Method, computing unit and computer program for collecting and providing data produced in a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for collecting and providing data produced in a vehicle, wherein the vehicle has at least one functional control unit for executing at least one vehicle function and a data processing device which is connected in a data-transmitting manner to a data transmission device of the vehicle. The data processing device of the vehicle senses (S100) at least one item of input information of a user input by an occupant of the vehicle, and provides (S110) the at least one item of input information at a data interface of the data processing device for electronic data transfer.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] title

[0003] Method, computing unit and computer program for collecting and providing data generated in a vehicle

[0004] The present invention relates to a method for collecting and providing data generated in a vehicle, as well as a computing unit and a computer program for carrying out the method.

[0005] Background of the invention

[0006] Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) invest considerable resources in developing new features for implementation in vehicles. However, they have little ability to obtain precise, economically efficient feedback on which features are being used, in what way, and to what extent, in order to derive appropriate action.

[0007] Disclosure of the invention

[0008] According to the invention, a method for collecting and providing data generated in a vehicle, as well as a computing unit and a computer program for implementing the method, are proposed. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims and the following description.

[0009] A vehicle designed to carry out the method has a function control unit for executing at least one vehicle function and a data processing device. The function control unit and the data processing device are connected to a data transmission device, for example a data bus, in particular a CAN bus, of the vehicle. The data processing device can be a separate control unit, but also a hardware or software module of another control unit. The function control unit is particularly configured to transmit at least one piece of input information about a user input from a vehicle occupant to the data processing device, wherein an input means at which the user input is made can be part of the function control unit or separately connected to the data transmission device.

[0010] Specifically, at least one piece of input information from a user input by a vehicle occupant is detected, and the at least one piece of input information is provided for electronic data transfer at a data interface of the data processing device. A user input can, in particular, be an actuation of a switch, a lever, or a pedal, and / or an input on a user interface, in particular a touchscreen. The input information that can be determined via a user input can, for example, be one or more items, including a time of the user input and / or an identifier of the user input (e.g., identifier of the switch, lever, or pedal, identifier of an input area of ​​a user interface, an identifier of a triggered function, or identifier of a menu or submenu of the user interface) and / or an intensity of the user input.The intensity of the user input refers, in particular, to the duration of the user input and / or the pressure exerted on the user interface during the user input. Furthermore, the input information can be captured not only by input devices installed in the vehicle, but also by external third-party devices connected to the vehicle, such as a smartphone, smartwatch, or similar.

[0011] This allows input information from user inputs by vehicle occupants to be passed on for further processing in a simple and efficient manner. Furthermore, the method according to the invention can be implemented in a simple manner based on an interface that enables data on the use of a vehicle's functionalities to be captured and transmitted, for example, to an external computing unit such as a server or a so-called backend. Such an interface allows the application to be scaled resource-efficiently to multiple vehicle classes, since there is no need to adapt the interfaces for data capture (so-called southbound integration of the application into the vehicle). Thus, the method can be used in a variety of vehicles, in particular even vehicles that have already been delivered.

[0012] In one embodiment, the at least one provided piece of input information is received by the data interface, and at least one triggered vehicle function is determined depending on the at least one piece of input information. In order to determine the triggered vehicle function depending on the input information, it is possible to use, for example, a sequence of actuation of various switches and / or levers and / or pedals, a type of input on a user interface, e.g., tapping, swiping, and / or drawing a letter or the like, an identifier of the actuated switch, lever, or pedal, and / or a timestamp of the user input. The input information can be received and processed, in particular, in the data processing device itself, by passing the input information between different program modules via internal data interfaces.Furthermore, it is also conceivable that the input information is received and processed in a separate control unit of the vehicle or outside the vehicle, for example in a computing unit connected to the vehicle via the Internet ("cloud").

