Method for operating an entertainment device for a motor vehicle, corresponding entertainment device for a motor vehicle, and computer program product

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating an entertainment system (11) for a motor vehicle (1), wherein the entertainment system (11) has a screen (10) by means of which an image is displayed at least temporarily. It is provided that pixels of the image are calculated at least temporarily by means of a vehicle-external computing device (12), transmitted to the screen (10) via a pixel transmission connection, and displayed using the screen (10). The invention further relates to an entertainment system (11) for a motor vehicle (1) and a computer program product.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for operating an entertainment system for a motor vehicle, wherein the entertainment system comprises a screen by means of which an image is displayed, at least temporarily. The invention further relates to an entertainment system for a motor vehicle and a computer program product.

[0002] For example, the prior art includes German patent application DE 10 2022 203 275 A1. This describes a vehicle system for executing third-party software in a vehicle at rest, comprising: a release module, an interface for manual or automated release of the release module, a selection unit for displaying conditions under which release is possible (the conditions can be selected manually), and a computing unit for creating a release profile based on the conditions and for providing corresponding vehicle resources in the vehicle system for executing third-party software based on the release profile, the release profile being configured to activate the provision and execution only when the vehicle is at rest.

[0003] Furthermore, the publication DE 10 2012 209 885 A1 discloses a device for operating an electrical energy storage device arranged in a motor vehicle, which is configured to provide electrical energy for powering the motor vehicle, wherein the device comprises a control unit arranged in the motor vehicle, which is configured to detect at least one operating parameter of the electrical energy storage device and to control charging and / or discharging of the electrical energy storage device on the basis of at least one control parameter, an evaluation unit arranged outside the motor vehicle, which is configured to determine the control parameter on the basis of the operating parameter, and communication means which are configured to exchange the operating parameter and the control parameter between the control unit and the evaluation unit.

[0004] Furthermore, document US 2023 / 0415592 A1 describes a mobile charging station for electric vehicles.

[0005] The object of the invention is to propose a method for operating an entertainment system for a motor vehicle which has advantages over known methods, in particular enabling efficient and flexible operation of the entertainment system, preferably during a standstill of the motor vehicle and / or during charging of an energy storage device of the motor vehicle.

[0006] According to the invention, this is achieved by a method for operating an entertainment system for a motor vehicle with the features of claim 1. It is provided that, in particular only when the motor vehicle is stationary and / or while charging an energy storage device of the motor vehicle, pixels of the image content are calculated at least temporarily by means of a vehicle-external computing device, transmitted to the screen via a pixel transmission connection, and displayed using the screen.

[0007] Advantageous embodiments with expedient further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims. It should be noted that the exemplary embodiments described in the description are not limiting; rather, any variations of the features disclosed in the description, the claims, and the figures are possible.

[0008] The method serves to operate the entertainment system. This system, or a control unit of the entertainment system used to carry out the method, is preferably an integral part of the motor vehicle, but can of course also exist separately, particularly until the entertainment system is installed in and / or on the motor vehicle. The entertainment system has at least a screen, which is designed and configured to display the image content. The screen is, in particular, located in an interior of the motor vehicle or at least facing an interior of the motor vehicle, so that a user located in the interior can perceive the image content displayed by means of the screen. The image content consists of a plurality of pixels. The number of pixels in the image content is determined by the image resolution of the image content.

[0009] The image content, composed of pixels, is represented as a raster graphic or pixel graphic. Each pixel contains color information, or information about its color. The extent of color information for each pixel is determined by the color depth of the image content. The color information for each pixel can be represented as a single value or as multiple values. A single value is used, in particular, for black and white or grayscale images, while multiple values ​​are used for color images. For example, it is common for each pixel to contain three values, each representing a red component, a green component, and a blue component.

[0010] The pixels of the image content are provided by a graphics processing unit (GPU). For example, the GPU is used to generate the pixels from raw data, particularly 2D and / or 3D raw data. In any case, the raw data is fed to the GPU, which calculates the pixels of the image content from it. The pixels are then transmitted to the screen and displayed. The screen is therefore a raster display.

