Method for operating a wireless communication system and communication system

Abstract

A method for operating a wireless communication system 10 for ordering a product between a vehicle 12 and a second entity 14, such as a drive through restaurant. A location is transmitted from the vehicle to the second entity, and a location-specific offer is displayed as a menu on a vehicle's internal touch-sensitive display device 16, whereby the location-specific offer is displayed upon at least one predetermined area being entered by the vehicle. A selection from the location-specific offer may be performed through audio output and / or voice input and / or touch input and may include an employee of the second entity being called for the selection from the location specific offer. Furthermore, the invention relates to a wireless communication system, a computer program product, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, and an assistance system for an at least partially automated motor vehicle.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of automobiles. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for operating a wireless communication system for ordering a product, a vehicle, and a second entity according to claim 1. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a corresponding communication system, a corresponding computer program product, to a corresponding non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, as well as to a corresponding assistance system. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0002] In document US 10948310 B2 various arrangements of location-based in-vehicle restaurant menu systems are presented. In some embodiments, a location sensor that determines a global location of a vehicle is presented. An in-vehicle display incorporated as part of the vehicle may be present. A location of the vehicle may be determined to correspond to a location-specific menu based on data received from the location sensor. A location-specific menu may be retrieved for the available restaurant location in response to determining the location of the vehicle. The location-specific menu may be output for presentation to the in-vehicle display, allowing a user to decide on his order before approaching an intercom system. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The object of the invention is to provide means for rapid ordering for a vehicle user that is particularly convenient and as safe as possible in terms of traffic.

[0004] This object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1 and by a communication system according to the invention. Advantageous embodiments and further developments can be found in the dependent claims.

[0005] An aspect of the invention relates to a method for operating a wireless communication system for ordering a product between a vehicle and a second entity, wherein a location is transmitted from the motor vehicle to the entity and a locationspecific offer is displayed as a menu on a vehicle's internal touch-sensitive display device. In this invention it is foreseen, that the display of the location-specific offer is displayed upon at least one predetermined area being entered by the vehicle. The described method relates therefore to the implementation of a wireless communication system that enables a vehicle to order products from a second entity. Specifically, it aims to provide the option for ordering for example at a drive-through restaurant even before reaching the order window. This method also allows orders to be placed without the need for communication with a staff member. Additionally, this method or ordering capability may be extended to other types of businesses beyond restaurants such as furniture stores, appliance shops and more. For simplification purposes, the description focuses on a restaurant as the second entity.

[0006] The process begins when a motor vehicle transmits information about its location to a second entity, in this case the restaurant. This transmission occurs through wireless communication modules present in both the vehicle and the second entity. It is also possible that both the vehicle and the entity are connected to a server or a cloud, facilitating location data exchange. In this context, the location information may flow to the cloud and then to the enttiy to be directly accessible by the entity. The second entity then offers for example a location-specific menu of various meals or meal options to the vehicle, whereby location-specific means that the offered menu items are based on what is available at the given location of the second entity, enabling users to select products that are really at that location and readily available at that specific location. This menu is displayed on a touch-sensitive display device within the vehicle. As an alternative, this display device may be preinstalled on a dashboard or positioned elsewhere in the vehicle, this display device may for example also be provided through a mobile data receiver, such as a mobile phone or tablet, owned by the user, with integration with the wireless communication system. The display may consist of text, graphics or other visual elements visible on the screen. The user may make selections from the menu and the information is forwarded to the entity or restaurant to prepare the order, to be picked up afterwards.

[0007] An important feature of this method is that the display of the location-specific menu automatically appears when the vehicle enters a predefined place, area, or space, particularly the restaurant's parking lot. These locations may be preconfigured and stored in a database. When the vehicle's location matches one of these predefined places, the location-specific menu becomes visible on the display or the screen, allowing the customer to make their selection. This approach ensures that the customer is presented with the menu only when he reaches the location or the parking lot and not while driving on the road, providing time for preparation without requiring additional parking. Therefore the customer may select on the menu whatever he wants to take, whereby afterwards the customer only needs to pick up whatever he or she has chosen.

[0008] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, an independent place, area, or space is provided via the communication system, regardless of the second entity's location. This independent location may serve as an extended option for the vehicle to place orders or access services. For example, additional order points may be set up along the way to the entity's location, such as other parking lots or gas stations, enabling customers to preorder and simply pick up the orders.

[0009] In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, a warning signal is generated when leaving the location to ensure that the vehicle departs from the predefined location before completing the order. This warning signal may be acoustic, visual, or otherwise, providing the driver or occupants with notice that they are leaving the designated location or area. This allows the driver or user to decide whether to return to the location if they move away or are unaware of the boundaries.

[0010] In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is envisaged that the capability for customers to make selections from the location-specific menu using audio output and / or voice input is offered. This feature allows for handsfree ordering, minimizing distractions for the driver and enhancing safety during the journey. The selection from the location-specific menu may be made by verbally expressing choices, with the system responding accordingly.

[0011] In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, an employee of the entity is called for the selection from the location-specific offer. This alternative way of communication includes the possibility for selecting from the location-specific menu while contacting staff by phone. Therefore, the driver or occupants of the vehicle may make a call or communicate through selection. This enables direct interaction with a staff member or employee of the entity. Consequently, in situations where clarification is needed, the questions may be easily addressed, offering another handsfree option for communication.

