DE102009050056A1 - Method for displaying information in vehicle, involves detecting parameter between standard mode and travel mode, where speed progression is detected in time interval, where speed progression is provided as another parameter - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves detecting a parameter between the standard mode and travel mode. The speed progression is detected in a time interval, where the speed progression is provided as another parameter for differentiating between standard mode and travel mode. The speed of the vehicle, is transferred from an external device (15) through an interface (14). An independent claim is also included for information system for a passenger of a vehicle.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for displaying information in a vehicle and an associated information system.

In a vehicle accumulate a variety of information that can be displayed to the driver or the occupants of the vehicle. Thus, on the one hand, the driver has to be continuously kept up to date on operating parameters, such as, for example, the speed or the engine speed, on the other hand, further information for drivers and passengers is obtained via the various communication and entertainment devices. In the vehicle, the information is displayed in particular in the so-called instrument cluster, which has a display area in which can be switched between different graphically displayed contents. Furthermore, information is often reproduced on a further display surface, which is arranged above the center console of the vehicle.

In order not to distract the driver of a vehicle, not all information is usually available. In particular, when the vehicle is stationary, information may be displayed that can not be displayed while driving. In this case, a distinction is thus made between a stand mode and a drive mode for the display. For example, the timely evaluation of warning messages or flashing lights can prevent major damage. However, the display of such evaluations is so complex that it would distract the driver of the vehicle if it were reproduced while driving. However, the driver of the vehicle may use time to record such information. If, for example, the vehicle has to wait at traffic lights, at railway crossings or in a traffic jam, this information could be viewed without impairing driving safety.

From the EP 0 672 892 A1 a driver information system for a vehicle is known. There is a distinction between a stationary and a driving mode, which can be separated from each other by vehicle parameters such as speed, acceleration, instantaneous torque and current consumption. The information display in the vehicle is thereby adapted in one of the two modes, so that a reduced information content is displayed in the drive mode, and in the stand mode in addition to additional information can also be evaluated various data statistics on the parameters displayed in the drive mode.

The DE 197 32 156 A1 describes a composite scoreboard in which, depending on the situation, information can be switched on or off in different display levels.

The insight into the data statistics of individual operating parameters of the vehicle can be interesting for various reasons. Thus, for example, the compliance of driving times for truck drivers can be checked or the fuel consumption can be evaluated depending on various conditions. The latter will be in the EP 1 780 393 A1 described.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a method for displaying information in a vehicle and an information system of the type mentioned in which it is possible to distinguish automatically and adapted to a driving situation between a stationary mode and a driving mode for display in the vehicle.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1 and an information system having the features of claim 10. Advantageous training and further developments emerge from the dependent claims.

In the method according to the invention, a distinction is made between a stationary mode and a driving mode, wherein the information which can be displayed in the driving mode is extended by display contents when changing over to the stationary mode. Optionally, the extended display contents can be reduced again when switching from stand-by mode to drive mode. For differentiating between stationary mode and driving mode, various parameters are recorded, one of which represents the speed of the vehicle and another of which is transmitted from an external device that is spatially separated from the vehicle via an interface. The detection of the speed can be derived via the in-vehicle speedometer, the tachometer, sensors or other devices. The detection of further parameters of a device spatially separate from the vehicle makes it possible, in addition to the autonomous behavior of the vehicle, to take into account further framework conditions of the direct environment.

Namely, the distinction between a standing mode and a driving mode for controlling the display in the vehicle is a complex task because the kind of a standing situation or the reason why a vehicle is just stopping can be evaluated differently with respect to the information display. While it may be quite appropriate while waiting at a traffic light or even while driving slowly or in a car For example, stop-and-go traffic to provide additional information to the driver may require full attention by the driver at a large intersection, so additional information provided may distract him. It would also be desirable if the dynamic evolution of the situation were taken into account. For example, it can be taken into account whether the vehicle has not moved for a defined period of time or is unlikely to do so for a future period. By taking into account a parameter transmitted by an external device to differentiate between a stationary mode and a driving mode for controlling the display in the vehicle, the method according to the invention makes it possible to make the distinction in a more appropriate situation.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the interface between the vehicle and the external device is provided via short-distance radio. Short-range radio means, for the purposes of the invention, short-range radio applications for voice or data transmission. They include the currently unlicensed radio frequency ranges, of which in particular the so-called ISM bands are known. ISM stands for "Industrial, Scientific and Medical"; The ISM bands are freely usable frequency ranges for high frequency devices in industry, science, medicine as well as in domestic or similar fields. The radio transmission can in this case by Bluetooth, WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) or other wireless standards, in particular according to IEEE 802.11 (IEEE = Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers). The external, spatially separated from the vehicle device may ideally be integrated in a traffic control system or in another vehicle. For example, WLAN modules have already been integrated in traffic light circuits, which make it possible to send the driver information about the red or green phase of the traffic light.

