DE102019206307A1 - Selecting an input mode for a driver information system from a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a driver information system (10) for a vehicle, the driver information system (10) comprising at least one function that can be operated via a user input, the driver information system (10) being set up to accept at least one of a plurality of available input modes as an active input mode for the user input; and this selection is made as a function of at least one of the following: a) a driver state; b) a route; c) a driving autonomy level; d) a driving speed, with a voice input mode as active input mode is selected. The invention also relates to a method for selecting such an input mode.

Description

The invention relates to a driver information system for a vehicle and a method for selecting an input mode for such a driver information system. The vehicle can be a motor vehicle and in particular a passenger car or a truck.

It is known that driver information systems can be operated via user inputs. The user input can be entered using various input modes. For example, there are typically a voice input mode, a keyboard input mode, it also being possible for the keyboard to only be shown in a display device, i.e. a so-called soft keyboard, operation by means of a rotary push button, handwriting input, e.g. through finger movements on a touch-sensitive surface, or gesture recognition. According to the invention, all of these input modes can be provided alone or in any combination.

Depending on the input mode, an operator of the driver information system requires a different degree of attentiveness and skill. If the operator is the vehicle driver himself and, for example, not another vehicle occupant, who can also be an operator of the driver information system, this can adversely affect attention when driving the vehicle in an undesirable manner.

One object of the present invention is therefore to improve the operation of a driver information system, in particular in such a way that the attention of a vehicle driver is not impaired in an undesirable manner.

This object is achieved by a driver information system with the features of claim 1 and a method with the features of claim 10. Advantageous further developments are given in the attached dependent claims. It goes without saying that the above features and explanations are also provided for the solution according to the invention or can apply to it, unless otherwise stated or evident.

In general, the invention provides for a selection option from various available input modes to be provided so that one of these input modes can be selected as the active input mode, by means of which a user input for operating a driving information system is then made. This selection is preferably made automatically. Furthermore, this selection is preferably made as a function of an estimated or assumed complexity of the vehicle operation. For this purpose, for example, a driver's status is determined, the current or the driving route ahead is examined, a selected driving autonomy level and / or a current driving speed is considered. If it is determined that the driving conditions or vehicle operation are currently to be assessed as complex, then, for example, only those input modes can be selected that require little attention from the driver or do not increase the complexity any further. In particular, in driving situations assessed as complex, a voice input mode can preferably be selected as the active input mode. In general, the complexity of a driving situation increases if a driver's condition deteriorates (i.e. if the driver's condition has increased stress signals and / or increased fatigue and / or reduced alertness).

If an input mode is selected, this can e.g. when starting a function that is to be operated via user input, can be set as the input mode initially set automatically. According to the invention, this can then be the only available input mode or there can also be the possibility, e.g. manually switch to another input mode. Figuratively speaking, the corresponding active input mode can thus be automatically determined by the driver information system at least initially in order to encourage the driver to use this input mode that is most suitable from the point of view of the driver information system.

Overall, this solution increases the safety, but also the ease of use, since the operator or vehicle driver is automatically offered an input mode that is best suited to the current situation.

1. a) einem Fahrerzustand;
2. b) einer Fahrstrecke;
3. c) einer Fahrautonomiestufe;
4. d) einer Fahrgeschwindigkeit, wobei ab Erreichen einer Mindestfahrgeschwindigkeit ein Spracheingabemodus als aktiver Eingabemodus ausgewählt wird.

In detail, a driver information system for a vehicle is proposed, the driver information system comprising at least one function (or, in other words, at least one service) that can be operated via a user input, the driver information system being set up to display at least one of a plurality of Select available input modes (for example automatically and / or without additional manual inputs) as the active input mode for user input; and wherein this selection is made as a function of at least one of the following:

1. a) a driver state;
2. b) a route;
3. c) a driving autonomy level;
4. d) a driving speed, with a voice input mode being selected as the active input mode once a minimum driving speed has been reached.

