Visual appearance of a motor vehicle

Abstract

A motor vehicle (105) comprises multiple output devices; a control device for controlling a visual appearance of the motor vehicle (105) according to a predetermined theme; and a wireless interface (160) for adapting the theme to a wearable computer (110).

Description

[0001] Appearance of a motor vehicle

[0002] The present invention relates to controlling the appearance of a motor vehicle. In particular, the invention relates to controlling the appearance as a function of another appearance.

[0003] The appearance of a motor vehicle can be controlled according to themes. For example, the motor vehicle may include interior lighting that can glow in different colors. Within the context of different themes, the interior can be illuminated in corresponding colors. A theme can be linked to the tuning of a drive engine or chassis, so that the appearance of the motor vehicle can better convey an emotional component of the vehicle. In this way, a driver can better adapt to the way the motor vehicle responds to their control inputs.

[0004] Certain information about the motor vehicle can be provided to another device, such as a smartphone, via a wireless interface. For example, a current driving speed or mileage of the motor vehicle can also be displayed on another device, which may be on board the motor vehicle or externally. However, the appearance of such a device is independent of the appearance of the motor vehicle. A person may perceive the information presented on the other device differently than the information provided on board the motor vehicle. The information may be identical or correspond to one another. The person may find it difficult to perceive the different information or the different ways in which the information is presented in a unified manner and to mentally link them together.

[0005] An object underlying the present invention is to provide an improved technique for controlling the appearance of a motor vehicle. The invention achieves this object by means of the subject matter of the independent claims. Subclaims specify preferred embodiments. According to a first aspect of the present invention, a motor vehicle comprises a plurality of output devices; a control device for controlling the appearance of the motor vehicle according to a predetermined theme; and a wireless interface for adapting the theme to a wearable computer.

[0006] The theme of the motor vehicle can be aligned with a theme of the wearable computer, or vice versa. This can also be referred to as synchronization of the themes used. The motor vehicle and the wearable computer can use the same theme, or a theme of the wearable computer can be assigned to a theme of the motor vehicle, or vice versa. A person receiving information from the motor vehicle and the wearable computer can better absorb the presented information thanks to the aligned themes. This creates a uniform user interface, and the wearable computer can be perceived and used in a more integrated manner with the motor vehicle.

[0007] An output device can be installed in the interior of the motor vehicle. Examples of output devices include ambient lighting, effect lighting, decorative lighting, entry or exit lighting, footwell lighting, system lighting, sounds associated with predetermined functions, or haptic outputs dependent on a function. The theme can coordinate the output devices so that a person on board the motor vehicle can experience the motor vehicle in a harmonious or coordinated manner. An output device can comprise a graphic display unit. The theme can comprise information displayed on the display unit.

[0008] The display unit can, for example, comprise a console screen, a round instrument, a head-up display, or a panoramic display. The display unit is preferably clearly visible to a person in a first row of seats, in particular to a driver. For example, a round instrument in the driver's field of vision can display a large speedometer in a first theme, while a large tachometer and a smaller speedometer are displayed at the same location in a second theme. The first theme can comprise a standard theme, for example, for inner-city use, and the second theme a sports theme.

[0009] An output device may comprise a graphic display unit, where the theme comprises a graphic design of information displayed on the display unit. For example, a sports theme may use more concise, larger, or colorful graphic elements to facilitate unambiguous information. A standard theme may provide more discreet, more harmoniously colored, or smaller information.

[0010] It is particularly preferred that a theme controls both the information displayed and the manner in which it is displayed on the display unit. The different themes can exploit different perceptual-physiological effects and can support the communication of information, particularly in different situations or with different demands on the motor vehicle.

[0011] In a further embodiment, an output device is mounted in an exterior space of the motor vehicle. For example, a theme can control the type of exterior lighting, such as entry or exit lighting, the display type of turn indicators, or daytime running lights. Accent lighting can also be provided in the exterior space, for example, between taillights, whereby the accent lighting can also be influenced by a theme. The output device can comprise a type of loudspeaker, which can, for example, provide synthetic driving sounds when the motor vehicle is traveling slowly and is powered only by an electric motor. The sounds can also be influenced by the theme.

