System for a vehicle

Abstract

System for a vehicle, wherein the system comprises at least one camera (4) for capturing an image of a section of the interior of the vehicle with at least one occupant depicted therein, and a touch-sensitive display field (2) configured to display the image of the section of the interior with the at least one occupant depicted therein and to project at least one symbol (16, 18) for at least one airflow of an air conditioning system in the interior of the vehicle into the image of the section of the interior, wherein the at least one symbol (16, 18) for the at least one airflow is visualized in the image of the section of the interior using augmented reality, wherein the direction of the at least one symbol (16, 18) for the at least one airflow displayed by the display field (2) is changed by touching the display field (2) and by manipulating the symbol (16, 18) on the display field (2).wherein the air conditioning is controlled and the direction of the airflow is adjusted according to the changed direction of at least one symbol (16, 18).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a system for a vehicle and a method for operating an air conditioning system of a vehicle.

[0002] The document DE 10 2022 003 981 A1 shows a system for visualizing parameters of a vehicle's air conditioning system.

[0003] A user interface for controlling an air conditioning system of a means of transport is known from the document DE 10 2014 200 992 A1.

[0004] The document DE 10 2020 210 682 A1 describes a method for outputting aerodynamic information in a vehicle.

[0005] The document DE 10 2015 210 213 A1 describes a method for operating a ventilation device in a vehicle, in which at least one air flow is generated in the interior of the vehicle. A value of at least one parameter of the incoming air is detected. Depending on the value of the detected parameter, graphic data of a representation of the interior of the vehicle is generated, wherein the representation comprises at least one graphic element associated with the value of the detected parameter. The graphic data of the representation is displayed, wherein the detected parameter relates to the composition of the incoming air.

[0006] A method for operating a vehicle with a control signal acquisition device and a 3D display device is known from DE 10 2020 203 352 A1. A 3D vehicle control graphic is displayed using the 3D display device. The 3D vehicle control graphic is a three-dimensional image that is preferably projected to the desired position in the vehicle's interior.

[0007] A user interface, a means of transportation, and a method for operating a heating / air conditioning system of a means of transportation by an occupant of the means of transportation are proposed in the document DE 10 2022 108 774 A1. The method comprises determining a representation of a surface of an interior of the means of transportation, loading a virtual control element for the heating / air conditioning system, displaying the virtual control element in a predefined spatial relationship to the surface using an augmented reality (AR) display device, and determining a predefined interaction of the occupant with the virtual control element using a sensor assigned to the augmented reality display device.

[0008] A method for adjusting an air conditioning device of a vehicle is known from the document DE 10 2015 207 975 A1. In this method, parameters of the air conditioning device generated by ventilation elements are determined. If a user's operating intention is detected, a setting mode is activated as the display mode. If not, a status mode of the air conditioning device is activated as the display mode. Depending on the display mode, graphic data of a graphic representation of the interior of the vehicle is generated such that, when the status mode is activated, the interior of the vehicle and the parameters of the air conditioning device in the interior are displayed. When the setting mode is activated, a cross-sectional projection of the interior is displayed, with the parameters of the air conditioning device being displayed in a plane of the cross-sectional projection.

[0009] Against this background, one task was to display a function of an air conditioning system in a vehicle.

[0010] This problem is solved by a system and a method having the features of the independent patent claims. Embodiments of the system and method are evident from the dependent patent claims and the description.

[0011] The system according to the invention is designed for a vehicle, for example a motor vehicle, wherein the system has a display panel or display which is designed to show a section of an interior of the vehicle. In addition, the display panel is designed to project and / or fade in at least one symbol for at least one air flow in the interior, usually for a direction of the at least one air flow of an air conditioning system of the vehicle which flows through and / or into the interior, into a representation of the section of the interior or into an image of the section of the interior with at least one occupant depicted thereon, wherein each air flow is shown and / or represented by a respective symbol, wherein each air flow is or will be assigned a symbol. The system can be designed to operate and / or control the air conditioning system.

