Method for integrating a component into a vehicle information system and information system

Abstract

A method for integrating a component (10) into an information system (20) of a vehicle, wherein at least one application (13, 14, 15) executable or provided by the component (10) is made available to a user of the vehicle via a human-machine interface (21) of the information system (20), the application (13, 14, 15) accesses at least one parameter provided by the vehicle via a defined programming interface, or the application (13, 14, 15) is provided with at least one parameter via the defined programming interface, and the application (13, 14, 15) processes the at least one parameter provided, characterized in that, when an application (13, 14, 15) of the component (10) connected to the information system (20) is started, at least one priority value is assigned to the application (13, 14, 15) with respect to the human-machine interface (21).where a priority value indicates a rank with which the application (13, 14, 15) of the component (10) is treated preferentially or subordinately to another application (13, 14, 15) that is executed or is to be executed by the information system (20).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for integrating a component into a vehicle information system, in which at least one application executable or provided by the component is made available to a user of the vehicle via a human-machine interface of the information system. The invention further relates to a computer program product and an information system in a vehicle.

[0002] Retrofitting or connecting components such as a telephone, MP3 player, etc. in a vehicle is often difficult due to a lack of technical preparation. However, this raises the question of how to operate these temporarily or permanently retrofitted components. For reasons of ergonomics and driving safety, it is particularly advisable to operate the retrofitted component using the input and output devices available in the vehicle. In a vehicle, function keys, touch screens, mice, etc. are often available as input devices for haptic operation, and microphones are available for voice input. Graphic displays such as displays, lamps, etc. or voice output via loudspeakers are used for output.

[0003] For in-vehicle operation, so-called information systems with multifunction control units are increasingly available. These offer maximum flexibility with graphic displays as output devices and the corresponding controls as input devices. Driving safety requires a strict schematization of the information system, which can be operated by the driver without significant distraction. This schematization is expressed by defining the input / output regulations for these multifunction control units. These regulations can stipulate, for example, that haptic operation is not permitted above a certain speed or that a display may only display messages in a minimum font size.

[0004] The difficulty with retrofitted components is to enable maximum usability while maintaining strict schematization, since neither the scope and type of functionality nor the interaction requirements of the component to be operated can be predicted, nor are the information systems standardized across all vehicle equipment, all model series, or across all brands for all vehicles.

[0005] DE 101 34 717 A1 discloses a method for configuring an information system in a means of transport. In this method, the integration of retrofitted components and input / output devices is automatic and adapted to the input / output specifications of the information system. Within the scope of this method, when an additional component is connected to the information system, a component input / output specification is transferred to the information system via an interface. The component input / output specification is integrated by the information system into the input / output unit and the input / output processes in such a way that the component can be controlled via the information system.

[0006] Input / output processes are understood to mean all communication and interaction processes between the output medium, input device, information system, and / or component. The set of input / output instructions contains information about the version, options, expandability, operation method, and available input / output devices and possible integration and interaction processes for the information system. The component input / output instruction specifies that a corresponding assignment should be used for a type of component input / output instruction already stored in the information system.

[0007] In this way, the known method takes into account which menu tree is already present, whether voice input or output is possible, or whether a graphical display is present and function keys are available. The input / output rules can be used to define further conditions by specifying that the maximum number of entries that can be displayed in a graphical display must not exceed a certain value. The rules can also be used to specify, for example, that only voice control is permitted even though function keys are available on the input device.

[0008] The method described in DE 101 34 717 A1 enables the integration of a component into a vehicle information system, allowing the driver to operate the information system without significant distraction using the input / output devices available in the vehicle. Operation is carried out with safety-related aspects in mind, so that certain functions of the component may not be available while driving, while they can be operated and used while driving.

[0009] DE 199 35 893 A1 discloses a motor vehicle with vehicle electronics. This electronics system has a PC interface for connection to a PC.

[0010] DE 10 2008 019 288 A1 teaches an operating system with a first operating unit having a plurality of first operating elements arranged in a first operating structure, from which a control unit can be controlled, wherein the first operating unit and the control unit are fixedly arranged in a motor vehicle, and with a second operating unit of a mobile device having a plurality of second operating elements arranged in an operating structure, wherein information from the actuated first operating elements can be fed to the control unit and the mobile device can be controlled accordingly by the control unit.

[0011] US 2006 / 0036356 A1 describes a method for applying a set of rules for the operation of electronic devices in a motor vehicle.

[0012] DE 10 2005 025 875 A1 discloses a motor vehicle with one or more peripheral devices and a human-machine interface, comprising at least one associated control device.

[0013] WO 03 / 100614 A2 teaches a vehicle monitoring system with dynamic configuration.

