Method for operating an interior device of a passenger cabin of a vehicle, device for data processing, computer program product and vehicle

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for operating an interior device (10) of a passenger cabin (4) of a vehicle (1) by a control unit (2) of the vehicle (1), which automatically operates the interior device (10) for heating, air conditioning, and / or ventilating the passenger cabin (4). The method comprises automatic operation of the interior device (10) by the control unit (2) depending on the operation of a seat heater (6) in the passenger cabin (4). In addition, a device (2) for data processing, a computer program product (3) and a vehicle (1) are disclosed which are related to the method.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for operating an interior device of a passenger cabin of a vehicle by a control unit of the vehicle, which automatically operates the interior device for heating, air conditioning and / or ventilating the passenger cabin.

[0002] The invention further relates to a data processing device comprising a processor configured to carry out the method.

[0003] Furthermore, the invention relates to a computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a processor, cause the processor to carry out the method.

[0004] Furthermore, the invention relates to a vehicle comprising the device for data processing.

[0005] Interior devices for heating, air conditioning, and / or ventilating the passenger compartment of a vehicle, such as heaters or ventilators, can be operated automatically by control units. DE 10 2014 201 545 A1 discloses a control unit for controlling a temperature control device. The control unit automatically activates the temperature control device depending on a user-preset limit temperature for the measured temperature.

[0006] Vehicles may also include seat heaters, each of which may be integrated into seats, such as front seats, rear seats, rear benches, airplane seats, ship passenger seats, or the like, to warm a passenger sitting thereon. A variety of settings can be configured for the seat heater and the interior devices for heating, air conditioning, and / or ventilating the passenger cabin, such as a temperature setting, a fan speed (where present), a desired operating time, a desired maximum temperature, and the like. When the passenger sits down in their seat in the vehicle, they will typically want to adapt both the configuration of the seat heater and the configuration of the interior devices relating to them to their individual needs.This can be done manually by the passenger using adjustment devices in the vehicle, such as push buttons, dials, touch screens, sliders and the like.

[0007] It is the object of the invention to provide a method for operating an interior device of a passenger cabin of a vehicle, a device for data processing, a computer program product and a vehicle of the type mentioned at the outset, which are improved over the prior art.

[0008] The above object is achieved by a method for operating an interior device of a passenger cabin of a vehicle having the features of independent patent claim 1, by a device for data processing having the features of independent patent claim 13, by a computer program product having the features of independent patent claim 14, and by a vehicle having the features of independent patent claim 15.

[0009] Further features and details of the invention emerge from the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings. Features and details described in connection with the method according to the invention naturally also apply in connection with the data processing device according to the invention, the computer program product according to the invention, and the vehicle according to the invention, and vice versa, so that with regard to the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention, reference is always made to each other.

[0010] According to the invention, the method comprises the step of automatically operating the interior device by the control unit as a function of operating a seat heater in the passenger cabin.

[0011] The invention is based on the realization that it is inconvenient for the passenger to have to adjust the interior device separately from the seat heating. The invention has the advantage that the interior device is automatically operated by the control unit as soon as the seat heating is activated, for example, by the passenger. This increases passenger comfort.

[0012] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are part of the dependent claims and described in the description.

[0013] The seat heater can be arranged in a seat cushion of a seat or in a backrest of the seat. The seat heater can comprise a heating wire, a heating coil, or the like. The seat heater can be monitored and operated, in particular, by the control unit or the passenger. For this purpose, the seat heater can comprise adjustable resistors and the like that can be controlled, for example, in response to a manual adjustment action by the passenger or an automatic adjustment action by the control unit. Thus, in embodiments, a single control unit can automatically operate the interior device and operate the seat heater in response to manual input by the passenger or automatic input by the control unit.

[0014] Some embodiments of the method comprise automatic operation of the interior device by the control unit automatically activating the interior device in response to activation of the seat heater. As soon as the control unit detects that the seat heater is activated, such as by the passenger or by the control unit itself, the control unit can automatically operate the interior device. This can mean activating the interior device and / or, particularly if it is already active, operating it in a manner adapted to the settings made on the seat heater. This increases comfort for the passenger, as they no longer have to manually activate and / or adjust the interior device taking into account the operation of the seat heater.