[0012] The system according to the invention has at least one camera for recording the interior, which is directed at at least one outlet opening of the air conditioning system, typically at one outlet opening from a selection of several outlet openings, and at least one seat, such as a driver's seat for a driver and / or a passenger seat for a passenger as at least one occupant of the vehicle. The at least one camera is designed to record the at least one outlet opening from which the at least one air stream flows into the interior, as well as the at least one seat or at least one occupant sitting thereon, which is also displayed on the display panel.

[0013] The display panel of the system according to the invention is touch-sensitive and can also be referred to as a touchscreen. Furthermore, the system has a control unit for the air conditioning system or for controlling it. It is also conceivable for the system to also include the air conditioning system.

[0014] The method according to the invention is provided for operating and / or controlling an air conditioning system of a vehicle with a system of the vehicle, typically with an embodiment of the system presented. The system has a display panel with which a section of an interior of the vehicle is visually represented and / or displayed. At least one symbol for at least one air flow of an air conditioning system in the interior of the vehicle, which air flow is in and / or through the interior, is projected and / or superimposed into a representation of the section of the interior.

[0015] The method provides that the displayed section of the interior shows or includes at least one outlet opening of an air conditioning system of the vehicle, with which the at least one air flow is provided, and at least one body part of at least one occupant of the vehicle. The at least one symbol for the at least one air flow projected or displayed in the section of the interior or in a corresponding representation begins at the at least one outlet opening from which the at least one air flow flows and ends on or at a surface in the interior and / or on or at the at least one body part of the at least one occupant of the vehicle or of the person sitting on the seat in the vehicle. In this case, a usually vectorial course of the at least one air flow in the interior is shown by or with the display field, starting from the at least one outlet opening to the at least one body part.As a rule, at least one actuator is assigned to the at least one outflow opening, which actuator is designed to automatically adjust a direction of the air flow flowing out of the outflow opening.

[0016] It is possible for the at least one symbol, for example an arrow and / or vector, to be visualized and / or displayed for the at least one air flow or to represent the same with the aid of augmented reality in the representation of the section of the interior. In this case, a color of the at least one symbol can be adapted to a temperature of the at least one air flow. In this case, it is possible to assign a color in the color spectrum to each temperature. In one embodiment, a color of a respective symbol is automatically adapted to a temperature of the respective air flow that is visualized and / or represented by the respective symbol. In this case, the temperature can have a value between a minimum value and a maximum value as extreme values, wherein the extreme values ​​are usually greater than 0 °C, wherein at least one of the two extreme values, in particular the minimum value, can also be less than 0 °C.Furthermore, the color can have a value for an electromagnetic wavelength of light from the color spectrum between a minimum and a maximum value. Each temperature value is assigned a wavelength value, possibly via a characteristic map and / or a function, with a wavelength for a blue color being assigned for a low temperature value and a wavelength for a red color being assigned for a high temperature value.

[0017] In the method according to the invention, the direction of the at least one symbol for the at least one air flow displayed by, on, with, or projected therein on the display panel is usually manually set, changed, and / or updated by touching the display panel and manipulating the symbol on the display panel, wherein the at least one outlet opening from which the at least one air flow flows is controlled via a control unit, and the direction of the air flow flowing out of it is adjusted according to or in accordance with the usually manually changed direction of the at least one symbol. The symbol representing the respective air flow on the display panel is used to control the air flow and / or as a control element for the air flow and also for the air conditioning system.

[0018] The method and the system provide for visualizing the direction of one or more air flows in the interior of the vehicle using augmented reality. A typically moving image, usually a video, of at least one occupant, e.g., a driver and / or front passenger, is recorded with or by the camera. Furthermore, the at least one air flow or air jet is superimposed onto the video or stream from the at least one camera and onto the representation of the interior. Projecting the at least one air flow or air jet onto the image with the at least one occupant depicted therein simplifies the adjustment or change of the direction of the at least one air flow.

