Method and vehicle for enhancing user comfort for vehicle occupants - Patents.com

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for increasing user comfort of a vehicle occupant during their stay in a vehicle, where haptic feedback is conveyed to the vehicle occupant by at least one actuator (1) arranged in the vehicle, the actuator (1) being controlled by a computing device (2) of the vehicle depending on information received from a mobile terminal (3.1, 3.2). The method according to the invention comprises the steps of: - a program running on a first mobile terminal (3.1) for outputting control signals for activating a haptic feedback actuator (4) of said first mobile terminal (3.1), - a first mobile terminal (3.1) communicates directly with said computing device (2) of the vehicle or indirectly with said computing device (2) of the vehicle via a second mobile terminal (3.2), such that control signals output by said program executed on the first mobile terminal (3.1) are transmitted to the computing device (2), - the computing device (2) of the vehicle is characterized in that it controls at least one actuator (1) arranged in the vehicle to generate haptic feedback in response to a control signal received from a first mobile terminal (3.1).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method of the kind precisely defined in the preamble of claim 1 for increasing user comfort of vehicle occupants during their stay in the vehicle, as well as to a vehicle for carrying out said method. [Background technology]

[0002] When traveling in a vehicle, vehicle occupants may encounter stressful situations, for example being stuck in traffic. To distract themselves and reduce stress, they can use various vehicle features, such as listening to the radio, streaming music, playing games, watching videos on the vehicle's infotainment system, etc. Some vehicles offer a feature for performing relaxation exercises, for example breathing exercises. The vehicle occupants are then prompted by the vehicle to perform the relaxation exercise. To that end, the vehicle can output visual information via a display and / or audio information via a speaker. The performance of the relaxation exercise may be assisted by playing relaxing music. However, to perform such a relaxation exercise, the vehicle occupant must first manually start the corresponding relaxation program, which is effortful for the vehicle occupant. This often leads to little use of such relaxation features.

[0003] Furthermore, so-called wearables, such as smart wristbands or smart watches, are known to monitor the wearer's vitals and recommend performing relaxation exercises if necessary. In this case, the wearer is instructed by the wearable to perform the relaxation exercises correctly. For example, the wearable uses actuators to output haptic feedback, which is used as a cue to inhale and exhale properly when performing breathing exercises. The haptic feedback is adapted to the breathing frequency so that the wearer can inhale and exhale in accordance with the output or cessation of a specific haptic feedback via the wearable. However, a drawback here is that the wearer often does not fully notice the haptic feedback output via the wearable, for example because the wearer wears the wearable loosely. In particular, when driving a vehicle, the wearable may slip off the wrist due to the use of the steering wheel, which makes the use of a wearable that outputs haptic feedback in a vehicle inconvenient.

[0004] The training program for performing relaxation exercises can also be loaded in the form of an app onto a smartphone or tablet computer, where a corresponding mobile terminal can also be connected to a suitable wearable, whereby the wearable receives control commands from the mobile terminal for outputting haptic feedback.

[0005] Furthermore, vehicle seats with integrated actuators are known, which can be used, for example, to massage the vehicle occupant. In addition, US Pat. No. 6,399,633 discloses a system and method for improving continuous attention in a vehicle by haptic feedback. The system includes at least one sensor that monitors the surroundings and / or the condition of the vehicle and / or the vehicle occupants. This can, for example, detect nearby road users and their relative position with respect to the vehicle and / or understand the health and / or attention state of the vehicle occupants. The vehicle can include one or many actuators that output haptic feedback. These can be integrated, for example, in the vehicle seat or steering wheel or in the seat belt. Wearables can also be used to output haptic feedback. The system provides haptic feedback to the vehicle occupants depending on the values ​​detected by the sensors. For example, the haptic feedback can inform the driver that another vehicle has entered the blind spot or crossed a lane marking. The haptic feedback can also include directional information, for example having a movement that is directed in a particular direction. The haptic feedback can also "poke" the driver, thereby improving the driver's attention. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] US2016 / 0107570A1 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The invention is based on the problem of providing a method for increasing the user comfort of vehicle occupants during their stay in a vehicle, with the help of which it is possible to increase the user comfort in a particularly reliable and comfortable manner. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a method for increasing user comfort of a vehicle occupant with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and developments as well as a vehicle using the method according to the invention emerge from the claims dependent thereon.