[0011] Preferably, the entertainment system has an in-vehicle computer, meaning it is located on board the vehicle and calculates the pixels of the image content, at least temporarily, and transmits them to the screen for display. However, converting the raw data into pixels is very computationally intensive, especially in the area of ​​entertainment systems. While there are approaches to equipping the in-vehicle computer with correspondingly high processing power, this leads to high energy consumption and a large amount of waste heat that must be dissipated by the computer. Furthermore, innovation cycles in the field of such computer systems are still relatively rapid, meaning that increasingly complex raw data must be converted into pixels by programs running on the entertainment system.

[0012] This can lead to a situation where, after a relatively short time, the vehicle's internal computer is no longer sufficient to convert the raw data into pixels quickly enough. Furthermore, the heat generated by the computer necessitates cooling. For this purpose, the computer is connected, for example, to the vehicle's coolant circuit. Since the coolant circuit often serves not only to cool the computer but also at least one other component, the cooling circuit must either be designed with a sufficiently large cooling capacity to cool both the computer and the other component at maximum heat load. Otherwise, if the computer is being cooled, only a reduced cooling capacity is available for the other component, potentially preventing it from operating at full capacity.

[0013] For this reason, according to the invention, the pixels of the image content are not calculated using the optional in-vehicle computing unit, but rather using the external computing unit. The external computing unit is understood to be a computing unit located outside the vehicle. For example, it is part of a stationary device, such as a charging unit, which serves to provide electrical energy to the vehicle, preferably for charging the energy storage device.

[0014] Preferably, the external computing unit is part of the entertainment system or is considered as such. The transmission of the image pixels to the screen occurs via the pixel transmission link. This link exists between the vehicle's external computing unit and the screen and is essentially a data connection that can be established in any way. For example, the pixel transmission link can be wired or wireless.

[0015] The external computing unit is preferably arranged electrically and / or thermally separated from the vehicle. Electrically separated arrangement means, in particular, that the external computing unit is not, or at least not directly, electrically connected to the vehicle, especially not to the vehicle's electrical energy storage system. An indirect electrical connection between the computing unit and the vehicle is permissible, for example, via the charging system.

[0016] The thermally isolated connection of the computing unit to the vehicle means that the computing unit is not part of the vehicle's cooling system. Specifically, the computing unit is completely thermally separated from the vehicle, so that no direct heat exchange occurs between the computing unit and the vehicle. At most, a minor heat exchange between the computing unit and the vehicle may occur via convection, i.e., through the ambient air surrounding the vehicle.

[0017] Using the vehicle's external processing unit to generate the pixels has several advantages. Firstly, it can be replaced, for example, with a unit offering higher processing power. Consequently, it can always provide sufficient processing power, even for older entertainment systems whose internal processing unit is no longer adequate to convert the raw data into pixels quickly enough.

[0018] Furthermore, the external computing unit does not burden the vehicle's electrical system or energy storage device. Instead, the external computing unit is not powered by the vehicle's electrical system, but by an external power supply. Additionally, the external computing unit does not require cooling from the vehicle's cooling system. This means that the cooling capacity of the vehicle's cooling system is entirely available for cooling the external unit. Ultimately, this allows, for example, a smaller cooling system to be used or a particularly high cooling capacity to be achieved for the external unit.

[0019] A further development of the invention provides that, in a first operating mode, the pixels of the image content are calculated by means of the vehicle-external computing unit, and in a second operating mode, by means of a vehicle-internal computing unit of the entertainment system, and displayed using the screen. The entertainment system includes the vehicle-internal computing unit, which is designed, for example, analogously to the vehicle-external computing unit. Ultimately, both the vehicle-internal computing unit and the vehicle-external computing unit are designed and configured to receive the raw data, convert it into pixels, and transmit it to the screen. Preferably, they are both connected to the same raw data source for this purpose.

[0020] Preferably, the external computing unit has a higher processing power than the internal computing unit, for example, a processing power that is at least 10, 50, or 100 times greater. This means that the internal computing unit is only suitable for converting relatively simple raw data into pixels, while the external computing unit can also convert complex raw data with satisfactory performance. In summary, the pixels are calculated and displayed sometimes by the internal computing unit and sometimes by the external computing unit. Both computing units therefore transmit the image data to the same screen for display at certain times. This allows for particularly flexible operation of the entertainment system.

[0021] A further development of the invention provides that the vehicle's internal computing unit is cooled, at least temporarily, by means of a coolant circuit, which is also used, at least temporarily, to cool an electrical energy storage device of the vehicle. The energy storage device is preferably in the form of a traction battery of the vehicle. The traction battery is particularly in the form of a high-voltage battery, i.e., it has a nominal voltage of at least 100 V, at least 200 V, at least 400 V, or at least 800 V.

