Method and device for operating a vehicle depending on driver data

Abstract

A method (200) for operating a vehicle (100) is described. The method (200) comprises determining (201) driver data relating to the state of a driver of the vehicle (100). Furthermore, the method (200) comprises determining (202) digital content for playback in the vehicle (100) and / or an appearance of the vehicle (100) depending on the driver data.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method and a corresponding device, each aimed at increasing the comfort of the driver of a vehicle.

[0002] A vehicle typically features an infotainment system that allows the driver to select and play digital content within the vehicle (e.g., display it on a screen and / or output it through a speaker). Furthermore, a vehicle typically has one or more components, particularly lighting elements, that allow for customization of the vehicle's appearance, especially its interior and / or exterior. The infotainment system and / or the customization of the vehicle's appearance can be used by the driver to enhance driving comfort.

[0003] This document addresses the technical challenge of significantly increasing the driving comfort of a vehicle.

[0004] The problem is solved by each of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are described, inter alia, in the dependent claims. It should be noted that additional features of a claim dependent on an independent claim, without the features of the independent claim itself or only in combination with a subset of the features of the independent claim, can constitute a separate invention independent of the combination of all features of the independent claim, which can be made the subject of an independent claim, a divisional application, or a subsequent application. This applies equally to technical teachings described in the description, which can constitute an invention independent of the features of the independent claims.

[0005] One aspect describes a procedure for operating a (motor) vehicle. This procedure includes collecting driver data relating to the driver's condition. The driver data may, in particular, indicate the driver's mood and / or health status.

[0006] Driver data can be determined based on sensor data from one or more sensors measuring one or more physiological parameters of the driver. These sensors can be part of the vehicle and / or part of an electronic device worn by the driver (e.g., a smartwatch). Examples of physiological parameters include the driver's heart rate, respiratory rate, stress level, and / or cumulative sleep duration. By incorporating health-related sensor data, driver data can be determined with greater precision.

[0007] The process can detect gestures made by the driver, particularly with a hand and / or arm. Driver data can then be determined with exceptional precision, also based on these detected gestures.

[0008] The procedure further includes determining digital content for playback in the vehicle and / or the vehicle's appearance based on driver data. The digital content may include a software application, a video file, and / or an audio file, particularly a music file. The determined appearance may relate to the color and / or lighting of the vehicle's interior and / or exterior (especially its outer skin).

[0009] The method may include issuing a notification, in particular a suggestion, regarding the detected digital content via a vehicle user interface. Alternatively or additionally, the method may include playing back, in particular automatically playing back, the detected digital content via a vehicle user interface.

[0010] Alternatively or additionally, the procedure may include operating at least one adaptation component of the vehicle to adjust the vehicle's appearance, in particular the appearance of the interior and / or exterior, according to the determined appearance. The adaptation component may include, • a luminaire designed to emit light; and / or • a component designed to change the color and / or lighting in an interior and / or on the exterior (especially the outer skin) of the vehicle.

[0011] By taking into account driver data relating to the driver's current (mood and / or health) state when selecting digital content and / or adapting the vehicle's appearance, the vehicle's comfort for the driver can be significantly increased.

[0012] This process allows for the collection of situational data relating to the vehicle's current driving situation. The digital content displayed in the vehicle and / or the vehicle's appearance can then be determined based on this situational data. This further enhances vehicle comfort.

[0013] Another aspect described is a software (SW) program. The SW program can be configured to run on a processor (e.g., on a vehicle's control unit) and thereby execute the procedure described in this document.

[0014] Another aspect describes a storage medium. This storage medium can include a software program configured to run on a processor and thereby execute the procedure described in this document.

[0015] According to a further aspect, a device for operating a (motor) vehicle is described. The device is configured to determine driver data relating to the (current) state, in particular the mood and / or health of the driver of the vehicle. The device is further configured to determine digital content, in particular a software application and / or a music file, for playback in the vehicle and / or the appearance of the vehicle, in particular the interior and / or the exterior of the vehicle, depending on the driver data.

[0016] It should be noted that the aspects described in connection with the method, in particular the claims described in connection with the method, are also to be applied to the device as corresponding device features.

[0017] According to another aspect, a (road) motor vehicle (in particular a passenger car or a truck or a bus or a motorcycle) is described that includes the device described in this document.

[0018] It should be noted that the methods, devices, and systems described in this document can be used both alone and in combination with other methods, devices, and systems described in this document. Furthermore, any aspect of the methods, devices, and systems described in this document can be combined with one another in a variety of ways. In particular, the features of the claims can be combined with one another in a variety of ways. Features listed in parentheses are to be understood as optional features.

[0019] The invention will now be described in more detail using exemplary embodiments. Fig. 1. Exemplary components of a vehicle; and Fig. 2. A flowchart of an exemplary procedure for increasing the comfort of a vehicle.

