DE102018207906A1 - Apparatus, system and method for automatically configuring a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device, a system and a method for automatically configuring a vehicle and a vehicle having such a device. A sensor device is configured to detect at least one characteristic characteristic of an occupant of the vehicle. The data processing device has a database or can be connected to a database and is additionally configured to check whether the occupant can be assigned a user data record stored in the database on the basis of the at least one detected characteristic feature. Depending on the result of the test, the computing device may then either capture a vehicle configuration of the vehicle and generate a new user record based on the at least one detected characteristic and the detected vehicle configuration and store that new user record in the database, or the vehicle based on the one described in US Pat Configure database stored user record that can be assigned to the occupant.

Description

The present invention relates to a device, a system and a method for automatically configuring a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, and a vehicle having such a device.

In particular, vehicles in the so-called premium area often have customizable vehicle functions, so that the vehicle or at least a part of the vehicle can be configured according to the preferences of the respective occupants. In this case, it is usually necessary to provide the vehicle information regarding the identity of the occupants and to save the desired vehicle configurations. For example, users of the vehicle can actively register with a user account in a vehicle-related application and deposit, for example, an identifier of a user-specific terminal, such as a vehicle key or a smartphone, or a user-specific biometric feature in this user account. When the vehicle configuration is stored, it is linked to the user account so that the stored vehicle configuration can be called up in the event of later provision of the identifier or of the biometric feature.

It is an object of the invention to increase the comfort of a vehicle user, in particular to simplify the personalization of the vehicle.

This object is achieved by a device, a system and a method according to the independent claims and a vehicle with such a device.

The device according to the invention for automatically configuring a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, has a sensor device and a data processing device. The sensor device is configured to detect at least one characteristic characteristic of an occupant of the vehicle. The data processing device has a database or can be connected to a database and is additionally configured to check whether the occupant can be assigned a user data record stored in the database on the basis of the at least one detected characteristic feature. Depending on the result of the test, the computing device may then either capture a vehicle configuration of the vehicle and generate a new user record based on the at least one detected characteristic and the detected vehicle configuration and store that new user record in the database, or the vehicle based on the one described in US Pat Configure database stored user record that can be assigned to the occupant.

The vehicle according to the invention, in particular motor vehicle, has a device according to the invention.

The system according to the invention for automatically configuring a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, has a plurality of vehicles according to the invention and a central database with which the data processing devices of the devices of the vehicles can be connected.

In the method according to the invention for automatically configuring a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, at least one feature characteristic of an occupant of the vehicle is detected and checked as to whether the occupant can be assigned a user data record stored in a database on the basis of the at least one detected characteristic feature. Depending on the result of the test, either a vehicle configuration of the vehicle is detected and a new user record is generated based on the at least one detected characteristic and the detected vehicle configuration and that new user record is stored in the database, or the vehicle based on the user record stored in the database , which can be assigned to the occupant, configured.

One aspect of the invention is based on the approach of automatically locking an occupant of a vehicle, i. without the passenger having to register or log in, a characteristic feature, i. assign a recognition feature, as well as a current configuration of the vehicle. On the basis of this assignment, in particular in future uses of the vehicle by the occupant, the vehicle can be automatically placed in the at least presumably preferred state by the occupant.

For this purpose, the characteristic feature is detected every time the vehicle is used and compared with user data records in a database, each record corresponding to a vehicle configuration that has been assigned to a characteristic feature registered for the first time. In other words, the records form the link between the detected characteristics of different occupants and the respective preferred vehicle configurations such that either a new one or not, depending on whether the currently detected characteristic corresponds to one of the user records User record generated or can be retrieved in the user record, which corresponds to the currently detected characteristic feature included vehicle configuration.

The detection of the at least one characteristic feature is preferably carried out by a correspondingly configured sensor device, which generates corresponding sensor data. The at least one characteristic feature can then be derived from the sensor data.

For example, the occupant for detecting the characteristic feature when entering the vehicle by means of a built-in vehicle door fingerprint sensor fingerprint removed or filmed the occupant by means of an interior monitoring camera and from it a typical for the occupant facial expressions or gestures or special facial features such Eye distance and / or face shape are derived.

