Method for operating an infotainment system of a motor vehicle and motor vehicles with an infotainment system

Abstract

Method for operating an infotainment system (12) of a motor vehicle (10), comprising at least one display device (14) arranged in a rear seat area of ​​the motor vehicle (10) for displaying a graphical user interface (15) of the infotainment system (12), comprising the steps of: - detecting the gaze direction (18) of a vehicle occupant (20) seated in the rear seat area of ​​the motor vehicle (10); - determining whether a touch-sensitive control device (24) is being touched by the vehicle occupant (20) or another vehicle occupant; - if the touch-sensitive control device (24) is being touched and it is determined from the detected gaze direction (18) of the vehicle occupant (20) that his gaze is directed at a symbol of the graphical user interface (15) displayed by means of the display device (14): optically highlighting this symbol;wherein as soon as it is detected that the vehicle occupant (20) is wiping at least one of his fingers over the touch-sensitive control device (24), the infotainment system (12) is controlled exclusively depending on the detected finger movement of the vehicle occupant (20).

Description

The invention relates to a method for operating an infotainment system of a motor vehicle, which comprises at least one display device arranged in a rear seat region of the motor vehicle for displaying a graphical user interface of the infotainment system. The invention furthermore relates to a motor vehicle having an infotainment system.DE 101 21 392 A1 shows a device for controlling devices by means of a viewing direction. A control function of a motor vehicle can be selected by means of a detected viewing direction, and the selected control function can then be carried out by means of a haptic operating element, which is preferably arranged on a steering wheel of the motor vehicle.JP 2005-250 322 A shows a display device which is arranged in a rear seat region of a motor vehicle. The display device can be adapted in this case as a function of a detected viewing direction of a vehicle occupant.DE 10 2007 025 530 A1 discloses an information switching device and a method for switching information in a motor vehicle. An information display in a motor vehicle is adapted in this case as a function of a detected viewing direction of a vehicle occupant in order to visually emphasize regions currently focused by the vehicle occupant.US 2010 / 0 121 645 A1 shows an operating device for a motor vehicle. A viewing direction recognition function of the motor vehicle can be activated by a corresponding operating element.DE 10 2007 049 710 A1 discloses a method for visually triggering processes in a motor vehicle. Different vehicle functions can be triggered by a viewing direction detection.DE 10 2005 023 697 A1 discloses a device for controlling the interior lighting of a motor vehicle. The interior lighting can be activated in a rear seat area of the motor vehicle as a function of a detected viewing direction of a vehicle occupant.US 2013 / 0 169 560 A1 describes a method for controlling a display depending on the viewing direction. When a user looks at an object displayed by the display and touches a touchpad in conjunction with this action, the object focused by the user is marked.DE 10 2011 056 714 A1 and DE 10 2009 034 069 A1 likewise describe respective methods for controlling a display depending on the viewing direction. As soon as a user looks at a symbol displayed by means of the display, the symbol is marked.It is the object of the present invention to enable simplified operation of an infotainment system of a motor vehicle, which includes at least one display device arranged in a rear seat region of the motor vehicle.This object is achieved by a method for operating an infotainment system and by a motor vehicle having an infotainment system having the features of the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments with expedient and non-trivial developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.The method according to the invention for operating an infotainment system of a motor vehicle, which comprises at least one display device arranged in a rear seat region of the motor vehicle for displaying a graphical user interface of the infotainment system, has the following steps:detecting a viewing direction of a vehicle occupant seated in the rear seat region of the motor vehicle;determining whether a touch-sensitive operating device is touched by the vehicle occupant or another vehicle occupant;if the touch-sensitive operating device touches and it is determined on the basis of the detected viewing direction of the vehicle occupant that his gaze is directed at a symbol of the graphical user interface displayed by means of the display device: optically highlighting this symbol.The infotainment system is a rear seat infotainment system, by means of which a wide variety of functions, such as playing multimedia contents, telephone functions and the like, can be provided to vehicle occupants in a rear seat area of a motor vehicle. According to the method according to the invention, it is therefore possible for a vehicle occupant to be able to actuate the infotainment system in a viewing direction-controlled manner via a graphical user interface which is displayed by means of the display device arranged in the rear seat region of the motor vehicle. The viewing direction-dependent highlighting of a symbol of the graphical user interface is only performed when the touch-sensitive operating device is touched by the vehicle occupant or by another vehicle occupant and it is simultaneously determined that the respective vehicle occupant has aimed his gaze at the corresponding symbol of the graphical user interface.At the same time, the symbol is preferably also optically highlighted to select the relevant symbol. The vehicle occupant sitting in the rear seat area can thus select different symbols of the graphical user interface currently displayed purely in a viewing direction-controlled manner, as long as he touches the touch-sensitive operating device. If, on the other hand, he does not touch the touch-sensitive operating device, the symbol of the graphical user interface on which he has aimed at his gaze does not be visually highlighted. Undesired and thus disturbing optical highlighting of different symbols on the display device can thereby be prevented, since the vehicle occupant has to touch the touch-sensitive operating device, preferably has to maintain the touch of the operating device before the viewing direction-controlled optical highlighting of the relevant focused symbols of the graphical user interface takes place.In addition, it is provided according to the invention that, as soon as it is detected that the vehicle occupant sweeps over the touch-sensitive operating device with at least one of his fingers, the infotainment system is controlled exclusively as a function of the detected finger movement of the vehicle