[0012] In yet another embodiment, the motor vehicle has a passive display device on its outer skin, particularly in the form of electronic ink (E-Ink). A graphic or animation displayed on the external display device can also be influenced by a theme. It should be noted that, in a further preferred embodiment, output devices are mounted both in an interior and an exterior of the motor vehicle, and that a theme encompasses the control of perceptual effects both in the interior and in the exterior.

[0013] According to another aspect of the present invention, a wearable computer comprises an output device; a control device for controlling an appearance of the wearable computer according to a predetermined theme; and a wireless interface for adapting the theme to a motor vehicle.

[0014] The wearable computer can be worn by a person assigned to the motor vehicle. The wearable computer can also be assigned directly to the motor vehicle. By adapting or synchronizing the topic used by the wearable computer with a topic used by the motor vehicle, a uniform presentation of information to a person can be improved. Particularly when the person is in the vicinity of the motor vehicle and can be informed both directly from the motor vehicle and from the wearable computer, the uniform presentation of information can make it easier for the person to absorb the information. Information presented on the wearable computer can relate to the motor vehicle. The information can be received via the wireless interface.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the wearable computer is in the form of a smart watch. A smart watch, which can also be called a smart band, can be worn on a person's wrist like a wristwatch. The output device can be designed as a graphic display unit like a wristwatch dial. The output device can correspond in shape or size to a known dial. In contrast to this, the output device can provide a single- or multi-color, active or passive graphic display. The graphic display can include a background image controlled by the theme and any display in the foreground.

[0016] If the output device includes a graphic display unit, the theme can include information displayed on the display unit and / or a graphic design of information displayed on the display unit. Typically, only a single display unit is provided on the wearable computer.

[0017] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a system comprises a motor vehicle and a wearable computer. The motor vehicle comprises a wireless interface, a plurality of output devices, and a control device for controlling an appearance of the motor vehicle according to a predetermined theme. The wearable computer comprises a wireless interface, an output device, and a control device for controlling an appearance of the wearable computer according to a predetermined theme. The control devices are configured to align the respective themes with one another.

[0018] The system can, in particular, comprise a motor vehicle described herein and a wearable computer described herein. In a further embodiment, the system can additionally comprise an external location configured to receive an indication of a topic used by the motor vehicle and to provide it to the wearable computer, or vice versa. The external location can, in particular, be provided in the form of a server or as a service, for example in a cloud. The motor vehicle or the wearable computer can, for example, communicate with the external location via a mobile radio network. The external location can support one-way or two-way alignment. In addition, the external location can store an association between a motor vehicle and a wearable computer in order to enable alignment or synchronization only between mutually associated motor vehicles and wearable computers.

[0019] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method for aligning themes according to which appearances of two devices are controlled, wherein one of the devices comprises a motor vehicle and the other a wearable computer, comprises steps of detecting a change in the theme on one of the devices; transmitting an indication of the change to the other device; and aligning the theme of the other device. The method can be carried out by means of a system described herein. In particular, part of the method can be carried out by a motor vehicle described herein and another part by a wearable computer described herein. These parts can be disjoint or overlapping. The motor vehicle orThe wearable computer can comprise an electronically implemented processing device, for example, an integrated circuit, a programmable logic module, or a programmable microcomputer. The method can be implemented in the form of a configuration or as a computer program product with program code means for the processing device. The configuration or the computer program product can be stored on a computer-readable data carrier. Features or advantages of the method can be transferred to the motor vehicle or the wearable computer, or vice versa. Similarly, features or advantages of the motor vehicle can be transferred to the wearable computer, or vice versa.

[0020] In one embodiment, the theme of the wearable computer is only adjusted to the theme of the motor vehicle if the wearable computer is within a predetermined area around the motor vehicle. This area includes the motor vehicle itself. In one embodiment, the area extends only within the interior of the motor vehicle. Where the wearable computer is located relative to the motor vehicle can be determined, for example, by determining the geographical positions of both devices and comparing the results. Alternatively, a relative position between the motor vehicle and the wearable computer can also be determined, for example, using Bluetooth Low Energy or ultra-wideband (UWB).

