Method and device for the haptic transmission of information signals to the driver of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to methods for the haptic transmission of information signals to the driver of a motor vehicle, wherein the information signals are generated by a navigation system and / or a mobile phone and a vibration device arranged in the motor vehicle is controlled to output haptic signals to the driver depending on the information signals. The method according to the invention is characterized in that a switching state of an audio output of an audio system provided in the motor vehicle, which, when audio output is switched on, outputs the information signals of the navigation system and / or the mobile phone as audio signals, and / or a switching state of an audio output of the mobile phone is detected and the haptic signals are output with the vibration device depending on the detected switching state of the audio output of the audio system and / or the mobile phone.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and a device for the haptic transmission of information signals to the driver of a motor vehicle according to the type defined in more detail in the preamble of claim 1 and claim 9.

[0002] It is well known that information from a motor vehicle's navigation system or a mobile phone connected to the vehicle's infotainment system is transmitted to the driver via acoustic and visual signals. Route information from the navigation system is announced to the driver via the infotainment system's speakers and shown on a display device within the infotainment system, for example, in the center console or a head-up display. Incoming calls are also signaled acoustically and visually.

[0003] The disadvantage of acoustic and visual signaling is that these signals can easily be missed or overlooked by the driver in a noisy vehicle environment while the driver's attention is focused on the road. To remedy this problem, DE 10 2005 032 528 A1 proposes a haptic device for delivering haptic information signals from maneuvering assistance systems such as navigation systems and parking aids to the driver of a motor vehicle. The haptic device can also be used in mobile navigation systems, for example, on a mobile phone.

[0004] DE 10 2016 005 256 A1 discloses a haptic transmission of instructions from a navigation system to a driver of a motor vehicle, for example, using pulses and vibrations on the steering wheel. If the driver does not desire haptic instructions, the generation of the pulses and vibrations can be deactivated via the navigation system and / or a vehicle control system. The navigation system can be used together with a lane keeping system, so that an actuator for generating haptic instructions from the lane keeping system is also used for the haptic instructions of the navigation system. A disadvantage is that the driver can only choose between a state with pulses and vibrations, which are generated very frequently in practice, and a state in which no haptic signal transmission occurs.

[0005] DE 10 2022 000 029 A1 discloses a method for monitoring incoming calls on a smartphone that is coupled to a vehicle's processing unit. When incoming calls are received, actuators located in the vehicle are activated, generating haptic feedback and alerting the driver to the call. Actuators are integrated, for example, into a steering wheel or vehicle seat. Haptic feedback is provided in addition to information visually displayed in the vehicle. The haptic feedback is only provided in the vehicle when the driver enters a confirming control action.

[0006] The present invention is based on the object of specifying a method and a device for the haptic transmission of information signals from a navigation system or a mobile phone to the driver of a motor vehicle, with which the number of haptic transmissions can be limited and advantageously restricted to those situations in which there is otherwise a risk of information loss.

[0007] The object of the invention is achieved by a method for the haptic transmission of information signals having the features of claim 1 and a device for the haptic transmission of information signals having the features of claim 9. Advantageous embodiments and further developments emerge from the dependent claims.

[0008] According to the method according to the invention for the haptic transmission of information signals to the driver of a motor vehicle, wherein the information signals are generated by a navigation system and / or a mobile phone and a vibration device arranged in the motor vehicle is controlled to output haptic signals to the driver as a function of the information signals, a switching state of an audio output of an audio system provided in the motor vehicle, which outputs the information signals of the navigation system and / or the mobile phone as audio signals when the audio output is switched on, and / or a switching state of an audio output of the mobile phone is detected and the haptic signals are output with the vibration device as a function of the detected switching state of the audio output of the audio system and / or the mobile phone.

[0009] Thus, the output of the haptic signals can be limited to those situations in which the driver could not be reliably informed acoustically about the information contained in the information signals, for example an incoming call or a route instruction from the navigation system, due to the switching state of the audio output of the system.

[0010] The haptic signals, particularly in the form of pulses and / or vibrations, can be transmitted in any way through surfaces with which the driver comes into contact while driving. Different haptic signal characteristics can then be used to distinguish between incoming calls or navigation instructions, for example.

[0011] In particular, a control device is provided which is connected to the vibration device and, in response to incoming information signals, for example depending on an information content of the information signals and / or the source of the information signals, i.e. mobile phone or navigation system or another device which is coupled to the vibration device, determines the frequency, amplitude, number and / or a sequence or coding of the vibrations or pulses to be emitted by the vibration device and controls the vibration device accordingly.

[0012] According to an advantageous development of the invention, the haptic signals of the vibration device are output when the audio output of the audio system and / or mobile phone is muted. This reduces the output of the haptic signals to situations in which the information signals are not output as audio signals.