[0009] A method for increasing the user comfort of a vehicle occupant staying in a vehicle of the type mentioned in the introduction, in which haptic feedback is conveyed to the vehicle occupant by means of at least one actuator arranged in the vehicle, which actuator is controlled by a computing device of the vehicle depending on information received from a mobile terminal, comprising the steps of: - a program running on the first mobile terminal for outputting a control signal for actuating a haptic feedback actuator of the first mobile terminal; - the first mobile terminal communicates directly with a computing device of the vehicle or indirectly with the computing device of the vehicle via a second mobile terminal, and control signals output by a program executed on the first mobile terminal are transmitted to the computing device; - a computing device of the vehicle controls at least one actuator disposed within the vehicle to generate haptic feedback in response to a control signal received from the first mobile terminal;

[0010] The first mobile terminal may be a wearable, such as a smart bracelet or a smart watch, or may be a tablet computer or a smartphone. Programs, also called apps, may be executed on such mobile terminals, which trigger the output of haptic feedback via the respective mobile terminal. These control signals may be read by a computing device of the vehicle and may be used to control actuators mounted on the vehicle for the generation of the haptic feedback. In other words, the first mobile terminal remotely controls the haptic feedback output via the vehicle. This has various advantages for the vehicle occupant. For example, the haptic feedback output via an actuator located in the vehicle is more clearly perceived by the vehicle occupant than the haptic feedback output via a wearable or a smartphone. Furthermore, the output of the haptic feedback is automatically performed at the instruction of the program executed on the first mobile terminal. This allows the vehicle occupant to quickly remember a particular matter or to be prompted to perform a particular action.

[0011] If the first mobile terminal is a wearable, the program, i.e., the app, can also be executed on a second mobile terminal, which in this case is a tablet computer or a smartphone, and the first and second mobile terminals are connected to each other, which allows the wearable to communicate with a computing device of the vehicle, which is also connected to the tablet computer or smartphone.

[0012] The mobile terminals can be connected to each other and to the vehicle's computing device using any digital communication technology, such as wired or wireless communication technology. For example, a tablet computer or smartphone can be connected to the computing device using a USB cable. The wearable can communicate with the smartphone or tablet computer, and the tablet computer or smartphone can communicate with the computing device using Bluetooth, WIFI, NFC ultra-wideband communication, and the like.

[0013] The output of the haptic feedback in the vehicle is possible both when the vehicle is moving and when it is stationary. The actuator in question may be located anywhere in the vehicle, so that the haptic feedback can be transmitted to the vehicle occupant as long as the vehicle occupant touches the actuator in question during a defined time window. For example, one or more actuators may be integrated in the vehicle seat, the vehicle steering wheel, the operating element, the seat belt, etc. As actuators, electric drives with eccentric masses, piezo elements, etc., proven actuators for generating haptic feedback can be used. The haptic feedback has a modulation, which means that the strength, frequency, duration, etc. of the haptic feedback are variable. The haptic feedback output in the vehicle may be a modulated version of the haptic feedback that is originally provided for output via the haptic feedback actuator of the first mobile terminal.

[0014] Haptic feedback may be output to the vehicle driver, front passenger, and / or rear seat passengers, who may be provided with the same or separate haptic feedback.

[0015] In an advantageous development of the method, the program executed on the first mobile terminal initiates the output of a control signal in response to monitoring the incoming call, monitoring the time and / or the instruction to perform a breathing exercise. If the vehicle occupant carries a smartphone and receives an incoming call on the smartphone, the smartphone typically vibrates and / or transmits the caller number to a wearable, such as a smartwatch. The smartwatch can also vibrate in the same way. The connection of the smartphone to the computing device of the vehicle can also activate an actuator that is mounted on the vehicle. If the vehicle occupant does not wear the smartphone on his / her body, for example in a charging cradle, and the vehicle occupant in question does not wear the wearable or does not feel the haptic feedback provided by the wearable, the vehicle occupant can become aware of the incoming call via the haptic feedback generated by the vehicle.

[0016] The smartphone or wearable may also output haptic feedback in response to the time of day, a countdown timer, or a stopwatch. For example, a smartwatch may output haptic feedback after a predefined time has elapsed, such as at 15-minute intervals, such as the striking of a church clock. For example, the haptic feedback may be output in the form of one knock at 15 minutes into the hour, two knocks at 30 minutes into the hour, and three knocks at 45 minutes into the hour. This allows an applicable vehicle occupant to keep track of the elapsed time without having to look at the display.

