Entertainment method for operating a vehicle

Abstract

A method for operating a vehicle, wherein a controller of a vehicle determines a travel parameter for the travel of the vehicle and operates the vehicle during travel with the determined parameter value and an infotainment system of the vehicle provides for a passenger of the vehicle during travel an entertainment content selected by the passenger. The invention also relates to a system for operating a vehicle.

Description

[0001] Entertaining operating procedure for a vehicle

[0002] DESCRIPTION:

[0003] The invention relates to a method for operating a vehicle, in which a control unit of a vehicle determines a parameter value for a journey of the vehicle and operates the vehicle during the journey with the determined parameter value, and an infotainment system of the vehicle provides an occupant of the vehicle with entertainment content selected by the occupant during the journey. Furthermore, the invention relates to a system for operating a vehicle.

[0004] Methods of the type mentioned above, in various embodiments, are state-of-the-art and serve to entertain a vehicle occupant while the vehicle is traveling. The occupant can be a driver, a front passenger, or another passenger. To entertain the occupant, a vehicle's infotainment system provides a variety of different entertainment content. Examples of entertainment content include videos, video games, music tracks, or audio books. The occupant can select entertainment content for the vehicle's journey.

[0005] While driving in a closed vehicle, the occupant is usually largely cut off from the vehicle's surroundings in terms of sensors, which limits the occupant's driving experience.

[0006] To remedy this, DE 10 2019 201 587 A1 proposes an operating procedure for a

[0007] Vehicle in which a fragrance device of the vehicle provides a fragrance for an interior of the vehicle depending on a sensor-detected environment of the vehicle and / or a position of the vehicle.

[0008] Apart from that, a long journey can cause the vehicle occupant to feel unwillingness before starting the journey and boredom during the journey.

[0009] EP 3 799 941 A1 aims to counteract such bad moods of the occupant and discloses an operating method for a vehicle in which a journey of the vehicle itself serves to entertain the occupants. Specifically, the journey can depend on a solution found by an occupant to a task presented to the occupant or can solve a task presented to the occupant.

[0010] DE 10 2018 221 987 A1 also discloses an operating method for a vehicle intended to improve the mood of a passenger while driving the vehicle. An infotainment system unlocks hidden entertainment content for the passenger depending on a specific previous use of the vehicle.

[0011] An increasing number of vehicles allow autonomous or partially autonomous driving. During an autonomous or partially autonomous journey, the driver is completely or partially relieved of steering the vehicle and can concentrate on entertainment, just like the front passenger or other passengers.

[0012] Accordingly, the occupant can also select so-called immersive entertainment content for autonomous vehicle travel, i.e., entertainment content intended to provide the occupant with a particularly intense experience and distract them from the current driving situation of the vehicle. However, the experience of the entertainment content may be impaired by unavoidable acceleration of the vehicle during travel. Therefore, it is an object of the invention to propose a method for operating a vehicle that improves the experience of immersive entertainment content during a vehicle journey.

[0013] The invention relates to a method for operating a vehicle, in which a control unit of a vehicle determines a parameter value for a journey of the vehicle and operates the vehicle during the journey with the determined parameter value, and an infotainment system of the vehicle provides entertainment content selected by the occupant for a passenger of the vehicle during the journey. The parameter value, within the meaning of the invention, is to be understood as any variable setting of the vehicle that influences a journey of the vehicle and / or a passenger of the vehicle. The provision includes playing the entertainment content during the journey.

[0014] In particular, the parameter value may have a structure and include a plurality of data items, i.e., the parameter value is not limited to a single numerical value. The vehicle may be configured to automatically set the parameter value or to allow the occupant to selectively set the parameter value.