[0014] The object of the present invention is to provide a method for integrating a component into a vehicle information system, which enables improved integration of the component into the functional processes of the information system. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a corresponding computer program product and an information system in a vehicle, which enable further improved integration of the component into the information system.

[0015] These objects are achieved by a method having the features of patent claim 1, a computer program product according to the features of patent claim 23 and an information system according to the features of patent claim 24. Advantageous embodiments emerge from the dependent patent claims.

[0016] The invention provides a method for integrating a component into a vehicle information system, in which at least one application executable or provided by the component is made available to a user of the vehicle via a human-machine interface of the information system. According to the invention, the application accesses at least one parameter provided by the vehicle via a defined programming interface, or the at least one parameter is provided to the application via the defined programming interface. The application processes the at least one provided parameter.

[0017] The human-machine interface (HMI) handles all communication and interaction processes between the information system user and the vehicle via the input and output devices available in the vehicle. Application execution refers not only to the operation of the application, but also, and especially, to its operation, e.g., via various, possibly nested, menus or voice commands.

[0018] By allowing the application running on the component to access parameters provided by the vehicle, the application's functionality can be expanded. This allows the vehicle manufacturer to use generic applications that were not specifically developed for use in vehicles and to make them available to the driver or passengers in a beneficial way. In particular, the vehicle manufacturer is relieved of the need to program and provide vehicle-specific applications themselves. The saved development effort can thus avoid costs. On the other hand, a user of the component can access applications that are familiar to them in terms of their functionality and operation.The range of functions provided by the applications can be significantly expanded based on the parameters provided by the vehicle.

[0019] According to the invention, when an application is started, the component of the application connected to the information system is assigned at least one priority value with respect to the human-machine interface, wherein a priority value indicates a rank with which the application of the component is treated preferentially or subordinately to another application that is executed or is to be executed by the information system.

[0020] The priority value serves to ensure that important information, such as status messages from the vehicle relating to the operating state and the like, is not hidden or obscured on a display by the integration of the component into the vehicle, or interrupted by an acoustic output from the component's application. The priority value makes it easy to define the "importance" or "relevance" of the application in relation to other applications executed by the information system, whereby the intended function of the information system is not impaired. By assigning a priority value to the application with regard to the human-machine interface, the application executed or provided by the component can be integrated into a priority management system for the vehicle's human-machine interface.

[0021] In particular, it is expedient if the at least one parameter is a vehicle-specific parameter. For example, the at least one vehicle-specific parameter represents a current driving situation of the vehicle. This can be, for example, sensor data such as the speed of the vehicle, the acceleration of the vehicle, yaw rates, interior or exterior temperature, etc. The at least one vehicle-specific parameter can also represent a vehicle state. The parameters could, for example, originate from the on-board computer information which includes, for example, a possible range of the vehicle with the fuel tank content, an average speed, a journey time, a time until reaching a destination programmed into a navigation system, a planned route, etc. It is further provided that the at least one vehicle-specific parameter takes into account a current location of the vehicle.In particular, GPS data (GPS - Global Positioning System) from a navigation system can be used for this purpose, which provides information about the current position of the vehicle (longitude, latitude, altitude).

[0022] Furthermore, it may be possible to provide the application with vehicle-independent parameters that the information system determines and / or processes. Such vehicle-independent parameters include, for example, a time, a date, saved navigation destinations, address book entries, audio / video data, a currently playing radio station, information about a CD currently being played, etc.

[0023] The above-mentioned parameters (whether vehicle-specific or vehicle-independent parameters) enable the provision of novel and improved services that open up new possibilities for the user of a vehicle with regard to navigation, entertainment and the like using the application familiar to him.

[0024] According to a further embodiment, it is provided that the at least one parameter is made available to the application for processing at least once. Whether the at least one parameter is made available to the application once or repeatedly depends on the respective parameter and the application that processes the parameter(s). In particular, it is provided that the at least one parameter is made available to the application for processing at cyclical intervals. In this context, it is expedient if the intervals are determined by the application. For this purpose, the application can request the parameter(s) from the vehicle's information system.

[0025] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the at least one vehicle-specific parameter is a parameter currently determined by the vehicle. This applies in particular to parameters that are recorded by the vehicle's sensors at regular intervals. For example, these include speed, average fuel consumption, current position data, etc.

[0026] According to a further expedient embodiment, the at least one parameter is only transmitted to those applications that meet a predefined criterion with regard to a right assigned to the application or a user of the application. The assignment of a right to an application or the user of an application can be carried out within the framework of rights management. Within the framework of such rights management, for example, different security levels can be provided. The assignment of rights can relate to specific applications, application groups, or all applications integrated or to be integrated into the information system. The assignment of rights can also be such that separate rights are assigned for each parameter.