[0017] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the program is a program for carrying out relaxation exercises, such as breathing exercises. Such a program encourages the person to concentrate on his breathing and instructs him to take appropriate deep breaths and hold his breath. For example, a breathing pattern can be provided in which the person inhales for 4 seconds, holds his breath for 7 seconds and exhales for 8 seconds, or in the case of so-called "box breathing", the person inhales for 4 seconds, holds his breath for 4 seconds, exhales for 4 seconds and holds his breath again for 4 seconds.

[0018] These breathing techniques are typically supplemented by visual information on a display of a smartphone, tablet computer, and / or wearable. Similarly, haptic feedback corresponding to inhaling, holding breath, and / or exhaling is output via the wearable. For example, expanding haptic feedback may be conveyed to represent the process of inhaling, holding breath, and contracting haptic feedback to represent the process of exhaling. The output of haptic feedback by the vehicle allows the vehicle occupant to perceive this haptic feedback in a particularly clear and comfortable manner.

[0019] The method according to the invention further allows several vehicle occupants to carry out breathing training simultaneously. In this case, it is sufficient for only one occupant to have a corresponding first mobile terminal. Since the vehicle, i.e. the computing device, can control several actuators of the vehicle simultaneously, several people can participate in the breathing exercise simultaneously. In this case, it is generally conceivable to adapt the breathing exercises individually for the different vehicle occupants, so that each vehicle occupant completes an individual training.

[0020] Haptic feedback can also be output within the vehicle to "poke" the vehicle occupant, thereby instructing the vehicle occupant to perform the breathing exercise. Instructions to perform the breathing exercise are then given visually and / or audibly, and haptic feedback in the form of a massage program can be output during the breathing exercise using one or more actuators in the vehicle.

[0021] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, different haptic feedbacks are output in the vehicle for different contacts, which allows the vehicle occupant to identify different callers by sensing the individual haptic feedback. For example, the haptic feedback for a first contact may correspond to a sinusoidal vibration in amplitude, and the haptic feedback for a second contact may correspond to a sawtooth pulse with three sawtooths followed by a one second pause.

[0022] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the haptic feedback output in the vehicle is adjusted to be modulated with respect to the haptic feedback provided for output via the first mobile terminal. As already mentioned, the haptic feedback output in the vehicle can match the haptic feedback output via the first mobile terminal. However, it can also be different. Usually, the mobile terminal has only one actuator for generating the haptic feedback, so that the options for outputting the haptic feedback via the first mobile terminal are limited. However, the possibility of arranging multiple actuators in the vehicle, especially in different positions, allows a particularly extensive and exciting feedback experience to be generated in the vehicle. For example, a smart watch can only output vibrations to the wrist of the vehicle occupant when performing a breathing exercise, but an actuator integrated in the vehicle seat or the like can also add directionality to the haptic feedback. For example, the haptic feedback can move upwards in the backrest of the vehicle seat to represent breathing in and move downwards in the backrest to represent breathing out. In general, the haptic feedback output in the vehicle may be implemented to differ, for example in frequency, duration, intensity, direction, etc., from the haptic feedback originally output via the first mobile terminal.

[0023] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the method, in addition to the haptic feedback output in the vehicle, information dependent on the context of the control signal received from the first mobile terminal is visually displayed on the display of the vehicle. For example, when the vehicle occupant receives an incoming call, the display in the vehicle can display contact information related to the incoming call as well as buttons for accepting or rejecting the call. Similarly, the time, a stopwatch or a countdown timer can be displayed on the display. Similarly, instructions and information for performing breathing exercises displayed on the display of the smartphone or tablet computer can be transferred to the display of the vehicle. Such instructions often include animations such as expanding and contracting geometric objects.

[0024] Furthermore, in a further advantageous embodiment of the method, it is provided that how the haptic feedback is output in the vehicle and / or how the information is visually displayed in the vehicle is configured by the vehicle occupant. This allows the vehicle occupant to satisfy personal preferences. For example, the vehicle occupant can configure the haptic feedback output in the vehicle to be different from the haptic feedback output via the wearable or smartphone. The vehicle occupant can then also determine what the different modulations of the haptic feedback output in the vehicle should be. The vehicle occupant can also adjust the display of the information on a display in the vehicle according to preferences. For example, it can be selected whether the information is displayed textually and / or graphically and the position of the corresponding graphics can be determined on the display, for example.