The driver information system can be a system according to any of the examples discussed in the introduction, and in particular an infotainment system. As explained below, the function can be a search function and in particular a global search function which can simultaneously search for relevant search hits for a search input made by the user in several services of the driver information system. The driver information system can comprise a graphical user interface, by means of which further services, e.g. a navigation service, a radio service, an air conditioning service, a media service or a digital manual can be called up. The search function and in particular the global search can also be a service that can be called up from the graphical user interface.

The driver information system can access any of the quantities and parameters discussed below, e.g. to determine a driver status, the route, a driver autonomy level or a driving speed. For this purpose, it can be connected to a CAN bus or a general data storage device of the vehicle. However, it is also possible to connect the driver information system with sensors that measure the corresponding variables and parameters.

According to one variant, the driver information system comprises a processor device with at least one microprocessor. Furthermore, software components and / or program instructions can be stored in a memory device of the driver information system and executed by the processor device in order to provide the functions of the driver information system described herein. For example, the variables and / or parameters can be determined in this way and the situations or states discussed below can be determined (e.g. the driver's state or the route) and specifications relating to the active input mode can then be calculated or determined.

For each of the variables listed under a) to c), a current value or a current state can first be determined and this can be compared with a predetermined critical value or state. If the latter is reached, the active input mode can then be selected according to predefined rules. In general, the selection of the input modes can be rule-based or carried out by the driver information system in accordance with previously defined rules.

The driver state can indicate a stress level, an alertness level and / or a tiredness level or can be defined on this basis. The driver information system can determine this, as well as any other of the variables mentioned under a) to d), or it can be connected to corresponding determination devices and receive information or values of the variables mentioned from them.

The route can be determined using navigation data and / or location-based data that are stored in a memory device of the vehicle and / or that can be called up online (for example from a navigation service). In general, it can be a currently traveled route and / or a route that is at least partially ahead. For example, the driving route can be determined on the basis of an input driving route (e.g. driving route input into a navigation service) and / or a driving route calculated by a navigation service. However, it is also possible that the route is merely an estimated or expected route, which is estimated, for example, on the basis of routes that other road users usually choose. Furthermore, it can also be an expected probable route, for example if, starting from a current vehicle location, all or at least selected (e.g. randomly selected) possible routes in the vicinity of the vehicle location are considered. This can serve to at least roughly estimate expected route properties, since in this way it can be determined, for example, whether the route is more characterized by properties that are typically present in urban areas or by properties that are typically present outside of urban areas.

The driving autonomy level can be determined according to conventional definitions and in particular the autonomy levels 0 to 5, as they are e.g. are defined in the industry standard SAE J3016. For example, depending on the activated assistance systems, an existing level of autonomy can thus be determined and the driver information system can select a suitable active input mode based on this. Typically, at higher levels of autonomy, input modes that are more demanding and / or require more attention from the driver's point of view can be permitted, e.g. keyboard input or handwriting recognition.

By specifying a voice input mode from reaching a minimum driving speed, however, it can be achieved that the driver can no longer switch to more complex input modes or input modes that require greater attention from this speed are at least no longer preset as preferred input modes by the driver information system. This increases driving safety since the driver no longer has to take his hands off the steering wheel, for example, and / or does not have to maintain eye contact with a display device of the driver information system, or only to a lesser extent.

As mentioned, the active input modes selected by the driver information system can be used as e.g. preset input modes can be selected to start the function. However, it cannot be ruled out that an operator can then also switch to another input mode. However, the latter can also be suppressed, in particular when the minimum travel speed is reached or when one of the other variables a) to c) reaches a critical state.

As mentioned, a further development provides that the function is a search function and the user input is a search input. For example, a search string can be determined on the basis of the search input (e.g. through speech-to-text conversion or handwriting recognition) and this can then be used to determine relevant search hits. In this context, the invention is advantageous because corresponding search entries in driver information systems usually require interaction with the user and input modes suitable for this purpose according to the invention can be selected.

• - eine Müdigkeitsgröße;
• - eine Pupillengröße;
• - eine Augenbewegungsgröße;
• - eine Stimmlage;
• - einer Pulsgröße.

According to one variant, the selection is made as a function of the driver's status and the driver's status is determined using at least one of the following variables:

• - a tiredness size;
• - a pupil size;
• - an eye movement quantity;
• - a pitch;
• - a pulse size.