[0022] The traction battery is electrically connected to the vehicle's drive system, more precisely to a drive unit of the drive system, which is designed as an electric traction motor. The drive system serves to propel the vehicle, thus providing the drive torque directed towards propelling the vehicle. This drive torque is provided by means of the drive unit.

[0023] The drive unit or drive system is designed to operate using electrical energy temporarily stored in the energy storage device to provide the drive torque. This means that energy is drawn from the energy storage device, at least temporarily, to operate the drive unit. Additionally or alternatively, it may be possible to store energy supplied by the drive unit in the energy storage device.

[0024] During operation, the energy storage system generates heat that must be dissipated. This is particularly true when charging the energy storage system at a charging station, as charging typically occurs at a high charging power. The coolant circuit is designed to remove this heat from the energy storage system. For example, the coolant circuit includes a coolant cooler, which cools the coolant, primarily using ambient air. Ambient air is supplied to the coolant cooler, and the heat contained in the coolant is transferred to it and carried away by the cooler.

[0025] Since a standard coolant radiator does not always provide sufficient cooling capacity, a chiller is also, or alternatively, part of the coolant circuit. The chiller is a refrigeration unit that uses a refrigerant to cool the coolant. Electrical energy is required to operate the chiller, which is drawn, for example, from the energy storage system. Operating the chiller is relatively energy-intensive, so it is designed for a specific cooling capacity. If the vehicle's internal computer system is cooled using the coolant circuit, the cooling capacity available for cooling the electrical energy storage system is reduced.

[0026] This can lead to a situation where the charging power has to be reduced during charging of the energy storage system in order to limit the energy storage system's temperature to a threshold value. The charging power supplied to the electrical energy storage system is adjusted, and in particular reduced, to such an extent that the temperature does not exceed the threshold value. The use of the vehicle-external computing unit thus means that the operation of the vehicle's internal computing unit can be temporarily dispensed with, and consequently, greater cooling capacity is available for the energy storage system.

[0027] A further development of the invention provides that the vehicle-external computing unit is part of a charging device that is electrically connected to the vehicle via an energy transmission connection, at least temporarily, for charging the energy storage device. The charging device is a stationary unit by means of which the energy storage device is temporarily charged. For this purpose, the charging device supplies electrical energy to the energy storage device via the energy transmission connection. The energy transmission connection can be configured in any way; for example, it can be wired or wireless. In the former case, a conductive connection is established between the charging device and the energy storage device, in particular a continuous conductive electrical connection.In the case of a wireless connection, the electrical connection between the charging device and the energy storage device is established wirelessly, at least in some areas, for example inductively.

[0028] The charging device includes an external computing unit, which is, for example, housed within the charging device's casing. Preferably, the charging device is part of a charging infrastructure comprising multiple charging devices, each with its own external computing unit. The vehicle's entertainment system can utilize the computing unit of any of the charging devices in the infrastructure, particularly when it is currently receiving electrical energy from that specific charging device to charge its energy storage system. This significantly enhances the charging device's usability.

[0029] A further development of the invention provides that the first operating mode is carried out while the energy storage device is being charged by the charging unit, and the second operating mode is carried out while the vehicle is in motion. This ultimately means that the vehicle-external computing unit is always used, or at least can be used, whenever the vehicle is electrically connected to the charging unit for charging the energy storage device. If, however, the vehicle is electrically disconnected from the charging unit, the vehicle-internal computing unit is used to convert the raw data into pixels. Since computer games typically generate complex raw data, which, in any case, can only be played when the vehicle is stationary using the entertainment system, a particularly advantageous combination of the entertainment system and the charging unit is achieved.

[0030] A further development of the invention provides that the pixel transmission connection is only established after authentication, which is carried out via an authentication connection established between the charging device and the vehicle during the charging of the energy storage device and / or through the interaction of a charging plug with a charging socket. To prevent the unintentional disclosure of personal data, the pixel transmission connection between the entertainment device or its screen on the one hand and the vehicle's external computing device on the other hand is only established once authentication has taken place.

[0031] The authentication process ensures that establishing the pixel transmission connection between the entertainment system and the vehicle's external computing unit is intentional. Specifically, authentication prevents the entertainment system from connecting to the wrong charging device, i.e., a different charging device. Authentication is performed, for example, via the authentication connection used to charge the energy storage system.