[0027] It is also useful to assign rights to a particular application or the user of an application regarding data exchange and / or the use of the information system. For example, these rights can include read and / or write rights to information stored in a memory of the information system. The rights can also relate to permitting or prohibiting the playback of certain widgets. Likewise, a respective right can control the number of updates per unit of time, provided that data exchange takes place between the application of the component and the information system.

[0028] According to a further expedient embodiment, when the component application is started, a message is transmitted to the information system describing the human-machine interface resources required by the application for its execution, with one or more of the required human-machine interface resources being assigned a respective priority value. Resources generally include all means for outputting information, in particular audio or video data, as well as all input means. Resources are thus, for example, loudspeakers, displays, and the like. This determines the priority value assigned to the application when using a specific resource of the human-machine application in relation to other applications that are or are to be executed by the information system.This ensures with a high degree of probability that the application executed or provided by the component does not adversely affect the vehicle's own priority management of the human-machine interface.

[0029] A further embodiment provides that a respective priority value is determined from a database and loaded into a memory of the vehicle for processing by the information system, wherein an assignment of priority values ​​of a respective application to the resources of the human-machine interface is stored in the database. The database can be provided either in the vehicle or on a central computer, e.g. of the vehicle manufacturer. Determining the priority value from a database enables the component to be integrated quickly and easily into the vehicle system. The presence of a priority value in the database requires that the component or the application executed by the component is already known with regard to the vehicle and that corresponding prioritization has already taken place in the past.The findings regarding the determination of priority values ​​can then be used in the future. If the database is stored on a central computer outside the vehicle, data transmission can be carried out wirelessly, for example.

[0030] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the priority value is changed dynamically depending on a vehicle parameter. Such a vehicle parameter can be, for example, the vehicle speed. If a specified speed is exceeded, information is hidden on an output device to ensure driving safety. This also allows control over whether a menu for operating the application may be displayed or not, depending on the vehicle parameter.

[0031] One or more of the following devices are expediently integrated as components into the vehicle's information system: audio playback device, in particular portable CD player, MP3 player or (web) radio player or video playback device, in particular portable DVD player, TV player, video camera.

[0032] A further embodiment provides for the priority value and / or the rights for an application to be specified on a user-specific basis. This user-specified priority value can, for example, be stored in the vehicle's memory and retrieved from the memory when the application is restarted.

[0033] In a further embodiment, the integration of the component into the information system with regard to the input and / or output of information via the human-machine interface of the information system is carried out on a user-specific basis. The input and output relate to the specification of the menu, e.g., the category, in which the application should be offered or displayed. It also relates to the specification of operation, which buttons, voice commands, and the like can be used. The information or parameters can be saved in a profile and loaded when the components are reconnected to the vehicle information system. In this way, the application executed by the component can be integrated into the vehicle according to the personal preferences of the user. The technical integration can be automatic, semi-automatic, or manual.For example, the integration can be carried out using the human-machine interface by the user of the vehicle or component or by means of an external computer, e.g. by a service of the manufacturer of the vehicle or component or the user.

[0034] A further embodiment provides that if an application of the component is executed by the information system and the component is not disconnected from the information system in accordance with the intended purpose, the application termination is handled in accordance with the - the application is displayed as no longer available or - the application is removed from the information system or - data temporarily stored in the information system are processed for a specified period of time beyond the application termination, or - data that has only been partially transferred to the information system by the application is reloaded or supplemented, or - a prediction of the connection interruption occurs.

[0035] This design variant ensures that if the component is disconnected from the information system for reasons not intended, neither the application nor the information system can be damaged with regard to the software running on it. This ensures the information system's proper functioning.

[0036] According to a further expedient embodiment, when the application for outputting information via the human-machine interface is started, in particular regularly used data, such as images and text, is transferred to a memory of the information system, wherein the data is loaded from the memory of the information system when it is required during execution of the application. This can improve the responsiveness of the application. Furthermore, the risk of distraction while driving is reduced. In order to be able to organize the regularly used data stored in the memory of the information system, it can be provided that each piece of data (text component or icon) is given a unique ID under which the respective piece of data can be called up and processed.For texts or text components, translations can also be provided in the memory, which are used depending on the language setting in the vehicle.

[0037] In a further embodiment of the invention, a partial area of ​​a display surface is made available to the application of the component for the visual output of information via a display of the human-machine interface, with another partial area remaining under the control of the information system. According to a special embodiment, the information to be output in the partial area available to the application is generated by the application running on the component. According to an alternative embodiment, the information to be output in the partial area available to the application is generated by the information system under the control of the application. In the first case, the application only uses the display of the human-machine interface to output information, while the computationally intensive steps for generating the images (so-calledRendering) is performed by the component on which the application runs. Thus, only the display of the human-machine interface is used for output. In the second case, however, the information to be displayed is generated by a processing unit of the information system itself, with the data required for visualization being provided by the component's application.