occupant. If, for example, the gaze detection mode is activated, the infotainment system is nevertheless controlled independently of the gaze direction as soon as it is determined that the vehicle occupant slides over the operating device with at least one of his fingers. For example, a selection element in the form of a mouse pointer, a cursor or the like is then blended in within the graphical user interface, the positioning of which the vehicle occupant can control by a corresponding actuation of the operating device, such as for example in the case of a touchpad of a computer. In addition, for example, a letter input mode can also be activated, in which the vehicle occupant can trace a wide variety of symbols, such as letters or numbers, on the operating device with one of his fingers as soon as it is detected that the vehicle occupant is sweeping over the operating device with one of his fingers. The symbols or numbers reproduced by the vehicle occupant on the operating device are then displayed within the graphical user interface. This may be useful and necessary if the vehicle occupant wishes to operate the infotainment system by means of handwriting recognition, for example in order to search an electronic address book for names, enter an Internet address or the like. As soon as the sliding movement is stopped with one of the fingers via the operating device and the vehicle occupant touches the operating device without moving his finger, the viewing direction-dependent control of the infotainment system is again enabled-provided that the viewing capture mode is activated at all. In the case of a simple finger contact with the operating device, the infotainment system is thus controlled depending on the viewing direction, and as soon as a brushing movement is detected via the operating device, the infotainment system is thus controlled purely correspondingly to the actuation of the operating device. This makes it possible in a simple manner to make redundant use of the operator control device possible.In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that a function of the infotainment system assigned to the visually highlighted symbol is triggered as soon as it is detected that the touch-sensitive operating device has been subjected to a predefined pressure. In other words, the selected symbol, the selection of which is characterized by the optical emphasis, can be activated or the selection of which can be confirmed by a corresponding finger pressure on the touch-sensitive operating device. As a result, for example, a submenu associated with the symbol or another function associated with the symbol can be triggered. The vehicle occupant activates the viewing direction-dependent highlighting of the symbols of the graphical user interface and thus confirms a selection of the respective corresponding symbol, preferably using the same touch-sensitive operating device. This simplifies the operation of the infotainment system considerably, since the vehicle occupant essentially leaves his hand or his fingers-if he wishes to control them depending on the viewing direction-at the same position of one and the same operating device.According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that a gaze detection device designed to detect the direction of gaze of the vehicle occupant is activated only when a gaze detection mode has been activated by an actuation of a predetermined operating element. The vehicle occupant seated in the rear seat region of the motor vehicle can therefore decide by a corresponding actuation of the predetermined operating element itself whether or not he wishes to operate the infotainment system in the view capture mode under viewing direction control.A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that, in a deactivated gaze detection mode, the infotainment system is controlled exclusively in accordance with a detected actuation of the touch-sensitive operating device. In other words, when the gaze detection mode is deactivated, the infotainment system is controlled independently of the current gaze direction of the vehicle occupant. Instead, the touch-sensitive operating device can be operated like a remote control in the form of a touchpad in order to call up and operate the graphical user interface and thus also the infotainment system and the functions assigned to the infotainment system.A motor vehicle according to the invention having an infotainment system comprises at least one display device arranged in a rear seat region of the motor vehicle, which is designed to display a graphical user interface of the infotainment system. In addition, the infotainment system includes a gaze detection device which is designed to detect a gaze direction of a vehicle occupant seated in the rear seat area. Furthermore, the infotainment system comprises a control device which is designed to control the display device to visually emphasize a symbol of the graphical user interface if it is detected that a touch-sensitive operating device is touched by the vehicle occupant or another vehicle occupant and it is determined on the basis of a detected viewing direction of the vehicle occupant that his gaze is directed at the symbol. The control device is also designed to control the infotainment system exclusively as a function of a detected finger movement of the vehicle occupant as soon as it is detected that the vehicle occupant sweeps over the touch-sensitive operating device with at least one of his fingers. Advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the motor vehicle according to the invention, wherein the motor vehicle comprises in particular means for carrying out the method steps.According to an advantageous embodiment of the motor vehicle according to the invention, it is provided that the display device is arranged on a rear side of a front seat of the motor vehicle. As a result, a vehicle occupant sitting in the rear seat region of the motor vehicle can view the display device particularly well.According to a further advantageous embodiment of the motor vehicle according to the invention, it is provided that the touch-sensitive operating device is integrated on an upper side of a central console arranged in the rear seat region or can be coupled to the latter. A vehicle occupant sitting in the rear seat region of the motor vehicle can thus very conveniently operate the touch-sensitive operating device without having to change his usual seat position. In other words, the operation of the infotainment system can thus take place in an optimum gripping and seating position of the vehicle occupant.According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the touch-sensitive operating device is designed to form a wireless connection with the infotainment system. This is advantageous in particular when the touch-sensitive operating device can be decoupled from the center console arranged in the rear seat region, so that the vehicle occupant can hold the operating device in his hands quite comfortably, for example, and can actuate it like a remote control. The operating device can also be, for example, a part of a smartphone, which can be coupled to the infotainment system of the motor vehicle.A further advantageous embodiment of the motor vehicle according to the invention provides that the touch-sensitive operating device comprises an operating element by means of which the gaze detection device can be activated and deactivated. As a result, the vehicle occupant can decide himself and choose in a very comfortable manner whether or not he wishes to operate the infotainment system in a viewing-direction-controlled manner.Finally, according to a further advantageous embodiment of the motor vehicle according to the invention, it is provided that a camera of the gaze detection device is integrated in the display device. As a result, the viewing direction of the vehicle occupant can be detected particularly well.Further advantages, features and details of the invention are evident from the following description and on the basis of the drawing. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description and the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures can be used not only in the respectively specified combination but also in other combinations or alone without departing from the scope of the invention.The drawing shows in: FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a motor vehicle having an infotainment system for a rear seat region of the motor vehicle, wherein the infotainment system is controllable depending on the viewing direction; and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a partially depicted rear seat area of the motor vehicle, wherein a vehicle occupant seated in the rear seat area is depicted, who operates the infotainment system in a viewing direction-controlled manner.A motor vehicle 10 having an infotainment system 12 for a rear seat region of the motor vehicle 10 is shown in a schematic illustration in FIG. 1. The infotainment system 12 comprises a display device 14 which is arranged in the rear seat region of the motor vehicle 10, which is not designated in any more detail. The display device 14 is designed to display a graphical user interface 15, not shown here, of the infotainment system 12. In addition, the infotainment system 12 comprises a gaze detection device 16 which is designed to detect a gaze direction 18, indicated by the dashed line, of a vehicle occupant 20 seated in the rear seat region. Furthermore, the infotainment system 12 comprises a control device 22, which is designed to control the display device 14 for visually highlighting a symbol of the graphical user interface 15, not shown here, if it is detected that a touch-sensitive operating device 24 is touching and it is determined on the basis of a detected viewing direction 18 of the vehicle occupant 20 that his gaze is directed at the relevant symbol.FIG. 2 shows a detail of the rear seat region of the motor vehicle 10. As can be seen, the display device 14 is arranged on a rear side 26 of a front seat 28 of the motor vehicle 10. A camera 30 of the gaze detection device 16, not designated in more detail here, is integrated in an upper region of the display device 14.The touch-sensitive operating device 24 is integrated in the present case on an upper side of a central console 32 arranged in the rear seat region. The touch-sensitive operating device 24 comprises a touch-sensitive operating panel 34 and an operating element 36, by means of which the view detection device 16 can be activated and deactivated. Alternatively, it is also possible for the entire touch-sensitive operating device 24 to be designed as a separate component which can be connected, for example, to an interface of the center console 32, not shown here, for example in order to load the operating device 24. Once the operating device 24 has been removed from the area of the center console 32, the vehicle occupant 20 can hold it like a remote control, wherein the touch-sensitive operating device 24 is designed, at least in this case, to form a wireless connection with the infotainment system 12.As can be seen, in the case shown here, the touch-sensitive operating device 24 is arranged in front of an armrest 38 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, so that the vehicle occupant 20 can very easily reach the touch-sensitive operating device 24 even when the arm is placed down and can operate it, for example, with his index finger 40.A method for operating the infotainment system 12 is explained below. As soon as the vehicle occupant 20 has actuated the operating element 36, a gaze detection mode is activated, in which the gaze detection device 16 and thus also the camera 30 is activated in order to permanently detect the gaze direction 18 of the vehicle occupant 20. As soon as it is determined by means of the gaze detection device 16 that the vehicle occupant 20 has aimed his gaze at a symbol of the graphical user interface 15, which symbol is not designated in more detail here, and it is simultaneously detected that the vehicle occupant 20 is touching the touch-sensitive operating device 24, the symbol currently focused by the vehicle occupant 20 is visually emphasized. As soon as it is subsequently also detected that the touch-sensitive operating device 24 has been subjected to a predefined pressure by the vehicle occupant 20, for example with his index finger 40, a function of the infotainment system 12 assigned to the visually highlighted symbol is triggered.In other words, when the gaze capture mode is activated, the vehicle occupant 20 can therefore select a wide variety of symbols of the graphical user interface 15 that are currently displayed in a viewing direction-controlled manner and confirm the selection thereof by a subsequent click on the touch-sensitive operator control device 24. For example, the vehicle occupant 20 can move in a viewing-direction-controlled manner through different menus and sub-menus of the infotainment system 12 and carry out a wide variety of functions of the infotainment system 12, such as volume adaptation, starting or ending a video conference, playing a movie or the like in a viewing-direction-controlled manner.If the vehicle occupant 20 does not wish to operate the infotainment system 12 in a viewing direction-controlled manner, he can do this by a corresponding renewed actuation of the operating element 26, as a result of which the gaze detection mode is deactivated, with the result that the gaze detection device 16 is likewise deactivated. When the gaze detection mode is deactivated, the infotainment system 12 can be controlled exclusively in accordance with a detected actuation of the touch-sensitive operating device 24, in particular by the touch-sensitive operating panel 34. In other words, when the gaze detection mode is deactivated, the infotainment system 12 is purely remotely controlled via the touch-sensitive operating device 24, which is then used as a touchpad in order to control the infotainment system 12 and the different functions thereof.