However, the characteristic feature does not necessarily have to be a biometric feature. Alternatively or additionally, a characteristic feature may also be an identifier of a terminal carried by occupants, for example an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) or International Mobile Station Equipment Identity (IMEI).

The characteristic features may then be abstract, i. without knowing the true identity of the occupant, such as his name and / or address, associated with the current vehicle configuration. Recognition, in particular recognition of the occupant, is therefore also referred to as "identity-free recognition". It is therefore not necessary for the occupant to register or register for the use of this functionality, for example in a vehicle-related application, for example for managing the vehicle or a vehicle fleet. In addition to increasing the comfort for the occupant, this also has data protection advantages.

Overall, the invention makes it possible to increase the comfort of a vehicle user, in particular a simplified configuration of a vehicle.

The user data stored in the database can be, for example, a signature, for example one or more user data, in particular from characteristic features stored in the database, generated hash values. This signature is preferably matched with a signature generated on the basis of the detected characteristic feature. In addition to a particularly reliable test, whether the occupant can be assigned a user record, this can also be increased privacy.

The database can be embodied in the vehicle. Alternatively, the database can also be embodied in the so-called backend on a server. It is also conceivable to distribute the database to a plurality of interconnected vehicles and / or the server, wherein different parts of the user data are respectively stored in the various, distributed database parts. This can further increase data security.

In a preferred embodiment, the data processing device is set up, in particular from the sensor data generated by the sensor device during the detection of the at least one characteristic feature, to determine a confidence measure corresponding to the at least one characteristic feature and when checking whether the occupant has stored in the database User record can be assigned to take into account. In the first place, the confidence measure can be a measure of the unambiguousness with which the characteristic feature points to an occupant. A weight of the occupant, which is detected by means of a pressure sensor installed in a vehicle seat, corresponds to e.g. less reliable with a specific occupant than a speech pattern of the occupant, which is detected using a microphone. The consideration of the confidence level in the test therefore allows an estimate of how reliable a found association between the occupant and a user data record actually is.

If appropriate, the confidence measure, in particular if several characteristic features are detected, can be used to weight the detected characteristics. In particular, features corresponding to a high confidence measure can preferably be used in the test over features corresponding to a smaller confidence measure. If, for example, the speech pattern is detected with strong background noise, the weight of the occupant during the test, which is detected in particular at the same time, can be more meaningful during the test, although speech patterns generally enable a more reliable detection of the occupant.

In a further preferred embodiment, the at least one characteristic feature is at least one of the following: a biometric feature; a terminal, in particular a terminal identifier, which can be assigned to the occupant; and / or one dynamic driving size. A biometric feature may include, for example, a facial feature such as eye relief, face shape, eye, nose and / or mouth proportions, a voice pattern such as timbre and / or pitch, body size, body weight, shoulder width, gesture or facial expressions, and / or Handle position and / or force on the steering wheel. A terminal such as a smartphone, a tablet or a vehicle key may be assigned to the occupant via, for example, a terminal identifier such as IMEI and / or IMSI and / or a product number of the terminal. A driving dynamic quantity is for example a braking, steering and / or acceleration behavior. About at least one of these characteristic features, particularly preferably via a combination of at least two of these features, the occupant can be particularly reliable (re) recognized and verified the existence of a corresponding user record in the database.

In a further preferred meeting room, the data processing device is set up to the user data set stored in the database, which can be assigned to the occupants, in particular sensory detected occupants, on the basis of at least one further detected characteristic feature, which was preferably derived from the sensor data complement or cause such a supplement. In particular, the data processing device can be configured to learn from or from the detected characteristic features of the recognition of the occupant, in particular by machine, so that the occupant is recognized more and more reliably over time. By supplementing user data records, various characteristic features are preferably linked to one another, which thus provide an "overall picture" and thus enable even more reliable detection of the occupant.

This can be exploited in particular if a user uses vehicle models from different classes. In a midsize car, for example, the terminal of the occupant is detected and a corresponding user data record is generated in a central database. In a vehicle from the high-end area, the occupant may additionally be detected by a camera, so that the record is automatically detected e.g. can be extended to a facial feature of the occupant.