[0013] In one embodiment, an extent indicating use of the triggered functions is further determined. The extent indicating use is, for example, a frequency of use of the vehicle function per unit of time, a coverage of the function (i.e., how long the vehicle function is used per unit of time), a ranking (i.e., a ratio of frequency to coverage), or similar parameters. The extent can also be determined in the data processing device or in a separate control unit of the vehicle or outside the vehicle. Depending on the determined extent of use, a measure can also be determined and implemented.Such a measure includes, for example, the activation of additional functionalities of existing vehicle functions or further vehicle functions that complement the most frequently used or highest-ranked vehicle functions, in particular the activation of newly developed functionalities or vehicle functions, the deactivation of unused functions or vehicle functions, or the allocation of the computing capacity of one or more of the vehicle's computing units to the most frequently used functions, the functions with the highest coverage, or the functions that are highest in the ranking. Furthermore, it is possible to adapt or change the functionality of a vehicle function. For example, the intention may be to automate recurring user inputs.For example, if it is detected that a driver frequently adjusts the wiper from automatic mode to a higher or lower value when it is raining, the automatic mode can be adjusted in such a case so that the driver no longer has to make any changes.

[0014] By switching off functions, especially software functions, the limited computing capacity in the vehicle can be freed up for new functions or the power consumption of the vehicle's computing units can be reduced, allowing them to be operated in an energy-efficient manner.

[0015] By adding additional and / or adapting the functions, new and relevant functions can be retrofitted, thus optimizing the vehicle's life cycle and user-friendliness.

[0016] In addition, by allocating computing capacity to specific functions, user-friendliness and utilization of the computing units can be improved.

[0017] In one embodiment, at least one piece of vehicle information is further acquired by the data processing device and made available for data transfer. This means that vehicle information present during a user input can also be advantageously taken into account in further processing and evaluation. The determination of the at least one triggered vehicle function can also additionally be carried out depending on the at least one piece of vehicle information. In this case, vehicle information includes, in particular, one or more of a vehicle position, a vehicle speed, an outside temperature, an interior vehicle temperature, lighting conditions, a vehicle type or model (sedan, station wagon, off-road vehicle, etc.) or the vehicle model (specifying the manufacturer, model and, in particular, year of manufacture). It is also conceivable that further relevant information, which may only be determined in vehicles at a later point in time, is used.

[0018] By using vehicle information, it is possible to generate driver profiles that establish a link between driver behavior and vehicle class. These profiles include detailed data and information about the use of a specific vehicle type ("How is a specific vehicle type or a specific vehicle model from a manufacturer actually driven in the field?") as well as the assignment of the respective driver profiles ("What characteristics, needs, and behaviors do the drivers of a specific vehicle type or vehicle model from a manufacturer have?"). This can support OEMs in the development of vehicle models, especially in customer-specific development, and thus reduce development and production costs.

[0019] In one embodiment, a driver's level of attention is further determined based on the at least one piece of input information. It is then determined whether the determined level of attention satisfies a minimum level of attention determined using the vehicle information. If it is determined that the determined level of attention does not satisfy the minimum level of attention, a safety measure is implemented, which may, in particular, be issuing a warning signal, reducing the speed of the vehicle, or deactivating a vehicle function, such as the multimedia function. This can increase the safety of the vehicle occupants and third parties in the vicinity of the vehicle.

[0020] A computing unit according to the invention, e.g. a function control unit of a motor vehicle, is configured, in particular in terms of programming, to carry out a method according to the invention.

[0021] The implementation of a method according to the invention in the form of a computer program or computer program product with program code for carrying out all method steps is also advantageous, since this entails particularly low costs, in particular if an executing function control unit is also used for other tasks and is therefore already present. Finally, a machine-readable storage medium is provided with a computer program stored thereon, as described above. Suitable storage media or data carriers for providing the computer program are, in particular, magnetic, optical and electrical memories, such as hard disks, flash memories, EEPROMs, DVDs, and others. Downloading a program via computer networks (Internet, intranet, etc.) is also possible. Such a download can be wired or cable-based or wireless (e.g. via a WLAN network, a satellite, 3G, 4G, 5G or 6G connection, etc.).

[0022] Further advantages and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the description and the accompanying drawings.

[0023] The invention is illustrated schematically in the drawing using an embodiment and is described below with reference to the drawing.

