destination 4, not all contacts 7, 11 are suitable as actual conversation partners, especially if the optimal time utilization of the respective travel time is to be achieved and interruptions or premature terminations of the communication or conversation are to be avoided. Therefore, the mobile system 1 and the server 14 as well as the other vehicles 6, 10 are configured to support the driver 2 in the respective communication.

[0037] For this purpose, the mobile system 1 has an auxiliary device 16 that is configured accordingly. The other vehicles 6, 10 are equipped with corresponding communication devices 17 for communicating at least with the server 14. In order to receive and send corresponding radio signals 15, the server 14 has a server interface 18 as well as a server processor 19 and a server data memory 20 as shown in the figure. The mobile system 1 is also equipped with a navigation system 21 and a display device 22. The auxiliary device 16 has an interface 23, a processor 24 and a data memory 25 as shown in the figure. Via the interface 23, the auxiliary device 16 can, for example, ask the navigation system 21 for the remaining travel time of the mobile system 1 to the travel destination 5, send a radio signal 1 to the server 14, receive other radio signals 1 from the server 14, and finally output a list of potential communication partners to it for display via the display device 22.

[0038] The driver 2 and the contacts 7, 11 can, for example, create corresponding user profiles, wherein these user profiles can be managed in the server 14. Here, the user profiles of the driver 2 and the contacts 7, 11 can be associated with each other. This association can be made, for example, based on the telephone numbers of the contacts 7, 11 stored in the mobile phone of the driver 2. In the user profile, for example, it can be stated separately whether it is desired to participate in the method described here, which can also be automatically taken into account when selecting a potential communication partner or selecting a contact for whom to determine his remaining travel time. It is also possible to form a group by corresponding information or authorization, or to allow or exclude only specific people or user profiles, etc.

[0039] If the driver 2 activates a corresponding function for communication support, for example the auxiliary device 16, the remaining travel time of the mobile system 1 can then be automatically determined and stored in the user configuration of the driver 2 in the server 14. The remaining travel time of other vehicles 6, 10 can also be determined and stored in the corresponding user configuration in the server 14. When determining, i.e. calculating, the remaining travel time, possible intermediate stops can also be taken into account, i.e., the intermediate destination 4 of the mobile system 1. Depending on the circumstances, the remaining travel time can be determined, for example, as the travel time to the intermediate destination 4 or the travel time for the travel route section 26 from the intermediate destination 4 to the trip destination 5. In particular, the remaining travel time can be determined automatically or passively, i.e., for this purpose without active user input or the like.

[0040] The server 14 then compares the determined remaining travel time of the mobile system 1 with the remaining travel times stored for the associated user profile, here with the remaining travel times of the first other person's vehicle 6 and the second other person's vehicle 10. The server 14 can check which of the contacts 7, 11 of the driver 2 has a remaining travel time that is comparable or similar to the remaining travel time of the mobile system 1 itself or its driver 2.

[0041] Here, it can be determined that during the journey along the travel route segment 26, an uninterrupted time period is constituted which is free for communication for the driver 2. As can be seen in the figure, the length of the travel route segment 26 and the first route 8 are similar, while the length of the second route 12 is significantly longer in comparison, so that at least substantially the same remaining travel time is constituted for the mobile system 1 along the travel route segment 26 and the first other person's vehicle 6 along its first route 8. In comparison, the remaining travel time of the second other person's vehicle 10 along its second route 12 is significantly longer.

[0042] On this basis, the server 14 can create a ranked list of potential communication partners for the driver 2. For example, all contacts 7, 11 whose remaining travel time can be determined can be taken into account. Alternatively, those contacts 7, 11 whose remaining travel time coincides with the remaining travel time of the mobile system 1 at least to the extent of not exceeding a predetermined maximum deviation can first be determined as potential communication partners. Therefore, in this example, only the first contact 7 is determined as a potential communication partner, not the second contact 11. The ranked list can then only include the potential communication partners determined in this way.

[0043] For example, the ranking list can be sorted according to the similarity of the remaining travel time to the remaining travel time of the mobile system 1 or the driver 2. The ranking list, in particular the ranking list including the corresponding remaining travel time, can then be sent by the server 14 to the mobile system 1 or its auxiliary device 16.

[0044] In the mobile system 1 , this ranking list or, for example, an overview of the entire address book of the driver 2 can be output to the driver 2 via the display device 22 , wherein the contacts as potential communication partners are ranked based on the similarity of the remaining travel time, in particular the first contact 7 being marked accordingly.

