Method for operating a telecommunication system in a vehicle, and telecommunication system

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a telecommunication system in a vehicle and to a telecommunication system. The method involves using a first communication module to make an active first telecommunication connection between a central telecommunication device of the vehicle and a first external telecommunication device. Inbound dialling from a second external telecommunication device is then received by the central telecommunication device of the vehicle by using a second communication module, the second communication module being an application that is separate from the first communication module. A second graphical object is then generated for this dialling and displayed in the central graphical object in addition to the first graphical object.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Method for operating a telecommunications system in a vehicle and telecommunications system

[0003] The present invention relates to a method for operating a telecommunications system in a vehicle. Furthermore, the invention relates to a telecommunications system in a vehicle.

[0004] Modern vehicles often incorporate communication and multimedia applications, including a mobile phone interface and devices for playing music and voice. For these applications, the vehicle must be able to display information and perform control actions.

[0005] To flexibly display the diverse information, freely programmable displays are used, for example, which often also perform the display functions of conventional mechanical instruments. For example, DE 10 2006 032 118 A1 describes an instrument cluster for a motor vehicle that includes a display that can variably display the vehicle's speed, engine speed, engine temperature, fuel level, and / or time. It is also possible to display information from a navigation system, a telephone, a music system, an infotainment system, and / or an air conditioning system.

[0006] In addition to the instrument cluster, a display device is often located above the vehicle's center console, which can display additional information. This display device is used in particular as a multifunction display and to display a geographical map of a navigation system. Such a multifunction display is described, for example, in DE 19941 956 A1.

[0007] There are very specific requirements for the display of information in a vehicle. The driver, among others, absorbs information in the vehicle. The information should therefore be presented in the vehicle in such a way that the driver's absorption of information does not lead to distraction while driving. The information presented should therefore be intuitive and quick for the driver to grasp, so that they only have to take their eyes off the road for a very short time to absorb the information. If the operation of the vehicle's equipment is supported or guided by a display, the display should be presented in such a way that the driver only needs to look at the display for a very short time to operate it.

[0008] Especially when operating telecommunications devices, it is important that the driver is not distracted from the driving task. For this reason, in some countries, mobile phones may only be operated if they are linked to the vehicle's electronic systems, i.e., a so-called hands-free system is used. In this case, for example, answering a call or finding the phone number of a person to call can be done using the vehicle's control system.

[0009] Due to the diverse possibilities for using communication and multimedia applications, there is also growing interest in using several of these applications in parallel. For example, a navigation system may be used while driving and an incoming call may be answered simultaneously. The applications should be displayed simultaneously and clearly on the same display area. Previously, this meant temporarily covering the operating and display context of one application with the display of another.

[0010] Furthermore, there is a need to establish and operate multiple telecommunications connections simultaneously. Answering two or more calls simultaneously and speaking to a person on the first call while the person on the second call waits on hold is a common practice. However, this method is limited to telecommunications connections of the same application and source. Requests and calls using different sources of telecommunications equipment pose a problem. While these can each connect to the vehicle via appropriate interfaces, they are not coordinated with each other, which can lead to unwanted connection failures.

[0011] The present invention is therefore based on the object of providing a method and a telecommunication system in a vehicle of the type mentioned above, which allow improved and safe operation of the vehicle's telecommunication system.

[0012] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1 and a telecommunication system having the features of claim 12. Advantageous embodiments and further developments emerge from the dependent

[0013] claims.

[0014] In the method according to the invention for operating a telecommunications system in a vehicle, an active first telecommunications connection is established between a central telecommunications device of the vehicle and a first external telecommunications device using a first communication module. The central telecommunications device first generates a central graphical object for displaying and controlling telecommunications connections. The first telecommunications connection is displayed by a first graphical object in the central graphical object, and at least one first button is displayed in the first graphical object, via which the first telecommunications connection can be controlled by means of the central telecommunications device.An incoming call from a second external telecommunications device is received by the vehicle's central telecommunications device using a second communication module, the second communication module being a separate application from the first communication module. The central telecommunications device then generates a second graphical object for this call and displays it in addition to the first graphical object in the central graphical object. A second button is displayed on the second graphical object, which can be used to control the call using the central telecommunications device.

[0015] When establishing a telecommunications connection, one telecommunications device is dialed by another telecommunications device. Receiving and connecting the call can be handled by various communication modules. In one communication module, for example, the telecommunications connection can be made via a user's mobile phone. The user's mobile phone can be connected to the telecommunications system via a radio connection, e.g., a Bluetooth hands-free profile. In another communication module, the telecommunications connection can be made via a user's smartphone. The smartphone can be connected to the telecommunications system via smartphone projection technology, with the smartphone being remotely controlled and displayed via projection onto the telecommunications system's display.Furthermore, in a further communication module, the telecommunications connection can be made via Online Connectivity Unit (OCU) calls, such as manual and automatic statutory and private emergency calls, information calls, service / road assistance calls, damage service calls, etc.