[0021] In one embodiment, the theme of the motor vehicle is only adjusted to the theme of the wearable computer when the motor vehicle is in a state other than a parked state. In a first variant, a theme changed by the wearable computer can be ignored by the motor vehicle as long as the motor vehicle is parked. In a second variant, the change can be stored and only taken into account when the motor vehicle leaves the parked state. A parked state can exist when the motor vehicle is stationary, there is no person on board the motor vehicle, the motor vehicle is locked, a drive motor is switched off, and / or there is no person with access authorization in the vicinity of the motor vehicle.Accordingly, it can be determined that the parked state is left when an authorized person approaches the motor vehicle, the motor vehicle is unlocked or opened, a person gets in, a person is on board the motor vehicle or a system on board the motor vehicle, in particular a drive system, is put into operation.

[0022] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0023] Figure 1 a system; and

[0024] Figure 2 illustrates a flow chart of a process.

[0025] Figure 1 shows a system 100 comprising a motor vehicle 105 and a wearable computer 110. Optionally, an external location 115 is also provided. The motor vehicle 105 is shown purely as an example as a passenger car, but in other embodiments it can also comprise, for example, a motorcycle, a truck, or a bus. The wearable computer 110 is also embodied, for example, as a smart watch, which can be worn by a person on the body and in particular on the wrist. The wearable computer 110 can be assigned to the person as a personal device. The person can also be assigned to the motor vehicle 105, or vice versa. For this purpose, the person can comprise, for example, an owner, a driver, or a passenger on board the motor vehicle 105.The external location 115 can be implemented, for example, as a server or as a service and is configured to communicate wirelessly with both the motor vehicle 105 and the wearable computer 110. For the present description, it is assumed that the motor vehicle 105 is associated with the wearable computer 110, possibly via the aforementioned person.

[0026] The motor vehicle 105 has a plurality of output devices 120. In the illustrated embodiment, only output devices 120 are visible in an interior of the motor vehicle 105. Exemplary output devices 120 illustrated include one or more display units 125, an interior lighting 130, a door or entry lighting 135, a decorative or effect lighting 140, a footwell lighting 145, and a system lighting 150. Although the illustrated output devices 120 are primarily optical in nature, acoustic or haptic output devices 120 may also be provided. This applies both to output devices 120 that are mounted in the interior of the motor vehicle 105 and to those that are mounted outside.

[0027] A control device 155 is configured to control the output devices 120 depending on a theme. Furthermore, a wireless interface 160 is provided for communicating with another device, in particular the wearable computer 110 or the external location 115.

[0028] The wearable computer 110 comprises a display unit 165, a control device 170, and a wireless interface 175. The display unit 165 preferably comprises a graphic display unit, which can be implemented, for example, using an OLED. The control device 170 is configured to control the display unit 165 depending on a topic. The wireless interface 175 is configured to communicate with an external device, in particular the motor vehicle 105 or the external location 115. Communication can include a reference to a topic used by the motor vehicle 105 or by the wearable computer 110 and / or information to be provided to a user.

[0029] The external location 115 is configured to receive a notification about a changed or used topic from the motor vehicle 105, optionally temporarily store it, and provide it to the wearable computer 110. Conversely, the external location 115 can also be configured to receive a corresponding notification from the wearable computer 110, optionally temporarily store it, and provide it to the motor vehicle 105.

[0030] Figure 2 shows a schematic flow diagram of a method 200 for aligning topics between a motor vehicle 105 and a wearable computer 110. Steps related to the motor vehicle 105 are shown on the left, and those related to the wearable computer 110 are shown on the right. The method 200 can be implemented in two different variants, although slight deviations may occur. In this sense, the method 200 can also be viewed as an overall representation of two separate methods.

[0031] In a step 205, an appearance of the motor vehicle 105 is controlled according to a first theme. In a step 210, an appearance on the wearable computer 110 is also controlled according to the first theme. The first themes can be identical to one another or associated with one another.

[0032] In a first variant of method 200, a change of the theme on the part of the motor vehicle 105 to a second theme is determined in a step 215. This can be manually controlled, for example, by a person on board the motor vehicle 105.

[0033] In a step 220, an indication of the change can be transmitted from the motor vehicle 105 to the wearable computer 110. The transmission can be made directly or initially to the external location 115, which can control further transmission to the wearable computer 110.

[0034] In a step 225, it can be determined whether the wearable computer 110 is located within a predetermined range relative to the motor vehicle 105. This range can, for example, encompass only the interior of the motor vehicle 105, an area with a radius of a few meters around the motor vehicle 105, or a larger area. A radius of such a range is preferably no greater than a distance over which an output device 120 of the motor vehicle 105 can be perceived by a person.

