Method for planning a route for a motor vehicle that is at least partially electrically powered, a computer program product, a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium, and a navigation system

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for planning a route (20) of an at least partially electrically powered motor vehicle (10) by a navigation system (12) of the motor vehicle (10), comprising the steps of: capturing an input from a user (18) of the motor vehicle (10) by a capture device (16) of the navigation system (12), wherein the input describes an activity (22) during a charging process of the motor vehicle (10); providing a digital map (24) with charging stations (26) by an electronic computing device (14) of the navigation system (12), wherein the digital map (24) assigns the charging stations (26) and activities (22) in the vicinity (28) of the charging station (26); and planning the route (20) of the motor vehicle (10) depending on the captured input and the provided digital map (24) by the electronic computing device (14).Furthermore, the present invention relates to a computer program product, a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium and a navigation system (12).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to the field of motor vehicles. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for planning a route of an at least partially electrically powered motor vehicle using a navigation system of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a corresponding computer program product, a corresponding non-volatile computer-readable storage medium, and a corresponding navigation system. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0002] It is known from the prior art that a navigation system can suggest a charging stop for an at least partially electrically powered vehicle. In particular, a route can be planned, and appropriate charging stations along the route can be suggested.

[0003] In particular, at least partially electric vehicles are not used as frequently by long-distance travelers as vehicles with combustion engines. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] It is an object of the invention to provide a method, a corresponding computer program product, a corresponding non-transitory computer-readable storage medium and a corresponding navigation system with which an activity is suggested for a person during a charging stop.

[0005] This task is achieved by a method, a corresponding computer program product, a corresponding non-transitory computer-readable storage medium and a corresponding navigation system.

[0006] One aspect of the invention relates to a method for planning a route of an at least partially electrically powered motor vehicle using a navigation system of the motor vehicle. An input from a user of the motor vehicle is detected by a detection device of a navigation system, wherein the input describes a possible user activity during a charging process of the motor vehicle. A digital map with charging stations is provided by an electronic computing device of the navigation device, wherein the digital map assigns the charging stations and possible activities in the vicinity of the charging station. The route of the motor vehicle is planned by the electronic computing device depending on the detected input and the provided digital map.

[0007] By providing personalized activity suggestions during charging stops, the method offers users the opportunity to use the charging time effectively or in a desired manner instead of just waiting, which plays an important role in preventing the use of electric vehicles for long-distance travel.

[0008] In particular, the method offers options for scheduling charging stops and informing users that they can use their charging time as they wish. This can increase the likelihood of using electric vehicles for long-distance journeys. This allows more consumers to use at least partially electric or fully electric vehicles.

[0009] In one embodiment, the detection device is designed as a touch-sensitive display device.

[0010] In another embodiment, the route is planned depending on a starting point of the motor vehicle and a destination point.

[0011] In another embodiment, a charging station is proposed depending on the potential activity of the user.

[0012] In another embodiment, multiple potential user activities may be taken into account when planning the route.

[0013] In another embodiment, a possible charging time at the charging station is taken into account when planning the route.

[0014] In particular, the method is a computer-implemented method. Therefore, a further aspect of the invention relates to a computer program product comprising program code means for carrying out a method according to the preceding aspect.

[0015] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium containing at least the computer program product according to the preceding aspect.

[0016] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a navigation system for planning a route of an at least partially electrically powered motor vehicle, comprising at least one detection device and an electronic computing device, wherein the navigation system is designed to carry out a method according to the preceding aspect. In particular, the method is carried out by the navigation system.

[0017] A further aspect of the invention relates to a motor vehicle with at least one navigation system according to the preceding aspect. The motor vehicle is an at least partially electrically powered motor vehicle or a fully electrically powered motor vehicle.

[0018] Both the navigation system and the motor vehicle may comprise means for carrying out the method according to the preceding aspect.

[0019] Advantageous embodiments of the method are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the computer program product, the non-volatile computer-readable storage medium, the navigation system and the motor vehicle.

[0020] A computing unit / electronic computer system can be understood, in particular, as a data processing system that includes a processing circuit. The computing unit can therefore, in particular, process data to perform computing operations. These may also include operations for performing indexed access to a data structure, e.g., a look-up table (LUT).

[0021] In particular, the computing unit may comprise one or more computers, one or more microcontrollers, and / or one or more integrated circuits, for example, one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and / or one or more systems on a chip (SoCs). The computing unit may also contain one or more processors, e.g., one or more microprocessors, one or more central processing units (CPUs), one or more graphics processing units (GPUs), and / or one or more signal processors, in particular one or more digital signal processors (DSPs). The computing unit may also comprise a physical or virtual cluster of computers or other of the aforementioned units.

[0022] In various embodiments, the computing unit comprises one or more hardware and / or software interfaces and / or one or more memory units.

[0023] A memory unit can be implemented as volatile data storage, such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM) or static random access memory (SRAM), or as non-volatile data storage, such as read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or flash EEPROM, ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM), magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM), or phase-change random access memory (PCRAM).

[0024] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment and from the drawings. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned in the following description of the figures and / or illustrated alone in the figures, can be used not only in the respective combinations specified, but also in any other combination or alone, without departing from the scope of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0025] The novel features and characteristics of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the disclosed principles. Like numerals are used throughout the figures to refer to like features and components. Some embodiments of systems and / or methods according to embodiments of the present subject matter are described below, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0026] The drawing shows: Fig. 1 a schematic view according to the embodiment of a motor vehicle with an embodiment of a navigation system.

[0027] In the figure, the same elements or elements with the same function are identified by the same reference numerals. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Throughout this document, the word "exemplary" is used to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

[0029] While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however, that the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the particular forms, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure.