[0019] An image of at least one occupant is recorded by the at least one camera, for example an occupant observation camera, e.g. driver observation camera. The at least one symbol for the at least one air flow or air jet is projected into the image of the section of the interior using augmented reality. By manually swiping the touch-sensitive display field or a touch-sensitive screen as a possible manual operation, the at least one symbol for the at least one air flow shown on the display field can be set and / or aligned to different locations or targets, e.g. body parts of the at least one occupant. The air conditioning system is controlled via the touch-sensitive display field as a human-machine interface, with the occupant directing an air flow to a body part of their choice that they want to be hit by the air flow by operating the device, e.g.Moving and / or shifting the at least one symbol from the display field can usually reorient or align it. The length of the at least one symbol can also be changed.

[0020] The method and the system make it possible to operate and adjust at least one person vent as an outflow opening via the touch-sensitive display panel, here by the occupant manually moving at least one symbol. The occupant can then specifically and precisely direct the airflow to the part or area of ​​the body that is to be hit by the airflow. At least one actuator as an electrical control element is assigned to each outflow opening, which is controlled based on the movement of a respective symbol shown on the display panel for the airflow flowing out of the outflow opening. This provides a logical, functional and / or reciprocal link between the movement of the symbol as an action of the occupant as user and the resulting reaction of the system, namely a change and / or adjustment of the direction of the airflow flowing out of the outflow opening.The display panel can be used to detect where an air flow hits a part of the driver or passenger’s body.

[0021] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0022] The invention is illustrated schematically in the drawing using embodiments and is described schematically and in detail with reference to the drawing. Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of the system according to the invention for a vehicle when carrying out an embodiment of the method according to the invention.

[0023] Fig.1 shows a schematic representation of a component 22, here an instrument panel or dashboard, in an interior of a vehicle embodied here as a motor vehicle, wherein a steering wheel 24, only partially shown here, is arranged on a driver's side of the vehicle, here on the left, on the component 22. A control unit 6 with control elements, here buttons, for controlling and / or operating an air conditioning system of the vehicle is arranged approximately centrally in the component 22, on a central longitudinal axis of the vehicle. Furthermore, outlet openings 8 of the air conditioning system are arranged in a surface of the component 22 that delimits the interior, through which outlet openings 8 air or air streams are blown and / or flow into the interior when the air conditioning system is in operation.

[0024] In this case, a direction of a respective air flow is set depending on a respective position of a respective outflow opening 8. The direction of the respective air flow has at least a first vectorial component, which is oriented horizontally, here opposite to a forward direction of travel of the vehicle, and / or at least a second vectorial component, which is oriented vertically, here parallel to a vertical axis of the vehicle.

[0025] The position of the respective outlet opening 8 can be adjusted and changed by direct manual actuation thereof and / or by operating the control unit 6. An actuator is assigned to each outlet opening 8, which, based on control by the control unit 6, is designed to automatically adjust the outlet opening 8 and the direction of the air flow flowing therefrom.

[0026] The embodiment of the system according to the invention comprises as components a display panel 2 or display, which here is arranged on the component 22 and on the central longitudinal axis, a camera 4 for capturing and / or recording the interior, which here is directed towards a driver's seat of the vehicle and the component 22, and the control unit 6 for controlling the air conditioning system.

[0027] In the embodiment of the method according to the invention, the camera 4 records a driver of the vehicle, here sitting in the driver's seat behind the steering wheel 24, including a head 10, a shoulder 12 and a stomach 14 as body parts of the driver, but also at least one outlet opening 8 and furthermore also the display field 2 in and / or on the component 22 and displays them on the display field 2.

[0028] In addition, in this method, symbols 16, 18 for air flows, i.e. one symbol 16, 18 for one air flow each, which is directed into the interior from one outlet opening or outflow opening 8, are superimposed and / or projected into an image or a recorded image of the interior taken by the camera 4.