[0035] If it was determined in step 225 that the wearable computer 110 is within range of the motor vehicle 105, then in a step 230, the theme used by the wearable computer 110 can be changed to the second theme used by the motor vehicle 105. The second themes can be identical to one another or associated with one another.

[0036] If it is determined in step 225 that the wearable computer 110 is not within the predetermined range with respect to the motor vehicle 105, the change may be discarded or postponed until the wearable computer 110 is again within the specified range.

[0037] In a second variant of the method 200, starting from steps 205 and 210, it can be determined in a step 235 that the wearable computer 110 has changed the previously used first theme to a second theme.

[0038] A corresponding indication can be transmitted in step 220 from the wearable computer 110 to the motor vehicle 105 directly or via the external location 115.

[0039] In a step 240, the motor vehicle 105 can determine whether it is in a parked state. If so, the indication can be stored until the motor vehicle 105 leaves the parked state. Storage can be performed alternatively by the motor vehicle 105 or by the external location 115.

[0040] In step 245, the motor vehicle 105 is in a state other than parked. A previously transmitted indication of a change in the theme used by the wearable computer 110 can be evaluated. Accordingly, the theme used by the motor vehicle 105 can be changed to the second theme.

[0041] The following outlines the implementation of a theme. The theme concerns a clock face as the background for additional information to be displayed. The example assumes a wearable computer running Android for Wear OS. It should be noted that the same mechanism for controlling the theme can be used by the motor vehicle 105 and the wearable computer, especially if both devices support the same operating system.

[0042] 1. Implementation of a watch face:

[0043] Adding dependencies in the project's build (Module) file: gradle Copy code dependencies { implementation ' com . google . android . support : wearable : 2 . 8 . 1 ' compileOnly ' com. google . android . wearable : wearable : 2 . 8 . 1 '}

[0044] Implementing a new watchFaceService:

[0045] Create a new Java class in the project and extend the GanvasWatchFaceService. This class is responsible for creating, updating, and rendering your watch face. j ava

[0046] Copy code import android . support. wearable. watchface . GanvasWatchFaceService ; import android . view . Surf ace Holder; public class MyWatchFaceService extends

[0047] GanvasWatchFaceService {

[0048] @0verride public Engine onCreateEngine ( ) { return new

[0049] MyWatchFaceEngine ( ) ;} private class MyWatchFaceEngine extends

[0050] GanvasWatchFaceService . engine {

[0051] @0verride public void onSurf aceCreated ( Surf aceHolder holder ) { super . onSurf aceCreated ( holder );

[0052] / / Initialize your resources here

[0053] }

[0054] @0verride public void onTimeTick ( ) { super . onTimeTick ( ) ;

[0055] / / Called every minute, update watch face here invalidate ();}

[0056] @0verride public void onDraw ( Canvas canvas , Rect bounds ) { super . onDraw ( canvas , bounds );

[0057] / / Draw your watch face here}

[0058] }}

[0059] 2. mymodes components must be removed on the wearables 110 side or expanded on the motor vehicle 105 side in order to implement the design of the dial according to the current theme of the motor vehicle 105.

[0060] Create the watch face . xml file:

[0061] Create a new XML file watch_face . xml in the res / xml directory and add the following content: xml

[0062] <wallpaper xml ns : android="http / / s chemas . android . com / apk / res / android" xmlns watchf ace="http : / / s chemas . android . com / apk / res -auto "> <watch-face android : des cription=" @ string / app name" / > < / wallpaper>

[0063] In the class My watchFaceEngine the onDraw ( ) method for displaying the new watch face on the drawing area must be implemented.

[0064] 3. The parameters of the current mod, as defined in the existing experience modes, must be swapped. This can be done via the existing BMW backend paths. Furthermore, the dial must be changed when changing modes. This can be done using the WAKE_LOCK permission.