[0015] According to the invention, the control unit determines the parameter value depending on the selected entertainment content. The occupant selects the entertainment content for the vehicle's journey, and the control unit adapts the vehicle's parameter value to the selected entertainment content. In this way, by selecting the entertainment content, the occupant indirectly determines at least one characteristic of the vehicle's journey such that the journey supports the experience of the entertainment content, i.e., enhances the immersiveness of the entertainment content. Of course, the vehicle can initially propose the parameter value determined by the control unit to the occupant and only set it after the occupant has accepted it.Preferably, the control unit for the journey determines a route as the parameter value of the journey and drives the vehicle along the determined route, and / or the control unit for the journey determines a driving style as the parameter value of the journey and drives the vehicle with the determined driving style. The vehicle can usually reach a destination of the journey selected by the occupant along a plurality of alternative routes, ie, routes, which differ with regard to a property of the route, ie, with regard to an elevation profile, curvature, traffic density, and the like. The control unit selects the route from the plurality of alternative routes that best suits the selected entertainment content.

[0016] The vehicle provides a plurality of driving styles, each defined by a driving profile, i.e., a plurality of vehicle driving parameter values. For example, the vehicle can provide a dynamic driving style, which includes a high driving speed and / or strong longitudinal and lateral accelerations of the vehicle, or an economical driving style, which includes a low driving speed and / or weak longitudinal and / or lateral accelerations. Of course, the vehicle can provide a plurality of other driving styles.

[0017] As a result, the control unit selects the route and / or driving style to match the selected entertainment content.

[0018] The control unit can also select the route and / or the driving style to match the duration of the selected entertainment content, ie adapt the duration of the journey to the duration of the selected entertainment content.

[0019] In further embodiments, the control unit for driving can adjust a vehicle's interior light and / or a vehicle's air conditioning system and / or a vehicle's fragrance generator depending on the selected entertainment content. The settings of the interior light, the air conditioning system, or the fragrance generator are parameter values ​​that affect the occupant during the journey and not the driving of the vehicle itself. These parameter values ​​can enhance the immersiveness of the selected entertainment content.

[0020] Advantageously, the control unit determines the position and / or massage function of a vehicle seat depending on the selected entertainment content. The position and massage function of the seat influence the occupant during the journey, not the driving of the vehicle itself, and can further enhance the immersiveness of the selected entertainment content.

[0021] Furthermore, the infotainment system can provide a soundscape for the journey depending on the selected entertainment content. The soundscape can complement a selected entertainment content that does not have an audio component and enhance the immersiveness of the selected entertainment content through aural accompaniment.

[0022] Conveniently, the control unit determines the parameter value from a plurality of alternative parameter values ​​based on metadata associated with the selected entertainment content. The metadata associated with the selected entertainment content categorizes the selected entertainment content and / or describes characteristics of the selected entertainment content. If the selected entertainment content is a video or a video game, it may, for example, belong to a category such as action, horror, or nature. Or it may, for example, feature short or long cuts or steady or choppy camera movement. The control unit determines the alternative parameter values ​​and, for the determined alternative parameter values, metadata of the corresponding alternative journeys.

[0023] For example, the route may consist primarily of highways and have the metadata "fast and few curves," or it may consist primarily of country roads and have the metadata "slow and winding." Accordingly, the control unit can determine a route with predominantly highways and / or the economical driving style for a selected entertainment content in the "Nature" category, and a route with predominantly country roads and / or the dynamic driving style for a selected entertainment content in the "Action" category.

[0024] In another embodiment, the infotainment system adapts the selected entertainment content to the vehicle's driving situation while driving. The selected entertainment content can be manipulated in real time. Such entertainment content is referred to as elastic. For example, the control unit can determine the movement pattern of an avatar or the sensitivity of a video game control element depending on the specific route and / or driving style.

[0025] In other words, the parameter value determined by the control unit depending on the selected entertainment content influences the selected entertainment content, which corresponds to a feedback or reflexive effect of the method.

[0026] In advantageous embodiments, the control unit stores a first assignment of the selected entertainment content to the specific parameter value and / or the vehicle detects a vital parameter value of the vehicle occupant using sensors while driving, and the control unit stores a second assignment of the selected entertainment content to the detected vital parameter value. The stored first assignment forms a memory of the control unit for matching pairs of entertainment content and parameter values.