[0016] When a telecommunications device is dialed in this way via various communication modules, various data can be transmitted to the recipient. For example, the application used, i.e., the type of communication app used, or the caller's telephone number can be transmitted.

[0017] In the method according to the invention, such an incoming call is not only received by the receiver's application corresponding to the call, but is also forwarded to the central telecommunications device in the receiver's vehicle and processed centrally there. The central telecommunications device uses one of the above-mentioned communication modules corresponding to the call and establishes a connection between the external telecommunications device and the central telecommunications device.

[0018] This means that the actual call processing is not handled by the native phone context / call hosting application, but by the central telecommunications facility. This facility can access the application's content and features while a call is pending.

[0019] The user is notified of this established connection, for example, by a ringtone or a display. For this purpose, the central telecommunications device creates a central graphical object, which generally serves to display and control telecommunications connections. In addition, a first graphical object is created for this established first connection and displayed within the central graphical object.

[0020] This allows the central telecommunications facility to advantageously manage calls centrally. The actual application of the communication module used plays only a minor role for the user; connections are displayed in the central graphical object, independent of the application.

[0021] The user of the called communication module can now accept the connection using a button within the first graphical object, whereupon an active telecommunications connection is established. In this context, a button is understood within the meaning of the invention to be a control element of a graphical user interface. A button differs from elements and areas for pure information display, so-called display elements or display areas, in that they are selectable. When a button is selected, a function assigned to it is executed. This function can only lead to a change in the information display. Furthermore, the buttons can be used to control devices whose operation is supported by the information display. The buttons can thus replace conventional mechanical switches.The buttons can be created and displayed by any freely programmable display area.

[0022] If an active telecommunications connection exists and a call from another external telecommunications device is received during the existing connection using a second communications module, this call is processed by the vehicle's central telecommunications device. It is then possible to signal this additional call. For this purpose, the central telecommunications device creates a second graphical object for this call and displays it in addition to the first graphical object in the central graphical object. The second graphical object also displays a button with which the user can accept the connection.

[0023] This feature is called call waiting. The receiving telecommunications device can now establish another telecommunications connection to the incoming call. However, the incoming call can also be ignored or rejected.

[0024] The vehicle's telecommunications system allows the user to access pre-stored contacts and establish a telecommunications connection to such a contact without distraction. Likewise, the vehicle driver can also answer a call without distraction. However, if a further call from a second external telecommunications device is received by the vehicle's central telecommunications device during an active telecommunications connection, the subsequent control of the telecommunications connections to the two external telecommunications devices presents a challenge, particularly for the vehicle driver, especially if the call is made via two separate communication modules, which are conventionally presented in two separate display contexts.To ensure that the driver is not distracted during operation in such a case, the method according to the invention advantageously facilitates the control of the two telecommunication connections by visualizing the existing and incoming telecommunication connections in a single, central graphical object using a first and a second graphical object. Furthermore, the connection states of the two telecommunication connections can be controlled very easily and intuitively using the buttons assigned to the graphical objects for the telecommunication connections.

[0025] The individual telecommunication connections are thus spatially represented in a common object and the states of these telecommunication connections are made visually visible.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the method according to the invention, the telecommunication connection between the central telecommunication device of the vehicle on the one hand and the first or second external telecommunication device on the other hand is activated and / or deactivated and / or terminated by actuating the first or the second button by means of the central telecommunication device.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the method according to the invention, telecommunication connections which are activated by the central telecommunication device are active telecommunication connections and telecommunication connections which are not activated but not terminated by the central telecommunication device are inactive telecommunication connections.

[0028] When the telecommunications connection between the vehicle's central telecommunications device, on the one hand, and the first or second external telecommunications device, on the other, is activated, i.e., an active telephone connection exists between two subscribers, the user is authorized to connect to the audio device and use the loudspeaker and microphone. Audio data is transmitted bidirectionally between the two subscribers, and contact is established with the user of the external telecommunications device. For graphical objects relating to an active telecommunications connection, a button for terminating this telecommunications connection can then be displayed. When the button for terminating the telecommunications connection is pressed, this telecommunications connection is terminated by the central telecommunications device.

[0029] In addition, graphical objects for an active telecommunications connection display a button for holding this telecommunications connection. When the button is clicked, this telecommunications connection is held by the central telecommunications facility. The Hold feature allows an existing, active telecommunications connection to be placed on hold. This puts it into an inactive state. An inactive telecommunications connection can then be activated. The Hold button can be used to switch back and forth between telecommunications connections.

[0030] For graphical objects of an active telecommunications connection, a button for muting that telecommunications connection may also be displayed and, if the button for muting the telecommunications connection has been pressed, that telecommunications connection may be muted by the central telecommunications facility.