[0032] Typically, authentication is already required to charge the energy storage system. For this purpose, an authentication connection is established. Ideally, to successfully establish this connection, the vehicle user must perform a specific action, such as entering a code or similar. To avoid requiring multiple authentications, the authentication of the pixel transmission connection should be handled via the already established authentication connection.

[0033] Additionally or alternatively, authentication is achieved through the interaction of the charging plug and the charging socket. The charging plug is preferably part of the charging device, while the charging socket is located on the vehicle, or vice versa. The charging plug and the charging socket are designed such that authentication occurs upon connection. For this purpose, for example, an identifier is arranged on the charging plug or the charging socket, which is read by a sensor on the other device and used for authentication. Both measures enable simple authentication for establishing the pixel transmission connection.

[0034] A further development of the invention provides that the energy transmission connection is wired via a charging cable, and the pixel transmission connection and / or the authentication connection are established wired via a data line of the charging cable or wirelessly, and / or that the energy transmission connection and the pixel transmission connection and / or the authentication connection are established wirelessly. Using the charging cable, a conductive connection is established between the charging device and the motor vehicle, so that the energy transmission connection is established via the charging cable. The charging cable includes the data line. It is intended to use the data line at least for establishing the authentication connection. Additionally or alternatively, the pixel transmission connection can also be established via the data line.

[0035] However, it is preferred to establish the pixel transmission connection wirelessly, particularly via a radio link. The radio link is especially a short-range radio link, for example, with a range of no more than 500 m, no more than 100 m, or no more than 50 m. Particularly preferred is the radio link such that it has a range of no more than 5 m or less. This prevents the pixel transmission connection from being used while the vehicle is in motion. It is particularly preferred that the pixel transmission connection be interrupted as soon as the vehicle is moved and / or an electrical connection between the charging device and the vehicle is disconnected.

[0036] A further development of the invention provides that, at the end of the charging process, billing information is determined from the amount of energy transferred to the vehicle's energy storage system for charging the vehicle and the computing power used by the vehicle's external computing unit to calculate the pixels. In this respect, the billing information is intended to combine the amount of energy and the computing power. For example, the computing power is converted into an equivalent amount of energy and added to the amount of energy used to charge the energy storage system. The billing information is then determined from this energy amount. Preferably, the billing information is transmitted to the vehicle's user, for example, by transmitting it to the vehicle itself or to the user's mobile device.This ensures a transparent accounting of the computing power used to calculate the pixels.

[0037] The invention further relates to an entertainment system for a motor vehicle, in particular for carrying out the method as described in this description, wherein the entertainment system has a screen by means of which an image can be displayed, at least temporarily. The entertainment system is designed and configured to calculate pixels of the image at least temporarily by means of a computer external to the vehicle, to transmit them to the screen via a pixel transmission link, and to display them using the screen.

[0038] The advantages of such a design for the entertainment facility and such a procedure have already been pointed out. Both the entertainment facility and the procedure for its operation may be further developed as explained in this description, and reference is made to these explanations in that regard.

[0039] Furthermore, the invention relates to a computer program product comprising commands that cause the entertainment device to execute the described method as described herein. For the advantages and possible advantageous developments, reference is made to the description in its entirety.

[0040] The features and combinations of features described in the description, in particular those described in the following figure description and / or shown in the figures, can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, embodiments that are not explicitly shown or explained in the description and / or the figures, but which emerge from or can be derived from the explained embodiments, are also to be considered as encompassed by the invention.

[0041] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawing, without limiting the invention. The only embodiment shown is... Fig. 1 A schematic representation of a motor vehicle with an entertainment system.

[0042] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a motor vehicle 1 parked near a charging station 2. The motor vehicle 1 is electrically connected to the charging station 2 via a charging cable 3. For example, the charging cable 3 has a charging plug 4 on its end facing the motor vehicle 1, which is inserted into a corresponding charging socket 5 of the motor vehicle 1. Electrical energy is supplied to the motor vehicle 1 from the charging station 2 via the charging cable 3. This energy is used to charge an electrical energy storage device 6, which is located on board the motor vehicle 1.