[0024] Brief description of the drawings Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a system which is installed in a vehicle and is designed to carry out an embodiment of the method according to the invention; and

[0025] Figure 2 shows a flow diagram of an embodiment of the method according to the invention.

[0026] Embodiment of the invention

[0027] Figure 1 shows a block diagram of an exemplary system installed in a vehicle and configured to carry out an embodiment of the method according to the invention. The system has a function control unit 1 configured to execute at least one vehicle function, for example, controlling the windshield wiper system or the turn signal, providing an in-vehicle navigation system, or multimedia functions. The system further comprises a data processing device 2, which can be a dedicated control unit, but can also be a hardware or software module of another control unit. The data processing device 2 is configured to carry out an embodiment of the method according to the invention, as shown, for example, in Fig. 2.

[0028] The function control unit 1 and the data processing device 2 are both connected for data transmission to a data transmission device, embodied here as the vehicle's data bus 3. The data bus 3 can, in particular, be a CAN bus. Furthermore, input devices 4 of the vehicle, such as buttons or levers, through which user input can be made, are connected to the data bus 3. The function control unit 1 can also have input devices.

[0029] In this case, the function control unit 1 is configured to transmit at least one piece of input information about a user input from a vehicle occupant to the data processing device 2 when the user input is made via an input device of the function control unit 1. If the user input is made via a separate input device 4 connected to the data bus 3, the data processing device 2 can advantageously read this information itself from the data bus 3.

[0030] The data processing device 2 further comprises at least one (internal and / or external) data interface 2a, via which information can be provided by the data processing device 2 for electronic data transmission. Contrary to what is shown, it can also be provided that the data processing device 2 can alternatively or additionally write the information to the data bus 3.

[0031] Figure 2 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of the method according to the invention, which is carried out entirely or at least partially by the data processing device 2.

[0032] In a step S100, the data processing device 2 records at least one piece of input information relating to a user input from a vehicle occupant. The user inputs include, for example, the actuation of a switch (e.g., lights, air conditioning, or multimedia, etc.), the actuation of a lever (e.g., windshield wipers or turn signals), the actuation of a pedal (gas, brake, or clutch pedal), the operation of a user interface, in particular a touchscreen, etc. The at least one piece of input information relating to the user input is, in particular, a time of the user input and / or an identifier of the user input (e.g., an identifier of the switch, lever, or pedal, an identifier of an input surface of a user interface, or an identifier of a triggered function) and / or an intensity of the user input. The type of input on the user interface is, for example, a tap, a swipe, or writing on the touchscreen.

[0033] Furthermore, in step S101, the data processing device 2 records one or more pieces of vehicle information, such as a vehicle speed, an outside temperature, a vehicle interior temperature, lighting conditions, a vehicle type or the type of vehicle (sedan, station wagon, off-road vehicle), or a vehicle model (specifying the manufacturer, model, and in particular, the year of manufacture). In a step S110, the at least one piece of input information is provided for electronic data transfer at the data interface 2a of the data processing device 2, i.e., the at least one piece of input information can be retrieved at the data interface 2a for further processing.

[0034] Likewise, in step S111, the at least one vehicle information item is provided for electronic data transfer at the data interface 2a of the data processing device 2.

[0035] In a step S120, the at least one provided piece of input information and in particular the at least one piece of vehicle information are received (outgoing) by the data interface 2a of the data processing device 2, and in a step S130, at least one triggered vehicle function is determined depending on the at least one piece of input information and the at least one piece of vehicle information. The at least one piece of input information and the at least one piece of vehicle information can be acquired, for example, via an internal data interface from another program module of the data processing device 2 or from a separate control unit arranged in the vehicle, or from a computing unit outside the vehicle, which is connected, for example, to the data processing device 2 via the Internet ("cloud").