[0031] If the telecommunications connection between the central telecommunications device of the vehicle on the one hand and the first or second external telecommunications device on the other hand is not activated, but is also not terminated, i.e. an inactive telephone connection exists, several cases can occur:

[0032] For graphical objects relating to an inactive telecommunications connection, a button for activating or accepting this telecommunications connection may be displayed and, when the button for activating or accepting the telecommunications connection has been pressed, this telecommunications connection may be activated by the central telecommunications device and the previously established telecommunications connection may be deactivated.

[0033] For graphical objects for an inactive telecommunications connection, a button for holding this telecommunications connection can be displayed. When the button for holding the telecommunications connection is clicked, this telecommunications connection can be held by the central telecommunications facility. The Hold feature can be used to place an existing, inactive telecommunications connection in a waiting state.

[0034] The graphic object of an active telecommunications connection can be displayed in a highlighted manner compared to the graphic object of an inactive telecommunications connection. The graphic object of the active telecommunications connection can, in particular, be displayed brighter than the graphic object of the inactive telecommunications connection. Furthermore, the graphic object of the active telecommunications connection can be displayed in the foreground compared to the graphic object of the inactive telecommunications connection. Conversely, the graphic object of the inactive telecommunications connection can be displayed darker and / or in the background compared to the graphic object of the active telecommunications connection.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the method according to the invention, the central telecommunications device is coupled to a control unit and an incoming call for a telecommunications connection, an activated telecommunications connection and / or an inactive telecommunications connection is prioritized by means of the control unit in order to activate, reject or inactivate a telecommunications connection of a call, to inactivate or terminate an active telecommunications connection and / or to activate or terminate an inactive telecommunications connection.

[0036] In particular, the control unit prevents one communication module from directly influencing another. The control of the telecommunications connections via the various communication modules is carried out in a rule-based manner in the central telecommunications facility.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the method according to the invention, in the case of telecommunication connections from different communication modules, only one of these telecommunication connections is activated at a given time.

[0038] In this case, the control unit can prevent the communication modules from interacting with each other in an undesirable manner. If the user is already using an activated telecommunications connection and a request is made from a second communication module, different from the first communication module, this request is first recorded by the central telecommunications device, and a graphic object is created for the request on the display. For the telecommunications connection through the second communication module, the control unit intervenes and causes it to be displayed as inactive, preventing the user from initially activating the inactive connection.

[0039] For example, it is possible to prevent certain communication modules from prioritizing their telecommunication request over an already existing connection via another communication module, even though this is not desired by the user.

[0040] If, in addition to active and inactive connections between two communication modules, an incoming call is made using a communication module that has already established a telecommunications connection via the central telecommunications device, the central telecommunications device generates a third graphical object for this call, and this communication module is displayed in the central graphical object in addition to a graphical object of the already established telecommunications connection. The third graphical object and the first or second graphical object associated with a connection to the same communication module are displayed directly below one another.

[0041] If the incoming call is made via a communications module that has already established an active telecommunications connection via the central telecommunications facility, a button for merging this telecommunications connection with the already established, active telecommunications connection is displayed for graphical objects for telecommunications connections within a communications module. When the button for merging the telecommunications connection is clicked, this telecommunications connection is also activated by the central telecommunications facility with the active telecommunications connection. Both active telephone connections are then merged into a conference call.An active telephone connection then exists between three participants. A connection to the audio device and the use of the speaker and microphone are enabled for the entire conference call, and audio data is transmitted bidirectionally between all three participants. Such a conference call is represented by a graphical object that connects the graphical objects of the telecommunications connections using the same communication module.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the method according to the invention, the central telecommunications device for a telecommunications connection of an inactive communications module allows the addition of further requests from this communications module when the active first telecommunications connection of the first communications module has been terminated.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the method according to the invention, the central telecommunications device automatically activates a held telecommunications connection of the second communication module when the first telecommunications connection via the first communication module has been terminated.

[0044] Advantageously, the user doesn't have to activate the held telecommunications connection themselves. This reduces the demand on their attention, leading to safer driving.

[0045] According to one embodiment of the method according to the invention, the central telecommunications device for the telecommunications connection of an inactive communication module does not allow a button for further requests from this communication module.

[0046] As long as a telecommunications connection of a communication module is inactive, this communication module is blocked for further requests, and no further buttons are displayed. This prevents too many inactive requests from being available, which would otherwise make the buttons generated for these requests confusing for the user. After terminating the first active telecommunications connection, the user can now establish a telecommunications connection for the request using the second, previously inactive communication module. From this point on, adding further requests from this communication module is permitted again.

[0047] According to one embodiment of the method according to the invention, if a further incoming call to an external telecommunications device is made using a communications module that has not yet established a telecommunications connection via the central telecommunications device, this call is rejected by the central telecommunications device. Consequently, with this embodiment, incoming calls can be made from a maximum of two different communications modules. This prevents too many inactive requests from being available to the user and the buttons generated for this purpose from becoming confusing for the user.