[0065] Update AndroidManif est. xml:

[0066] Add WAKE_LOCK permission My atchFaceService to AndroidManif est. xml: xml

[0067] Copy code

[0068] <manif est xmlns : android="http : / / schemas . android . com / apk / res / android" package="com. example . mywatchf ace ">

[0069] <uses-permission android : name="android . permission . AKE LOCK" / >

[0070] <application . . . >

[0071] <service android : name=" . MyWatchFace Ser vice" label=" @string / app name" permi s io n=" android . permission . BIND WALLPAPER">

[0072] <meta-data android : name=" android . service . wallpaper" resource="@xml / watch face" / >

[0073] <intent-filter>

[0074] <action android : name=" android . service . wallpaper . Wallpaper Ser vice " / >

[0075] <category android : name="com. google . android . wearable . watchface . category

[0076] . WATCH_FACE" / >< / intent-f ilter>

[0077] < / service>

[0078] < / application>

[0079] < / manif est>

[0080] Reference symbol

[0081] 100 systems

[0082] 105 Motor vehicle

[0083] 110 wearable computers

[0084] 115 external positions

[0085] 120 Output device

[0086] 125 display unit

[0087] 130 Interior lighting

[0088] 135 Door or entry lighting

[0089] 140 decorative or effect lighting

[0090] 145 Footwell lighting

[0091] 150 shelf lighting

[0092] 155 Control device

[0093] 160 wireless interface

[0094] 165 display unit

[0095] 170 Control device

[0096] 175 wireless interface

[0097] 200 procedures

[0098] 205 Appearance after first theme

[0099] 210 Appearance after first theme

[0100] 215 Change to second topic

[0101] 220 Submit notice of change

[0102] 225 in the area of ​​motor vehicles?

[0103] 230 Change to second topic

[0104] 235 Change to second topic

[0105] 240 parked condition?

[0106] 245 Change to second topic < / service> < / manif>

Claims

Claims 1. A motor vehicle (105) comprising: a plurality of output devices (120); a control device (155) for controlling an appearance of the motor vehicle (105) according to a predetermined theme; and a wireless interface (160) for adapting the theme to a wearable computer (110).

2. Motor vehicle (105) according to claim 1, wherein an output device (120) is mounted in an interior of the motor vehicle (105).

3. Motor vehicle (105) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an output device (120) comprises a graphic display unit (125); and the topic comprises information displayed on the display unit (125).

4. Motor vehicle (105) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an output device (120) comprises a graphic display unit (125); and the theme comprises a graphic design of information displayed on the display unit (125).

5. Motor vehicle (105) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an output device (120) is mounted in an exterior space of the motor vehicle (105).

6. A wearable computer (110), comprising: an output device (165); a control device (170) for controlling an appearance of the wearable computer (110) according to a predetermined theme; and a wireless interface (175) for adapting the theme to a motor vehicle (105).

7. Wearable computer (110) according to claim 6, designed in the form of a smart watch.

8. Wearable computer (110) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the output device (165) comprises a graphic display unit and the theme comprises information displayed on the display unit (165) and / or a graphic design of information displayed on the display unit (165).

9. A system (100) comprising a motor vehicle (105) and a wearable computer (110), wherein the motor vehicle (105) comprises a wireless interface (160), a plurality of output devices (120), and a control device (155) for controlling an appearance of the motor vehicle (105) according to a predetermined theme; wherein the wearable computer (110) comprises a wireless interface (175), an output device (165), and a control device (170) for controlling an appearance of the wearable computer (110) according to a predetermined theme; wherein the control devices (155, 170) are configured to align the respective themes with one another.

10. The system (100) of claim 9, further comprising an external location (115) configured to receive an indication of a topic used by the motor vehicle (105) and provide it to the wearable computer (110) or vice versa.

11. A method (200) for aligning themes according to which appearances of two devices are controlled, one of the devices comprising a motor vehicle (105) and the other a wearable computer (110); the method (200) comprising the following steps: detecting (215, 235) a change in the theme on one of the devices (105, 110); transmitting (220) an indication of the change to the other device (105, 110); and Matching (230, 245) the theme of the other device.

12. The method (200) of claim 11, wherein the theme of the wearable computer (110) is only adjusted to the theme of the motor vehicle (105) when the wearable computer (110) is within a predetermined range around the motor vehicle (105).

13. The method (200) according to one of claims 11 or 12, wherein the theme of the motor vehicle (105) is only adjusted to the theme of the wearable computer (110) when the motor vehicle (105) is in a state other than a parked state.

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