[0030] The terms "comprises," "including," or other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that an assembly, device, or method comprising a list of components or steps not only includes those components or steps, but may also include other components or steps not expressly listed or included in such assembly, device, or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or device preceded by the term "comprises" or "comprising" do not preclude, without further limitation, the presence of other elements or additional elements in the system or method.

[0031] In the following detailed description of the embodiment of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the disclosure, and in which is shown by way of illustration a specific embodiment in which the disclosure may be practiced. This embodiment has been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to apply the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0032] Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a motor vehicle 10 according to one embodiment. The motor vehicle 10 is operated at least partially electrically or entirely electrically. The motor vehicle 10 comprises at least one navigation device 12. The navigation device 12 comprises at least one electronic computing device 14 and a detection device 16. The detection device 16 can be embodied as a touch-sensitive display device. In particular, the detection device 16 can receive an input from a user 18 of the motor vehicle 10.

[0033] In particular Fig. 1 shows a method for planning a route 20 of the at least partially electrically operated motor vehicle 10 by the navigation system 12. The input of the user 18 is detected by the detection device 16 of the navigation system 12, wherein the input is a potential user activity 22 which is Fig.1 as a shopping center, during a charging process of the motor vehicle 10. A digital map 24 with charging stations 26 is provided by the electronic computing device 14 of the navigation system 12, wherein the digital map 24 assigns charging stations 26 and potential activities 22 in the surrounding area 28 to the charging station 26. The route 20 is planned by the electronic computing device 14 depending on the detected input and the provided digital map 24.

[0034] In particular, the detection device is provided as a touch-sensitive display device. Furthermore, the route 20 is planned depending on a starting point 30 of the motor vehicle 10 and a destination 32. Furthermore, a charging station 26 is suggested depending on the potential user activity 22. Furthermore, a multitude of possible user activities 22 can be considered when planning the route 20. Furthermore, a possible charging time at the charging station 26 is taken into account when planning the route 20.

[0035] In particular, a pop-up message can be displayed on the display of the motor vehicle 10 for the user 18. The pop-up message can be displayed, for example, on the main unit after logging into the user profile on the main unit. The main unit can contain the navigation system 12.

[0036] The pop-up message may include the following options, and the user 18 may select one or more of them to schedule the charging stop at a specific charging station, such as station 26. For example, the user 18 may select a movie, a tourist preference, a hiking spot, a shopping destination, a dining spot, a bookstore, a gaming activity, a rest stop, a social media preference, or another activity 22. Selecting an activity 22 may remind the user 18 to bring a book if they select a bookstore, library, or other related activity, or to arrive within a specific timeframe based on data about available hours. The activity 22 could also include options for completing specific tasks, such as attending a meeting, completing homework, etc.The pop-up message may display one or more selected activities 22 of the user 18 for confirmation. After confirmation, the navigation system 12 may determine the route 20 by adding a charging stop based on at least one of the activities 22, the charging stations 26, the starting point 30, the destination point 32, or the surrounding area 28. For example, if a user 18 selects an activity 22 to shop during charging time, a charging station 26 in the surrounding area 28 of a shopping center may be added.

[0037] Additionally, the motor vehicle 10 may include a GPS antenna 34 to locate the location of the motor vehicle 10. Furthermore, B2C (business-to-customer) online connectivity may be provided to retrieve real-time information about business hours, availability, and reviews of the location / store, or beyond. Furthermore, a database may be provided to provide information about fees, activities, route planning, and / or similar information.

[0038] Currently, especially in the prior art, an electric vehicle user 18 may be hesitant to use an electric vehicle for long-distance travel. The user 18 may consider it time-consuming because charging takes comparatively much longer than filling up with gasoline to achieve the same vehicle range, and it is difficult to find charging stations 26 at a desired location. Therefore, the proposed method has the ability to schedule charging stops based on a selected activity 22 and alert the user 18 that they can use the charging time for the selected activity 22. The proposed method may increase the likelihood of using the electric vehicle 10 for long-distance travel. List of reference symbols 10 motor vehicle 12 Navigation system 14 Electronic data processing system 16 Detection device 18 users 20 Route 22 Activity 24 Digital Map 26 charging stations 28 surrounding area 30 Starting point 32 Destination point 34 GPS device

Claims

[1] Method for planning a route (20) of an at least partially electrically operated motor vehicle (10) by a navigation system (12) of the motor vehicle (10), comprising the steps: - detecting an input from a user (18) of the motor vehicle (10) by a detection device (16) of the navigation system (12), wherein the input describes an activity (22) during a charging process of the motor vehicle (10); - providing a digital map (24) with charging stations (26) by an electronic computing device (14) of the navigation system (12), wherein the digital map (24) assigns the charging stations (26) and activities (22) in the surroundings (28) of the charging station (26); and - Planning the route (20) of the motor vehicle (10) as a function of the detected input and the provided digital map (24) by the electronic computing device (14). [2] The method according to claim 1, characterized bythat the detection device (16) is provided as a touch-sensitive display device. [3] The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the route (20) is planned depending on a starting point (30) of the motor vehicle (10) and a destination point (32). [4] The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that a charging station (26) is proposed depending on the activity (22). [5] The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that a variety of activities (22) can be taken into account when planning the route (20). [6] The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that a possible charging time at the charging station (26) is taken into account when planning the route (20). [7] A computer program product comprising program code means for carrying out a method according to any one of claims 1 to 6. [8] A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing at least the computer program product of claim 7. [9] A navigation system (12) for planning a route (20) of an at least partially electrically operated motor vehicle (10), with at least one detection device (16) and an electronic computing device (14), wherein the navigation system (12) is designed to carry out a method according to one of claims 1 to 6.

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