The method according to the invention is suitable for determining the predicted speed development within a subsequent time interval and for using this speed development as a further parameter for differentiating between the stationary mode and the driving mode. The predicted speed development can ideally be derived from a clock signal in a traffic light system or railway barrier. There is also the possibility that traffic-related information may be passed from one vehicle to another by a vehicle-based ad hoc network. For example, in a traffic jam, an oncoming vehicle could communicate the queue length and thus contribute to the assessment of the status situation.

In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, a criticality is defined, which is derived by means of a calculation rule from the parameters received via the interface. For the purposes of the invention, the criticality means that it can be quantitatively assessed how critical or uncritical a stand situation is. To calculate the criticality, for example, it can be used to determine whether, according to the data from the navigation device, the vehicle is currently stopping at an intersection, waiting at the traffic light or stopping on the open route. It can also be used various signals from traffic lights or barriers with respect to a predicted waiting time or traffic jam information from other vehicles or from the traffic information are taken into account. It is also possible to add further operating parameters of the vehicle which, for example, indicate a starting intention. Thus, the insertion of reverse gear could be identified as ending a standing situation. The criticality can be calculated, for example, by means of a so-called "penalty" model. In the process, individual penalty points are added that were previously assigned to the value ranges of the received parameters. If the accumulated penalty points exceed a certain limit value, the stand situation is evaluated as critical and the display content is switched to the drive mode.

In an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the change from the drive mode to the stand mode takes place when, after a defined time interval, the speed has never exceeded a limit speed and the criticality is below a defined limit value. The speed limit can be 0 km / h or even a low speed, for example, 10 km / h, allow. This would take particular account of the fact that in a stop-and-go situation the driver is not required too much attention. In particular, frequent switching between modes is avoided.

The method according to the invention is particularly suitable for displaying display contents which have no relation to the parameters used for the differentiations between stationary mode and travel mode. For example, GPS (Global Positioning System) or other positioning systems can receive data for a navigation device that detects stopping at an intersection and then switches to an advanced fuel gauge. The extended display here has no relation to the used Parameter received via the navigation device.

According to a development of the method according to the invention, display contents that contain text information about the vehicle state and / or warnings in the stand-by mode are reduced to individual symbols in the drive mode.

Advantageously, subsets of display contents exist for a display content in the drive mode, to which temporally variable assignment values are assigned and which assignment values are used to determine which of these subsets is displayed when switching to the stand mode. According to the invention, these time-variable assignment values can take account of the situation-dependent information content or the novelty value.

The extended display is not limited to the fact that all display details must be retained when switching from drive mode to standby mode. Rather, it is about the extended information content, which is displayed or can only be displayed in stand-by mode, but can not be displayed in drive mode. The actual display content may also decrease when switching from the drive mode to the standby mode because certain display contents displayed in the drive mode include, for example, a subset that is not displayed in the standby mode.

The display contents of the stand mode may continue to be displayed when the engine is turned off. This allows retrospective access to the statistical data after the end of the journey.

The information system according to the invention comprises a display device, means for detecting the speed of the vehicle, a control device and at least one interface for receiving parameters. By means of the control device it is possible to differentiate between a stationary mode and a driving mode on the basis of the detected speed of the vehicle and the received parameter. The information that can be displayed by the display device in the drive mode can be extended by display contents by means of the control device when changing over to the stand mode. Furthermore, if necessary, the extended display contents can be reduced again when changing from the stand mode to the drive mode. The information system according to the invention is characterized in that the parameters which can be received via the interface can be transmitted by an external device, which is spatially separated from the vehicle.

Advantageously, the interface between the vehicle and the external device is provided via short distance radio. The external device is integrated, for example, in a traffic control system or in another vehicle.

According to a preferred further development of the information system, subsets of non-displayed information can be stored for display contents in the drive mode, temporally variable assignment values being assignable and with these assignment values being able to be determined by an assignment rule which of these subsets can be displayed when switching to the stand mode.

