DE102015206518A1 - Method for operating a navigation system for a motor vehicle and navigation system for a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for operating a navigation system for a motor vehicle and a navigation system for a motor vehicle are proposed. The invention enables easier and improved operation by a user of the navigation system by detecting at least one passenger information relating to a vehicle occupant by means of a vehicle sensor and by determining a proposal for a destination and / or a route in dependence on the at least one occupant information.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for operating a navigation system for a motor vehicle. The invention also relates to a navigation system for a motor vehicle.

Navigation systems for motor vehicles are known in many forms. They are known both as permanently installed components of a motor vehicle and as retrofittable additional equipment. Navigation systems usually include satellite positioning receivers that allow the determination of the current geographical position of the navigation system (and thus of the motor vehicle). Furthermore, navigation systems include stored road maps and route planning tools. It is usually intended to enter a desired destination via an input device. It is known to input the destination using an address mask having address fields (e.g., street, house number, zip code, city, country, and the like). It is also known to let the user select a destination from a list of recently entered or approached destinations. It is also known to let the user select a destination from a list of known destinations (English points of interest, POI). The navigation system can then propose, based on the current geographical position, a route to the desired destination. It is known to determine the route with regard to the optimization of certain parameters. For example, a route can be a shortest, fastest, fuel-efficient or as low-traffic as possible route to the destination. Navigation systems are known which determine a plurality of route suggestions, wherein each route suggestion can be determined with regard to the optimization of one of said parameters, and the user can be presented with the specific route suggestions for selection. A disadvantage of the described navigation systems for motor vehicles is that the user is supported only in a very limited manner when entering the destination or in the selection of possible routes.

US 2013/0345961 A1 discloses a method for use on a mobile device (eg, smartphone) of a user in which, based on stored user information as well as on known context information, potential destinations are determined and suggested to the user. A disadvantage of this method is that in the execution of the method, only such information can be taken into account, which can be detected by the mobile device itself using its own sensors or which it can obtain from external data sources.

Starting from the prior art, the object is to provide a method for operating a navigation system for a motor vehicle and a navigation system for a motor vehicle, each of which facilitate easier and improved operation by a user of the navigation system.

The object is achieved in a method and a navigation system with the features of the independent claims. Advantageous developments of the invention are subject matter of the dependent claims.

The invention consists in a method for operating a navigation system for a motor vehicle. In a first method step, at least one occupant information relating to a vehicle occupant is detected by means of a vehicle sensor. A vehicle occupant may be any person who is in the vehicle. In particular, a vehicle occupant may be the driver or the passenger or a person located on a back seat of the motor vehicle. A vehicle sensor can be understood to be any sensor which, as a result of permanent or temporary arrangement in or on the motor vehicle, is a part of the motor vehicle.

In a second method step according to the invention, a proposal for a destination and / or a route in dependence on the at least one occupant information is determined.

A third method step according to the invention provides to display the proposal to the user of the navigation system.

It should be pointed out for a better understanding of the difference between the terms vehicle occupants and users. In the present case, a user of the navigation system is understood to mean that vehicle occupant who operates the navigation system. This can be, for example, the driver or the passenger of the motor vehicle. It may also be several vehicle occupants, such as a driver and a passenger, users of the navigation system. If it is possible to operate the navigation system from the rear seats, then a vehicle occupant in a back seat can also be a user. Each user of the navigation system is at the same time also a vehicle occupant.

The invention is suitable both for use with navigation systems permanently installed in a motor vehicle as well as for use with subsequently and / or temporarily installed in a motor vehicle navigation systems. Essential to the invention is that the navigation system is adapted to detect the occupant information by means of the vehicle sensor. For this must the navigation system can be connected to the motor vehicle in such a way that it can build up a data connection to the vehicle sensor which is suitable for transmitting information. Such a data connection can be created for example by a data cable or by a wireless data connection (eg Bluetooth, WLAN). It can be provided that the navigation system itself comprises the vehicle sensor, that is, in other words, the vehicle sensor is part of the navigation system.

The inventors have recognized that modern motor vehicles often have a plurality of vehicle sensors that can be harnessed for the improvement of navigation systems. According to the invention, if the occupant information relating to a vehicle occupant supplied by the vehicle sensors is used to determine a proposal for a destination and / or a route, the user can be presented with particularly relevant suggestions. With regard to the display of a proposal for a destination, the invention makes it possible to indicate to the user a destination that the user would probably have entered anyway. Thus, the user is spared the manual input of the destination and thus facilitates the operation of the navigation system. With regard to the display of the proposal of a route, an advantage of the invention also consist in proposing to the user a route that he probably would not have chosen of his own initiative, but for him at the time of use is advantageous, what is closed due to the occupant information can be. This will be explained in more detail below with reference to an advantageous development of the invention.