[0020] As stated at the beginning, this document deals with increasing the comfort of a vehicle 100. In this context, it shows Fig. 1. Exemplary components of a vehicle 100. The vehicle 100 comprises a user interface 104 that enables a user of the vehicle 100 to control one or more vehicle functions. The user interface 104 may include one or more controls, e.g., one or more buttons and / or rotary knobs and / or one or more virtual controls on a touchscreen, each of which can be actuated by the user to provide user input and thereby control a vehicle function. Alternatively or additionally, the user interface 104 may include one or more output elements, e.g., a screen and / or a speaker, through which outputs can be made to the user, in particular the driver, of the vehicle 100.

[0021] The vehicle 100 may include one or more sensors 105, each configured to acquire sensor data relating to the driver of the vehicle 100. The vehicle 100 may, in particular, include a camera configured to acquire camera data relating to the driver. A control device 101 of the vehicle 100 may be configured to determine driver data relating to the driver's condition, in particular their health and / or mood, based on the sensor data from the one or more sensors 105.

[0022] The control device 101 of the vehicle 100 can also be configured to receive and evaluate sensor data from one or more sensors of an electronic device 110 worn by the driver, e.g., a smartwatch. The driver data can be determined in a particularly precise manner (also) based on the sensor data of the one or more sensors of the electronic device 110.

[0023] The control device 101 can be configured to determine, based on the driver data obtained regarding the driver's condition, one or more digital content items, in particular software applications and / or music, and in particular to select them from a database. The one or more determined digital content items can be offered to the driver for playback in the vehicle 100 via the user interface 104. Alternatively or additionally, the one or more determined digital content items can be played back (possibly automatically) via the user interface 104 of the vehicle 100.

[0024] The vehicle 100 may include one or more customization components 102, each configured to modify the appearance of the vehicle 100, in particular its interior and / or exterior. The one or more customization components 102 may, in particular, include a lighting element (e.g., with one or more LEDs) and / or a projector and / or electronic ink (E-Ink).

[0025] The control device 101 can be configured to operate one or more adaptation components 102 of the vehicle 100 depending on the driver data. This can significantly increase the comfort of the vehicle 100 for the driver.

[0026] This allows for driver-related emotion, health data, and / or gesture recognition to personalize app and / or music suggestions and / or to modify the interior and / or exterior of a vehicle 100. For this purpose, the vehicle 100 can include a system for capturing driver-related health data and / or gestures in order to display personalized app and / or music suggestions via one or more digital systems (especially user interfaces) 104 of the vehicle 100. The system makes it possible to improve the driving experience and / or increase comfort during the journey.

[0027] The driver-related health data and gesture recognition system can have several components integrated into the vehicle. These components can include: One or more sensors 103 for recording health data: The system may include one or more sensors 103 that record driver-related health data. These include, for example, sensors 103 for measuring heart rate, respiration, and / or other relevant physiological parameters. These one or more sensors 103 may be installed in a seat and / or on the steering wheel of the vehicle 100 to enable (preferably continuous) monitoring of the driver's health data. Alternatively or additionally, health data may be evaluated via camera data from a camera 105 directed at the driver (e.g., via infrared, etc.).

[0028] The vehicle 100 can be equipped with a gesture recognition system that enables the capture of the driver's movements and / or gestures. This system can utilize one or more cameras 105 and / or other sensors to detect and interpret the driver's hand movements, head movements, and / or other gestures. By analyzing these gestures, the system can recognize the driver's intentions, such as whether they wish to change the volume, make a call, and / or open a specific app.

[0029] The collected driver-related health data and / or gestures can be analyzed by a data processing system (i.e., a control device 101). The data can be processed using algorithms and / or artificial intelligence. An individual driver profile may be created. The profile may include information about the driver's preferences regarding music genres, apps, and / or other personalized settings, and / or the driver's mobility behavior.

[0030] External data (e.g., from an electronic user device 110) can potentially be taken into account: By integrating external health-related data (such as heart rate, stress levels throughout the day, hours of sleep, etc.), the driver's personal profile can be enriched with relevant information. In particular, the quality of the collected driver data can be improved.

[0031] One or more situation-specific app and / or music suggestions can be determined. Based on the created driver profile and / or the recorded health data and / or gestures (i.e., based on driver data), the system can generate situation-dependent app and / or music suggestions. For example, the system can recognize when the driver is stressed and automatically suggest calming music. If the driver performs a specific gesture, the system can open a suitable app, such as a navigation or communication application.

[0032] The generated app and / or music suggestions can be displayed via one or more of the vehicle's digital systems. This can be done, for example, via the infotainment display, the head-up display, and / or via voice output from the vehicle's user interface. The driver thus receives personalized recommendations and can conveniently use them while driving without being distracted from the road.