The display device of the information system according to the invention has in particular a touch-sensitive user interface and allows the user to operate the information system via interactive buttons. For the purposes of the invention, a button is understood to be a control element of a graphical user interface. When a button is selected, a function assigned to it is executed, resulting in a change in the display. Furthermore, the buttons can also be used to control devices whose operation is supported by the device for displaying information. The buttons can thus replace conventional mechanical switches. The buttons can be generated and displayed as desired on a freely programmable display area. However, the information system can also, typically at the edge next to or below the touch-sensitive display area, have toggle or toggle switches for user interaction, which are not designed interactively.

The invention will now be explained with reference to embodiments with reference to the figures.

1 shows schematically the structure of an embodiment of the information system according to the invention,

2 shows a flowchart for the switching algorithm between stationary mode and driving mode according to an embodiment of the method according to the invention,

3A shows a display device with display contents in the drive mode according to an embodiment of the method according to the invention,

3B shows the in 3A shown display device with extended display contents in the stand mode according to an embodiment of the method according to the invention,

4A shows a display device with display contents in the drive mode according to another embodiment of the method according to the invention,

the 4B to 4D show the in 4A shown display device with display contents in the stand mode according to the further embodiment of the inventive method, and

5 shows a table, which, as in the embodiment of the inventive method the display contents are assigned by means of an assignment rule assignment values.

The schematic in 1 shown embodiment of the information system according to the invention 10 includes a display device 11 that have a control device 13 with funds 12 for detecting the speed and an interface 14 connected to receive parameters. This interface 14 is in communication with a similar interface 14 an external device 15 that is spatially separated from the vehicle.

the interface 14 is typically provided via radio, in particular short-range radio. the interface 14 operates advantageously according to a common communication standard, such as WLAN or other wireless standards in the so-called ISM band. The external device 15 is typically integrated in a system for traffic regulations or in another vehicle.

The means 12 to capture the speed, make sure that the information system 10 the speed of the vehicle is known. This can be realized by a tachometer or an interface to this, but can also be derived from other operating conditions of the vehicle. For example, could be closed by the tachometer or the engaged gear on the speed of the vehicle. It could also be closed by sensors on the speed of the vehicle.

In the control device 13 The information about the speed of the vehicle and the information about the interface 14 received parameters together. The control device 13 controls the display on the display device 11 , On the display device 11 finally, the corresponding display contents of the drive mode or the stand mode are displayed.

In addition, the control device comprises 13 an arithmetic unit, in which a calculation algorithm runs, with which a distinction is made between a stand mode and a drive mode for the displayable and possibly also for the displayed display contents.

In 2 the flow chart of the calculation algorithm of an embodiment of the method according to the invention is shown. The program start 20 is typically triggered by an interaction of the driver or passenger. A possible trigger would be, for example, when the driver puts the key in the ignition or turns it around. The program start 20 could also be triggered by pressing other controls. Since in general it can be assumed that at program start 20 the vehicle is at rest, in the embodiment, first in the mode selection 21 the stand mode selected, described here as MODE = 2.

In the following, a loop is run through which continuously checks whether it is necessary to switch back and forth between the stationary mode and the drive mode. It takes place after the parameter acquisition 22 successively a speed assessment 23 and a critique rating 24 , wherein is then switched to the drive mode, if one of these two conditions mode conditions is no longer satisfied. The speed rating 23 checks whether the instantaneous speed v of the vehicle is below a critical limit speed v _K. It is satisfied for v ≤ v _K , where v _{K is} typically 0 km / h or a low speed, for example 10 km / h. The critique rating 24 is an arithmetic quantity for assessing whether the current situation is critical or uncritical for extended and thus potentially distracting display contents. The criticality can be calculated, for example, by means of a so-called "penalty" model. In the process, individual penalty points are added that were previously assigned to the value ranges of the received parameters. If the accumulated penalty points exceed a certain limit value, the stand situation is evaluated as critical and the display content is switched to the drive mode. Advantageously, the determined penalty points are deleted at the end of a loop pass or after passing through several loops again.

When the vehicle is in steady state mode at the end of the algorithm loop, a continuation test is made 25 carried out to determine whether the program should continue at all. For example, could be detected by suitable means, whether the vehicle is currently leaving the occupants, whereby the program end 26 is triggered.

The loop of the algorithm loop from the parameter acquisition 22 to Continuation test 25 according to 2 is explained in more detail by concrete examples.

Example 1: The vehicle has come to a halt in dense traffic and is at about tenth position in a queue at a traffic light in the stand mode.

The parameter acquisition 22 now includes the detection of the speed of the vehicle via the onboard tachometer and the evaluation of a clock information to the red-green phase of the traffic light, which is received by a built-in traffic light WLAN module. Further, the vehicle receives vehicle-to-vehicle communication messages from oncoming vehicles reporting slow-moving traffic in the lane in which the vehicle is located.