In a first advantageous embodiment, the occupant information comprises a seat occupancy information. For detecting the seat occupancy information, the vehicle may be equipped with a seat occupancy recognition known per se in the prior art. Seat occupancy information may include how many seats of the motor vehicle are occupied and / or which seats of the motor vehicle are occupied. Seat occupancy information may also include more detailed seat occupancy information, such as the particular weight of the seated occupant. Seat occupancy information may thus in particular include information as to whether, where or how many children are seated in the motor vehicle. The number, seating position and / or type of vehicle occupants may be taken into account in determining the proposal for a destination and / or route. For example, if children in the vehicle, so a proposal for a particular route can be determined, for example, has interesting waypoints that make the ride entertaining for children, or has numerous resting options that allow suitable breaks for children. Furthermore, the seat occupancy information may be used to indicate likely planned travel destinations. For example, if there are children in the vehicle, then a destination may be suggested which is commonly approached by children (e.g., kindergarten or school). If, on the other hand, there are no children in the vehicle or, in particular, only the driver in the vehicle, another destination may be suggested that is more likely in this case (e.g.

With further advantage, it may be provided that the occupant information comprises occupant identity information. Inmate identity information may be information that identifies a person. In the context of motor vehicles, the detection of occupant identity information is also known under the terms of person recognition and driver recognition. For detecting the occupant identity information, the vehicle may be equipped with vehicle sensors known per se in the prior art. Suitable vehicle sensors are, for example, an interior camera and / or an interior microphone. By means of these vehicle sensors, the vehicle occupants can be identified by means of face recognition and / or voice recognition. The occupant identity information can be used in the context of the present invention to determine personal suggestions for a destination and / or a route. This is particularly possible if the navigation system is set up to store past usage data (for example, visited travel destinations, preferred travel routes, preferred road types, preferred driving speed and the like) and / or user preferences (for example preferred driving style). If, for example, a certain person is recognized as the driver of the motor vehicle, then the last destinations visited by this person can be proposed, whereas with the same vehicle, however, other destinations visited by other drivers are hidden.

The aforementioned embodiment can be developed particularly advantageously by capturing at least one occupant-dependent context information after detecting the occupant identity information and determining the proposal for a destination and / or a route depending on the occupant-dependent context information. Context information can be any information concerning the context in which the user is located. In particular, context information may include an entry from an electronic calendar of the user. For example, it can be seen from the user's electronic calendar that he is about to make an appointment at a certain location has, so this place can be proposed as a destination to the user. It is also conceivable to use the aforementioned embodiments in an advantageous combination. For example, a user could have stored several parallel entries in an electronic calendar, eg "7:30 am: bringing children to school" and "7:30 am: meeting in the office". In the knowledge of this context information and in further knowledge of the seat occupancy information, the school can be proposed as the destination of the user, if at least one child is sitting in the vehicle, and the office proposed, if no child is sitting in the vehicle.

For detecting the occupant-dependent context information, the navigation system may include a communication module that is set up for establishing a data connection to a vehicle-external data memory. The off-vehicle data storage may be, for example, a user's mobile device (e.g., personal digital assistant - PDA, Smartphone, etc.) that the user carries with him. The vehicle-external data storage can, for example, also be an Internet server on which an electronic calendar of the user is stored. The data connection may preferably be a wireless data connection (WLAN, Bluetooth, mobile radio, etc.).

With further advantage, the occupant information includes occupant condition information. Occupant condition information may, for example, be information about a physical condition of an occupant, in particular of the driver. Occupant condition information may include, for example, a vital sign, e.g. Blood pressure, respiratory rate, respiratory depth, heart rate, skin resistance, and the like. Occupant condition information may also be a parameter describing the condition of the occupant, which may be formed from one or more vital signs. For detecting the occupant condition information, the vehicle may be equipped with a vitality sensor known per se in the state of the art, which is set up, for example, to measure one or more vital signs. For detecting the occupant condition information, an interior camera of the vehicle can additionally or alternatively also be used, it being possible to provide that an image of an occupant taken with the interior camera is evaluated with regard to its condition. For this purpose, a mimic of the occupant can be evaluated. The occupant condition information can be used particularly advantageously for determining suitable routes. For example, if the occupant condition information indicates that the driver is upset, stressed, or tired, for example, a low-traffic route or a low-average vehicle speed route may be proposed. On the other hand, if the occupant condition information indicates, for example, that the driver is rested, vital, concentrated and in a good mood, a sporty driving route, for example a winding country road, can be preferred to a motorway.

