Method for sending a message to a vehicle and for receiving a message on a vehicle

Abstract

Examples relate to a method (10) for sending a message (N) to a vehicle (F1) of a first user that is within sight of a second user who is not in the vehicle, wherein the vehicle (F1) is enabled to receive messages (N) from users who are not in the vehicle, the method (10) comprising: selecting (11) the vehicle (F1) seen by the second user by the second user using an electronic device (21, 22); and sending (12) the message from the electronic device (21, 22) to the vehicle (F1).

Description

Technical FieldExemplary embodiments relate to a method for transmitting a message to a vehicle of a first user, which is located within the visibility range of a second user external to the vehicle, wherein the vehicle is enabled to receive messages from users external to the vehicle. Further provided is a method for receiving a message at a vehicle. Furthermore, a computer program product for executing the proposed method is proposed.BackgroundIn modern motor vehicles, particular details and individualization possibilities are frequently offered in the form of special equipment. Due to special editions and vehicle parts with special designs, users, in particular users of premium vehicles, can place themselves with their vehicles against models of other providers that look the same. In some regions, special equipments are also used as status symbol.In road traffic, for this reason, the situation may arise that a passerby or user of another vehicle discovers the individual premium vehicle and would like to notify the driver or vehicle owner of his value that he feels the premium vehicle particularly prominent, for example from aesthetic aspects. However, there is usually no possibility of directly and unambiguously expressing the value estimate for the vehicle to the driver, and the possibility of viewing all the details of the equipment (e.g. interior) in a normal traffic situation is likewise lacking. On the contrary, communication with the unknown driver of the premium vehicle is usually not possible at all if the driver continues his journey and does not make a break and exit at random.It may likewise occur that a road user sees a person in a vehicle and would like to contact it, but does not have his contact data. Here too, it is left to chance whether the person skilled in the art takes a break and gets out of the vehicle, so that contact recording would be possible. Otherwise, contact to the occupant of vehicles driving in front may not be possible.SummaryIt is an object of the present disclosure to provide improved concepts for communicating with vehicle occupants, particularly for sending messages to vehicles and receiving messages to vehicles.This object is achieved according to the subject matter of the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims, the following description and in connection with the figures.Accordingly, a method for transmitting a message to a vehicle of a first user, which is located within the visibility range of a second user external to the vehicle, is proposed. It is provided that the vehicle of the first user is enabled to receive messages from non-vehicle users. The method includes selecting, by the second user, the vehicle viewed by the second user using an electronic device and sending the message from the electronic device to the vehicle.The non-vehicle second user may be non-vehicle in particular in such a way that the electronic device of the second user is not fixedly coupled to the vehicle of the first user (e.g. before carrying out the method was not yet coupled to the vehicle and, for example, only temporarily connects to the vehicle via a near-field connection such as Bluetooth or WLAN for the transmission of the message according to the method) and / or the second user does not have any contact data such as the telephone number of the first user and / or the device name of the vehicle of the first user.For example, the message to be transmitted may be a message of a predetermined format, e.g., a symbol for an assessment (like) or an emoji. For example, a predetermined text format with respect to length and content may be provided for the message (e.g., for security reasons to avoid transmission of malware). For example, the transmission of messages may be temporarily or absolutely restricted (e.g. per user only one message per day or one message per vehicle) in order to avoid bulk reception of messages from non-vehicle users on the vehicle.Advantageously, the message can only be sent to vehicles in the immediate vicinity of the second user if the second user sees the vehicle or could see according to general circumstances. For example, it can be provided that the feature of visibility means that the vehicle is actually viewed by the second user (e.g. verification by means of a camera of the electronic device of the second user is possible). For example, it can be provided that the feature of visibility within the scope of the present disclosure means that the vehicle is within a maximum distance of, for example, 1 km (or of 500 m or of 200 m) from the second user, since the second user under predetermined circumstances could then see the vehicle (e.g. verification by means of geo-positions of vehicle and electronic device of the second user possible). An advantage when messages can only be sent to vehicles within visibility can be that abuse can be better avoided. For example, according