[0038] The invention further comprises a computer program product that can be loaded directly into the internal memory of a digital computer of a vehicle and comprises software code sections with which the steps of the described method are carried out when the product is running on the computer.

[0039] The invention further provides an information system in a vehicle which can be operated via a human-machine interface and provides information to a user of the vehicle, wherein at least one application which can be executed or provided by a component can be integrated into the information system.According to the invention, the information system has means with which the application can access at least one parameter provided by the vehicle via a defined programming interface or with which the at least one parameter can be provided to the application via the defined programming interface in order to enable the application to process the at least one parameter, wherein when an application is started, the component connected to the information system is assigned at least one priority value to the application with regard to the human-machine interface, wherein a priority value indicates a rank with which the application of the component is treated preferentially or subordinately to another application that is executed or is to be executed by the information system.

[0040] The invention is described in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment. The figures show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of an information system according to the invention, into which a component with at least one application running thereon can be integrated, and Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a menu tree in which the information generated by an external application is integrated.

[0041] The information system 20 in a vehicle comprises a human-machine interface 21 and a computer 27 for controlling it. The human-machine interface 21 consists of an input device 26, e.g. in the form of one or more buttons, a so-called rotary push-button controller, a microphone and the like, as well as, for example, two displays 22, 23 and two loudspeakers 24, 25. One of the displays 22, 23 represents, for example, a centrally arranged information display, e.g. for showing navigation data, radio stations and the like, while the other of the two displays represents an information display via which the driver is shown information about kilometers driven, range, mileage and the like. The loudspeaker 24 represents, for example, the loudspeakers installed in the front, while loudspeaker 25 represents the loudspeakers installed in the rear.In addition to the input / output elements shown in the figure, the human-machine interface can also include further elements. The computer 27 serves to control the human-machine interface 21 and receives the data entered by the user via the input device, processes it, and outputs the corresponding information via one or more of the output devices 22, 23, 24, 25. All components of the human-machine interface can be connected to one another, for example, via the data bus. The computer thus assumes the function of a human-machine interaction (MMI) manager. In . Fig. 1 also shows a database 30, which is managed, for example, by the vehicle manufacturer. Via a wireless communication link, the computer 27 of the information system 20 is able to exchange data with the database 30 and, in particular, to retrieve data stored therein for further processing.

[0042] A component 10, e.g., an audio and / or video playback device, is temporarily or permanently connected to the information system 20 via a data connection 16. The data connection can be configured, for example, as a data bus. The component 10 has its own input / output means, via which the applications 13, 14, 15 executable by the component 10 and stored thereon can be operated and used. A display 11, for example, is provided as an output device. The input device 12 is represented, for example, by a number of keys. The component 10 typically has its own computing unit and corresponding storage means for executing the applications 13, 14, 15 stored thereon.

[0043] The computer 27 is connected to a memory 28 in which a set of input / output instructions valid for the information system is stored. The set of input / output instructions includes information about the version, the options, the expansion options, the type and method of operation, as well as the available input and output means and the possible communication and interaction processes for the information system. The set of input / output instructions depends on the specific design of the human-machine interface 20 and, in particular, on a specific vehicle, its model series, or vehicle equipment. The process logic available in the computer 27 validates the input / output instructions originating from the component 10 or from the input / output means of the human-machine interface 20.This ensures that the units controllable via the information system comply with the set of input / output specifications. The input / output specifications, which are specific to a particular component and a particular human-machine interface 21 of the information system 20, enable the use of the application executable or provided by the component via the human-machine interface 21 of the information system 20.

[0044] For each application 13, 14, 15 provided by component 10, a description of its semantics is provided, on the basis of which a generic interface generator then generates a suitable user interface and integrates it into the human-machine interface 21 of the information system 20. Such a procedure is described, for example, in DE 101 34 717 A1, already mentioned above. A further description of the procedure for integrating and providing a user interface is described in the publication "HMI generation for plug-in semantic description" by Andreas Hildisch, Jürgen Steurer, and Reinhard Stolle, the content of which is incorporated by reference into the description of the present invention.

[0045] In the following description, the interaction between the application 13, 14, 15 executed or provided by component 10 and the human-machine interface of the information system 20 is described in more detail from the perspective of ensuring that the systematics and execution of the human-machine interface are not impaired in any way by the component external to the vehicle and subsequently integrated into the vehicle, which can, in particular, receive vehicle-specific data for further processing. Execution of the application refers not only to the operation of the application, but also, in particular, to its operation, e.g., via various, possibly nested, menus or voice input commands.