[0015] Embodiments of the method include allowing a period of time to elapse after the seat heater has been activated, automatically configuring the interior device by the control unit based on a configuration of the seat heater once the period of time has elapsed, and activating the interior device by the control unit. This ensures that a configuration of the seat heater has been set, for example by the passenger, before the interior device is put into operation. This avoids the control unit having to make further adjustments to the interior device because the seat heater is reconfigured within the period of time. The period of time can be fixed in the control unit or can be set therein by a passenger. The period of time can be between 5 and 20 seconds, such as 5, 10, 15, or 20 seconds in embodiments.It can be provided to operate the interior device at a similar operating level to the seat heater. If the seat heater is configured to the highest operating level, the control unit can, for example, automatically configure the interior device to the highest operating level as well. In embodiments, both the interior device and the seat heater each have three active operating levels, such as high, medium, and low. In addition, the "off" operating level is preferably provided for both. The control unit can then, in particular depending on the low operating level being configured for the seat heater, automatically configure the low operating level for the interior device as well, and so on.

[0016] Embodiments provide that, at the same operating levels for the interior device and the seat heater, the interior device provides a lower temperature. Embodiments provide that, when the interior device is activated by the control unit, a temperature of the interior device is automatically set by the control unit to a lower value than a temperature of the seat heater. Typically, a passenger will prefer a seat heater that provides a higher temperature than the interior device. The method can therefore provide for the interior device to be automatically operated at a temperature that is lower than a temperature of the seat heater. It can be provided that the control unit automatically operates the interior device at a temperature that is lower than the temperature of the seat heater by a predetermined temperature difference, such as by 5 to 15 °C, in particular 5, 7, 10, 12 or 15 °C.The predetermined temperature difference can be manually adjustable by the passenger in the control unit. Preferably, the interior device is automatically operated at 24°C by the control unit, for example, if the passenger sets 36°C for the operation of the seat heating or selects a specific heating level. It should be noted that the temperatures mentioned indicate a temperature that should be generated for the passenger. This can mean that the interior device or the seat heating itself, such as a heating wire thereof, each reaches a significantly higher temperature than the one stated above. However, the temperature values mentioned refer to those that are usually shown on status displays, such as LC displays or seven-segment displays, in the passenger cabin and are intended to be perceived accordingly by the passenger.The temperature difference can be taken into account in the operating stages of the indoor device, as already discussed above.

[0017] Some embodiments provide for automatic control of a ventilation outlet of the interior device by the control unit after activation of the interior device. This is preferred if the interior device has one or more ventilation outlets. The automatic control can comprise mechanical movement. In particular, the control unit can orient the ventilation outlet towards the passenger on the seat having the seat heater, since it can be assumed that the passenger also wants to be heated and / or ventilated by the interior device when activating the seat heater. As a result, the passenger no longer has to orient the ventilation outlet towards themselves. The ventilation outlet can be arranged in a dashboard of the vehicle. The ventilation outlet can be arranged between a fan of the interior device and the passenger cabin.In some embodiments, the ventilation outlet can be pivoted in an oscillating manner by the control unit, for example horizontally or vertically. The ventilation outlet can have a ventilation grille. In particular, the ventilation grille can be pivoted horizontally and / or vertically by the control unit. The fan can have multiple operating levels. In some embodiments, the fan can be controlled by the control unit with regard to its operating levels, in particular depending on the operation of the seat heating. A switchable heater can be assigned to the ventilation outlet in order to heat the air flow. The switchable heater can be arranged upstream of the ventilation grille, for example on the fan. The switchable heater can be automatically controllable by the control unit, in particular depending on the operation of the seat heating.The control unit can automatically operate the switchable heater at a temperature that is lower than a seat heating temperature, as described above.