The speed rating 23 ends with the result that the vehicle is still standing and thus meets the first requirements for the state mode of this example, a speed v <v _k = 10 km / h.

The control device 13 calculates with the received vehicle-to-vehicle information that the slow-moving traffic per green phase of the traffic light only about three vehicles can pass the intersection. Furthermore, the start of a green phase is signaled via WLAN in 5 seconds. The critique rating 24 leads to the result that the vehicle will cover only a few vehicle lengths in the upcoming green phase and assesses the situation as uncritical.

The vehicle maintains the status mode and the corresponding display contents even if it h during the ensuing green phase in walking speed v <v _k 10km / continue driving a few car lengths. After a positive continuation test 25 another loop pass is started.

Example 2: The same vehicle described in Example 1 is still waiting at the traffic light. The algorithm loop becomes iterative of the parameter acquisition 22 until the continuation test 25 go through the same decisions.

Will now be in the parameter acquisition 22 via the vehicle-to-vehicle communication receive the information that the congestion situation has resolved with the slow-flowing traffic, and signals the beginning of a green phase in 5 seconds via WLAN, so is the criticality assessment 24 This time it was decided that the driver now has to devote his full attention to the traffic because the car is expected to pick up speed soon (v> v _k ).

It switches from the stand mode to the drive mode and thus automatically reduces the display to the corresponding display contents even though the vehicle is still standing.

Example 3: The vehicle enters a large, busy intersection and comes to a standstill there.

The parameter acquisition 22 Now includes the detection of the speed of the vehicle via the tachometer and the evaluation of the location data via the navigation system.

The speed rating 23 ends with the result that the vehicle is stationary, but in the control device 13 With the data received via the navigation device, a criterium is assessed by means of a penalty model 24 , from which is closed to a critical state situation, which is why not switched to the standby mode.

In the navigation system, for example, distinctive locations, such as intersections or known accident centers of gravity, penalty points p ₁ assigned. Furthermore, additional penalty points p _{2 are} awarded depending on the time of day, so that driving at peak times is included in the criticality assessment. Information on the road conditions or the weather is included by penalties p ₃ . The criticality is now calculated by simply adding up the penalty points p _i . From a limit value Σ p _i > k, the situation is assessed as critical, including as uncritical.

In this case, flow into the criticality assessment 24 in addition to the location information other parameters, not necessarily via the interface 14 must be received. Thus, the time of day could be received from an external radio world clock or from the on-board clock. Road safety information could be provided by warning beacons, such as bridge-mounted Wi-Fi warning modules attached to bridges, but also by on-board sensors.

The 3A shows a display of the display device 11 with display content 30 in drive mode. Shown are the speedometer on the right and the tachometer on the left. The inner portion of the tachometer has a display panel in which further display contents are displayed in the drive mode. This example shows the average consumption on the right, the forecasted range with the current tank content on the left, and a bar graph in the middle. For example, the bar graph could inform the driver how economical his current driving style is in relation to the driving situation.

If a stand situation is identified by the method according to the invention, the information content is determined by display contents 31 automatically extended in stand mode. In 3B It shows how the display field in the tachometer has been extended for information on instantaneous consumption and forecast range. Further, in another display panel in the middle of the display device 11 another display content 32 in stand-by mode, which gives the driver an indication of a more economical driving style. The display contents 31 and 32 the driver can not display in the drive mode. Thus, in the stand-by mode, the displayable information becomes at least the display contents 31 and 32 extended.

In 4A is shown a further embodiment, wherein in the drive mode, the display contents 30 are reduced to individual symbols which change to the stand mode according to the 4B to 4D be extended in different ways.

For example, has the symbol of the pump as display content 30 in driving mode, which prompts the driver to refuel, a higher novelty value or requires the urgent action of the driver, so at the next switching from the drive mode in 4A in a stand mode in 4B a navigation information on how the driver can get to the nearest gas station fastest, automatically as a display content in stand mode 31 displayed. Further, on the display panel in the middle of the display device 11 further display contents 32 in stand-by mode, providing additional information about the situational issue, in this case refueling.

In the in 4C In the example shown, the message received is attributed a greater novelty value, so that when changing from the driving mode in 4A in the stand mode in 4C the display contents 31 in stand-by mode refer to this received message.

Alternatively, the system could also use a mixed approach to, as in 4D shown to the two in 4A shown icons provide overview-like additional information and / or show more information that is not related to these symbols. In particular, if the expected waiting time will be longer, for example if the vehicle has to stop for a few minutes at a traffic light or a railway gate, contributions to the driver or passengers' entertainment could also automatically be displayed as further display content 32 be recorded in stand mode. These could include, for example, games or short video clips.