[0046] According to the invention, the applications 13, 14, 15 running on the component 10 can access parameters provided by the vehicle via a defined programming interface. The parameter(s) can alternatively also be provided via the defined programming interface of the application 13, 14, 15. This enables the application to process the parameter(s). The parameters can be vehicle-specific parameters or vehicle-independent parameters. A vehicle-specific parameter represents, for example, a current driving situation and / or a vehicle state and / or a current location of the vehicle. This allows services to be executed by the application using GPS data provided by the vehicle, depending on the vehicle position, even if the component itself does not have a GPS receiver.This position data can, for example, be processed by an application to determine a route (including travel time, distance, etc.) to a destination stored in the component, e.g. a restaurant, hotel or gas station.

[0047] In general, the following parameters can be made available to an application: vehicle position, vehicle speed, fuel level, time / date, set language of the human-machine interface menus, set radio station, etc. By linking several of the parameters, the application can, for example, determine whether a refueling stop is necessary to reach a destination targeted by navigation and, if necessary, automatically navigate to a gas station as an intermediate stop. If the application determines that it is no longer possible to reach the destination targeted by navigation due to traffic conditions, for example, nearby hotels could be offered. If an application running on the component receives a track display from a radio station tuned in the vehicle, it is possible to offer the online purchase of a track currently playing via the application.

[0048] The parameters can be queried once, such as a mileage or vehicle position. Alternatively, data can also be transferred to the application cyclically. The data can be transferred, for example, upon request from the application. Such a request can specify whether a single value or cyclic data is required.

[0049] To ensure that sensitive vehicle data cannot be evaluated by unauthorized applications of a component integrated in the vehicle, it is also planned to transmit the parameter(s) only to those applications that meet a specified criterion in relation to a right assigned to the application. The right assigned to an application can be used to specify which data may be used by an application. The assignment of a right to an application or the user of an application can be done within the framework of rights management. Within the framework of such rights management, for example, different security levels can be provided. The assignment of rights can relate to specific applications, application groups or all applications integrated or to be integrated into the information system.Rights can also be assigned in such a way that specific rights are assigned for each parameter. In this case, a particular application or the user of an application can be assigned rights regarding data exchange and / or the use of the information system. For example, these rights can include read and / or write rights regarding information stored in a memory of the information system. The rights can also relate to the permission or prohibition of the playback of certain widgets. A specific right can be used to control the number of updates per unit of time, provided that data exchange takes place between the application of the component and the information system.

[0050] The primary purpose of the priority values ​​and rights assigned to a respective application is to ensure that the integration of the vehicle-external component 10 does not influence the function of the information system in such a way that functions such as warnings are disabled, suppressed, or otherwise negatively influenced. It is therefore intended to integrate the application 13, 14, 15 that can be executed or provided by the component into the priority management or rights management of the information system. This ensures that important information, such as vehicle states, is not hidden, obscured, or interrupted by an acoustic output by the application's control elements or the application itself.

[0051] The procedure for assigning priority values ​​is described below. The procedure for assigning rights can be analogous. For this purpose, when an application 13, 14, 15 of the component 10 connected to the information system 20 is started, a priority value is assigned to the application with respect to the human-machine interface 21. The priority value specifies a rank with which the component's application is treated preferentially or subordinately to another application that is being executed or is to be executed by the information system. The priority value is assigned, for example, by the computer 27.

[0052] Component 10 must therefore register with information system 20 and communicate its importance (priority) relative to other components. Information system 20, for its part, must ensure that component 10 cannot suppress or interrupt safety-relevant connections. Examples of such safety-relevant connections include warning tones. In order to assign a priority value to a component's application and to integrate it into an existing vehicle priority management system, it is first necessary to define the resources available in a vehicle (input / output devices, such as displays, loudspeakers, and the like) and, at the same time, to assign a respective priority value to the human-machine interface resources required by an application.This is achieved by the application specifying the resources it requires in a request to the information system 20 upon startup. At the same time, the application can specify the priority with which it wishes to use the resources. The computer 27 then compares the requested priority values ​​in relation to the rules defined within the priority management system. As a result, the application's priority values ​​are assigned to the required resource(s) of the human-machine interface. The respective priority values ​​can be stored in the memory 28 of the information system 20 or the database 30 outside the vehicle. The next time the application is started, the previously defined priority values ​​can be loaded from one of the two aforementioned memories.