The level of drowsiness can be determined with known drowsiness detection systems of the vehicle. For example, a lane keeping ability of the driver can be evaluated and / or the pupil size or eye movement mentioned below can also be evaluated. The pupil size as well as the eye movement size can be determined on the basis of camera images, for which known evaluation algorithms can be used. For example, a pupil size that is inadequate for current environmental conditions can indicate an increased level of stress or increased fatigue. On the other hand, an eye movement variable, which can relate in particular to a frequency of the eye movement (i.e. changes in the viewing angle), can also indicate increased tiredness and / or a lack of attention if this is below a predetermined value.

The pulse can also be determined by camera measurement. Alternatively, it can be determined by means of biometric sensors that the driver wears (e.g. a bracelet) and whose measurement data is preferably transmitted to the vehicle via a wireless communication link (e.g. via Bluetooth). A voice pitch can be determined by a speech evaluation algorithm, e.g. a higher voice and / or generally a slower speech speed, which can also be recognized by speech recognition, can indicate increased tiredness (i.e. correspondingly also reduced attention).

If these values reach a predetermined critical state or value, it can be determined that the driver's state is also critical and that e.g. there is increased tiredness and / or lack of alertness. Based on this, the active input mode can then be selected by the driver information system and, in particular, an input mode can be selected that does not require increased attention from the driver, e.g. a voice input mode.

More specifically, when the selection is made depending on the driver's condition and when the driver's condition reaches a predetermined critical reference condition (e.g., the above-mentioned critical value or critical condition), a voice input mode can be selected as the active input mode.

• - eine Art der Fahrstrecke, insbesondere ob es sich hierbei eine Autobahn, eine Landstraße oder um eine innerorts verlaufende Straße handelt. Dabei können innerorts verlaufende Straßen allgemein derart bewertet werden, dass sie eine höhere Aufmerksamkeit vom Fahrer erfordern als z.B. eine Landstraße oder eine Autobahn.
• - Eine Kurvenhäufigkeit entlang der Fahrstrecke, wobei eine hohe Kurvenhäufigkeit (z.B. oberhalb eines vorbestimmten kritischen Werts) oder eine hohe Kurvenfrequenz dahingehend bewertet werden kann, dass eine hohe Aufmerksamkeit vom Fahrer erfordert wird.
• - Eine Kreuzungshäufigkeit entlang der Fahrstrecke, wobei erneut eine Häufigkeit bzw. Frequenz oberhalb von einem kritischen Wert eine erhöhte Aufmerksamkeit des Fahrers bedeuten kann.
• - Eine Komplexitätsgröße der Fahrstrecke, die z.B. anhand jeglicher Kombinationen der hierin geschilderten Eigenschaften der Fahrstrecke zum Beispiel gemäß einer vorbestimmten Regel und insbesondere Rechenregel bestimmt bzw. berechnet werden kann. Alternativ oder zusätzlich kann die Komplexitätsgröße z.B. basierend auf bereits erfolgen Bewertungen von Fahrstrecken bestimmt werden, beispielsweise wenn häufig auftretende Fahrstrecken z.B. durch Experten vorab bewertet wurden und diese Bewertungen in einer Datenbank hinterlegt sind. Je höher die Komplexitätsgröße, desto höher kann die erforderliche Aufmerksamkeit des Fahrers für die Fahrzeugbedienung sein und desto geringer sollte die vom Eingabemodus geforderte Aufmerksamkeit bzw. dessen Ablenkungspotenzial sein.
• - Einem Verkehrsaufkommen entlang der Fahrstrecke, das z.B. vom Navigationsdienst online abgerufen werden kann. Je höher das Verkehrsaufkommen (z.B. ab einem Wert oberhalb einer definierten Schwelle), desto eher kann als aktiver Eingabemodus eine Spracheingabemodus ausgewählt werden.
• - Bekannte Unfallschwerpunkte entlang der Fahrstrecke, was z.B. vom Navigationsdienst online abgerufen werden kann. Je höher die Anzahl oder das Ausmaß von Unfallschwerpunkten (z.B. ab einem Wert oberhalb einer definierten Schwelle), desto eher kann als aktiver Eingabemodus ein Spracheingabemodus ausgewählt werden.