[0029] A first air stream flows from a first outlet opening, which in the illustration on display panel 2 is covered by the steering wheel 24 and is located to the left of the steering wheel 24 from the driver's perspective, onto a chest as a body part of the driver, which is indicated here by a first arrow as the first symbol 16 on display panel 2. A second air stream flows from a second outlet opening 8 approximately in the middle of component 22 below display panel 2 onto a right upper arm as a body part of the driver, which is indicated here by a second arrow as the second symbol 18 on display panel 2. The driver can therefore see where a respective air stream flows into the interior and which part of the body it hits.

[0030] In a further embodiment of the system and method, the display panel 2 is touch-sensitive and designed or referred to as a touchscreen. The driver or another passenger can manually set, change, and / or influence the direction of a respective air flow from a respective air outlet 8 and a location in the interior, e.g., a body part, on which it impacts and thus ends, by operating the display panel 2. For this purpose, the driver as passenger can touch a respective symbol 16, 18, e.g., an end of the symbol 16, 18 facing away from the air outlet 8, here a tip of a respective arrow, which is initially directed toward a first location and ends there, and align, reorient, or reposition it on the display panel 2 to a further, second, alternative location. The direction of the symbol 16, 18 and also its length can be set, e.g., updated.

[0031] In this case, a corresponding manual operation of the touch-sensitive display panel 2 is sensorily registered and / or detected by the display panel 2, with information about it being transmitted to the control unit 6. Taking into account a sensorily detected change, at least in the direction, of a respective symbol 16, 18 from a respective outflow opening 8, the respective outflow opening 8 is controlled by the control unit 6, and the air flow from the respective outflow opening 8, which is represented by a respective symbol 16, 18, is adjusted and / or updated depending on the respective manual operation. REFERENCE SYMBOL: 2 Display field 4 Camera 6 Control unit 8 Outlet opening 10 heads 12 Shoulder 14 Belly 16, 18 Symbol 22 Component 24 steering wheel

Claims

[1] A system for a vehicle, the system comprising at least one camera (4) for recording an image of a section of an interior of the vehicle with at least one occupant depicted thereon, and a touch-sensitive display panel (2) configured to display the image of the section of the interior with the at least one occupant depicted thereon and to project at least one symbol (16, 18) for at least one air flow of an air conditioning system in the interior of the vehicle into the image of the section of the interior, wherein the at least one symbol (16, 18) for the at least one air flow is visualized in the image of the section of the interior with the aid of augmented reality, wherein a direction of the at least one symbol (16, 18) depicted by the display panel (2) for the at least one air flow is changed by touching the display panel (2) and by manipulating the symbol (16, 18) on the display panel (2),wherein the air conditioning system is controlled and a direction of the air flow is adjusted according to the changed direction of the at least one symbol (16, 18). [2] System according to claim 1, comprising a control unit (6) for the air conditioning system. [3] A method for operating an air conditioning system of a vehicle with a system of the vehicle, wherein the system has at least one camera (4) with which an image of a section of an interior of the vehicle with at least one occupant depicted thereon is recorded, and a touch-sensitive display panel (2) with which the image of the section of the interior is displayed, wherein at least one symbol (16, 18) for at least one air flow of an air conditioning system in the interior of the vehicle is projected into the image of the section of the interior, wherein the at least one symbol (16, 18) for the at least one air flow is visualized in the image of the section of the interior with the aid of augmented reality, wherein a direction of the at least one symbol (16, 18) displayed by the display panel (2) for the at least one air flow is changed by touching the display panel (2) and by manipulating the symbol (16, 18) on the display panel (2),wherein the air conditioning system is controlled and a direction of the air flow is adjusted according to the changed direction of the at least one symbol (16, 18). [4] Method according to claim 3, wherein the section of the interior shown shows at least one outlet opening (8) of the air conditioning system of the vehicle and at least one body part of at least one occupant of the vehicle, wherein the at least one symbol (16, 18) for the at least one air flow begins at the at least one outlet opening (8) and ends on a surface in the interior of the vehicle.

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