[0053] In this context, it is useful to assign a respective priority value to one of several predefined priority classes, which are defined corresponding to an output type of information relating to operation of the human-machine interface. Typically, a human-machine interface contains pop-up menus and standard menus in which various options are presented in the form of a list. Within priority management, a priority class has a rank with which the output of information from an application of a given priority class is given priority or subordinated to the output of information from another application with a different given priority class. This means that, for example, a pop-up menu is given a higher priority than a standard menu.If the component application wants to display a pop-up menu, however, it must be ensured that this does not obscure more important information, such as warning messages. This is achieved by assigning the priority value as described above.

[0054] The priority values ​​for individual resources can be changed during application runtime. This is possible, for example, when the application context changes. The priority values ​​can be determined, for example, by comparing the priority values ​​of other components already integrated into the information system. Resource access control for an input / output device occurs for each change to a selected selection element, such as a menu. Depending on the priority of the currently selected component, a new component may or may not receive the focus (i.e., be selected via the input device).

[0055] Through priority management for all resources, i.e. input / output means, of the human-machine interface 21, the following cases can be taken into account, for example: Display scenarios 1. Display of menus of the component, where the data type of the application to be executed is known: The portable component, for example, a PDA, MP3 player, mobile phone, or navigation device, is integrated into the operating concept of the human-machine interface 21 with its own menu structures. These menus contain a tree of different widgets. Depending on certain events of the component, the currently displayed menu of the human-machine interface changes, taking the respective priority values ​​into account. 2. Component popup menus: Some components provide information during the execution of an application, which is displayed as a pop-up menu by the human-machine interface 21. A pop-up menu is characterized by being the topmost level above other menus or pop-up menus. Depending on certain component events, such as navigation information provided by the component application or an incoming call, a new pop-up menu can be displayed, depending on an assigned priority value. Audio scenarios 1. Component as audio source with a known data type: The component, e.g., a PDA or MP3 player, can be connected to the information system 20 as an audio source. If the data type or component type is known, the human-machine interface knows what type of audio the component provides. Depending on the assigned priority value, the relevance of the application with respect to other applications of the human-machine interface can be determined, and the audio source can be treated as if it were an in-vehicle audio source. 2. Component as audio source with unknown source type: The component can offer a service that provides the information system with audio data that it does not recognize. For example, this could be a web radio received via the component. Due to the unknown data type, the relevance of the data stream cannot be classified. To comply with priority management, such an application of a component is assigned a very low priority compared to other applications executed by the information system. In this way, the application can be integrated into the human-machine interface 21 as an audio source, although safety-relevant events are given priority due to their comparatively higher priority. Video scenarios 1. Displaying videos depending on a context: The videos provided by a component are suppressed depending on a vehicle parameter, such as vehicle speed. If a certain set speed value is exceeded, a video stream currently in use is paused. The video stream can be resumed depending on a predefined condition, such as the vehicle coming to a standstill. 2. Component as a video source with a known or unknown data type: The component, for example, a smartphone, a video player, a television receiver, or a navigation device, can offer various types of video sources (DVD, camera, television, navigation map). These video streams can be output on one of the displays 22, 23 of the human-machine interface 21. General scenarios 1. Component with an unknown information type: Components can provide information of an unknown information type. Regardless, the component's application is assigned a priority value that determines its prioritized treatment relative to an application executed by the information system. 2. Connecting multiple components to the information system: When multiple components that provide the same information type are connected to the information system, a priority value is assigned to each application provided by the components. This also results in a ranking that determines whether one of the components' applications is executed with priority or subordination relative to each other or to other applications in the information system. 3. Certified component: In principle, any component connected to the information system could request a high priority value for the applications it provides, thereby suppressing more important information from other applications. To ensure proper assignment of priority values, a distinction is made between known (certified) and unknown components. Known applications of known components are assigned higher priority values ​​than unknown applications or components. 4. User preferences: The priority value for an application of a component can be specified by a user. In particular, it is possible to retrieve the priority value(s) for an application from a memory, e.g., the memory in Fig. 1. Once assigned, a priority value should no longer be modifiable to prevent security-relevant information from being adversely affected by a new assignment.

[0056] To ensure that only authorized applications are permitted to output or display any content in the human-machine interface, only authorized applications are integrated into the operating structure of the information system's human-machine interface. For this purpose, various trust levels can be provided and assigned. Furthermore, access to vehicle data by a component's application can be associated with specific rights, which in turn are tied to a priority value. For example, an application may be permitted read access to certain data, but write access may be prohibited. Furthermore, it is possible to selectively define which data may and may not be processed by the application. By assigning priority values, it can also be determined which widgets of an application are prohibited and which are permitted.Widgets include pop-up menus and dynamic images, for example. Furthermore, the priority value(s) assigned to an application can determine the number of updates per unit of time with which the application can utilize human-machine interface resources.