[0018] In some embodiments, automatic control of the ventilation outlet is provided such that, after activation of the seat heater, a passenger in the passenger cabin is directed, at most temporarily, via the ventilation outlet during operation of the interior device, an airflow towards a headrest of a seat having the seat heater. Some passengers find it unpleasant to receive an airflow in their face when they have activated the seat heater, as the airflow can have a cooling effect and thus counteract the effect of the seat heater. Other passengers experience a drying effect or an unpleasant feeling in their face and eyes due to the airflow. Therefore, the control unit preferably avoids directing the airflow towards the headrest. The seat can be a driver's seat, a front passenger seat, a bench seat, a passenger seat, a pilot's seat, or a captain's seat.If the seat does not have a headrest, it is provided that the air flow is directed at most temporarily towards an area vertically above an upper end of a backrest of the seat, which area has the seat heating. It is therefore not necessarily important whether the seat actually has a headrest, but the term headrest here defines a region in which a passenger will usually have their face when sitting on the seat, i.e. where a headrest would normally be expected. The fan can be configured to generate the air flow. In embodiments, it is provided that the air flow is directed by the control unit towards the headrest only every second to sixth vertical oscillation of the ventilation outlet, preferably every fourth oscillation. The oscillation can occur depending on the size of the passenger using the seat heating.The height of the passenger on the seat having the seat heating can be determined automatically by the control unit using a detection device, such as a camera or an infrared sensor in the passenger cabin, or can be specified manually.

[0019] Some embodiments include automatic turning down of the interior device by the control unit in response to turning down the seat heating. Embodiments provide that turning down the seat heating is a deactivation of the seat heating. Embodiments further provide that turning down the interior device is a deactivation of the interior device. This step is based on the recognition that the passenger will not only usually turn down the seat heating when they are sufficiently warm, but will also wish to turn down the interior device for heating, cooling and / or air conditioning accordingly if it is in operation at the same time as the seat heating. In particular, the automatic turning down of the interior device by the control unit can take place immediately after the seat heating is turned down.Alternatively, the automatic downshift of the interior device can be delayed after the seat heating has been turned down, for example by between 5 and 30 seconds, in particular by 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 seconds. This prevents excessively frequent adjustments of the interior device if the seat heating is turned up again or reactivated immediately after the seat heating has been turned down. This can protect the electronics of the interior device and still provide the passenger with coupled operation of the seat heating and interior device. In particular, the fan and / or a switchable heater assigned to the interior device can be turned down.

[0020] In some embodiments, step-by-step automatic down-regulation of the interior device by the control unit is provided. This can simplify automatic operation because fixed operating levels can be provided to the control unit instead of it having to implement stepless control. In particular, four operating levels, such as high, medium, low, and off, can be provided. The operating levels can be correspondingly linked to a temperature value of the interior device, such as 35°C, 25°C, 15°C, and off, and / or fast, medium, slow, and off if the interior device includes ventilation. If the seat heating is turned down, the control unit can preferably first reduce the operating level of the interior device by one operating level, depending on the operating level activated at that time.After an interval, the control unit can preferably reduce the operating level of the interior device by a further operating level. This can continue until the interior device has reached the "off" operating level. Each interval between the reductions in operating levels can be a few seconds or a few minutes, such as 30 seconds, 90 seconds, 120 seconds, 150 seconds, or 180 seconds. Each interval can be the same length. Some embodiments provide for each interval to be of different length, for example, each interval is shorter than an immediately preceding interval. In this way, the interior device can be turned down more quickly to avoid unnecessary heating, air conditioning, and / or ventilation of the passenger compartment after the seat heating has already been turned down. In particular, the switchable heating can be turned down step by step by the control unit.In some versions the fan can be turned down gradually.

[0021] In some embodiments, the passenger cabin has two or more seats comprising seats, one of which has the seat heater, wherein the seat having the seat heater is assigned an air temperature zone having an air temperature zone temperature determined by the interior device, wherein the passenger cabin has a passenger cabin temperature. Then, the method may comprise automatically regulating the interior device by the control unit in response to the passenger cabin temperature exceeding a maximum temperature. The maximum temperature may be set in the control unit, in particular by the passenger using the seat having the seat heater or another passenger of the vehicle using another seat.This prevents the passenger cabin temperature from exceeding a tolerable level for all passengers due to the individual setting of the air temperature zone. Alternatively or additionally, this function can also be used mutatis mutandis when the temperature falls below a minimum to prevent the passenger cabin from overcooling. This can be useful if the interior device was set to a very low air temperature zone, which could cause the passenger cabin temperature to drop too low.