[0048] In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is possible to permit incoming calls from more than two different communication modules. In this case, the calls are permitted to be made via the central telecommunications unit, but as soon as the calls originate from more than two communication modules, they are no longer displayed to the user. The display is therefore based on a chronological priority principle ("first come, first served"). They are held by the telecommunications unit according to the chronological order of the calls and placed on a waiting list. As soon as one of the two connections already displayed for the user from a communication module is terminated, the call that is first in chronological order on the waiting list is made available to the user by displaying it and generating a button.

[0049] To make the graphical display clear for the user, if the incoming call from the second external telecommunications device has been received by the vehicle's central telecommunications device and this call is displayed by the second graphical object, the position and / or size of the first graphical object can be changed during the display. For example, its position within the central graphical object can be changed.

[0050] In addition, graphical objects of an active telecommunications connection of a communication module can be highlighted compared to graphical objects of an inactive telecommunications connection of the same communication module and / or placed at the top of the list of graphical objects.

[0051] Furthermore, graphical objects of an active telecommunications connection of a communication module can be highlighted compared to graphical objects of an inactive telecommunications connection of another communication module and / or placed at the top of the list of graphical objects.

[0052] According to one embodiment of the method according to the invention, a separate graphic object of an application of a vehicle device which is not controlled via the central telecommunications device is displayed in a first display level and the central graphic object of the central telecommunications device is displayed in a second display level which overlays the first display level.

[0053] Advantageously, the use of the central telecommunication device enables the processing of telecommunication connections without the need to close the active context and abort the interactions within this other context.

[0054] According to one embodiment of the method according to the invention, the second display level only covers part of the first display level, and the application of the vehicle device in the first display level remains at least partially visible and / or operable. In particular, the display on the first display level is not blurred or darkened.

[0055] Advantageously, the graphical object generated for a telecommunications connection does not prevent the user from continuing to use at least part of the first display level. In addition to the telecommunications system displayed on the second display level, the application opened on the first display level remains active.

[0056] Furthermore, the central graphic object can be minimized when the display area is touched upwards over the central graphic object, and maximized when the display area is touched downwards over the central graphic object. The central graphic object can then be integrated in the minimized state in the form of a button into a graphic status object that is permanently displayed to the user.

[0057] This allows the user to enlarge or reduce the display of the central telecommunications device as needed. In a minimized state, the user can easily use an application on the first display level while a telecommunications connection is active. In a maximized state, the user can clearly view active and inactive telecommunications connections and easily select buttons for holding, muting, hanging up, or creating a conference. Switching between the two display modes is particularly simple and intuitive by "swiping" across the display area.Since the button is integrated into a permanently displayed graphical status object, the central telecommunications device is easy for the user to activate at any time; in order to establish a telecommunications connection, he or she does not have to first search for a special application using the display area.

[0058] By pressing the button in the permanently displayed graphical status object, an active telecommunications connection can be terminated. When a telecommunications connection is dialed in, another button can be displayed in the permanently displayed graphical status object. Pressing this button activates an incoming call to a telecommunications connection. The button previously displayed in the status object can continue to be displayed additionally, or alternatively, it can no longer be displayed. This advantageously allows the user to perform the essential activities associated with a telecommunications connection even in minimized display mode.

[0059] The telecommunications system according to the invention in the vehicle comprises a central telecommunications device with a first and a second communication module connected to the central telecommunications device. Furthermore, it comprises a display controller and a display device with a display surface. The central telecommunications device of the telecommunications system according to the invention is designed to establish an active first telecommunications connection to a first external telecommunications device using the first communication module and to receive an incoming call from a second external telecommunications device using the second communication module. The second communication module is a separate application from the first communication module.By means of the display control, the central telecommunications device is designed to generate a central graphic object on the display surface of the display device, with which telecommunications connections can be controlled, and to display on the display surface the first telecommunications connection from a first graphic object in the central graphic object and to display at least one first button on the first graphic object, by means of which the first telecommunications connection can be controlled by means of the central telecommunications device.Furthermore, the central telecommunications device is configured by means of the display controller to generate, in addition to the first graphical object from the central telecommunications device, a second graphical object for the incoming call and to display it in the central graphical object. A second button is displayed for the second graphical object, via which the call can be controlled by the central telecommunications device. The telecommunications system according to the invention is particularly configured to carry out the above-described inventive method. It therefore also has the same advantages as the inventive method.

[0060] In a further embodiment of the telecommunications system, the first communication module has a mobile radio interface and the central telecommunications device is designed to establish a connection with the external first telecommunications device via the mobile radio interface.