to the method, it can be prevented from being able to send messages from a central location to a plurality of vehicles. Advantageously, only individual messages can be sent to individual vehicles that are actually located in the vicinity of the second user.According to one aspect, it is provided that the selection is carried out using a mobile device or on-board computer on an interactive map on which the facing vehicle is displayed. When the other vehicle has activated a corresponding function, it is displayed on the interactive map. For example, a display of the vehicle may be made in the real color of the vehicle to more easily identify the facing vehicle on the interactive map. To check the visual contact, it may be required, for example, to point the camera of the mobile device onto the viewed vehicle. By image comparison of the camera image with the vehicle of the interactive map, the visual contact can be confirmed. By the orientation and position of the user's electronic device, it can be checked whether the vehicle captured by camera is actually located at the position indicated on the interactive map as the vehicle location. Alternatively, the visual contact can be verified by the spatial positioning of the electronic device of the second user with the vehicle being viewed (e.g. by means of GPS positioning), as mentioned.According to one aspect, it is provided that the selection is carried out by means of image-based object recognition on an end user device of the second user. For example, gesture recognition AR glasses may detect whether the user is pointing at the vehicle. For example, a smart device (e.g., smart phone) with camera may be used, where the user may point the camera to the vehicle and tap the vehicle shown in the device display in the camera image to select the vehicle. The image-based object recognition of the vehicle can in particular simultaneously make it possible to ensure that the vehicle which is to be evaluated is actually also within the visibility range of the user.According to one aspect, it is provided that the method further comprises: the second user selecting a message type. For example, it may be selected whether to send a text message for a contact capture or a symbol (e.g., like, heart, or other symbol) for the expression of the vehicle's value estimate. For example, preformulated text messages can be proposed to the user, so that the message can be sent as quickly as possible. In this way, the message can still be received at the vehicle in the immediate vicinity of the user, even if the vehicle is already moving further. It can be avoided that the message is received on the vehicle only when the vehicle has already far removed from the user.According to one aspect, it is provided that the message comprises text information or contact request to a driver of the vehicle. In this way, it may be possible for the user to also contact drivers or occupants in vehicles whose contact data are unknown to him. For example, vehicles may be displayed on the interactive map whose owners have enabled to be written by other users (e.g., to be able to communicate with other drivers of vehicles, e.g., of a same vehicle manufacturer). For example, direct communication between the vehicles is made possible more easily.The method may thus enable opportunities for interaction with other vehicles. Analogous to smartphone apps with location clearance for other users, vehicle owners may share their position data with a selected group of people (e.g., users of a same vehicle manufacturer; e.g., known circle). An interactive map then allows other models of the manufacturer to be recognized and provides the ability to exchange with them. For example, in a navigation map of the vehicle, the vehicles of the selected group of people may be specifically identified. The users of the vehicle then have the possibility, when such a vehicle is recognized, of for example, by voice control or touch interaction of this vehicle, of greeting, sending emojis or exchanging text and voice messages directly between the vehicles. These then appear in the receiving vehicle on the respective in-car display. As a result, a driver communication can be reinforced among users of the same vehicle manufacturer.Furthermore, drivers sharing their location details may take advantage of finding and concretely searching for their friends (or driving them behind in the long term), for example. Thus, users may use this vehicle function to contact and meet or find other drivers.According to one aspect, it is provided that the message comprises an assessment directed at the faced vehicle and / or an emoji relating to the faced vehicle. For example, the user can send a like or heart as an indication that he finds the vehicle particularly prominent. Alternatively or additionally, it is possible that, in addition to an evaluation of the vehicle type, an evaluation of the driving style can also be carried out (e.g. for particularly simple comprehension on a scale of one to five), so that the driver of the vehicle can obtain feedback about his driving style (e.g. in real time).According to one aspect, it is provided that the vehicle to which the message has been sent is stored in a database of the second user. In particular, the storage can be effected with meta information of the vehicle, which can be loaded via the interactive map, for example. For example, special equipment and individual details provided by the meta information