[0027] Pulse rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, body temperature, and skin resistance are examples of vital parameter values ​​that are recorded using conventional sensors. The stored second assignment indicates the actual effect of the selected entertainment content on the occupant and thus the level of immersion of the selected entertainment content achieved using the method. The stored second assignment can be useful for vehicle manufacturers or entertainment content manufacturers to improve the vehicles or entertainment content.

[0028] In particular, the vehicle's control unit can determine a parameter value for a further journey of the vehicle and operate the vehicle during the further journey with the determined parameter value, and the infotainment system can provide the occupant with further entertainment content similar to the selected entertainment content during the further journey depending on the stored first assignment. The occupant can select the parameter value determined by the control unit for the further journey. Conversely, the stored first assignment enables the infotainment system to determine, for the selected parameter value, further entertainment content similar to the entertainment content included in the stored first assignment and, in particular, to avoid a repetition of the selected entertainment content or to enable a continuation of the selected entertainment content as further entertainment content.

[0029] Of course, the infotainment system can initially suggest the specific additional entertainment content to the occupant and only make it available after the occupant has accepted it.

[0030] For example, if the vehicle frequently travels along the same route with the same driving style, the infotainment system will provide the occupant with different, yet similar, entertainment content that matches the route and driving style.

[0031] Another subject of the invention is a system for operating a vehicle, which comprises a control unit and an infotainment system functionally connected to the control unit. The control unit is configured to determine a driving parameter of a vehicle journey. The infotainment system is configured to provide entertainment content to a vehicle occupant while the vehicle is traveling. According to the invention, the system is configured to operate the vehicle using a method according to one embodiment of the invention. The system enhances the experience of immersive entertainment content while the vehicle is traveling.

[0032] A key advantage of the method according to the invention is that the immersiveness of entertainment content is enhanced during vehicle travel. As a result, the vehicle occupant's experience of the immersive entertainment content is enhanced. This allows the occupant to particularly enjoy long vehicle journeys.

[0033] The invention is schematically illustrated in the drawings using an embodiment and will be further described with reference to the drawings. It shows:

[0034] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a vehicle with a system according to an embodiment of the invention for operating the vehicle.

[0035] Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a vehicle 1 with a system according to an embodiment of the invention for operating the vehicle 1. The system for operating the vehicle 1 comprises a control unit 10 and an infotainment system 11 functionally connected to the control unit 10.

[0036] The system may further include an interior light 12, an air conditioning system 13, a fragrance generator 14 and a seat 15.

[0037] The system is configured to operate the vehicle 1 in a method according to an embodiment of the invention for operating a vehicle 1 as follows.

[0038] The infotainment system 11 of the vehicle 1 provides an occupant 2 of the vehicle 1 with entertainment content 110 during a journey of the vehicle 1, which an occupant 2 of the vehicle 1 has selected for the journey. The infotainment system 11 can adapt the selected entertainment content 110 to a driving situation of the vehicle 1 during the journey.

[0039] The control unit 10 determines a parameter value 100 for the journey of the vehicle 1 depending on the selected entertainment content 110 and operates the vehicle 1 during the journey with the determined parameter value 100. Preferably, the control unit 10 determines the parameter value 100 from a plurality of alternative parameter values ​​100 based on metadata associated with the selected entertainment content 110.

[0040] For example, the control unit 10 determines a travel route 1000 for the trip as the parameter value 100 of the trip and drives the vehicle 1 on the determined travel route 1000. Alternatively or additionally, the control unit 1 can determine a driving style 1001 for the trip as the parameter value 100 of the trip and the vehicle drives with the determined driving style 1001.