[0057] Simple personalization of the application is made possible by the use of priority values, which are assigned to an application with regard to a human-machine interface. This means that each user can configure the integration of the application with their own profile, i.e. their own assignment of priority values. For example, they can specify which menu an application should be integrated into. A category can be defined for the application, which implicitly determines the entry point for accessing the application. Personalization of the display is possible with regard to widgets, layouts, font size, colors, hiding columns in a table, and the like. Personalization can also affect operation: for example, the assignment of keys, so-called functional bookmarks or voice commands for the new application.A profile created by a user can be stored in the information system's memory or an external database to allow the configured settings to be retrieved at a later time. In this context, such a profile can be created via the human-machine interface in the vehicle or on an external PC.

[0058] In the case of a component application integrated into the information system, the data connection between the component and the information system can be lost for various reasons. For example, a disconnection occurs when the application is running and there is an incoming call that is being handled by the information system. To prevent unforeseen behavior of both the component and the information system, the application is displayed as no longer available in the human-machine interface. For example, the application can be grayed out. Alternatively, the application can be removed from the human-machine interface so that the relevant menu item is no longer selectable. To prevent data loss, it is advisable to continue processing and, in particular, storing data temporarily stored in the information system for a specified period of time beyond the application termination.If the application is resumed, data that was only partially transmitted to the information system can be reloaded or supplemented. Furthermore, a connection interruption can be predicted through a timely warning or prefetching, and a corresponding message can be issued via the human-machine interface.

[0059] To increase the responsiveness of the application executed by the component and thus minimize distraction while driving, frequently used images and text can be initially transferred to the information system when the application starts and stored in its memory. This avoids subsequent reloading during operation. For this purpose, each text or image resource is conveniently assigned a unique identifier. Text or text components can be stored in memory in multiple translations, with the information system automatically selecting the correct language based on the information system's global language setting.

[0060] The prioritization of an application can also be used to provide the application of the component for the visual output of information via a display of the human-machine interface 21 with only a portion of the entire display area, while another portion remains under the control of the information system. This is, for example, in Fig. 2. In the upper half, 50 represents a display area of ​​the human-machine interface 21, with a total of four selection elements 53 (so-called softkeys) being shown. Using an input device, one of the selection elements, in Fig. 2, the selection element 53 marked with N in bold must be selected. This will display the Fig.2 Screen content shown below. In a left-hand sub-area marked 51, a menu with a selection list of entries A to E can be seen. By selecting entry E, for example, the application executed by component 10 is called, whereby the right-hand sub-area marked 52 is made available to the application. While sub-area 51 remains under the control of the information system 20, control of sub-area 52 lies with the application. The information to be output in sub-area 52 available to the application can be generated by the application running on the component. For example, the image data required for this is rendered on the component.In an alternative embodiment, the information to be output is generated in the subarea 52 available to the application by the information system 20 under the control of the application. This means that the application provides the information system, e.g., the computer 27, with the data necessary to generate the image information, which then generates the necessary information from this data.

[0061] This can improve usability in many cases. The application can be operated in a driver-friendly manner using vehicle-specific elements (shown in the left-hand section 51). However, graphics-intensive data, such as map images, can also be displayed. A freestyle widget can be defined for this purpose in the application description. If a change to this state is triggered in the application, a special layer is displayed which shows the data rendered by the component. Examples of this are an analog video signal or digital pixel replication. Vehicle-specific elements, such as a status display, can continue to be displayed around this layer. In addition, operable elements, such as buttons, can be displayed in a menu next to the layer. Operation can be carried out using the vehicle elements in the toolbar.The map representation is rendered by the component and displayed in the previously defined layer. List of reference symbols 10 components 11 Display 12 Input device 13 Application 14 Application 15 Application 16 Data connection 20 Information system 21 Human-machine interface 22 Display 23 Display 24 speakers 25 speakers 26 Input device, e.g. buttons, controller (rotary push button) 27 computers 28 storage 30 Database 50 display area 51 first sub-area 52 second sub-area 53 Selection element 55 pop-up windows