[0061] The mobile radio interface may be provided by a user's mobile phone, wherein the user's mobile phone is coupled to an interface of the vehicle via a radio connection or a cable connection.

[0062] In this case, the first communication module comprises vehicle equipment, namely an application that controls mobile communications via the user's mobile phone, as well as equipment for connecting to the user's mobile phone, namely the mobile communications interface and the radio connection interface, for example via a Bluetooth connection or a cable connection.

[0063] Alternatively or additionally, the mobile communications interface can be integrated into the vehicle (online connectivity unit; OCU).

[0064] Furthermore, a first communication module with a mobile radio interface of a user's mobile phone and a further communication module, which can be executed as a separate application, with a mobile radio interface integrated into the vehicle can be provided.

[0065] In a further embodiment of the telecommunications system, the second communication module can have a data interface and the central telecommunications device is designed to establish a connection with the external second telecommunications device via the data interface.

[0066] The data interface can, in turn, be provided by a user's mobile phone, with the user's mobile phone being linked to a vehicle interface via a wireless or cable connection. Alternatively or additionally, the data interface can also be integrated into the vehicle (online connectivity unit; OCU).

[0067] In a further embodiment of the telecommunications system, the telecommunications system is designed such that the application of the first communication module is carried out independently of the application of the second communication module.

[0068] In general, there can be a multitude of communication modules that run in separate applications and independently of each other. The central telecommunications device controls the operation and displays of all communication modules via displays in the central graphical object. In particular, a graphical object is displayed for each active communication module within the central graphical object.

[0069] In particular, the combination modules can no longer directly access the display area. The telecommunications device is interposed to prevent the display of a communication module from taking up too much display space and obscuring other display levels in an undesirable manner.

[0070] The invention will now be explained using an embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0071] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the inventive

[0072] telecommunications system and

[0073] Figures 2 to 4 show displays generated by an embodiment of the method according to the invention.

[0074] With reference to Figure 1, an embodiment of the telecommunication system 1 according to the invention and its coupling with external telecommunication devices 12-1, 12-2 is explained:

[0075] The telecommunications system 1 comprises a display device 2 with a display surface 3, which is arranged in the interior of the vehicle such that it is clearly visible and accessible to at least one vehicle occupant, in particular the driver. The display surface 3 can be provided by a display, in particular a liquid crystal display, of any design.

[0076] A touch-sensitive surface 4 is formed on the display surface 3 of the display device 2. Thus, a so-called touchscreen is provided as an input device.

[0077] The display device 2 is connected to a display controller 5, with which transmitted graphic data can be transferred to the display of the display surface 3.

[0078] The display controller 5 is connected to a central telecommunications device 6. The central telecommunications device 6 generates graphic objects 14, particularly for display on the display surface 3, which are assigned to telecommunications connections, as explained later. The graphic data of the generated graphic objects 14 are transmitted to the display controller 5.

[0079] The central telecommunications device 6 is further connected to an audio device 7 of the vehicle. Using the audio device 7, voice operations can be performed from the vehicle's interior in a conventional manner. For this purpose, the audio device 7 is connected to a loudspeaker 8 and a microphone 9, which are arranged in the vehicle's interior.

[0080] Furthermore, the vehicle's central telecommunications device 6 is coupled to communication modules 20 and 21. These are coupled to interfaces 10-1 and 10-2, via which connections to the mobile radio network 11 can be established, for example, according to the GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) or the UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) standard. Via the mobile radio network 11 and the interface 10-1, the vehicle's central telecommunications device 6 can establish telecommunications connections to external telecommunications devices 12-1 and 12-2. Via the mobile radio network and the interface 10-2, the vehicle's central telecommunications device 6 can establish mobile data connections to external telecommunications devices 12-1 and 12-2. Via a further interface 10-3, the central telecommunications device 6 can establish a connection to a user's mobile phone or smartphone.These can be connected to the telecommunications system 1 via radio or cable connections, whereby projection technology can be used to control the user's mobile phone or smartphone. The telecommunications connection is thus established via a communications module 20 or 21, which forwards the connection to the central telecommunications device 6 for further processing.

[0081] The central telecommunications device 6 is coupled to a control unit 13. The telecommunications connections activated by the central telecommunications device 6, as well as inactive telecommunications connections and incoming dial-ins for telecommunications connections, are collected by the control unit 13. The control unit prioritizes the connections transmitted by the central telecommunications device 6 using a previously defined control mechanism and returns the prioritization to the central telecommunications device 6. The central telecommunications device 6 can then activate, reject, or deactivate the telecommunications connection of a dial-in, deactivate or terminate an active telecommunications connection, and / or activate or terminate an inactive telecommunications connection.

[0082] In the following, an embodiment of the method according to the invention as well as the further development of the embodiment of the telecommunication system 1 are explained in detail with reference to Figures 2 to 4:

[0083] The user can navigate in a manner known per se by means of the touch-sensitive surface 4 into a telecommunications menu of the vehicle and establish a first active telecommunications connection with a first external telecommunications device

[0084] 12-1 by using an application via the first communication module 20.