In a further preferred embodiment, the data processing device is set up to combine at least two user data records stored in the database on the basis of at least two acquired, in particular derived from the sensor data, characteristic features depending on the result of the test. Preferably, such user records are combined with each other that correspond to overlapping features, i. all of which can be assigned to the occupant. Preferably, the combination of user records different characteristic features are linked together, thus providing an "overall picture" and thus enable even more reliable detection of the occupant.

For example, each of a plurality of characteristic features of the occupant can be detected in different vehicles, wherein a part of each detected features differ from each other and another part of each detected features match. Thus, for example, the weight of the occupant, another time a voice pattern and a second time a gesture of the occupant can be detected in different vehicles, while in each of the vehicles (always the same) identifier of a smartphone of the occupant is detected.

On the basis of the features corresponding to each detection, in particular by a correlation of the matching features, the respectively generated user data records could then advantageously be combined.

In a further preferred embodiment, the data processing device is set up to combine different user data sets stored in the database with one another by means of machine learning. The data processing device can be set up, in particular, to combine the relevant user data records or to cause a corresponding summary based on a correlation of identical or at least similar characteristic features that correspond to different user data records. For example, a characteristic feature detected multiple times simultaneously for multiple occupants may be assigned to the different occupants when the occupants are detected in different constellations. This allows a constant improvement in the reliability of the test.

For example, by analyzing characteristics of several occupants detected in multiple uses of a vehicle, it can be found out which of the characteristic features are to be assigned to which occupant. In the course of time, ie in the case of multiple uses of the vehicle, different permutations of occupants and characteristic features recorded in the end can finally result in a clear or at least reliable assignment. If a first weight of an occupant is registered several times via pressure sensors in the vehicle seats and at the same time in each case a first IMEI of a terminal while other weights and IMEls detected simultaneously vary, the first IMEI may be assigned to the first weight. By means of the combination of the first weight and the first IMEI, the occupant can then be reliably recognized.

In a further preferred embodiment, the data processing device is set up to authenticate an identification of the occupant, in particular sensory, based on the user data record stored in the database, which can be assigned to the occupant, in particular sensory detected. In other words, the data processing device can be set up to check an identification of the occupant, in particular actively executed, based on the user data record. Thus, in particular a so-called. 2-factor authentication is possible with the help of which the occupant can be detected particularly reliable.

• 1 ein Beispiel einer Vorrichtung zur automatischen Konfiguration eines Fahrzeugs; und
• 2 ein Beispiel eines Systems zur automatischen Konfiguration eines Fahrzeugs.

Further features, advantages and possible applications of the invention will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the figures, in which the same reference numerals for the same or corresponding elements of the invention are used throughout. At least partially schematically show:

• 1 an example of a device for automatically configuring a vehicle; and
• 2 an example of a system for automatically configuring a vehicle.

1 shows an example of a device 1 for automatically configuring a vehicle with a sensor device 2 for detecting at least one feature characteristic of an occupant of the vehicle and a data processing device 3 containing a database 4 or with the database 4 is connectable. The data processing device 3 In doing so, set up to check whether in the database 4 there is a user data set that can be assigned to the occupant based on the at least one detected characteristic feature and, if no such user record exists, to create a new user record based on the at least one detected characteristic feature and a current configuration of the vehicle and in the database 4 or, if such a user record exists, to configure the vehicle based on that user record.

In other words, the data processing device 3 configured to provide a link between a vehicle configuration and the occupant in the form of a user record in the database 4 determining, wherein the occupant is recognized, in particular recognized, on the basis of the at least one detected characteristic feature and, if such a link is present, to execute or initiate the configuration of the vehicle accordingly or else to create such a link.

The sensor device 2 For detection of the feature, it preferably has a sensor arrangement comprising one or more different sensors, which, for example as part of a monitoring of a vehicle interior of the vehicle, are configured to detect the occupant or a terminal of the occupant and thereby generate corresponding sensor data. In this case, the data processing device 3 the at least one characteristic feature, with several different sensors possibly also several characteristic features derived from the sensor data.