[0013] For information signals generated by the mobile phone, the decision as to whether haptic signals are output via the vibration device can therefore also depend on the switching state of the mobile phone's audio output. This means that the driver can specify whether they want haptic transmission of the mobile phone's information signals by specifically adjusting the switching state of the mobile phone's audio output. For example, if the driver is listening to a radio program or an audio stream from another media source via the audio output of the vehicle's audio system, they can use the switching state of the mobile phone's audio output to determine whether or not the program or stream should be interrupted to output the mobile phone's information signals as audio signals.If the mobile phone's audio output is muted, the mobile phone's information signals are not output via the audio output of the vehicle's audio system, but instead as haptic signals via the vibration device. If the mobile phone's audio output is switched on, the mobile phone's information signals are not output as haptic signals via the vibration device. In particular, the mobile phone's information signals are instead output as audio signals via the audio output of the vehicle's audio system.

[0014] According to a particularly advantageous development of the method according to the invention, the haptic signal can only be output if the audio output of the audio system and / or the mobile phone is / are set to a volume that is below a predetermined volume setting limit. For example, if the volume can be adjusted in a range from 0 to 100 percent of the maximum outputtable sound power or power consumption of the audio system or the mobile phone, it can be specified that the haptic signal is only output if the audio output of the audio system and / or the mobile phone is set to a volume that is below 20 percent of the possible maximum value.

[0015] Advantageously, the haptic transmission of information signals is automatically activated when the audio output of the audio system and / or the mobile phone is muted or when the audio output of the audio system and / or the mobile phone is set to a volume that is below a predetermined volume setting limit, for example 20 percent of the possible maximum value.

[0016] It is advantageous if the haptic signals are emitted via a vibration device integrated into the steering wheel of the vehicle. This has the advantage that the vibrations can be perceived particularly reliably by the driver, who typically has constant contact with the steering wheel with at least one hand while driving. However, the vibrations can also be transmitted in any way through other surfaces with which the driver is in contact, for example, through the surfaces of the driver's seat.

[0017] According to an advantageous development of the invention, a switching state of a display device provided in the motor vehicle, which, when switched on, displays information from the navigation system and / or the mobile phone, is detected, and the haptic signals are output by the vibration device depending on the detected switching state of the display device. This allows the number of outputs of the haptic signals to be reduced even further, for example, to situations in which the driver not only cannot hear the information signals but may also be unable to visually perceive them. The display device is, for example, a display in the center console and / or in the dashboard and / or a head-up display of the motor vehicle.

[0018] In particular, the haptic signal is only emitted if the display device is not currently displaying the information from the navigation system when information signals from the navigation system are present, or if the information from the mobile phone is not currently displaying the information from the mobile phone when information signals from the mobile phone are present.

[0019] Advantageously, the haptic signal can be emitted automatically when the display device, which displays information from the navigation system and / or the mobile phone when switched on, is switched off or only displays information other than that from the navigation system, for example current route information, and / or the mobile phone, for example about an incoming call or a message.

[0020] According to an advantageous development of the invention, the haptic signal can only be emitted when the information signals prompt the driver to turn the vehicle. This avoids haptic signals that do not require an immediate response from the driver or merely signal continued driving on the same road.

[0021] For example, vibrations on the right side of the steering wheel can prompt the driver to turn right, and vibrations on the left side of the steering wheel can signal the need to turn left.

[0022] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the mobile phone can be connected wirelessly or by cable to the motor vehicle's infotainment system via an interface. Notifications or incoming calls from the mobile phone can then be sent via this interface to the infotainment system and from there to the vibration device or a control device controlling the vibration device.

[0023] A device according to the invention for the haptic transmission of information signals to the driver of a motor vehicle comprises a navigation system configured to generate information signals and / or a wireless and / or wired interface for a mobile phone configured to receive information signals from the mobile phone. Furthermore, a vibration device is provided for outputting haptic signals to the driver as a function of the information signals, as well as a control device configured to control the vibration device as a function of the information signals from the navigation system and / or the mobile phone.

[0024] According to the invention, the control device is configured to carry out a method according to the invention such that a switching state of an audio output of an audio system provided in the motor vehicle, which outputs the information signals of the navigation system and / or the mobile phone as audio signals when the audio output is switched on, and / or a switching state of an audio output of the mobile phone is detected and the haptic signals are output with the vibration device as a function of the detected switching state of the audio output of the audio system and / or the mobile phone.

[0025] According to an advantageous development of the device, the vibration device is integrated in the steering wheel in order to send particularly easily perceivable haptic signals to the driver of the motor vehicle.

[0026] The invention will be described below using an exemplary embodiment and the figures.

[0027] Showing: Fig. 1 an embodiment of a device according to the invention; Fig. 2 an embodiment of a method according to the invention.

