vehicle

Abstract

Vehicle (1), with a vehicle interior (2), with a number of sensors (6, 12, 14, 16) for monitoring the vehicle interior (2) and with a control unit (10) which is linked to the number of sensors (6, 12, 14, 16) via signal transmission and which is configured to - to monitor the vehicle interior (2) using the number of sensors (6, 12, 14, 16), - to determine, based on sensor signals transmitted by the number of sensors (6, 12, 14, 16), whether a vehicle occupant located in the vehicle interior (2) is consuming food, - to determine a property of the food based on the sensor signals, and - depending on the properties of the food, to change at least one interior parameter influencing the interior situation of the vehicle interior (2), wherein the control unit (10) is configured to release or influence an odor in the vehicle interior (2) to change the interior parameter.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle, in particular a method for operating the vehicle.

[0002] DE 10 2014 203 204 A1 describes a device for holding a container filled with liquid, comprising a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature related to the temperature of the liquid in the container, and a control unit connected to the temperature sensor. The control unit initiates an action depending on the detected temperature. According to the invention, the control unit activates and / or influences a function that increases the safety of the vehicle occupant when the detected temperature exceeds a predetermined hot temperature limit.

[0003] According to US 2017 / 0334374 A1, a safety control system for use with applications in vehicles includes a communication device having at least one of an input accessible from within the vehicle and an output communicated within the vehicle, at least one sensor operable to detect at least one condition related to vehicle operation and data about distracting characteristics of a running application, and a controller communicating with the sensor and the communication device to selectively suppress at least one of the inputs and the output in response to a detected parameter of the at least one condition being outside a threshold. When an input is suppressed, the driver is prevented from accessing or entering information in the communication device.When an output is suppressed, communication between the device and the driver of a vehicle is suppressed to, among other things, avoid distracting the driver during certain driving situations or conditions related to the driver, the vehicle and / or the environment.

[0004] Vehicles are typically used to transport people or goods. With the exception of autonomously operated rail vehicles already in use, vehicles are typically driven by people. People who are not involved in controlling the vehicle (and sometimes even those involved in controlling it) sometimes consume food during the journey. For example, these people eat and / or drink. Apart from rail vehicles—for example, passenger trains—or (commercial) aircraft, other vehicles, such as passenger cars, coaches, or the like, are generally not designed to accommodate "real" meals.

[0005] Particularly in road vehicles (i.e., in particular buses and / or passenger cars), eating is usually a secondary activity that should not disturb the driver as much as possible and / or where the primary goal is to avoid soiling the vehicle interior. DE 10 2016 219 122 A1, DE 10 2016 221 235 A1, and DE 10 2016 221 236 A1 each disclose autonomously or semi-autonomously controlled vehicles that are designed to detect the food intake of a vehicle occupant and subsequently adapt a driving strategy, specifically the driving behavior of the vehicle itself, to prevent, for example, spillage of drinks or the like.

[0006] Particularly on longer journeys by vehicle, in addition to the aforementioned aspects of adapting driving behaviour, it is also interesting to increase food intake from a mere “snack” to a “meal” in order to achieve the most subjectively pleasant travel experience possible.

[0007] The invention is based on the object of improving a subjective impression of a journey with a vehicle.

[0008] This object is achieved according to the invention by a vehicle having the features of claim 1. Further advantageous and partly inventive embodiments and developments of the invention are set out in more detail in the subclaims and the following description.

[0009] The vehicle according to the invention has a vehicle interior—preferably with a number of seats arranged therein—and a number of sensors for monitoring the vehicle interior. Furthermore, the vehicle has a control unit (also referred to as a "controller") that is linked to the number of sensors for signal transmission. The control unit is configured to monitor the vehicle interior using the number of sensors and, based on sensor signals transmitted by the number of sensors, to determine whether a vehicle occupant in the vehicle interior is consuming food. This means that the control unit determines, based on the sensor signals, whether at least one vehicle occupant is eating and / or drinking.The control unit is also configured to determine a property of the food based on the sensor signals and, depending on this property of the food, to change at least one interior parameter influencing an interior situation of the vehicle interior.

[0010] The property of food is understood here and below to mean in particular a consistency (solid, liquid or creamy), a quantity and / or a type (for example a sandwich, a meat dish, a fish dish, a vegetable dish, a dessert or the like) of the food.