[0036] In a step S140, an extent indicating use of the at least one triggered vehicle function is determined, for example in the data processing device 2 or in the separate control unit or the computing unit outside the vehicle. This extent is determined in particular on the basis of the specific triggered vehicle function, the at least one piece of input information and / or the at least one piece of vehicle information. The extent of use of the at least one triggered vehicle function can be indicated by a frequency of use, a coverage of use or a ranking of the use of the vehicle functions. Furthermore, on the basis of the recorded information and the triggered vehicle functions, a driver profile can be created which links the vehicle type or model with the driving behavior of the driver and the functions used by the vehicle occupants.Such driver profiles can, for example, be used to develop new functions.

[0037] In a step S150, a measure is carried out depending on the determined extent of use of the triggered vehicle function. In particular, vehicle functions can be deactivated, activated, or adjusted, and computing capacity can be allocated to one or more computing units of the vehicle, thus optimizing the operation of the vehicle's computing units and / or increasing the vehicle's user-friendliness and life cycle, since new and innovative vehicle functions can also be subsequently activated in vehicles. In particular, it is also possible to use the created driver profiles and compare them with an average driver profile to determine vehicle functions to be deactivated or activated.

[0038] Furthermore, in step S160, a driver's level of attention is determined based on the at least one piece of input information.

[0039] This level of attention is then compared in step S170 with a minimum level of attention determined based on the vehicle information to determine whether the driver's level of attention meets the minimum level of attention. For example, a lower minimum level of attention may be set for good lighting and weather conditions and a slow driving speed (e.g., below 30 km / h) than for high vehicle speeds (e.g., above 80 km / h) and / or poor lighting or weather conditions.

[0040] If it is determined that the determined level of attention does not meet the minimum level of attention, i.e., is lower than the minimum level of attention, a safety measure is implemented in step S180. Suitable safety measures include, for example, reducing the vehicle's speed or issuing an acoustic or visual warning signal. This can increase the safety of the vehicle occupants and other persons in the vehicle.

Claims

Claims 1. A method for collecting and providing data generated in a vehicle, wherein the vehicle has at least one function control unit (1) for executing at least one vehicle function and a data processing device (2) which are connected to a data transmission device (3) of the vehicle for data transmission, the method comprising the following steps carried out by the data processing device (2): detecting (S100) at least one piece of input information of a user input of a passenger of the vehicle, Providing (S110) the at least one input information for electronic data transfer at a data interface (2a) of the data processing device (2).

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: Receiving (S120) the at least one provided input information from the data interface (2a), Determining (S130) at least one triggered vehicle function as a function of the at least one piece of input information.

3. The method according to the preceding claim, further comprising: determining (S140) an extent indicating use of the at least one triggered vehicle function.

4. The method according to the preceding claim, further comprising: performing (S150) a measure depending on the determined extent of use of the triggered vehicle function.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising the following steps carried out by the data processing device: detecting (S101) at least one item of vehicle information, and Providing (S111) additionally the at least one vehicle information for electronic data transfer at the data interface (2a) of the data processing device (2).

6. Method according to the preceding claim, based at least on claim 2, wherein the determination (S130) of the at least one triggered vehicle function is additionally carried out as a function of the at least one vehicle information item.

7. The method of claim 5 or 6, wherein the vehicle information comprises one or more of: vehicle position, vehicle speed, outside temperature, vehicle interior temperature, lighting conditions, vehicle type, vehicle model.

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the user input comprises one or more of: actuation of a switch, actuation of a lever, actuation of a pedal, input on a user interface, in particular a touchscreen.

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one input information comprises one or more of: time of the user input, identifier of the user input, intensity of the user input.

10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising: Determining (S160) a level of attention of the driver based on the at least one piece of input information, Determining (S170) whether the determined attention level satisfies a minimum attention level determined using the vehicle information, and, if it is determined that the determined attention level does not satisfy the minimum attention level, performing (S180) a safety measure.

11. Method according to the preceding claim, wherein the safety measure comprises one or more of: issuing a warning signal, reducing a speed of the vehicle, switching off a vehicle function.

12. A computing unit configured to perform all method steps of a method according to any one of the preceding claims.

13. A computer program that causes a computing unit to perform all method steps of a method according to any one of claims 1 to 11 when executed on the computing unit.

14. A machine-readable storage medium having a computer program according to claim 13 stored thereon.

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