Claims

Method for operating an infotainment system (12) of a motor vehicle (10), which comprises at least one display device (14) arranged in a rear seat region of the motor vehicle (10) for displaying a graphical user interface (15) of the infotainment system (12), having the steps: - detecting a viewing direction (18) of a vehicle occupant (20) seated in the rear seat region of the motor vehicle (10); - determining whether a touch-sensitive operating device (24) is touched by the vehicle occupant (20) or another vehicle occupant; - if the touch-sensitive operating device (24) is touched and it is determined on the basis of the detected viewing direction (18) of the vehicle occupant (20) that his viewing is directed at a symbol of the graphical user interface (15) displayed by means of the display device (14): optically highlighting this symbol; wherein, as soon as it is detected that the vehicle occupant (20) with at least one of his fingers is sweeping over the touch-sensitive operating device (24), the infotainment system (12) is controlled exclusively as a function of the detected finger movement of the vehicle occupant (20).Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that a function of the infotainment system (12) assigned to the optically emphasized symbol is triggered as soon as it is detected that the touch-sensitive operator control device (24) has been subjected to a predefined pressure.Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a gaze detection device (16) designed to detect the viewing direction (18) of the vehicle occupant (20) is activated only if a gaze detection mode has been activated by an actuation of a predetermined operating element (36).Method according to Claim 3, characterized in that, in a deactivated view detection mode, the infotainment system (12) is controlled exclusively in accordance with a detected actuation of the touch-sensitive operator control device (24).Motor vehicle (10) having an infotainment system (12), comprising - at least one display device (14) arranged in a rear seat region of the motor vehicle (10) and designed to display a graphical user interface (15) of the infotainment system (12); - a gaze detection device (16) designed to detect a viewing direction (18) of a vehicle occupant (20) seated in the rear seat region; - a control device (22) designed to control the display device (14) for optically highlighting an icon of the graphical user interface (15) if it is detected that a touch-sensitive operating device (24) is touched by the vehicle occupant (20) or another vehicle occupant and it is determined on the basis of a detected viewing direction (18) of the vehicle occupant (20) that its gaze is directed at the icon; wherein the control device (22) is designed to control the infotainment system (12) exclusively as a function of a detected finger movement of the vehicle occupant (20) as soon as it is detected that the vehicle occupant (20) is sweeping over the touch-sensitive operating device (24) with at least one of his fingers.Motor vehicle (10) according to Claim 5, characterized in that the display device (14) is arranged on a rear side (26) of a front seat (28) of the motor vehicle (10).Motor vehicle (10) according to Claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the touch-sensitive operator control device (24) is integrated on an upper side of a central console (32) arranged in the rear seat region or can be coupled to said central console.Motor vehicle (10) according to one of Claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the touch-sensitive operator control device (24) is designed to form a wireless connection with the infotainment system (12).Motor vehicle (10) according to one of Claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the touch-sensitive operator control device (24) comprises an operator control element (36), by means of which the view detection device (16) can be activated and deactivated.Motor vehicle (10) according to one of Claims 5 to 9, characterized in that a camera (30) of the view detection device (16) is integrated in the display device (14).

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