[0011] Preferably, the vehicle comprises a number of means for influencing the interior situation (also referred to as "actuators"), the operation of which is controlled by the respective interior parameter. For example, such an actuator is formed by an air conditioning system, a heating system, a ventilation system, a lighting device (referred to as "lighting" for short), an audio system, or the like.

[0012] By changing the interior situation (at least indirectly due to a change in the corresponding interior parameter) depending on the properties of the food, the interior situation is linked to the food consumed by at least one of the vehicle occupants. This advantageously creates the possibility of adapting the interior situation to the food consumed and thus promoting a (at least subjectively potentially) positive impression of the vehicle occupant(s) during food intake. In particular, this can "stage" the food in the vehicle, which in turn distracts the respective vehicle occupant from the travel situation and, in particular, enables them to have a subjectively special travel experience.

[0013] The vehicle is preferably a passenger car. However, it can also be a bus, a passenger train, a passenger aircraft, or the like.

[0014] In order to be able to customize the change in the interior situation as much as possible, the sensor or at least some of the sensors are configured to separately monitor the preferably multiple seats arranged in the vehicle interior. Preferably, at least two seats - in a passenger vehicle, for example, the front passenger seat and the rear seats - are monitored separately from one another. Furthermore, each seat is optionally monitored individually. In this case, the means for changing the interior situation described above are preferably also configured to change the interior situation separately for each seat, at least in the area of ​​each seat. This makes it possible to offer each occupant the most personalized dining experience possible.

[0015] In a practical embodiment, the sensor or one of the sensors is formed by a camera, particularly for visual (i.e., particularly in the visible spectral range) detection of food. Optionally, each seat or at least each group of seats—in a passenger vehicle, for example, the rear seats and the driver and front passenger seats—is assigned a camera.

[0016] In a further expedient embodiment, the sensor or one of the sensors—in particular, a further sensor—is formed by a temperature sensor, preferably an infrared camera. This sensor or infrared camera serves to detect a temperature value of the food or individual components of the food (e.g., the main ingredient such as meat or fish, a side dish, or the like).

[0017] In a further expedient embodiment, the sensor or one of the sensors—in particular, a sensor additional to at least one of the aforementioned sensors—is formed by an odor sensor. In this case, the control unit is thus particularly configured to detect an odor emitted by the food and / or at least by food components using this odor sensor.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the control unit is configured to apply a pattern recognition method to the sensor signals to determine the properties of the food. In a simple variant, for example, an image captured by the camera described above is compared with images stored in a database. Additionally or alternatively, a correlation analysis of the captured sensor signals is performed with signals stored as a reference for properties of known foods. Additionally or further alternatively, a neural network or another autonomously learning machine, in particular a self-learning algorithm, can also be applied to the sensor signals.

[0019] In particular, the control unit is configured to determine, by means of the corresponding sensor described above, for example, the color of the food, the temperature of the food and / or the temperature of the vehicle occupant consuming it, the odor emitted in the area of ​​the seat, individual food components - for example, cooked or raw meat, vegetables, fish, cereal products or the like -, the (remaining) amount of food and the like.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the control unit is configured to change, as an interior parameter, a lighting parameter of the above-described lighting of the vehicle interior, in particular for one of the seats. Optionally, the lighting of the food itself is also changed, e.g. a type of light spotlight is directed onto it. In particular, an intensity and / or a light color are used as lighting parameters. For example, the food or individual components of the food are illuminated with different light colors and / or brightness values ​​(intensity values). Optionally, the intensity or brightness of the lighting is also reduced as the amount of food decreases. Optionally, the lighting is also controlled in such a way that comparatively more blue components are emitted when the food is cold, thus assigning the lighting a "colder" light color.In this case, for example, when eating warm food, more red components are emitted, so that the light colour appears “warmer”.

[0021] In addition to or as an alternative to controlling the lighting itself, the control unit is optionally configured to change the transparency of a window pane adjacent to the respective seat. In this case, the vehicle therefore features a so-called electrochromic pane (as an actuator).

[0022] In a further, additional, or alternative embodiment, the control unit is configured to change a temperature value as an interior parameter. In the case of cold food, for example, the temperature in the vehicle interior, or at least in the area of ​​the seat where the food is consumed, is kept as constant as possible or slightly increased. In the case of warm or hot food and / or drinks, the temperature in the area of ​​the corresponding seat is preferably lowered, particularly to prevent the vehicle occupant from sweating.