can be stored as well. For example, the owner or owner of the vehicle may make an individual selection as to which type of information about the vehicle is to be disclosed in the meta information. Thus, privacy can be individually set and protected.According to one aspect, it is provided that the vehicle is stored in the database with configuration information of the selected vehicle in order to present the stored vehicle in a 3D animation corresponding to the configuration of the real vehicle. As a result, the user has the possibility of viewing the selected vehicle again with all details even afterwards. A plurality of stored vehicles may be represented in a virtual garage, for example.According to one aspect, it is provided that the vehicle stored in the database is shared by the second user on a social platform. Thus, for example, the user can use other users to virtually share particular vehicle models and exchange themselves via the particularities of the individual models. The first user can also share positive feedback with respect to his vehicle (e.g. number of bikes in a certain period of time).According to one aspect, it is provided that the vehicle stored in the database is used by the second user for a configurator in a vehicle order. In this way, the user has the possibility in a simple manner of setting up a vehicle which is particularly well felled, ordered or further reconfigured at individual discretion.Analogous to the possibility of "like" a contribution in social networks, the proposed method offers drivers' interiors and drivers or also passersers, among other things, the possibility of providing other vehicles, which see them in road traffic or parked and which have fallen them particularly well, with a "like" (e.g. in the form of a heart, star, thumb upwards, or the like). This can be done either via the extension of a navigation map to an interactive map that displays other vehicles (e.g., double click on the vehicle = like) or via a vehicle app (e.g., when the user views a vehicle while he is driving his own foot). In the vehicle or in the app of the "labeled" vehicle, a "like" (e.g., symbol) is then displayed. Driver's interiors and drivers can, for example, view and store the exact vehicle configurations of the "labeled" vehicle in the in-car or in the vehicle app. In the next vehicle order and / or in conversation with other drivers' interiors and / or friends using vehicle models, this gallery can then be used as inspiration or reminder (analogous to social networks, where contributions that have fallen a particular one are stored as inspiration). This promotes the communication idea among the drivers (a driver is looking for when other users are finding their own car and has a channel himself to make this hour), and every vehicle configuration on the road can be post-configured with a click. Storing of coloured vehicles can also assume a collection character, wherein the user can enjoy having as many special vehicle models as possible already seen and collected in his gallery.Another aspect relates to a method for receiving a message at a vehicle from an electronic device not associated with the vehicle. The method includes: enabling, by a user of the vehicle, to share the location of the vehicle; displaying a current location of the vehicle on a digital map; and enabling, by the user of the vehicle, to receive messages on the vehicle from the electronic device not associated with the vehicle when that electronic device is within view of the vehicle. In this way, vehicles may be adjusted to receive messages sent to a vehicle according to the method for sending a message. For example, the user of the vehicle can regulate which type of messages (e.g., exclusively symbols; e.g., exclusively text messages with limited length) are to be received on the vehicle.According to one aspect, it is provided that the method for receiving the message further comprises: forwarding a message received from the electronic device not linked to the vehicle to a mobile device of the user of the vehicle. This can have the advantage that a vehicle owner is directly informed of a message sent to the vehicle even if the vehicle owner is not currently located in the vehicle.A further aspect relates to a computer program product or non-volatile storage medium having a program code for carrying out the method described above or below when the computer program is executed on a processor, a computer or programmable hardware. Such a program can advantageously be executed on an onboard computer or alternatively on a backend (e.g. server or cloud service coupled to the vehicle) or on a user terminal (e.g. AR spectacles or smart device) in order to execute the proposed method and to enable messages to be sent to other vehicles. Communication with unknown drivers can thereby be simplified.Brief Description of the FiguresExemplary embodiments are explained in more detail below with reference to the enclosed figures. It shows: FIG. 1 shows a flow diagram of a method for transmitting a message; FIG. 2 shows a schematic example for transmitting a message from an electronic device to a vehicle in visual contact of the electronic device; and FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a method for receiving a message.DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONVarious embodiments will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some embodiments are illustrated. In the figures, the thickness dimensions