[0022] In embodiments, the method provides for cyclical control of the interior device by the control unit after the interior device has been reduced so that the passenger cabin temperature does not exceed the maximum temperature again. This makes it possible to create a compromise for the passengers in that the interior device can continue to operate, but is automatically cyclically controlled by the control unit such that the maximum temperature remains below the maximum. In particular, a uniform, wave-like control of the interior device can be carried out by the control unit. This can mean that the power of the interior device is automatically reduced by the control unit as soon as the maximum temperature is almost reached and is automatically increased again as soon as there is a sufficient difference between the passenger cabin temperature and the maximum temperature, such as a difference of 5 °C, 7.5 °C, or 10 °C.For example, the switchable heating of the interior device, if present, can be cyclically controlled by the control unit. Mutatis mutandis, this also applies to cyclical control of the interior device by the control unit after the interior device has been turned down, so that the passenger cabin temperature does not fall below the minimum temperature again.

[0023] Some embodiments include automatic resetting of the interior device to a base configuration by the control unit after deactivation of the seat heating. The base configuration can be a base configuration stored in the control unit. It can be the configuration of the interior device that was set before activation of the seat heating. However, the base configuration can also be an off operating state. Thus, a desired configuration of the interior device, or at least a configuration that is presumed to be comfortable, can be automatically provided to the passenger by the control unit as soon as the seat heating is no longer in operation. In particular, an activated switchable heater of the interior device can be reset to the deactivated state as the base configuration by the control unit as soon as the seat heating has been deactivated.

[0024] During automatic operation of the interior device, it can be provided that at least one of the following components is operated: a steering wheel heater, a center console vent, a center console heater, a side door vent, a side door heater, a knee area vent, a knee area heater, a dashboard vent, a dashboard heater, an overhead vent, and / or an overhead heater. If a vent is involved, a switchable heater can also be included, as already discussed above. The vent can comprise a fan or be connected to a fan to provide a moving airflow through the vent, as already discussed above. A heater, which can be the switchable heater, can include a heating resistor, such as a heating coil or a heating wire.All the heating and ventilation systems mentioned, as well as others not mentioned, benefit from a coupled automatic control by the control unit depending on the seat heating, as already discussed above.

[0025] In embodiments, the vehicle to which the method is applied is one of a motor vehicle, a rail vehicle, a watercraft, and an aircraft. In particular, it may be one of a passenger car, a truck, a bus, a train, a ship, such as a ferry or a cruise ship, an airplane, or a helicopter. The passenger cabin may provide space for one or more passengers, such as more than 5, more than 10, more than 50, or more than 100 passengers. The more passengers are provided in the passenger cabin, the greater the cost savings can be in the manufacture of the vehicle to which the method is applied, because manual adjustment means for the interior device can be omitted due to automatic operation depending on the operation of the seat heating.

[0026] Embodiments of the method provide for two or more interior devices to be operated automatically depending on the operation of the seat heating. The method can therefore be applied by the control unit to several interior devices simultaneously, wherein one of the aforementioned embodiments can be applied to a respective interior device. The applied embodiment can, but does not have to, be the same for all of the automatically controlled interior devices. For example, some of the interior devices can be turned down together with the seat heating and others not. Or some of the interior devices are turned down depending on the operation of the seat heating, but are not automatically activated when the seat heating is activated.A multitude of embodiments thus arise by combining the aforementioned features for two or more interior devices of the vehicle. The invention can be particularly advantageous for passenger cabins with a large number of interior devices and seats that feature seat heating, since many manual adjustment devices for the interior device can then be eliminated and reliable automatic air conditioning of the passenger cabin can be ensured.

[0027] The process therefore has the advantage of increasing comfort in the passenger cabin. The process can be easily implemented using software. It can utilize the ventilation function of newer vehicles. No additional hardware is required. A pay-by-use implementation is possible. Custom configurations, for example, by passengers, are conceivable.