[0025] Preferably, when the computing device of the vehicle receives the control signal from the first mobile terminal, the computing device outputs a request to the vehicle occupant to input a confirming operation action, and when the vehicle occupant inputs the confirming operation action, the computing device outputs a haptic feedback in the vehicle. Smart watches or smart wristbands are often equipped with a reminder function to perform a certain activity after a specified time has elapsed, for example once every hour. Such reminders include, for example, standing up and walking around, looking away from the screen operation, performing a breathing exercise, etc. At this time, the reminder can be supported by outputting a haptic feedback. During driving, the person driving the vehicle is often concentrating on the driving event. That is, here, the person driving the vehicle is easily stressed and tends to forget to take a relaxed posture. For example, such a reminder may include a request to perform a relaxation technique such as a breathing exercise. After receiving such a reminder, the computing device of the vehicle can ask the vehicle occupant whether he / she wants to perform the corresponding breathing exercise. This can increase the frequency of use of unused vehicle functions. The breathing exercise can then either match a breathing exercise available on the first mobile terminal, or the vehicle driver or vehicle occupant can select one of several breathing exercises offered by the vehicle's computing device. In general, it is of course also possible in this case for the breathing exercise to be started automatically as soon as the reminder is received. Otherwise, the relevant operating action can also be entered, for example, using the vehicle's touch display or by voice command.

[0026] In the case of a vehicle with a computing device and a communication interface, according to the invention, the computing device and the communication interface are installed to execute the aforementioned method. The vehicle may be any vehicle, such as a car, truck, transporter, bus, etc. The computing device may be a central on-board computer, a telematic unit, or any other control device of a vehicle subsystem. With the aid of the communication interface, the computing device may establish a communication connection to the first mobile terminal and / or the second mobile terminal. Similarly, the computing unit may establish a communication connection via the communication interface, for example by mobile radio, to a central computing device, i.e. a cloud server. Via the cloud server, for example, new breathing exercises and / or different haptic feedbacks differing by modulation may be invoked.

[0027] Further advantageous further embodiments of the method according to the invention for increasing the user comfort of a vehicle occupant will become apparent from the exemplary embodiments which are explained in greater detail below with reference to the figures. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the components required to implement the method according to the present invention for improving user comfort of a vehicle occupant. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic flow chart of a method according to the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] During the journey in a vehicle, stressful situations may arise for the vehicle occupants. In order to reduce the stress level of the respective vehicle occupant, relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises may be performed. With the method according to the invention, the performance of relaxation exercises in the vehicle is supported by outputting haptic feedback in the vehicle, which makes it possible to improve the user comfort of the vehicle occupant during their stay in the vehicle. The haptic feedback output in the vehicle may further be used to identify incoming calls as well as to visualize the elapsed time.

[0030] In Fig. 1 the components used for carrying out the method according to the invention are shown. The haptic feedback is output by one or more actuators 1 arranged in the vehicle. For example, the vehicle seat 7 and / or the steering wheel 8 of the vehicle may incorporate one or more actuators 1. The one or more actuators 1 are controlled by a computing device 2, which receives control commands from a first mobile terminal 3.1 via a communication interface 6 on the device side. The first mobile terminal 3.1 can communicate with the computing device 2 directly or indirectly via a second mobile terminal 3.2.

[0031] A program runs on the first mobile terminal 3.1, for example for detecting incoming calls, monitoring time and / or for instructing relaxation techniques, in particular breathing exercises, which program outputs control commands for outputting haptic feedback via a haptic feedback actuator 4 integrated in the first mobile terminal 3.1. The corresponding control signal is received by the computing device 2 and used to apply haptic feedback to the actuator 1.

[0032] The output of haptic feedback in the vehicle can be supplemented in the vehicle by visual information via the display 5 and / or acoustic information via the speaker 9. For example, acoustic instructions for performing breathing training can be output via the speaker 9 and / or the breathing exercises can be made more comfortable by outputting relaxing sounds.