of lines, layers and / or regions may be exaggerated for clarity. In the following description of the accompanying figures, which show only some exemplary embodiments, the same reference numerals may denote the same or comparable components.An element referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element may be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments belong.FIG. 1 shows a method 10 for sending a message to a vehicle of a first user who is within the visibility range of a second user who is not the vehicle, wherein the vehicle is enabled to receive messages from users who are not the vehicle. The method 10 comprises: selecting 11 the vehicle viewed by the second user by the second user using an electronic device; and sending 12 a message from the electronic device to the vehicle.The method 10 advantageously makes it possible to be able to send messages, for example, to unknown vehicles passing by. Thus, the user of the electronic device can contact the driver of the vehicle being viewed directly and in a simple manner if the latter has allowed a contact recording, for example according to the disclosed method for receiving a message (see, for example, description in connection with FIG. 3 ).The message may be limited to, for example, a simple symbol by which the sender of the message may express the value estimate for the faced vehicle. In one example, it is described how it can be made possible by means of the disclosed method, inter alia, to inform the driver of a vehicle that the transmitter of the message likes the vehicle: a first person sits in his vehicle and is standing at the traffic light. In addition to it is a new vehicle model of a premium mark with toll rims and a failed color. The other car is very well felled by the first person. For example, via an interactive map in the car that identifies the other vehicle, the first person outputs a "like" to the other vehicle, e.g., with a double click, and thus presses his value estimate. The second person, the driver of the new vehicle model, receives the "like" displayed, for example, on his head-up display or in-car screen and is presented via the recognition of the other driver. In an optional further step, the first driver in a vehicle app can see the exact vehicle configuration of the "labeled" vehicle. It thus notes e.g. rim and color. In the next configuration, he resorts to this and can now themselves acquire such a vehicle model with the toll rims and in the failed color. In the evening, a friend comes to the first person. The first person would then guess him from the toll new vehicle model he has seen today and would present him a 3D model view with the configuration details in his gallery (e.g. by means of a database comprising all "cached" or stored vehicles). This configuration is also evident to the Freund. Via a share function, the first person shares the model view with the configuration details with his friend, who can now also access it in his vehicle app. In this way, vehicle configurations can be easily exchanged, for example via social platforms or via message functions in vehicle apps.For example, the message can also comprise a text message. In one example, it is described how, by means of the disclosed method, a simpler communication directly between different vehicles can be made possible: a first person and a second person, for example, share their position data with one another since they are good friends. Therefore, the first person and the second person view the vehicle of the respective other in their vehicle navigation as soon as the vehicle is in the vicinity (e.g. viewing area or predetermined maximum radius of e.g. less than 1 km or less than 500 m around the vehicle) or can search directly for the vehicle of the other. On a certain day, the first person and the second person meet at a bathing task. The first person has already moved to the bathroom and has found a nice, remote bay. The second person would now wish to follow. In navigation (or via a vehicle app of a user device coupled to the vehicle, or voice control), the second person searches for the vehicle from the first person and knows precisely where the first person is at the sea and has parked. Thus, the second person quite easily finds the bath book sought. On the way along the sea, the second person sees on the map that in another book a third person (e.g. also well enjoying the first and second person) is standing with his vehicle. The second person coarsens the vehicle of the third person, for example by means of the disclosed method. Since the third person is not in the vehicle, he receives the message about the vehicle app. The third person then decides to place the day with the first and second persons. The three friends spend a nice day at sea. On exiting the sea, the first person sends a voice message directly to the friends' vehicles and takes care of the fine day. The second person third person hears the message on the return and sends back an emoji, which is displayed in the head-up display by the vehicle of the first personFIG. 