[0028] Furthermore, the object of providing a device for data processing which is improved over the prior art is achieved by the device according to claim 13, as described below.

[0029] According to the invention, the data processing device comprises a processor configured to carry out the method described above. As a result, it is designed to achieve the advantages of the method. The data processing device can be embodied as a microcontroller, such as, in particular, a control unit of the vehicle. The data processing device can be designed to automatically operate the interior device of the vehicle. The data processing device can also be integrated into the control unit. In particular, it can be designed to automatically operate the interior device depending on the operation of a seat heater in the passenger cabin. It can be designed to automatically operate the interior device by automatically activating the interior device in response to the activation of the seat heater.The data processing device may comprise a memory. A program containing instructions for the data processing device may be stored in the memory, allowing the data processing device to execute the method. The data processing device is preferably configured to execute some or all of the method steps described above and their further developments in any desired combination, provided that the method steps and further developments do not contradict one another.

[0030] Furthermore, the object of providing a computer program product which is improved over the prior art is achieved by the computer program product according to claim 14, which comprises instructions which, when the program is executed by a processor, cause the processor to carry out the method described above, as described below.

[0031] The computer program product may be an electronic or optical data storage device, such as a memory chip, a magnetic memory, or an optical memory. The vehicle may include the computer program product. Instructions stored on the computer program product may cause the processor to automatically operate the interior device of the vehicle such that the advantages explained in connection with the method are achieved. The computer program product may be part of the data processing device. In particular, the computer program product may be part of the microcontroller. The computer program product may contain firmware for the microcontroller. Alternatively, the computer program product may contain software for the microcontroller.

[0032] Furthermore, the object of the invention to provide a vehicle of the type mentioned at the outset which is improved over the prior art is achieved by the vehicle according to claim 15, as described below.

[0033] According to the invention, the vehicle comprises the above-described data processing device. It is thus configured to carry out the method described above and achieve its advantages for the vehicle.

[0034] A preferred vehicle is a wheeled motor vehicle. It may be a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine or an electric motor. It may be a 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, or 6-seater motor vehicle. In principle, the invention may be particularly relevant for all vehicles in which an interior device dependent on the operation of a seat heater in the passenger cabin is advantageous. Operation may be via an on-board network of the motor vehicle, such as, in particular, an Ethernet on-board network. For this purpose, it may be provided that the data processing device communicates with both the interior device and the seat heater, for example, via a wireless or wired connection. However, as already discussed above, the vehicle is not limited to motor vehicles. The passenger cabin may comprise a driver's cab or driver's seat.However, the invention is also applicable to passenger cabins that only have passenger seats, such as aircraft or ship cabins.

[0035] Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the drawings and the following description. They show schematically: Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the vehicle according to the invention, comprising a data processing device and a computer program product according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows a first embodiment of a method according to the invention; Fig. 3 a second embodiment of the method according to the invention; and Fig. 4 a third embodiment of the method according to the invention.

[0036] Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the vehicle 1 according to the invention. The vehicle 1 is, for example, a passenger car. The vehicle 1 has a device 2 for data processing. The device 2 for data processing is a control unit 2 of the vehicle 1. The control unit 2 comprises a processor (not shown) which is configured to carry out the two methods according to the invention, which are described with reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 are illustrated below. To enable this, the control unit 2 has a computer program product 3. The computer program product 3 is, purely by way of example, a non-volatile memory chip that is arranged in the control unit 2 and is electrically connected to the processor in order to enable data transfer between the non-volatile memory chip 3 and the processor. The non-volatile memory chip 3 comprises instructions that, when the program is executed by the processor, cause the processor to carry out the methods that are based on the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 are illustrated below.

[0037] The vehicle 1 has a passenger cabin 4. A driver's seat 5 is arranged in the passenger cabin 4. The driver's seat 5 has a seat heater 6. The driver's seat 5 has a seat cushion 7a, a backrest 7b, and a headrest 7c. The seat heater 6 is arranged in the seat cushion 7a and includes a heating wire (not shown). The seat heater 6 is communicatively connected to the control unit 2 via an on-board electrical system 8 of the vehicle 1.