[0045] The function for communication support described here can be switched on or off by the driver 2, for example, when necessary. Likewise, the driver 2 can, for example, explicitly include or exclude certain contacts, for example contacts in the address book, for this function. In the list or overview of potential communication partners, the driver 2 can, for example, select or click on a potential communication partner in order to start communicating with him, for example, calling the potential communication partner. For example, the call can be triggered by touching a corresponding entry in the list or overview, etc. For example, at least the contacts 7, 11 whose remaining travel time currently at least substantially corresponds to the remaining travel time of the driver 2 himself can be displayed as potential communication partners by means of corresponding widgets on the display device 22, etc., for example, on the infotainment display of the mobile system 1 or the start screen of the infotainment system.

[0046] In summary, the above examples show how a telephone conversation with a suitable communication partner can be started in a particularly simple and situation-adaptive manner on an ad hoc basis, ie without prior arrangement, for the purpose of communication support.

[0047] Reference numerals list

[0048] 1 Mobile system

[0049] 2 Driver

[0050] 3 Travel routes

[0051] 4 Intermediate Station

[0052] 5 Trip destinations

[0053] 6. The first means of transportation for others

[0054] 7 First Contact

[0055] 8 First route

[0056] 9. First Travel Destination

[0057] 10. Other people’s transportation

[0058] 11 Second Contact

[0059] 12 Second Route

[0060] 13 Second travel destination

[0061] 14 Server

[0062] 15 Radio Signals

[0063] 16 Auxiliary devices

[0064] 17 Communication devices

[0065] 18 Server Interface

[0066] 19 Server Processors

[0067] 20 Server Data Storage

[0068] 21 Navigation System

[0069] 22 Display device

[0070] 23 Interface

[0071] 24 Processors

[0072] 25 Data storage

[0073] 26 travel route segments

Claims

1. A method for supporting communication during a journey of a mobile system (1), wherein automatically - determining the remaining travel time of the mobile system (1) to the trip destination (5), - determining for a contact (7, 11) in the address book of the driver (2) of the mobile system (1) whether the contact is also currently on the road and, if necessary, determining the respective remaining travel time to the respective travel destination (9, 13) of the contact, - comparing the determined remaining travel time of the contact (7, 11) identified as currently on the road with the remaining travel time of the mobile system (1), - on this basis, identifying those contacts (7) who are currently on the road and whose remaining travel time coincides with the remaining travel time of the mobile system (1) to at least the extent of a predetermined maximum deviation and classifying them as potential communication partners, - An overview of these potential communication partners is output to the driver (2).

2. The method according to claim 1, It is characterized in that Remaining travel time of the mobile system (1) - when route guidance is activated with the aid of the navigation system (21), a request is made from the navigation system, and - When route guidance is not enabled, predictions based on past travel history of the mobile system (1) and / or the driver (2).

3. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that In order to determine the remaining travel time of the mobile system (1), the driver's (2) booking calendar is evaluated with regard to the relevant time information and / or position information, in particular in each case for the next booking.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The estimated intermediate stops (4) of the mobile system (1) along the trip to the final trip destination (5) are determined, and the remaining travel time is determined as - the remaining travel time until the next intermediate stop (4), or - the period between two preceding intermediate stops (4), or - The time period between the last intermediate stop (4) and the final trip destination (5).

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The remaining travel time and contacts (7, 11) of the mobile system (1) are stored in corresponding user profiles, which are managed in a server device (14) outside the vehicle, and a list of contacts (7, 11) is used as an address book, which contacts have agreed to participate in the method and whose user profiles are linked to the user profile of the driver (2).

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that A ranking list of potential communication partners is created and, based on the ranking list, the potential communication partners are output to a driver (2) of a mobile system (1), wherein a smaller difference between the remaining travel time of the potential communication partner and the remaining travel time of the driver (2) of the mobile system (1) results in a higher ranking in the ranking list.

7. The method according to claim 6, It is characterized in that For the ranking list, the respective predicted noise load and / or predicted load of the respective potential communication partner along the travel route (8, 12) of the potential communication partner is determined and taken into account, wherein a lower predicted noise load and / or a lower predicted load results in a higher ranking in the ranking list.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that In order to output potential communication partners, they are displayed via a display device (22) in an overview in which the potential communication partners themselves are identified by predetermined status symbols and / or in which their respective remaining travel times are displayed next to the potential communication partners.

9. An auxiliary system (14, 16) having an input interface (18, 23) for collecting input data, a data processing device (19, 20, 24, 25) for processing the input data and generating an output, and an output interface (18, 23) for issuing a corresponding output, wherein: The assistance system (14, 16) is configured to carry out a method according to one of the preceding claims or to participate in a method according to one of the preceding claims.

10. A mobile system (1) having a communication device (14) for collecting data on potential communication partners of a driver (2) of the mobile system (1) and an output device (22) for outputting the corresponding potential communication partners based on the remaining travel time, wherein: The mobile system (1) is configured to carry out a method according to one of the preceding claims or to participate in a method according to one of the preceding claims.

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