[0043] The energy storage device 6 is integrated into a coolant circuit 7. A coolant radiator and / or chiller 8 is also part of the coolant circuit 7. The chiller 8 serves to cool a coolant that is circulated at least temporarily in the coolant circuit 7, which in turn serves to cool the energy storage device 6. Preferably, the coolant circuit 7 is operated to cool the energy storage device 6 during charging. An in-vehicle computer 9 is also integrated into the coolant circuit 7. The computer 9 converts raw data into pixels of an image, which are subsequently transmitted to and displayed on a screen 10. The computer 9 and the screen 10 are part of an entertainment system 11 of the motor vehicle 1.

[0044] The computer unit 9 is cooled, at least temporarily, by means of the coolant circuit 7. If this is the case, the cooling capacity used to cool the computer unit 9 is not available for cooling the energy storage device 6. This can lead to a situation where the charging power used during the charging of the energy storage device 6 has to be reduced in order to limit the temperature of the energy storage device 6 to a threshold value.

[0045] For this reason, it is planned that, at least temporarily, the vehicle's internal computing unit 9 will not be used to provide the pixels, but rather an external computing unit 12. This is part of the charging unit 2. While the charging unit 2 is conductively connected to the vehicle 1 via the charging cable 3 to charge the energy storage device 6, thus establishing a wired energy transmission connection, a pixel transmission connection used to transmit the pixels between the computing unit 12 and the screen 10 is established wirelessly.

[0046] Preferably, authentication necessary for establishing the pixel transmission connection is carried out via the charging cable 3. For example, the charging plug 4 and the charging socket 5 are designed such that authentication occurs upon contact between them, or at least the authentication data necessary for authentication is transmitted. Alternatively, the charging cable 3 may be provided with a data line through which the authentication data is transmitted. REFERENCE MARK LIST: 1 motor vehicle 2 Charging device 3 charging cables 4 charging plugs 5 charging sockets 6 Energy storage 7 Coolant circuit 8 Chiller 9 Computer equipment 10 screen 11 Entertainment facility 12 Computing equipment QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] DE 10 2022 203 275 A1

[0002] DE 10 2012 209 885 A1

[0003] US 2023 / 0415592 A1

[0004]

Claims

[1] Method for operating an entertainment device (11) for a motor vehicle (1), wherein the entertainment device (11) has a screen (10) by means of which an image content is displayed at least temporarily, characterized by , that pixels of the image content are calculated at least temporarily by means of a vehicle-external computing device (12), transmitted to the screen (10) via a pixel transmission connection and displayed using the screen (10). [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by , that the pixels of the image content are calculated in a first operating mode by means of the vehicle-external computing unit (12) and in a second operating mode by means of a vehicle-internal computing unit (9) of the entertainment unit (11) and displayed using the screen (10). [3] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the vehicle's internal computing device (9) is cooled at least temporarily by means of a coolant circuit (7) which is used at least temporarily for cooling an electrical energy storage device (6) of the motor vehicle (1). [4] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the vehicle-external computing device (12) is part of a charging device (2) which is electrically connected to the motor vehicle (1) via an energy transmission connection, at least temporarily, for the purpose of charging the energy storage device (6). [5] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the first operating mode is carried out during charging of the energy storage device (6) using the charging device (2) and the second operating mode is carried out during driving operation of the motor vehicle (1). [6] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the pixel transmission connection is only established after authentication, which is carried out via an authentication connection established between the charging device (2) and the motor vehicle (1) during the charging of the energy storage device (6) and / or by interaction of a charging plug (4) with a charging socket (5). [7] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the power transmission connection is wired via a charging cable (3) and the pixel transmission connection and / or the authentication connection is established wired via a data line of the charging cable (3) or wirelessly, and / or that the power transmission connection and the pixel transmission connection and / or the authentication connection are established wirelessly. [8] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that at the end of the charging process, billing information is determined from the amount of energy transferred to the motor vehicle (1) for charging the energy storage device (6) and the computing power of the vehicle-external computing device (12) used to calculate the pixels. [9] Entertainment device (11) for a motor vehicle (1), in particular for carrying out the method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the entertainment device (11) has a screen (10) by means of which an image content can be displayed at least temporarily, characterized by , that the entertainment device (11) is designed and configured to calculate pixels of the image content at least temporarily by means of an external computing device (12), to transmit them to the screen (10) via a pixel transmission connection and to display them using the screen (10). [10] Computer program product comprising instructions that cause the entertainment device (11) according to claim 9 to execute the method according to one or more of claims 1 to 8.

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