[0038] The passenger cabin 4 comprises an interior device 10 in a dashboard 9 of the vehicle 1, which, as a component, includes, for example, a dashboard ventilation system. The dashboard ventilation system comprises a fan (not shown) and a ventilation outlet 11. The fan is separated from the passenger cabin 4 by a ventilation grille (not shown) of the ventilation outlet 11 in order to prevent access to the fan from the passenger cabin 4. The interior device 10 is communicatively connected to the control unit 2 via the on-board electrical system 8 of the vehicle 1. The control unit 2 is configured to operate the interior device 10 automatically.

[0039] According to the embodiment in Fig. 1, the control unit 2 is configured to automatically operate the interior device 10 for ventilating and heating the passenger cabin 4. However, it is clear that in embodiments not shown, the interior device 10 includes, as a component to be operated, for example, a steering wheel heater for heating the passenger cabin 4 or an overhead ventilation system for air conditioning and / or ventilating the passenger cabin 4. Other possible embodiments of the interior device 10 have been discussed in the general part of the present description and are applicable mutatis mutandis to the embodiments described in Fig. 1 shown embodiment is applicable.

[0040] The control unit 2 of the vehicle 1 from Fig. 1 is designed to carry out the method according to the invention according to the embodiments in Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. The method serves to operate the interior device 10 of the passenger cabin 4 of the vehicle 1 by the control unit 2 of the vehicle 1, which automatically operates the interior device 10 for heating, air conditioning and / or ventilating the passenger cabin 4. The method comprises, according to the first embodiment, which is shown in Fig. 1, the step S21 of automatically operating the interior device 10 by the control unit 2 as a function of the operation of the seat heater 6 in the passenger cabin 4. The invention has the advantage that the interior device 10 is automatically operated by the control unit 2 as soon as the seat heater 6 is operated, here, for example, manually by the passenger. This increases comfort for the passenger because additional manual operation of the interior device 10 can be omitted.

[0041] The method in the second embodiment described in Fig. 3 is compared to the method in the first embodiment shown in Fig. 2. In step S31, the seat heater 6 is activated, here by way of example by the driver on the driver's seat 5. In step S32, the interior device 10 is automatically operated by the control unit 2 as a function of the operation of the seat heater 6 in the passenger cabin 4. In this embodiment, step S32 comprises an automatic operation of the interior device 10 by automatically activating the interior device 10 by the control unit 2 in response to the activation of the seat heater 6 in step S31.

[0042] More specifically, step S32 comprises allowing a period of time to elapse after the activation of the seat heater 6, automatically configuring the interior device 10 by the control unit 2 based on a configuration of the seat heater 6 as soon as the period of time has elapsed, and activating the interior device 10 by the control unit 2. The period of time here is 10 seconds, for example. In other embodiments, however, the period of time can be shorter or longer, in particular adjustable by the passenger. The passenger thus has sufficient time to configure the seat heater 6 before the control unit 2 automatically configures the interior device 10 based on the configuration of the seat heater 6.

[0043] In a step S33, the activation of the interior device 10 is followed by automatic control of the ventilation outlet 11 of the interior device 10 by the control unit 2 after the activation of the interior device 10. For example, the ventilation outlet 11 is directed by the control unit 2 towards the passenger in the driver's seat 5. Subsequently, in step S34, the ventilation outlet 11 is automatically controlled such that after the activation of the seat heater 6, here after the automatic configuration, an air flow is directed via the ventilation outlet 11 towards the headrest 7c of the driver's seat 5, which has the seat heater 6, at most temporarily during the operation of the interior device 10. In this case, the control unit 2 controls the ventilation outlet 11 in an upward and downward oscillation, so that only every fourth oscillation directs an air flow towards the headrest 7c of the driver's seat 5.Thus, the ventilation outlet 11 oscillates upwards and downwards in such a way that, in three out of four oscillations, the airflow coming from below reaches at most the passenger's neck area. In other words, this means that the control unit 2 directs the ventilation outlet 11 in a vertically oscillating manner toward the backrest 7b and the seat cushion 7a in order to direct the airflow alternately there. A switchable heater of the interior device 10 is activated, which in this case provides a lower temperature to the passenger than the seat heater 6. The switchable heater is, for example, a heating coil integrated into the fan.