Claims

[1] Method for integrating a component (10) into an information system (20) of a vehicle, in which at least one application (13, 14, 15) executable or provided by the component (10) is made available to a user of the vehicle via a human-machine interface (21) of the information system (20), wherein the application (13, 14, 15) accesses at least one parameter provided by the vehicle via a defined programming interface or the at least one parameter is provided to the application (13, 14, 15) via the defined programming interface, and the application (13, 14, 15) processes the at least one provided parameter, characterized bythat when an application (13, 14, 15) of the component (10) connected to the information system (20) is started, at least one priority value is assigned to the application (13, 14, 15) with regard to the human-machine interface (21), wherein a priority value indicates a rank with which the application (13, 14, 15) of the component (10) is treated preferentially or subordinately to another application (13, 14, 15) which is being executed or is to be executed by the information system (20). [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by that at least one parameter is a vehicle-specific parameter. [3] Method according to claim 2, characterized by that the at least one vehicle-specific parameter represents a current driving situation of the vehicle. [4] Method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by that the at least one vehicle-specific parameter represents a vehicle state. [5] Method according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized by that the at least one vehicle-specific parameter takes into account a current location of the vehicle. [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that vehicle-independent parameters are made available to the application, which the information system determines and / or processes. [7] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the at least one parameter of the application (13, 14, 15) is made available for processing at least once. [8] Method according to claim 7, characterized by that the at least one parameter of the application (13, 14, 15) is made available for processing at cyclic intervals. [9] Method according to claim 8, characterized by that the distances are determined by the application. [10] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the at least one vehicle-specific parameter is a parameter currently determined by the vehicle. [11] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the at least one parameter is only transmitted to those applications which satisfy a predetermined criterion with respect to a right assigned to the application (13, 14, 15) or to a user of the application. [12] Method according to claim 11, characterized by that a respective application (13, 14, 15) or the user of the application is assigned rights regarding the exchange of data and / or regarding the use of the information system (20). [13] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat when the application (13, 14, 15) of the component (10) is started, a message is transmitted to the information system (20) in which the resources (22, 23, 24, 25) of the human-machine interface (21) required by the application (13, 14, 15) for its execution are described, wherein one or more of the resources (22, 23, 24, 25) of the human-machine interface (21) required by the application are assigned a respective priority value. [14] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a respective priority value is determined from a database and loaded into a memory of the vehicle for processing by the information system (20), wherein an assignment of priority values ​​of a respective application (13, 14, 15) to the resources (22, 23, 24, 25) of the human-machine interface (21) is stored in the database. [15] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the priority value is changed dynamically depending on a vehicle parameter. [16] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the priority value and / or the rights for an application (13, 14, 15) are specified user-specifically. [17] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the integration of the component (10) into the information system (20) with regard to the input and / or output of information via the human-machine interface (21) is carried out in a user-specific manner. [18] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that in the case of an application (13, 14, 15) of the component (10) executed by the information system (20) and an improper separation of the component (10) from the information system (20), the application termination is handled in accordance with the - the application (13, 14, 15) is displayed as no longer available or - the application (13, 14, 15) is removed from the information system (20) or - data temporarily stored in the information system (20) are further processed for a predetermined period of time beyond the application termination, or - data only partially transmitted to the information system (20) by the application (13, 14, 15) are reloaded or supplemented, or - a prediction of the connection interruption occurs. [19] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat when the application (13, 14, 15) is started, data, in particular images and texts, used for outputting information via the human-machine interface (21), in particular regularly, are transferred to a memory of the information system (20), wherein the data, when required during the execution of the application (13, 14, 15), are loaded from the memory of the information system (20). [20] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a partial area of ​​a display surface is made available to the application (13, 14, 15) of the component (10) for the visual output of information via a display of the human-machine interface (21), wherein another partial area remains under the control of the information system (20). [21] Method according to claim 20, characterized bythat the information to be output in the sub-area available to the application (13, 14, 15) is generated by the application (13, 14, 15) executed on the component (10). [22] Method according to claim 20, characterized by that the information to be output is generated in the sub-area available to the application (13, 14, 15) by the information system (20) under the control of the application (13, 14, 15). [23] A computer program product which can be loaded directly into the internal memory of a digital computer of a vehicle and which comprises software code sections which carry out the steps according to any one of the preceding claims when the product is run on the computer. [24] Information system (20) in a vehicle, which can be operated via a human-machine interface (21) and provides information to a user of the vehicle, wherein at least one application (13, 14, 15) which can be executed or provided by a component (10) can be integrated into the information system (20), wherein the information system (20) has means with which the application (13, 14, 15) can access at least one parameter provided by the vehicle via a defined programming interface or with which the application (13, 14, 15) can provide the at least one parameter via the defined programming interface in order to enable the application (13, 14, 15) to process the at least one parameter, characterized bythat when an application (13, 14, 15) of the component (10) connected to the information system (20) is started, at least one priority value is assigned to the application (13, 14, 15) with regard to the human-machine interface (21), wherein a priority value indicates a rank with which the application (13, 14, 15) of the component (10) is treated preferentially or subordinately to another application (13, 14, 15) which is being executed or is to be executed by the information system (20).

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