[0028] In the Fig. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a device according to the invention for the haptic transmission of information signals to the driver of a motor vehicle. This device comprises an infotainment system 3 with a display device 4, an audio system 8, and a navigation system 9. The navigation system 9 generates information signals containing route information to navigate the driver with the vehicle along a route calculated by the navigation system 9. The information signals are visually displayed on the display device 4 and output to the driver as audio signals via an audio output of the audio system 8.

[0029] The device comprises an interface 2, for example, on the infotainment system 3, via which a mobile phone 1 is connected wirelessly or wired. Upon an incoming call and / or an incoming message, the mobile phone 1 generates information signals, which it transmits via the interface 2 to the device, for example, the infotainment system 3. Upon receipt of such information signals, the call or message is visually displayed on the display device 4 and output to the driver as audio signals via an audio output of the audio system 8.

[0030] The infotainment system 3 is further connected via a control device 5 to vibration devices 6 which are installed in the steering wheel 7 of the motor vehicle.

[0031] The control device 5 is configured to carry out a method for the haptic transmission of the information signals of the navigation system 9 or the mobile phone 1 to the driver depending on the switching state of the audio output of the audio system 8 and / or the mobile phone 1.

[0032] According to the Fig.In the exemplary embodiment of a method according to the invention illustrated in a flowchart in Figure 2, when there is an incoming call on a mobile phone and / or when a navigation instruction from the navigation system is present, a check is made to determine whether the audio output of the audio system is activated. If the audio output is activated, the information signal is output via the audio system's audio output. If, however, the audio output is deactivated, a check is made to determine whether the display device is switched on to visually display the information signal. If this is the case, the information signal is transmitted to the driver via the display device. If the display device is also deactivated, haptic information is transmitted via the vibration device.

[0033] Alternatively, in the case of an incoming call or a message on the mobile phone, as shown, the haptic information can only be provided when the audio output of the mobile phone is muted, in order, for example, to avoid interrupting a program currently being played via the audio output of the vehicle's audio system. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2005 032 528 A1

[0003] DE 10 2016 005 256 A1

[0004] DE 10 2022 000 029 A1

[0005]

Claims

[1] Method for the haptic transmission of information signals to the driver of a motor vehicle, wherein the information signals are generated by a navigation system (9) and / or a mobile phone (1) and a vibration device (6) arranged in the motor vehicle is controlled to output haptic signals to the driver as a function of the information signals, characterized by that a switching state of an audio output of an audio system (8) provided in the motor vehicle, which outputs the information signals of the navigation system (9) and / or the mobile phone (1) as audio signals when the audio output is switched on, and / or a switching state of an audio output of the mobile phone (1) is detected and the haptic signals are output with the vibration device (6) as a function of the detected switching state of the audio output of the audio system (8) and / or the mobile phone (1) [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized bythat the haptic signals are only output with the vibration device (6) when the audio output of the audio system (8) and / or the mobile phone (1) is muted [3] Method according to claim 1, characterized by that the haptic signals are only output with the vibration device (6) when the audio output of the audio system (8) and / or the mobile phone (1) is set to a volume below a predefined volume setting limit. [4] Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the haptic signals are output by a vibration device (6) integrated in a steering wheel (7) of the motor vehicle. [5] Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized bythat furthermore a switching state of a display device (4) provided in the motor vehicle, which displays information from the navigation system (9) and / or the mobile telephone (1) when switched on, is detected and the haptic signals are output by the vibration device (6) as a function of the detected switching state of the display device (4). [6] Method according to claim 5, characterized by that the haptic signals are only output by the vibration device (6) when no information from the navigation system (9) and / or the mobile phone (1) is currently being displayed on the display device (4). [7] Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that, in the case of information signals generated by the navigation system (9), the haptic signals are only output by the vibration device (6) when the information signals request the driver to turn the motor vehicle. [8] Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that, when information signals are generated by the mobile phone (1), the mobile phone (1) is coupled to an infotainment system (3) of the motor vehicle via a wireless and / or wired interface (2) and the mobile phone (1) sends the information signals to the infotainment system (3) via this interface (2). [9] Device for the haptic transmission of information signals to the driver of a motor vehicle, with a navigation system (9) which is designed to generate information signals, and / or with a wireless and / or wired interface (2) for a mobile phone (1) which is designed to receive information signals from the mobile phone (1), with a vibration device (6) for outputting haptic signals to the driver depending on the information signals, with a control device (5) which is designed to control the vibration device (6) as a function of the information signals of the navigation system (9) and / or the mobile phone (1); characterized by , that the control device (5) is configured to carry out a method according to one of claims 1 to 8. [10] Device according to claim 9, characterized by that the vibration device (6) is integrated in a steering wheel (7) of the motor vehicle.

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