[0044] In step S35, the passenger turns down the seat heater 6. For example, the passenger deactivates the seat heater 6. However, they could also only reduce its power slightly, for example by one operating level of the seat heater 6. In step S36, the control unit 2 automatically turns down the interior device 10 in response to the turndown of the seat heater 6. The operation of the interior device 10 is thus adapted to the operation of the seat heater 6 in order to react to the turned down power of the seat heater 6, which indicates a reduced air conditioning requirement of the passenger. The turndown of the interior device 10 takes place step by step, so that the control unit 2 turns down the interior device 10 from a high operating level, which generates a relatively strong airflow, to a medium operating level, which generates a moderately strong airflow.The operating levels are discrete and have different fixed fan speeds. At the high operating level, the fan rotates at 600 revolutions per minute, while at the medium operating level, the fan rotates at 400 revolutions per minute. A low operating level of the fan can have 200 revolutions, while an "off" operating level of the fan has 0 revolutions per minute, so that the fan is stopped in the "off" operating level. In the same way, the switchable heating of the interior device 10 is automatically regulated down by the control unit. This heating also comprises three active operating levels, namely 28°C, 26°C, and 24°C, as well as the "off" operating level.Here, as a reaction to the deactivation of the seat heating 6, the operating level of the switchable heating of the interior device 10 is automatically regulated down by the control unit from the operating level of 28 °C to the operating level of 24 °C.

[0045] The configuration of vehicle 1 described below in Fig. 1 is for the embodiments of the method according to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 is not required, but for a third embodiment the method according to Fig. 4. The vehicle 1 in Fig. 1 has, by way of example, several seats, each having a seat 5, one of which, namely the driver's seat 5, has the seat heating 6. The remaining seats 5 are not shown here for reasons of clarity. They consist of a rear bench and a passenger seat in the passenger cabin 4. By way of example, the driver's seat 5 is assigned an air temperature zone that has an air temperature zone temperature determined by the interior device 10. The passenger cabin 4 has a passenger cabin temperature.

[0046] According to the third embodiment of the method described in Fig. 4, the method detects, in a first step S41, automatic operation of the interior device 10 by the control unit 2 as a function of operation of a seat heater 6 in the passenger cabin 4, i.e. here in the driver's seat 5. Here, for example, activation of the switchable heater of the dashboard ventilation by the control unit 2 is provided in response to the activation of the seat heater 6. Here, for example, the seat heater 6 is manually set to the highest operating level, which causes the control unit 2 to operate the switchable heater in parallel at the highest operating level, i.e. at 28 °C. In step S42, the interior device 10 is automatically turned down by the control unit in response to the passenger cabin temperature exceeding a maximum temperature.The maximum temperature was set to 27°C by a passenger via a touchscreen (not shown) in the passenger cabin 4. In response to the maximum temperature being exceeded, the control unit 2 regulates the switchable heater down to the second-highest operating level, namely 26°C. As soon as the maximum temperature is undershot, the control unit 2 cyclically regulates the interior device 10 in step S43 after regulating the interior device 10 down so that the passenger cabin temperature does not exceed the maximum temperature again. For this purpose, the control unit 2 performs a wave-like regulation of the switchable heater of the interior device 10, alternating here, for example, between the highest and second-highest operating levels. Finally, the seat heater 6 is deactivated in step S44, here by the passenger in the driver's seat 5.This is followed by step S45, which provides for automatic resetting of the interior device 10 by the control unit 2 to a basic configuration. This includes deactivating the switchable heater by the control unit 2 in response to the deactivation of the seat heater 6. In the basic configuration of the interior device 10, operation of the switchable heater is not provided. It is only automatically activated if the seat heater 6 is previously activated. In this embodiment, purely by way of example, the ventilation outlet 11 is not automatically controlled. Of course, in embodiments not shown, in addition to or instead of the automatic control of the switchable heater, automatic control of the ventilation outlet 11 by the control unit 2 can also be provided depending on the operation of the seat heater 6.