[0033] Figure 2 shows a schematic flow chart of the method according to the invention. During the journey of the vehicle from a starting point 10.1 to a destination point 10.2, a first mobile terminal 3.1 (here in the form of a smartwatch) detects that relaxation exercises need to be performed for the vehicle occupant. For example, the smartwatch can determine this by checking that a defined time has elapsed (e.g. one hour) or by detecting an increase in the stress level of the vehicle occupant from an evaluation of vital signs. The smartwatch then transfers a recommendation to perform relaxation exercises to a second mobile terminal 3.2 (here in the form of a smartphone), for example via Bluetooth as indicated by arrow 201.

[0034] The smartphone transfers this information to the vehicle's computing device 2 as indicated by arrow 202 .

[0035] In response, as indicated by the arrow 203, the computing device 2 starts to output a request to the vehicle occupant by the display 5 of the vehicle that the performance of a relaxation technique is recommended. The vehicle occupant can choose how to proceed via the display 5, which is implemented for example as a touch screen. For example, the vehicle occupant can choose via the display 5 whether to perform a breathing exercise according to the suggestion of the smartwatch and in that case whether the actuators 1 of the vehicle are controlled in the same way as the haptic feedback output by the smartwatch or according to a different modulation. The vehicle occupant can also choose to have the breathing exercise itself only instructed by the smartwatch, and to supplement the breathing exercise by a massage in the vehicle itself. The vehicle occupant can then select one of various massage or workout programs on the display 5, in which the actuators 1 of the vehicle are controlled differently. The vehicle occupant can also choose whether to display instructional or helpful information on the display 5 and / or whether to output sound instructions and / or relaxing sounds from the speaker 9. The vehicle occupant can then choose to have the selection made by the vehicle automatically selected by the vehicle the next time the vehicle occupant receives a reminder from the smartwatch to perform a relaxation technique. The appropriate breathing exercise is then performed and completed, as indicated by arrow 204.

[0036] By means of reminders outputted by the smartwatch or by monitoring the vehicle occupant's stress level, the vehicle occupant is prompted to use relaxation techniques at the appropriate time. By means of the output of haptic feedback in the vehicle, and supplemented if necessary by information outputted on the display 5 and / or the speaker 9, the corresponding relaxation techniques can be performed particularly comfortably in the vehicle. This significantly increases the user comfort of the vehicle occupant.

Claims

1. A method for enhancing user comfort of a vehicle occupant staying in a vehicle, in which haptic feedback is conveyed to the vehicle occupant by at least one actuator (1) arranged in the vehicle, the actuator (1) being controlled by a computing device (2) of the vehicle depending on information received from a mobile terminal (3.1, 3.2), comprising: a program running on a first mobile terminal (3.1) for outputting control signals for activating a haptic feedback actuator (4) of said first mobile terminal (3.1); the first mobile terminal (3.1) communicates directly with the computing device (2) of the vehicle or indirectly with the computing device (2) of the vehicle via a second mobile terminal (3.2), the control signals output by the program executed on the first mobile terminal (3.1) being transmitted to the computing device (2), the method, characterized in that the computing device (2) of the vehicle controls at least one actuator (1) arranged in the vehicle to generate the haptic feedback in response to the control signal received from the first mobile terminal (3.1).

2. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the program executed on the first mobile terminal (3.1) initiates the output of the control signal in response to monitoring an incoming call, monitoring time and / or instructions to perform relaxation exercises.

3. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein different haptic feedback is output within the vehicle for different contacts.

4. 4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the haptic feedback output in the vehicle is modulated relative to the haptic feedback provided for output via the first mobile terminal (3.1).

5. 5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that in addition to the haptic feedback output in the vehicle, information dependent on the context of the control signal received from the first mobile terminal (3.1) is visually shown in the vehicle on a display (5).

6. 6. The method according to claim 1 , characterized in that how the haptic feedback is output in the vehicle and / or how the information is visually displayed in the vehicle is configured by a vehicle occupant.

7. 7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that when the computing device (2) of the vehicle receives a control signal from the first mobile terminal (3.1), the computing device (2) outputs a request to the vehicle occupant to input a confirmatory operating action, and when the vehicle occupant inputs the confirmatory operating action, outputs the haptic feedback in the vehicle.

8. A vehicle including a computing device (2) and a communication interface (6), The vehicle, characterized in that the computing device (2) and the communication interface (6) are fitted to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

Images