[0085] During an outgoing telecommunications connection, the user can either select pre-stored contacts or enter a contact address / telephone number using graphical objects of the application, which is carried out via the first communication module 20. The graphical objects of the application are displayed as buttons, which the driver can tap, for example, on the touch-sensitive surface 4.

[0086] This contact is detected by the touch-sensitive surface 4 and signaled to the central telecommunications device 6 via the display controller 5. The central telecommunications device 6 then establishes a first telecommunications connection to the selected contact, which is stored for the person to whom the graphic object of the first communication module 20 is assigned.

[0087] Alternatively, the user can accept an incoming telecommunication connection using a first communication module 20.

[0088] For both cases, the central telecommunications device 6 generates graphic data for a display. This data is sent to the display controller 5, which generates a first central graphic object 14-1 on the display surface 3. Within this central graphic object 14-1, a first graphic object 14-2 is generated, as shown in Figure 2. For example, an image of the assigned person and the name of the assigned person are displayed. Furthermore, the status of the telecommunications connection is displayed. First, the dialing of this person's telephone number is indicated by the signal "Dialing..." or "Incoming call." If the telecommunications connection to this person is active, the duration of the telecommunications connection to this person is displayed.

[0089] Furthermore, a button 15-1 is displayed in the first graphical object 14-2. If the user activates this button 15-1 by touching the touch-sensitive surface 4 in the area of ​​the button 15-1, the telecommunications connection associated with the graphical object 14-1 is terminated by the central telecommunications device 6.

[0090] This first telecommunications connection is established, for example, via the communications module 20, which has the mobile radio interface 10-1. For example, the driver is called via the telephone function integrated into the vehicle. The telephone function is then coupled to the central telecommunications device 6. Furthermore, the telephone function integrated into the vehicle is connected to the external telecommunications device 12-1 via the mobile radio interface 10-1 via the mobile radio network 11.

[0091] When the vehicle's central telecommunications device 6 receives an incoming call from a second external telecommunications device 12-2 using the second communication module 21, with an application separate from the first communication module 20, the central telecommunications device 6 evaluates the data transmitted during this call and generates graphic data for a display. These are forwarded to the display controller 5, which generates a second graphic object 14-3 on the display surface 3 within the central graphic object 14-1, so that the display on the display surface 3 changes as shown in Figure 3.

[0092] This incoming call is made, for example, via a communication module 21 having a data interface 10-3. For example, the driver is called via a communication application on their smartphone 22. The smartphone 22 is then coupled to the central telecommunications device 6 via the data interface 10-3, for example, a short-range radio connection, and via the communication module 21. At the same time, it is connected to the external second telecommunications device 12-2 via an internet connection 11.

[0093] The incoming call and the existing telecommunications connection are transmitted from the central telecommunications device 6 to the control unit 13. This checks the underlying communication module of the two telecommunications connections. Since different communication modules are involved in this case, the control unit 13 prioritizes one of the two telecommunications connections and assigns buttons 15 to it that can be activated by the user. In this case, the existing mobile connection should remain active. The incoming call via the data connection is displayed to the user as an inactive connection in the second graphical object 14-3.

[0094] As shown in Figure 3, the graphical objects 14-2 and 14-3 are now displayed one below the other in the central graphical object 14-1.

[0095] Furthermore, the buttons 15 of the first graphical object 14-1 change. Now, not only the button 15-1 for terminating the first telecommunication connection, which is assigned to the graphical object 14-1, is displayed. Another button 15-2 is displayed for muting, i.e., temporarily deactivating the transmission of the audio data recorded via the microphone 9. Furthermore, a button 15-3 is displayed, via which the user can place the first telecommunication connection on hold.

[0096] In the second graphic object 14-2 for the incoming call, as in the first graphic object 14-1, an image of the assigned person and the name of the assigned person are displayed, as well as three buttons 15. When button 15-4 is pressed, the incoming call is rejected, so that no telecommunications connection is established. When button 15-5 is pressed, a telecommunications connection to the second external telecommunications device 12-2 is established, but this second telecommunications connection is placed on hold, i.e., in an inactive state. When button 15-6 is pressed, the incoming call is accepted, thus establishing an active second telecommunications connection to the second external telecommunications device 12-2.Since in the case of telecommunication connections from different communication modules 20, 21 only one of these telecommunication connections is activated at a given time, in this case the first telecommunication connection to the first external telecommunication device 12-1 is automatically put into a hold state at the same time.