In a further refinement of the method, at least one occupant-independent context information item is detected and the proposal for a destination and / or a journey distance is determined as a function of the occupant-independent context information. Occupant independent context information may be described as contextual information valid for every conceivable occupant of the motor vehicle. The occupant-independent context information comprises in particular weather information and / or traffic information and / or time information and / or position information. The occupant-independent context information can be detected by means of vehicle sensors. The occupant-independent context information can also be obtained via the communication module of the vehicle.

Further embodiments of the invention are explained below with reference to exemplary representations. Show it

1 an embodiment of the navigation system according to the invention and

2 a flow diagram of an embodiment of the method according to the invention.

It should be noted that the illustrated figures and the associated description are merely exemplary embodiments of the invention. In particular, representations of combinations of features in the figures and / or the description of the figures are not to be interpreted as meaning that the invention necessarily requires the realization of all mentioned features. Other embodiments of the invention may include fewer, more, and / or different features. The scope and disclosure of the invention will be apparent from the appended claims and the complete description. It should also be noted that the illustrations are schematic representations of embodiments of the invention. The arrangement of the individual elements shown to each other is chosen only by way of example and can be chosen differently in other embodiments of the invention.

This in 1 illustrated navigation system 1 includes a detection module 2 , Via a data bus 9 (eg LIN) are diverse Vehicle sensors connected to the detection module. Each vehicle seat has a seat occupancy mat 3 so that a total of five seat mats 3 available. The vehicle also has an interior camera 4 and an interior microphone 5 , Furthermore, a vitality sensor 6 present, for example, can be arranged on the vehicle steering wheel and recorded vital signs of the driver. It is understood that the vehicle sensors can serve at the same time for other purposes and may have other data connections, but which are not relevant to the present invention and therefore in 1 not shown.

A determination module 7 is with the acquisition module 2 via a data bus 10 (eg CAN) connected. The determination module 7 can be a local data store 8th include. This data store 8th can be used to store user information, user profiles, usage information (eg past destinations) and other information.

The determination module is over the vehicle bus 10 also with a communication module 11 connected. The communication module 11 indicates a first wireless data connection 13 (eg a mobile connection to the Internet) to an Internet server 12 on. The communication module 11 has a second wireless data connection 15 (eg a Bluetooth connection) to a mobile device 14 (eg PDA) of the user.

2 represents an exemplary sequence of the method according to the invention. In a first step S10 by the detection module 2 Occupant information recorded. This will be done by the vehicle sensors 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 over the bus 9 supplied data directly or indirectly. Indirect usage is understood to mean that the data provided by the vehicle sensors is processed to generate occupant information. For example, those from the seat mats 3 supplied information in a weight value, with which the respective seat occupancy mat 3 is charged. From this information, the acquisition module 2 the occupant information determines that a seat is occupied or not occupied. From this information could be the acquisition module 2 the occupant information also determines that a seat is occupied by a child, which can be deduced from a low weight value (eg below 30 kg). That of the interior camera 4 delivered image can through the acquisition module 2 be used for different purposes. It can, for example, by means of the interior camera 4 delivered a validation of the seat occupancy information. It can also be done by means of the interior camera 4 In the image supplied, occupant condition information may be acquired, for example, by detecting and judging the driver's posture and facial expression. The by means of the camera 4 and the interior microphone 5 Collected information can be used to perform a person recognition, so capture an occupant identity information. For this purpose, for example, a face recognition and a voice recognition can be performed. The of the vitality sensor 6 The information provided can be found in the entry module 2 are processed to detect occupant condition information. Here, for example, with the mounted on the steering wheel vitality sensor 6 a skin conductance and a pulse of the driver are measured.

In step S20, occupant-dependent context information is captured. The communication module provides this 11 a Bluetooth connection 15 to the mobile device 14 on which an electronic calendar of the user is stored. For example, an in-person contextual information may also be from one on the mobile device 14 saved to-do list and / or off on the mobile device 14 saved emails are obtained. The occupant dependent context information could alternatively or additionally also be over the data connection 13 from the internet server 12 on which, for example, calendars, task lists and e-mails of the user could be stored.