The sensor device 2 For example, at least one camera 2a which films the vehicle interior, it being possible to extract biometric features of the occupant, such as an eye relief and / or a face shape, from the images recorded thereby, for example by means of an image processing algorithm known per se, by means of which the occupant can be identified.

Alternatively or additionally, the sensor device 2 at least one microphone 2 B have, which absorbs sound waves from the vehicle interior, wherein from the audio data generated thereby, for example by means of a known algorithm for audio processing, biometric features of the occupant such as a timbre and / or pitch of the voice of an occupant can be extracted, based on the Inmate is recognizable.

Optionally, the sensor device 2 at least one antenna arrangement 2c comprising radio waves from the vehicle interior, wherein an identifier of a mobile terminal of the occupant, such as an IMEI or an IMSI can be extracted from the radio data generated thereby, based on which the occupant is recognizable.

In addition, other sensor arrangements can be provided which can detect further characteristics characteristic of the occupant.

Can the data processing device 3 recognize on the basis of these detected characteristics, in particular a combination of these features, no occupants for whom in the database 4 If a user data record already exists, for example because the occupant is using the vehicle for the first time, the data processing device creates it 3 such a user record or causes its creation in the database 4 , there detects the data processing device 3 simultaneously the current vehicle configuration of the vehicle and stores related information in this user record. The user data set created in this manner includes information regarding the current vehicle configuration in addition to information regarding at least one of the detected characteristic features by which the user record may be assigned to an occupant.

To detect the vehicle configuration, the data processing device has 3 preferably an interface 5 on which the data processing device 3 For example, access to engine control units. In particular, the data processing device 3 over the interface 5 in an in-vehicle network, such as a CAN bus to be integrated or have access to such a network.

Can the data processing device 3 On the other hand, on the basis of the detected characteristic features, in particular a combination of these features, recognize an occupant for whom in the database 4 a user record exists, for example, when the occupant uses the vehicle again, configures the data processing device 3 the vehicle according to the information stored in the user data set with respect to the vehicle configuration or causes this configuration, preferably via the interface 5 ,

2 shows an example of a system for 10 for the automatic configuration of a vehicle 6 , where the system 10 several vehicles 6 , each with a device 1 as related to 1 described and a central database 4 in which the user data records generated on the basis of at least one detected characteristic feature and the detected vehicle configuration can be stored and / or searched. The vehicles 6 or respective devices 1 are set up for this purpose to have a wireless connection 7 for the transmission of data with the central database 4 For example, via an air interface such as a mobile standard, such as GSM, UMTS or LTE.

The networking of vehicles 6 or the devices 1 with the central database 4 has the advantage of the same occupants also in different vehicles 6 Recognize and thus give him the convenience of automatic configuration of the vehicle 6 to be able to offer cross-vehicle.

The occupant uses one of the vehicles 6 For the first time, based on the at least one characteristic feature recorded thereby and the detected vehicle configuration corresponding user data record generated and in the central database 4 saved. Uses inmate of one of the vehicles 6 again, on the basis of the at least one characteristic feature detected thereby, the user data set which can be assigned to the occupant and the vehicle can be identified 6 be configured accordingly.

Include the vehicles 6 Different models or at least a different (sensor) equipment, it is conceivable that in some vehicles 6 additional features characteristic of the occupant and the user records in the database 4 be supplemented accordingly.

For example, in each of the vehicles 6 an identifier of a mobile terminal of the occupant may be detected, such as in a coupling of the terminal to the vehicle by means of Bluetooth, while only in some of the vehicles 6 the vehicle interior can be monitored by a camera and a biometric feature can be detected by means of the camera. If the occupant can be assigned a user data record based on the identifier of the terminal, this user data record can be supplemented with information relating to the biometric feature if the biometric feature has also been recorded at the same time.