[0097] Figure 4 shows the display on display area 3 when the user, starting from the state shown in Figure 3, has pressed button 15-5 and established the telecommunications connection to the external telecommunications device 12-2, but simultaneously placed it on hold. To signal to the user that the telecommunications connection to the second graphical object 14-3 is inactive and the telecommunications connection to the first graphical object 14-2 is active, the second graphical object 14-3 is displayed somewhat darker and graphically moved into the background. The first graphical object 14-2 relating to the active telecommunications connection to the first external telecommunications device 12-1, on the other hand, is displayed brighter and in the foreground.

[0098] If the user now makes an incoming call to another, third external telecommunications device using a communication module which has not yet established a telecommunications connection via the central telecommunications device 6, this call is rejected by the central telecommunications device 6.

[0099] For example, the user receives a request for a telecommunications connection on their mobile phone. The control unit 13 has already detected two telecommunications connections from different communication modules. If the central telecommunications device 6 forwards the request to the control unit 13, the call to the additional communication module is therefore rejected. The central telecommunications device 6 rejects the request, and the user is not informed of this request. The user now receives an incoming call to an external telecommunications device via a communication module that has previously established a telecommunications connection via the central telecommunications device 6, but the telecommunications connection via this communication module is currently inactive.For example, the user receives a request on their smartphone 22 for a telecommunications connection using the same communication application as the application used by the second external telecommunications device 12-2. The control unit 13 detects a telecommunications connection of an already known communication module 21. It detects that the first telecommunications connection of this communication module 21 is inactive and therefore does not allow a button for further requests from this communication module 21. Therefore, nothing of this request is visible on the user's display.

[0100] If the user wishes to terminate the telecommunication connection to the first external telecommunication device 12-1, they press the button 15-1 in the first graphical object 14-2 to terminate this telecommunication connection. The telecommunication connection is then terminated by the central telecommunication device 6. The inactive, previously held telecommunication connection of the second communication module 21, i.e., the request via the data interface 10-2, is automatically activated because the first telecommunication connection via the first communication module 20 was terminated.

[0101] The user then sets the second telecommunications connection to an inactive state, for example, a hold mode, using the dedicated button 15-3. If the user then receives an incoming call from a third external telecommunications device via the same communications module 21 as the inactivated second telecommunications connection, this is detected by the control unit 13. In this case, it recognizes that the telecommunications connection of this communications module 21 is inactive, but no further active telecommunications connection of another communications module exists. Therefore, it allows the central telecommunications device 6 to create a further, third graphical object 14-4 for these requests. The third graphical object 14-4 is displayed in the central graphical object 14-1 in addition to a graphical object of the already established telecommunications connection of the communications module 21.As shown in Figure 3, the telecommunications connections of identical communication modules are arranged one below the other in the central graphic object 14-1. For the inactive of the two connections, another button is displayed for merging this telecommunications connection with the already established, active telecommunications connection. If the user clicks the button to merge the telecommunications connection, this telecommunications connection is also activated with the active telecommunications connection by the central telecommunications device 6, and both active telephone connections are merged into a conference call. This means that after the button is clicked, the central telecommunications device 6 of the vehicle, the external second telecommunications device 12-2, and the external third telecommunications device are connected to one another in a three-way conference call.The conference connection is represented by another graphical object 14-5, which connects the graphical objects of the first and second telecommunication connection.

[0102] In a further exemplary embodiment, the user uses a vehicle device 16 that is not controlled via the central telecommunications device 6, for example, a navigation system. For this purpose, the vehicle device provides a graphic object with buttons on the display surface 3. It is displayed on a first display level 18. If one or more telecommunications connections are established via the central telecommunications device 6, these are displayed on a second display level 19, which overlays the first display level 18. To enable the user to continue to follow the navigation system display and, if necessary, perform an operating action, the second display level 19 covers only part of the first display level 18.In this way, the user can, for example, see the graphic object 14 of a telephone call and operate its buttons 15 and at the same time follow the display of the navigation system or another vehicle device 16 in the first display level 18.

[0103] If the user wishes to further reduce the size of the central graphic object 14-1, for example, in order to better follow the display of the vehicle device 16 on the first display level 18, he can minimize it by touching the display surface 3 with a movement upwards over the central graphic object 14-1. The central graphic object 14-1 is then integrated in the form of a button 15-9 into a graphic status object 17 that is permanently displayed to the user, as shown in Figures 2 to 4. By pressing this button 15-9, the user can carry out the essential operating options that are necessary for a telecommunications connection, namely accepting and ending calls. He can therefore

[0104] Telecommunication connection Press button 15-9 to terminate an active telecommunication connection.

[0105] When a telecommunications connection is called in, a modified button is displayed for the user in the permanently displayed graphic status object 17. The user recognizes that an incoming call is present and can activate the telecommunications connection by pressing button 15-9.