[0023] Preferably, the temperature sensor, in particular the infrared camera, also monitors the vehicle occupant eating. In this case, it is determined whether the occupant is sweating, and if sweating is detected, the temperature in the area of ​​their seat is lowered, for example, using the air conditioning system described above.

[0024] Preferably, the control unit is configured to use the above-described odor sensor to detect, in particular, odors that are typically perceived as unpleasant—for example, the smell of onions, garlic, or the like. In this case, the control unit is preferably configured to activate an odor neutralizer to influence the odor in the vehicle interior. For example, an ionizer or the like is used as the odor neutralizer. This therefore represents one of the actuators mentioned above. Additionally or alternatively, counteracting or supporting odors—in the case of desserts, for example, fruity or refreshing odors (e.g., citrus fruit scent, mint scent, berry scent, or the like)—can also be emitted using a suitable odor dispenser.

[0025] In another practical embodiment, the control unit is also configured to activate music playback or change the music being played in order to change the interior parameters. For example, the vehicle occupants' music preferences are stored in a memory, e.g., using a learning algorithm.

[0026] In a further advantageous embodiment, the control unit is also configured to adapt the driving behavior, particularly in the case of autonomous or at least semi-autonomous vehicle control, to the properties of the food. For example, distance control, particularly in the case of liquid food, increases the distance from surrounding vehicles in order to maintain the greatest possible braking distance for the gentlest possible deceleration and thus reduce the risk of spilling the food.

[0027] Preferably, the control unit is also configured to operate fully automatically. In this case, the control unit is configured to detect when the food has been consumed and / or the food intake of the corresponding vehicle occupant has ended. In this case, the controller is preferably configured to resume the operating mode that existed before the start of food intake. However, the implementation of the "food monitoring" and the aforementioned change to the interior situation can also be activated or deactivated by one of the vehicle occupants, either completely or in part (e.g., limited to changing the lighting), or even rejected (e.g., in part) upon a request from the control unit.

[0028] The control unit is therefore configured to implement a method for operating, in particular for controlling, the interior situation of the vehicle, which also constitutes an independent invention. This method is derived analogously from the steps described above and performed by the control unit.

[0029] Preferably, the control unit (the controller) is formed, at least in its core, by a microcontroller with a processor and a data memory. In particular, the functionality for carrying out the (inventive) method, i.e. the procedure described above, is implemented in the form of operating software (firmware). The method is therefore carried out automatically when the operating software in the microcontroller is executed - possibly in interaction with one of the vehicle occupants -. Alternatively, the controller is formed by a non-programmable electronic component, e.g., an ASIC, in which the functionality for carrying out the procedure described above is implemented using circuitry.

[0030] The conjunction “and / or” is to be understood here and in the following in particular in such a way that the features linked by means of this conjunction can be formed both together and as alternatives to one another.

[0031] An exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated in more detail below with reference to a drawing. In the drawings: Fig. 1 shows a schematic side view of a motor vehicle with several seats arranged in a vehicle interior, with sensors for monitoring the vehicle interior and with actuators for controlling an interior situation, and Fig. 2 shows a schematic flow diagram of a method for controlling the interior situation.

[0032] In Fig. 1 schematically shows a vehicle 1, specifically a passenger car. The vehicle 1 has a vehicle interior 2 in which several seats 4 are arranged. The vehicle 1 also has sensors 6, which are assigned in groups to each of the seats 4. Furthermore, the vehicle 1 has several actuators 8, which are also assigned in groups to the seats 4. The sensors 6 are connected to a control unit referred to as "controller 10" for signal transmission. The controller 10 is also linked to the actuators 8 for signal transmission in order to control them. The controller 10 is also configured to automatically carry out an operating method described in more detail below.

[0033] The sensors 6 are - for each seat 4 - a camera 12 for recording data in the visible spectrum, an infrared camera 14 for recording temperature values ​​and an odor sensor 16 for detecting odors in the vehicle interior 2. The actuators 8 are a separately controllable zone 18 of an air conditioning and / or heating system (i.e. an outlet of an air conditioning or heating system for local temperature control in a partial area of ​​the vehicle interior 2), a lighting device 20 and an odor control device 22.