[0033] The interior and / or exterior of vehicle 100 can be modified. Based on driver data (especially the driver's emotional state), the lighting conditions (e.g., light color and / or light intensity) in the interior and / or one or more interior projections can be adjusted. Alternatively or additionally, the exterior of vehicle 100 can be modified (e.g., one or more light sources, and / or color scheme using E-Ink and / or other display elements).

[0034] The measures described in this document can improve the driving experience, particularly through personalized app and / or music suggestions. Furthermore, they can increase comfort during the journey, especially by automatically adapting music and / or apps to the driver's preferences and / or mood. The driver's well-being can be improved by taking health data, such as heart rate and / or respiration, into account. Efficiency can be increased because the system makes situation-dependent suggestions that meet the driver's needs. Finally, the system can adapt to different driving situations, such as traffic jams, long journeys, or short commutes.

[0035] The driver-related health data and / or gesture recognition system enables personalized use of apps and / or music while driving. By collecting and processing driver-related health data, such as heart rate and / or respiration, as well as interpreting driver gestures, the system can create an individual driver profile (i.e., driver data).

[0036] Based on this profile (i.e., based on the driver data), the system generates situation-dependent app and / or music suggestions that can be displayed via one or more digital systems 104 in the vehicle 100.

[0037] The one or more personalized suggestions contribute to an improved driving experience by increasing comfort and / or promoting safety. The driver is less distracted and can concentrate better on driving. Furthermore, their well-being is taken into account, for example, by suggesting calming music when they are stressed. The system is able to consider various driving situations and make situation-dependent suggestions.

[0038] Another possible application is the increased use of biometric data for personalized vehicle interaction. By collecting data such as the driver's heart rate, stress level, and / or fatigue, the system can automatically make adjustments to ensure a safe and enjoyable driving experience. For example, it can adjust the music or lighting in the vehicle to calm or energize the driver.

[0039] Fig. Figure 2 shows a flowchart of an exemplary (possibly computer-implemented) procedure 200 for operating a (motor) vehicle 100. The procedure 200 can be executed by a control device 101 of the vehicle 100.

[0040] The procedure 200 comprises the determination 201 of driver data relating to the condition, in particular the mood and / or health state, of the driver of the vehicle 100. The driver data can be determined on the basis of sensor data from one or more sensors 103 for recording physiological parameters of the driver and / or on the basis of a recognized gesture of the driver.

[0041] Furthermore, the procedure 200 includes determining 202 digital content for playback in the vehicle 100 and / or an appearance of the vehicle 100, in particular the interior and / or the exterior of the vehicle 100, depending on the driver data. Artificial intelligence may be used in this process.

[0042] The measures described in this document can significantly increase the comfort of vehicle 100 for the driver of vehicle 100.

[0043] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown. In particular, it should be noted that the description and the figures are intended only to illustrate the principle of the proposed methods, devices, and systems by way of example.

Claims

[1] Method (200) for operating a vehicle (100); wherein the method (200) comprises, - Determining (201) driver data relating to a condition of a driver of the vehicle (100); and - Determining (202) digital content for playback in the vehicle (100) and / or the appearance of the vehicle (100) depending on the driver data. [2] Method (200) according to claim 1, wherein the driver data indicates a mood and / or health status of the driver. [3] Method (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein - the driver data are determined based on sensor data from one or more sensors (103) for measuring one or more physiological parameters of the driver; and - which include one or more physiological parameters in particular, - a heart rate; - a breathing rate; - a stress level; and / or - a cumulative duration of sleep. [4] Method (200) according to claim 3, wherein the one or more sensors (103) are part of the vehicle (100) and / or part of an electronic device (110) worn by the driver. [5] Method (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method (200) comprises, - Recognizing a gesture made by the driver, particularly with a hand and / or arm; and - Determining driver data based on the recognized gesture. [6] Method (200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the method (200) comprises issuing a hint, in particular a suggestion, regarding the detected digital content via a user interface (104) of the vehicle (100). [7] Method (200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the method (200) comprises reproducing, in particular automatically reproducing, the determined digital content via a user interface (104) of the vehicle (100). [8] Method (200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the digital content comprises a software application, a video file and / or an audio, in particular a music, file. [9] Method (200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the method (200) comprises operating at least one adaptation component (102) of the vehicle (100) to adapt the appearance of the vehicle (100) according to the determined appearance. [10] Method (200) according to claim 9, wherein the adaptation component (102) comprises, - a luminous element designed to emit light; and / or - a component that is designed to change a color and / or lighting in an interior and / or on an exterior of the vehicle (100). [11] Method (200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the determined appearance relates to a color and / or a lighting of an interior and / or an outer skin of the vehicle (100). [12] Device (101) for operating a vehicle (100); wherein the device (101) set up, - To determine driver data relating to the condition of a driver of the vehicle (100); and - to determine a digital content for playback in the vehicle (100) and / or an appearance of the vehicle (100) depending on the driver data.

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