[0012] Another aspect of the invention relates to a wireless communication system for ordering products between a motor vehicle and a second entity. Both the motor vehicle and the second entity are equipped with wireless communication modules, enabling the vehicle to transmit its location to the entity. The vehicle is also provided with a locationspecific menu for selection on an in-vehicle touch-sensitive display device. The display of the location-specific menu becomes visible when the vehicle enters a predefined place, area or space, particularly the entity's parking lot. The described wireless communication system is designed for product ordering between the vehicle and the second entity, both with wireless communication modules for information exchange. The system also allows the vehicle to transmit its location to the second entity. This location information is exchanged through the wireless communication modules and for example through a cloud. The system provides a location-specific menu for selection on a touch-sensitive display device within the vehicle. It is envisaged that the display of the location-specific menu becomes visible when the vehicle enters a predefined place, area, or space. This simplifies the process of selecting products or services based on the vehicle's current location.

[0013] In summary, the described method and wireless communication enable vehicle users to place location-specific orders safely, particularly in the context of drive-through restaurants. This is achieved through wireless communication and touch-sensitive display devices as through handfree systems in the vehicle. The automatic display of the location-specific menu when entering predefined locations and the option for handsfree ordering enhance user convenience and safety during the ordering process.

[0014] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention derive from the following description of preferred embodiments as well as from the drawings. The features and feature combinations previously mentioned in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned in the following description of the figures and / or shown in the figures alone can be employed not only in the respectively indicated combination but also in any other combination or taken alone without leaving the scope of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments and together with the description, serve to explain the disclosed principles. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system and / or methods in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described below, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0016] The drawings show in:

[0017] Fig. 1 a first diagram for illustrating a possible way to complement the method for operating a wireless communication system for ordering a product between a vehicle and a second entity; and

[0018] Fig. 2 a second diagram showing an implementation for a location-specific offer displayed upon at least one predetermined area being entered by the vehicle.

[0019] In the figures the same elements or elements having the same function are indicated by the same reference signs. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] In the present document, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration". Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

[0021] While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawing and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure.

[0022] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion so that a setup, device or method that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus preceded by “comprises” or “comprise” does not or do not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or method.

[0023] In the following detailed description of the embodiment of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawing that forms part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration a specific embodiment in which the disclosure may be practiced. This embodiment is described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0024] Fig. 1 illustrates a diagram to visualize a method for operating a wireless communicating system 10 for ordering a product between a vehicle 12 and a second entity 14, where location information is transmitted from the vehicle 12 to the entity 14, and a location-specific offer is displayed as a menu on a touch-sensitive display device 16 within the vehicle 12. In this context, it is foreseen that an application running on a head unit electronic control unit (HUECU) or on a touch-sensitive display device 16 displays the offer or menu. The information related to selections is transmitted via a communication module 12a of the vehicle 12 to a communication module 14a of the second entity 14. The second entity 14 or an employee or staff member receives the information on its dedicated display 18 with its own application. Furthermore, it is possible for this information to be further transmitted to a backend 20 of the second entity 14 and prepare it for being picked up by the driver of the vehicle 12.

[0025] The driver is presented with various options on the touch-sensitive display device 16, such as menu, payment options, prompts for example if he wants to speak to an associate or staff member. These inputs are then forwarded via the communication module 12a of the vehicle 12. This allows functionalities, such as requesting or receiving the menu, sending orders, making payments, communicating with the restaurant via microphone or audio as an example, sending or receiving notifications such as order payment pick up information, sending vehicle identifications and receiving order identifications to be carried out. The communication module 14a on the second entity 14 receives this information for further processing and the entity 14 makes the order available for being picked up.

[0026] Fig. 2 shows a diagram illustrating another aspect of the method, wherein the display of the location-specific offer is shown upon at least one predetermined area being entered by the vehicle 12. After the vehicle 12 enters the area, for example a parking lot, a query Q1 is made to determine whether the vehicle 12 is in the area and a second query Q2 is made to determine whether the user wants to receive the restaurant's menu and place an order. If the answer is no, N, nothing will happen. If the answer is yes, Y, various steps on the touch-sensitive display device 16 follow. In the first step S1 the menu is displayed on the touch-sensitive display device 16 while in the second step S2, if requested by the user, in vehicle communication with a restaurant employee is enabled. In a third step S3, the order is sent to the restaurant or the second entity 14 via voice or display. In a fourth step S4, a notification about the order is received via the display device 16. In a fifth step S5, payment is processed via the display device 16. Additional steps are also possible and the chronological order of the steps is not mandatory and may be adjusted as needed. Reference Signs 10 wireless communication system 12 vehicle 12a vehicle communication module 14 second entity 14a second communication module 16 touch-sensitive display device 18 display 20 backend Q1 query Q2 query N No Y Yes S1-S5 steps

Claims

1. Method for operating a wireless communication system (10) for ordering a product between a vehicle (12) and a second entity (14), wherein a location is transmitted from the vehicle (12) to the second entity (14), and a location-specific offer is displayed as a menu on a vehicle's internal touch-sensitive display device (16), characterized in thatthe location-specific offer is displayed upon at least one predetermined area being entered by the vehicle (12).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in thatan additional area independent of the entity's (14) location is provided for the vehicle (12) to enter.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in thata warning signal is generated upon leaving the at least one predetermined area.

4. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe selection from the location-specific offer is performed through audio output and / or voice input and / or touch input.

5. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatan employee of the second entity (14) is called for the selection from the locationspecific offer.

6. Wireless communication system (10) for ordering a product between a vehicle (12) and a second entity (14), both with respective wireless communication modules (12a, 14a), wherein a location may be transmitted to the second entity (14) by the vehicle (12), and a location-specific offer may be made available for selection on a vehicle's internal touch-sensitive display device (16), characterized in thatthe location-specific offer may be displayed upon at least one predetermined area being entered by the vehicle (12).

7. A computer program product comprising program code means for performing a method according to claims 1 to 5.

8. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising at least the computer program product according to claim 7.

9. An assistance system for an at least in part automated motor vehicle, comprising at least one module, one capturing device, and one electronic computing device, wherein the assistance system is configured for performing a method according to claims 1 to 5.

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