In step S30, occupant independent context information is captured. The communication module provides this 11 a mobile connection 13 to the internet server 12 on which, for example, weather information and traffic information can be stored. Other occupant independent context information may be captured via vehicle sensors (not shown). For example, position information about a GPS receiver of the navigation system 1 be recorded. Time information can be acquired via an internal clock of the motor vehicle.

It should be noted that steps S10, S20 and S30 may be performed substantially in any order and also simultaneously. All that is important is that all information is captured before step S40 of determining a suggestion is performed.

• – Sitzbelegungsinformation,
• – Insassenidentitätsinformation, insbesondere Nutzeridentitätsinformation,
• – Insassenbefindlichkeitsinformation,
• – insassenabhängige Kontextinformation, insbesondere Kalendereintrag des Nutzers,
• – insassenunabhängige Kontextinformation, insbesondere Wetterinformationen für Startort, Zielort und Orte entlang der möglichen Fahrtstrecken und Verkehrsinformationen,
• – Informationen zu Nutzergewohnheiten.

In step S40 is determined by the determination module 7 a proposal for a destination and / or a route determined. Of course, several suggestions can be made. The determination S40 is made as a function of the at least one occupant information and possibly the other available information. The more information in The provision S40 is included, the more helpful the specific suggestions for the user can be. The determination S40 may be made, for example, depending on the following previously acquired information:

• - seat occupancy information,
• - passenger identity information, in particular user identity information,
• - occupant information,
• - occupant-dependent context information, in particular calendar entry of the user,
• - occupant-independent context information, in particular weather information for starting location, destination and locations along the possible routes and traffic information,
• - Information on user habits.

Information about user habits can be stored in the data store 8th be saved. This information may include past uses (eg, searched destinations, preferred routes, typical driving style, and the like). This information can also be deposited preferences of a user. For example, a novice driver may have entered the preference to prefer such routes that are low traffic and allow for slow and defensive driving.

In step S50, the proposal or proposals are displayed. It may also be preferred to indicate why a particular proposal has been determined, i. E. which information was decisive in the determination. For example, a suggestion for the destination "school" may indicate that the proposal has been made based on the recognition of the children in the rear seats. A suggestion for a particular route may indicate that children have been identified in the rear seats and that there are numerous rest areas with sanitary facilities and children's playgrounds on this route which have received good customer reviews.

The user is last offered in a known manner the possibility of selecting or rejecting a displayed suggestion via an input device (not shown).

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

navigation system

2

acquisition module

3

Seat occupancy mats

4

Interior camera

5

Interior microphone

6

vitality sensor

7

determination module

8th

data storage

9

bus

10

bus

11

communication module

12

Internet server

13

Data Connection

14

mobile device

15

Data Connection

S10-S50

steps

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

• US 2013/0345961 A1 [0003]

Claims (10)

Method for operating a navigation system ( 1 ) for a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of - detecting (S10) at least one occupant information concerning a vehicle occupant by means of a vehicle sensor ( 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 ), - determining (S40) a proposal for a destination and / or a route as a function of the at least one occupant information, - displays (S50) of the proposal.  The method of claim 1, wherein the occupant information comprises seat occupancy information.  Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the occupant information comprises occupant identity information. The method of claim 3 with the step Detecting (S20) at least one occupant-dependent context information, in particular an entry of an electronic calendar, - determining (S40) the proposal for a destination and / or a route as a function of the occupant-dependent context information.  Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the occupant information includes occupant condition information. Method according to one of the preceding claims with the steps Detecting (S30) at least one occupant-independent context information, - determining (S40) the proposal for a destination and / or a route as a function of the occupant-independent context information.  The method of claim 6, wherein the occupant independent context information comprises weather information and / or traffic information and / or time information and / or position information. Navigation system ( 1 ) for a motor vehicle comprising - a detection module ( 2 ) with a vehicle sensor ( 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 ) for detecting at least one occupant information concerning a vehicle occupant, - a determination module ( 7 ) for determining a proposal for a destination and / or a route as a function of the at least one context information, - a display device for displaying the proposal. Navigation system ( 1 ) according to claim 8, wherein the detection module ( 2 ) one or more vehicle sensors from the - an interior camera ( 4 ), - a microphone ( 5 ), - a seat occupancy recognition ( 3 ) and - a vitality sensor ( 6 ) formed group. Navigation system ( 1 ) according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising a communication module ( 11 ), which is a data connection ( 10 ) to the determination module ( 7 ), wherein the communication module ( 11 ) for the production of a data connection ( 13 . 15 ) to a vehicle external data memory ( 12 . 14 ) is set up.

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