2 shows a schematic example 20 for sending a message N from an electronic device to a vehicle in visual contact of the electronic device. Two vehicles F 1, F 2 are shown. A user of an electronic device, e.g. AR spectacles 21 or a smart device 22 (e.g. smartphone or tablet), can, for example, have fallen the particular, individual design of the first vehicle F 1, which he would like to communicate to his driver. The user can now direct the camera of the AR spectacles 21 onto the first vehicle F 1. When the vehicle F 1 is enabled to receive messages from non-vehicle devices, the user may, for example, point to the first vehicle F 1 using finger gesture 23 and send the message N to the first vehicle. By detecting the first vehicle F 1 by means of the camera of the AR spectacles 21, it is implicitly ensured that the first vehicle F 1 is located in the field of vision of the user. Alternatively, for example, the user may use a camera of the smart device 22 to capture the first vehicle F 1 and select the first vehicle F 1 with touching 24 the screen of the smart device 22. Alternatively, for example, the first vehicle F 1 may be displayed on an interactive map of the smart device 22 when the smart device 22 is positioned in close proximity to the first vehicle F 1 (e.g., to verify that there is visual contact).The first vehicle F 1 selected by the user can be stored, for example, in a database of the user, for example on a user profile assigned to the user. The user may thus digitally collect and later use various types of vehicles that have fallen well, for example, to view them as a 3D animation, share them on a social platform 26, or enter them into a vehicle configurator 27 to later acquire one of the stored vehicles (e.g., just as viewed or as a baseline for an individual vehicle configuration).Further details and aspects are mentioned in connection with the exemplary embodiments described above or below. The embodiment shown in FIG. 2 may comprise one or more optional additional features corresponding to one or more aspects mentioned in connection with the proposed concept or with one or more embodiments described above (e.g. FIG. 1 ) or below (e.g. FIG. 3 ).FIG. 3 shows a flow diagram of a method 30 for receiving a message on a vehicle from an electronic device not associated with the vehicle. The method 30 comprises the steps of: enabling 31 by a user of the vehicle to share the location of the vehicle; displaying 32 a current location of the vehicle on a digital map; and enabling 33 by the user of the vehicle to receive messages on the vehicle from the electronic device not associated with the vehicle when this electronic device is within the visibility range of the vehicle.Advantageously, this allows the user's vehicle to be displayed, for example, on a public interactive map, so that other users can send such messages directly to the user's vehicle according to the method for sending messages described above.Further details and aspects are mentioned in connection with the exemplary embodiments described above or below. The embodiment shown in FIG. 3 may include one or more optional additional features corresponding to one or more aspects mentioned in connection with the proposed concept or with one or more embodiments described above (e.g. FIGS. 1-2 ) or below.

Claims

Method (10) for sending a message (N) to a vehicle (F1) of a first user who is within the visibility range of a second user who is not the vehicle, wherein the vehicle (F1) is enabled to receive messages (N) from users which are not the vehicle, the method (10) comprising: - selecting (11), by the second user, the vehicle (F1) which is the vehicle who is the second user and is located within the visibility range of a second user who is the vehicle; and - sending (12) the message from the electronic device (21, 22) to the vehicle (F1).The method (10) of claim 1, wherein the selecting (11) is performed using a mobile device (22) or onboard computer on an interactive map on which the faced vehicle (F1) is displayed.Method (10) according to claim 1, wherein the selecting (11) is carried out by means of an image-based object recognition on an end user device (21, 22) of the second user.The method (10) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising - selecting a message type by the second user.Method (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the message (N) comprises text information or contact request to a driver of the vehicle (F1).Method (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the message (N) comprises an assessment directed at the faced vehicle (F1) and / or an emoji relating to the faced vehicle (F1).Method (10) according to claim 6, wherein the vehicle (F1) to which the message (N) has been sent is stored in a database (25) of the second user.Method (10) according to claim 7, wherein the vehicle (F1) with configuration information of the selected vehicle (F1) is stored in the database (25) in order to display the stored vehicle (F1) according to the configuration of the real vehicle (F1) in a 3D animation.Method (10) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the vehicle (F1) stored in the database (25) is shared by the second user on a social platform (26) and / or is used for a configurator (27) in a vehicle order.Method (30) for receiving a message (N) on a vehicle (F1) from an electronic device (21, 22) not linked to the vehicle (F1), the method (30) comprising: - enabling (31), by a user of the vehicle (F1), to share a current location of the vehicle (F1); - displaying (32) the current location of the vehicle (F1) on a digital map; and - enabling (33), by the user of the vehicle (F1), to receive messages (N) on the vehicle (F1) from the electronic device (21, 22) not linked to the vehicle (F1), when this electronic device (21, 22) is within the visibility range of the vehicle (F1).

Images