[0041] Furthermore, the control unit 10 can adjust the interior light 12 of the vehicle 1 and / or the air conditioning system 13 of the vehicle 1 and / or the fragrance generator 14 of the vehicle 1 for the journey depending on the selected entertainment content 1 10.

[0042] Alternatively or additionally, the control unit 10 can determine a position and / or a massage function of the seat 15 of the vehicle 1 for the journey depending on the selected entertainment content 110.

[0043] In addition, the infotainment system 11 can provide a soundscape 112 for the journey depending on the selected entertainment content 110.

[0044] The control unit 10 can store a first assignment of the selected entertainment content 110 to the specific parameter value 100. The vehicle 1 can also sensor-detect a vital parameter value 20 of the occupant 2 of the vehicle 1 during the journey. The control unit 10 can store a second assignment of the selected entertainment content 110 to the detected vital parameter value 20. This also makes it possible for the control unit 10 of the vehicle 1 to determine a parameter value 100 for a subsequent journey of the vehicle 1 following a selection by the occupant 1 and to operate the vehicle 1 with the specific parameter value 100 during the subsequent journey. The infotainment system 11 can then provide the occupant 2 with further entertainment content 111 similar to the selected entertainment content 111 during the subsequent journey, depending on the stored first assignment.

[0045] LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS:

[0046] I Vehicle

[0047] 10 Control unit

[0048] 100 Parameter value

[0049] 1000 route

[0050] 1001 driving styles

[0051] II Infotainment system

[0052] 110 Entertainment Content

[0053] III further entertainment content

[0054] 112 Background noise

[0055] 12 interior light

[0056] 13 Air conditioning

[0057] 14 fragrance generator

[0058] 15 seats

[0059] 2 inmates

[0060] 20 vital sign value

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS:

1. Method for operating a vehicle (1) in which a control unit (10) of a vehicle (1) determines a parameter value (100) for a journey of the vehicle (1) and operates the vehicle (1) with the determined parameter value (100) during the journey; an infotainment system (11) of the vehicle (1) provides an occupant (2) of the vehicle (1) with entertainment content (1 10) selected by the occupant (2) during the journey; the control unit (10) determines the parameter value (100) depending on the selected entertainment content (1 10).

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (10) determines a route (1000) as the parameter value (100) of the journey and the vehicle (1) drives on the determined route (1000) and / or wherein the control unit (10) determines a driving style (1001) as the parameter value (100) of the journey and the vehicle (1) drives with the determined driving style (1001).

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit (10) sets an interior light (12) of the vehicle (1 ) and / or an air conditioning system (13) of the vehicle (1 ) and / or a fragrance generator (14) of the vehicle (1 ) depending on the selected entertainment content (110).

4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit (10) determines a position and / or a massage function of a seat (15) of the vehicle (1) depending on the selected entertainment content (110).

5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the infotainment system (11 ) provides a soundscape (112) for the journey depending on the selected entertainment content (110). A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control unit (10) determines the parameter value (100) from a plurality of alternative parameter values ​​(100) based on metadata assigned to the selected entertainment content (110). A method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the infotainment system (11) adapts the selected entertainment content (110) to a driving situation of the vehicle (1) during the journey. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the control unit (10) stores a first assignment of the selected entertainment content (110) to the determined parameter value (100) and / or wherein the vehicle (1) sensorially detects a vital parameter value (20) of the occupant (2) of the vehicle (1) during the journey and the control unit (10) stores a second assignment of the selected entertainment content (110) to the detected vital parameter value (20).A method according to claim 8, wherein the control unit (10) of the vehicle (1) determines a parameter value (100) for a further journey of the vehicle (1) and operates the vehicle (1) with the determined parameter value (100) during the further journey, and the infotainment system (11) provides the occupant (2) with further entertainment content (111) similar to the selected entertainment content (110) during the further journey, depending on the stored first assignment. A system for operating a vehicle (1) comprising a control unit (10) and an infotainment system (11) functionally connected to the control unit (10) and configured to operate the vehicle (1) in a method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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