[0047] It is understood that the steps described in the three embodiments of the method can be combined in any embodiment not shown, provided they do not contradict each other. In particular, steps S44 and S45, which provide for the deactivation of the seat heating 6 and the resetting of the interior device 10 to a basic configuration, can also represent the completion of the methods from Fig. 3, wherein here, instead of or in addition to deactivating the switchable heater when reversing, it is possible, for example, to align the ventilation outlet 11 away from the passenger on the driver's seat 5 and towards a neutral area of the passenger cabin 4 in order to generally hit the passenger cabin 4 with the air flow without sweeping over the driver's seat 5. List of reference symbols 1 vehicle 2 Device for data processing 3 Computer program product 4 passenger cabins 5 Driver's seat 6 Seat heating 7a Seat cushion 7b Backrest 7c Headrest 8 On-board network 9 Dashboard 10 Interior device 11 Ventilation outlet QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] DE 10 2014 201 545 A1

[0005]

Claims

[1] Method for operating an interior device (10) of a passenger cabin (4) of a vehicle (1) by a control unit (2) of the vehicle (1), which automatically operates the interior device (10) for heating, air conditioning and / or ventilating the passenger cabin (4), characterized by - automatic operation (S21, S32, S41) of the interior device (10) by the control unit (2) as a function of operation of a seat heater (6) in the passenger cabin (4). [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by - automatically operating the interior device (10) by automatically activating the interior device (10) by the control unit (2) in response to activation (S31) of the seat heater (6). [3] Method according to claim 2, characterized by - Allowing a period of time to elapse after activating the seat heating (6); - automatic configuration of the interior device (10) by the control unit (2) based on a configuration of the seat heating (6) as soon as the time period has elapsed; and - Activation of the interior device (10) by the control unit (2). [4] Method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by - automatically controlling (S33) a ventilation outlet (11) of the indoor device (10) by the control unit (2) after activating the indoor device (10). [5] Method according to claim 4, characterized by - automatically controlling (S34) the ventilation outlet (11) in such a way that, after activation of the seat heating (6), an air flow is directed at most temporarily via the ventilation outlet (11) during operation of the interior device (10) in the direction of a headrest (7c) of the seat (5) which has the seat heating (6). [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by - automatic down-regulation (S36) of the interior device (10) by the control unit (2) in response to a down-regulation (S35) of the seat heating (6). [7] Method according to claim 6, characterized by - gradual automatic down regulation of the interior device (10) by the control unit (2). [8] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the passenger cabin (4) has two or more seats, each having a seat (5), one of which has the seat heating (6), wherein the seat (5) having the seat heater (6) is assigned an air temperature zone having an air temperature zone temperature determined by the interior device (10), wherein the passenger cabin (4) has a passenger cabin temperature, characterized by - automatic down-regulation (S42) of the interior device (10) by the control unit (2) in response to the passenger cabin temperature exceeding a maximum temperature. [9] Method according to claim 8, characterized by - cyclical regulation (S43) of the interior device (10) by the control unit (2) after the regulation down of the interior device (10) so that the passenger cabin temperature does not exceed the maximum temperature again. [10] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by - automatic resetting (S45) of the interior device (10) by the control unit (2) to a basic configuration after deactivation (S44) of the seat heating (6). [11] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that during automatic operation of the interior device (10) at least one of the following components is operated: - a heated steering wheel, - a center console ventilation, - a center console heater, - a side door ventilation, - a side door heater, - knee area ventilation, - knee area heating, - a dashboard ventilation, - a dashboard heater, - overhead ventilation, - an overhead heater. [12] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the vehicle (1) is one of a motor vehicle, a rail vehicle, a watercraft and an aircraft. [13] Device (2) for data processing, comprising a processor configured to carry out the method according to one of claims 1 to 12. [14] Computer program product (3) comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a processor, cause the processor to carry out the method according to one of claims 1 to 12. [15] Vehicle (1) comprising a data processing device (2) according to claim 13.

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