[0034] The controller 10 operates in the intended operation based on Fig.2. In a first method step 30, the controller 10 monitors the vehicle interior 2 using the sensors 6 described above. Using the sensor signals received from the sensors 6, the controller 10 determines in a second method step 40 whether a vehicle occupant sitting on one of the seats 4 is consuming food. If the controller 10 detects that the corresponding vehicle occupant is consuming food - i.e. eating or drinking - the controller 10 determines a property of the food in a further method step 50. To do this, the controller 10 compares the received sensor signals with reference signals stored for known food. For example, the controller 10 compares the images captured by the camera 12 with stored images. Optionally, pattern recognition methods, neural networks or the like are used here.Using the infrared camera 14, the controller 10 determines the temperature of the food or at least parts of the food. The use of the infrared camera 14 advantageously enables a spatial resolution of individual temperature values ​​across the entire image area. Using the odor sensor 16, the controller 10 determines whether, for example, unpleasant odors (e.g., onion, garlic, cabbage, or the like) are present.

[0035] In a subsequent method step 60, the controller 10 changes at least one interior parameter depending on the property of the consumed food, thus influencing the interior situation of the vehicle 1. For this purpose, the controller 10 controls the lighting device 20 to illuminate the consumed food, specifically the dishes on which the food is located. In particular, individual components of the food are also illuminated with different light colors. If the presence of unpleasant odors is detected, the controller 10 controls the odor control device 22 to compensate for these unpleasant odors. For this purpose, the odor control device 22 comprises an ionizer.In the event that only weak odors emitted by the ingested food are detected, the controller 10 can, in an optional embodiment, also control the odor control device 22 to emit similar odors and thus to support the aroma emitted by the food - for example in the case of a dessert.

[0036] In addition, controller 1 controls zone 18 of the air conditioning system to slightly raise the temperature in the corresponding area of ​​seat 4 in the case of cold food. In the case of warm or even hot food, controller 1 controls zone 18 of the air conditioning system to reduce the temperature in the corresponding area of ​​seat 4 in order to prevent or reduce perspiration of the vehicle occupant. However, zone 18 is controlled in such a way that the warm food is not "blown" by a cold air stream, to prevent the food from cooling down too quickly.

[0037] If the controller 10 detects that the food has been completely consumed or removed from the monitored area of ​​the seat 4, the controller 10 returns in a method step 70 to the operating mode before the detection of the food.

[0038] The subject matter of the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment described above. Rather, further embodiments of the invention can be derived by those skilled in the art from the above description. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS: 1 vehicle 2 Vehicle interior 4 seats 6 Sensor 8 Actuator 10 controllers 12 Camera 14 Infrared camera 16 Odor sensor 18 Zone 20 Lighting equipment 22 Odor control device 30 process steps 40 process steps 50 process steps 60 process steps 70 process steps

Claims

[1] Vehicle (1), with a vehicle interior (2), with a number of sensors (6, 12, 14, 16) for monitoring the vehicle interior (2) and with a control unit (10) which is linked to the number of sensors (6, 12, 14, 16) in terms of signal transmission and which is designed to - to monitor the vehicle interior (2) by means of the number of sensors (6, 12, 14, 16), - to determine, on the basis of sensor signals transmitted by the number of sensors (6, 12, 14, 16), whether a vehicle occupant in the vehicle interior (2) is eating, - to determine a property of the food based on the sensor signals, and - to change at least one interior parameter influencing an interior situation of the vehicle interior (2) depending on the property of the food, wherein the control unit (10) is designed to emit or influence an odor into the vehicle interior (2) in order to change the interior parameter. [2] Vehicle (1) according to claim 1, wherein the sensor (6,12,14,16) or at least some of the sensors (6,12,14,16) are arranged for separate monitoring of seats (4) arranged in the vehicle interior (2). [3] Vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sensor or one of the sensors is formed by a camera (12). [4] Vehicle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sensor or one of the sensors is formed by a temperature sensor, in particular by an infrared camera (14). [5] Vehicle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sensor or one of the sensors is formed by an odor sensor (16). [6] Vehicle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control unit (10) is configured to apply a pattern recognition method to the sensor signals to determine the property of the food. [7] Vehicle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the control unit (10) is configured to change, as an interior parameter, a lighting parameter of a lighting (20) for the vehicle interior (2), in particular for the respective seat (4), preferably for the food. [8] Vehicle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein an intensity and / or a light colour are used as illumination parameters. [9] Vehicle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the control unit (10) is configured to change a temperature value as an interior parameter. [10] Vehicle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the control unit (10) is configured to play or change music to change the interior parameter.

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