In addition to the described examples, the displayed information may relate in particular to the vehicle condition or warnings, which are typically reduced to individual LED symbols in the drive mode and include supplementary troubleshooting instructions in the stand mode. Also, contents of the navigation device could be supplemented when switching from the drive mode to the stand mode by animated route overviews or a preview of the remaining route.

According to the invention, the expanded display contents 31 . 32 be automatically displayed when switching from the drive mode to the stand mode, without requiring further interaction on the part of the driver or the vehicle occupant. The information displayed in the drive mode can also be extended automatically in stand-by mode in various ways. Thus, for a display content in the drive mode, subsets of display contents can be defined, which temporally variable assignment values 33 be assigned to. With these mapping values 33 can be determined by an assignment rule, which of these subsets should be displayed when switching to the stand mode. Of course, it is also possible for drivers or other vehicle occupants to be able to display further information about the automatically displayed information via operating elements.

In 5 It is shown how such a mapping rule can be defined by means of a table. In the left column are to individual display contents 30 in driving mode in the middle column several possible display contents 31 . 32 in stand mode. Each of these possible addable display contents becomes an association value 33 assigned the priority of the expandable display content 31 . 32 Are defined. This priority can be defined according to various aspects. On the one hand, it can indicate the urgency of a problem, for example, the urgent request to refuel the driver, or make him aware of damage to the vehicle. The assignment value 33 can also take into account how new information is or may also contain random elements. In this way, it is ensured that if not constantly new information is added, the driver can be informed by different information more diverse or entertained.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

information system

11

display device

12

Means for detecting the speed

13

control device

14

Interface for receiving parameters

15

external device

20

program start

21

mode selection

22

parameter acquisition

 23

speed judgment

24

Kritizitätsbeurteilung

25

Continuation test

26

end of program

30

Display content in drive mode

31

Display content in stand-by mode

32

additional display content in stand-by mode

33

classification values

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 0672892 A1 [0004]
• DE 19732156 A1 [0005]
• EP 1780393 A1 [0006]

Cited non-patent literature

• IEEE 802.11 [0011]

Claims (11)

Method for displaying information in a vehicle, in which a differentiation is made between a stationary mode and a driving mode, wherein the information that can be displayed in the driving mode when switching to the standby mode is supplemented by display contents ( 31 . 32 ), characterized in that for the differentiation between stationary mode and driving mode parameters are recorded, one of which represents the speed of the vehicle and another of an external device ( 15 ), which is spatially separated from the vehicle, via an interface ( 14 ) is transmitted. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the interface ( 14 ) between the vehicle and the external device ( 15 ) is provided via short distance radio. Method according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the predicted speed development is determined within a subsequent time interval and this speed development is used as a further parameter for differentiating between stationary mode and driving mode. A method according to claim 3, characterized in that the predicted speed development is derived from a clock sign in a traffic light system or railway barrier. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a criticality is defined, which by means of a calculation rule from the via the interface ( 14 ) derived parameters. Method according to claim 5, characterized, that the change from the drive mode to the stand mode takes place when - at the end of a specified time interval, the speed has never exceeded a speed limit, and - the criticality is below a specified limit. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display contents ( 30 . 31 . 32 ) have no relation to the parameters used for the differentiation between stationary mode and driving mode. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - it is converted to a display content in the driving mode ( 30 ) Subsets of display content ( 31 . 32 ), which temporally changeable assignment values ( 33 ), and - with these assignment values ( 33 ) is determined by a mapping rule, which of these subsets is displayed when switching to the stand mode. Method according to Claim 8, characterized in that the temporally variable assignment values ( 33 ) take into account the situation-dependent information content or the novelty value. Information system ( 10 ) for occupants of a vehicle, comprising a display device ( 11 ), Medium ( 12 ) for detecting the speed of the vehicle, a control device ( 13 ) and at least one interface ( 14 ) for receiving parameters, wherein by means of the control device ( 13 ) is differentiable on the basis of the detected speed of the vehicle and the received parameter between a stationary mode and a driving mode, the information that can be displayed by the display device in the driving mode ( 30 ) when switching to the stand mode by means of the control device by display contents ( 31 . 32 ) are extensible, characterized in that via the interface ( 14 ) receivable parameters from an external device ( 15 ), which is spatially separated from the vehicle. Information system according to claim 10, characterized in that the interface ( 14 ) between the vehicle and the external device ( 15 ) is provided via short distance radio.

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