Similarly, it is also possible already in the central database 4 Combine existing user records with each other when using multiple, in one of the vehicles 6 simultaneously detected features can be made a connection between these user records. Will when using a first vehicle 6 For example, detects an identifier of the terminal and a weight of the occupant and when using a second vehicle 6 a facial feature of the occupant, there are two user records in the user database. Will now when using a third vehicle 6 the facial features and the identifier of the terminal detected, these two user records can be combined.

For example, it is sufficient for the assignment of the detected characteristic features to an occupant when the features a and b are detected in a first vehicle, the features b and c are detected in a second vehicle and the features c and d, b in a third vehicle and d or a and d are detected. In other words, only one detected characteristic feature must always overlap with a previously recorded characteristic feature so that the occupant can be reliably detected.

Becomes a vehicle 6 used simultaneously by several occupants and accordingly detects a plurality of characteristic features, the assignment of the characteristic features or the user records based on them to the respective occupants can be found out by machine learning. Be with the simultaneous use of a vehicle 6 For example, if two corresponding fingerprints are detected by a first and second occupant and two corresponding voice patterns, it is initially not clear which of the fingerprints corresponds to which of the voice patterns. If necessary, therefore, four different user records must be created and in the central database 4 get saved. Will in a subsequent, simultaneous use of the vehicle 6 detected by the first and a third occupant again two corresponding fingerprints and voice patterns, however, the first occupant, and thus retroactively also the second and third occupants, but certainly a pairing fingerprint / voice pattern are assigned and possibly the corresponding user data sets are summarized.

Based on an analysis of the possible permutations of simultaneously generated user data sets and / or simultaneously detected characteristic features can be learned in this way to reliably detect individual occupants and the vehicles 6 accordingly to configure automatically.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

device

2

sensor device

2a

camera

2 B

microphone

3c

antenna array

3

Data processing device

4

Database

5

interface

6

vehicle

7

wireless connection

10

system

Claims (10)

Device (1) for automatically configuring a vehicle (6), in particular a motor vehicle, with a sensor device (2) which is set up to detect at least one characteristic characteristic of an occupant of the vehicle (6), and a data processing device (3), which has a database (4) or is connectable to a database (4) and is set up to check whether the occupant can be assigned a user data record stored in the database (4) based on the at least one detected characteristic feature, and Dependence on the result of the test capture a vehicle configuration of the vehicle (6) and generate a new user record based on the at least one detected characteristic feature and the detected vehicle configuration and store that new user record in the database (4), or -configure the vehicle (6) based on the user data set stored in the database (4) that can be assigned to the occupant. Device (1) according to Claim 1 wherein the data processing device (3) is adapted to determine a confidence measure corresponding to the at least one characteristic feature and to take into account in the examination of whether the occupant can be assigned a user data record stored in the database (4). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one characteristic feature is at least one of the following: a biometric feature; a terminal which can be assigned to the occupant; and or - a dynamic driving size. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the data processing device (3) is arranged to supplement those user data sets stored in the database (4) that can be assigned to the occupant on the basis of at least one further detected characteristic feature or to arrange such a supplement. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the data processing device (3) is arranged to combine at least two user data records stored in the database (4) on the basis of at least two detected characteristic features, depending on the result of the test. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the data processing device (3) is adapted to combine different user data sets stored in the database (4) by means of machine learning. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the data processing device (3) is arranged to authenticate an identification of the occupant based on the user data set stored in the database (4) that can be assigned to the occupant. Vehicle (6), in particular motor vehicle, with a device (1) according to one of the preceding claims. System (10) for automatically configuring a vehicle (6), in particular a motor vehicle, with a plurality of vehicles (6) Claim 8 , a central database (4) to which the data processing devices (3) of the devices (1) of the vehicles (6) are connectable. Method for the automatic configuration of a vehicle (6), in particular motor vehicle, with the steps: - detecting at least one feature characteristic of an occupant of the vehicle (6); Checking whether the occupant can be assigned a user data record stored in a database (4) on the basis of the at least one detected characteristic feature; and depending on the result of the check: detecting a vehicle configuration and generating a new user record based on the at least one detected characteristic and the detected vehicle configuration and storing that new user record in the database (4), or configuring the vehicle (6) based on in the database (4) stored user record, which can be assigned to the occupant.

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