[0106] In order to maintain the telecommunications connection, for example, it is necessary to display the central graphical object 14-1 enlarged again, i.e., as a separate window, outside of the permanently displayed status object 17. To do this, the user touches the display area 3 by swiping downwards over the central graphical object 14-1. The central graphical object 14-1 then opens again as shown in Figures 2 to 4, and the buttons for holding, muting, etc. are again available in addition to the button in the permanently displayed graphical status object 17.

[0107] LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0108] 1 telecommunications system

[0109] Display device

[0110] Display area touch-sensitive surface

[0111] Display control of central telecommunications equipment

[0112] Audio setup

[0113] Speaker

[0114] Microphone -1 to 10-3 interface

[0115] Mobile network -1 , 12-2 external telecommunications facilities

[0116] Control unit -1 to 14-4 graphic objects, these objects are also collectively referred to as 14 -1 to 15-9 buttons, these objects are also collectively referred to as 15 other vehicle equipment permanently displayed graphic status object first display level second display level first communication module second communication module

[0117] Driver's smartphone

Claims

Patent claims 1. A method for operating a telecommunications system in a vehicle, in which an active first telecommunications connection is established between a central telecommunications device of the vehicle and a first external telecommunications device by using a first communication module, the central telecommunications device generates a central graphical object for displaying and controlling telecommunications connections, the first telecommunications connection is displayed by a first graphical object in the central graphical object, and at least one first button is displayed in the first graphical object, by means of which the first telecommunications connection can be controlled by means of the central telecommunications device,an incoming call to a second external telecommunications device is received by the central telecommunications device of the vehicle through the use of a second communication module, wherein the second communication module is a separate application from the first communication module, a second graphical object is generated by the central telecommunications device for this call and is displayed in addition to the first graphical object in the central graphical object, wherein a second button is displayed on the second graphical object, by means of which the call can be controlled by means of the central telecommunications device.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that by actuating the first or the second button by means of the central telecommunication device, the telecommunication connection between the central telecommunication device of the vehicle on the one hand and the first or the second external telecommunication device on the other hand is activated and / or deactivated and / or terminated.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that Telecommunication connections that are activated by the central telecommunications facility are active telecommunications connections, and telecommunications connections that are not activated but not terminated by the central telecommunications facility are inactive telecommunications connections.

4. Method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the central telecommunications device is coupled to a control unit and an incoming call for a telecommunications connection, an activated telecommunications connection and / or an inactive telecommunications connection are prioritized by means of the control unit in order to activate, reject or inactivate a telecommunications connection of a call, to inactivate or terminate an active telecommunications connection and / or to activate or terminate an inactive telecommunications connection.

5. Method according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that in the case of telecommunication connections from different communication modules, only one of these telecommunication connections is activated at a given time.

6. Method according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the central telecommunication device for a telecommunication connection of an inactive communication module allows the addition of further requests from this communication module when the active first telecommunication connection of the first communication module has been terminated.

7. Method according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the central telecommunications device automatically activates a held telecommunications connection of the second communication module when the first telecommunications connection via the first communication module has been terminated.

8. Method according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the central telecommunications device for the telecommunications connection of an inactive communication module does not allow a button for further requests from this communication module.

9. Method according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, if a further incoming call to an external telecommunications device is made by means of a communication module which has not yet established a telecommunications connection via the central telecommunications device, this call is rejected by the central telecommunications device.

10. The method according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a separate graphic object of an application of a vehicle device which is not controlled via the central telecommunications device is displayed in a first display level and the central graphic object of the central telecommunications device is displayed in a second display level which overlays the first display level.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that the second display level covers only a part of the first display level and the application of the vehicle device in the first display level is at least partially still visible and / or operable.

12. A telecommunications system in a vehicle comprising a central telecommunications device, a first and a second communication module connected to the central telecommunications device, a display controller, and a display device having a display surface, wherein the central telecommunications device is configured to establish an active first telecommunications connection to a first external telecommunications device by using the first communication module, to receive an incoming call from a second external telecommunications device by using the second communication module, wherein the second communication module is an application separate from the first communication module, to generate a central graphical object on the display surface of the display device by means of the display controller, with which telecommunications connections can be controlled, to display the first telecommunications connection from a first graphical object in the central graphical object on the display surface and to display at least one first button on the first graphical object, by means of which the first telecommunications connection can be controlled by means of the central telecommunications device, to generate a second graphical object for the incoming call in addition to the first graphical object from the central telecommunications device and to display it in the central graphical object,wherein the second graphical object displays a second button by which the selection can be controlled by means of the central telecommunications device.

13. Telecommunication system according to claim 12, characterized in that the first communication module has a mobile radio interface and the central telecommunication device is designed to establish a connection with the external first telecommunication device via the mobile radio interface.

14. Telecommunication system according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the second communication module has a data interface and the central telecommunication device is designed to establish a connection with the external second telecommunication device via the data interface.

15. Telecommunication system according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the telecommunication system is designed such that the application of the first communication module is carried out independently of the application of the second communication module.

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