According to a further development, it can be provided that the selection is made as a function of the route, specifically on the basis of at least one of the following properties of the route:

• - a type of route, in particular whether it is a motorway, a country road or an urban road. Roads running in urban areas can generally be evaluated in such a way that they require greater attention from the driver than, for example, a country road or a motorway.
• A cornering frequency along the route, wherein a high cornering frequency (for example above a predetermined critical value) or a high cornering frequency can be evaluated to the effect that a high level of attention is required from the driver.
• - A frequency of intersections along the route, again a frequency or frequency above a critical value can mean an increased attention of the driver.
• A complexity variable of the route which, for example, can be determined or calculated on the basis of any combination of the properties of the route described herein, for example in accordance with a predetermined rule and in particular a calculation rule. Alternatively or additionally, the complexity variable can be determined, for example, on the basis of evaluations of routes that have already taken place, for example if frequently occurring routes have been assessed in advance, for example by experts, and these assessments are stored in a database. The higher the level of complexity, the greater the driver's attention required to operate the vehicle and the lower the attention required by the input mode or its distraction potential should be.
• - A traffic volume along the route that can be accessed online by the navigation service, for example. The higher the volume of traffic (eg from a value above a defined threshold), the sooner a voice input mode can be selected as the active input mode.
• - Known accident black spots along the route, which can be accessed online by the navigation service, for example. The higher the number or extent of accident blackspots (eg from a value above a defined threshold), the more likely it is that a voice input mode can be selected as the active input mode.

Correspondingly, a further development provides that the selection takes place as a function of the route and then, when the route meets a predetermined complexity criterion, a voice input mode is selected as the active input mode.

According to a further embodiment, the selection takes place as a function of the driving autonomy level and, if the driver falls below a predetermined driving autonomy level (e.g. level 3), a voice input mode is selected as the active input mode for this and for driving autonomy levels above it. This is based on the idea that lower levels of driving autonomy require greater driver awareness for operating the vehicle, since the driver is only supported by less autonomous vehicle functions. Correspondingly, additional distraction potentials should be reduced by the input mode at low driving autonomy levels. One finding of the invention also lies in the fact that the voice input mode offers a comparatively low potential for distraction.

According to a development, an active input mode can be selected by a user, which can generally be done in addition or as an alternative to the selection of the driving information system.

In particular, in this way the user can switch from an input mode selected by the driver information system to another input mode or can skip or overwrite a selection made automatically by the driver information system (in particular in the form of a preset input mode or an input mode active at the start). In this way, the operator can also introduce personal preferences or correct selections of the driver information system that are inappropriate from his point of view.

Another exemplary embodiment provides that a preselection of available input modes can be established from the total of possible input modes, from which the driver information system can then select an active input mode. This preselection can in particular be made by a user or the driver. In this way, the driver can determine from the outset that certain input modes that are not preferred by him are not available for selection and thus also not by the driver information system e.g. can be preset automatically. This increases the ease of use.

According to the invention, it is also possible for the user to select a preset active input mode, in particular an input mode in which a search function is to be started. By means of the solution according to the invention, however, the driver information system can then switch to an active input mode that is more suitable depending on the variables described, e.g. switch automatically.

In addition, it can also be provided that the function starts with an input mode last used as the active input mode. However, this can then be automatically changed by the driver information system if one of the cases described here occurs.

1. a) einem Fahrerzustand;
2. b) einer Fahrstrecke;
3. c) einer Fahrautonomiestufe;
4. d) einer Fahrgeschwindigkeit, wobei ab Erreichen einer Mindestfahrgeschwindigkeit ein Spracheingabemodus als aktiver Eingabemodus ausgewählt wird.

The invention also relates to a method for selecting an input mode for a driver information system of a vehicle, the driver information system comprising at least one function that can be operated via a user input, and the method selecting at least one input mode from a plurality of available input modes comprises as an active input mode for user input; and wherein this selection is made as a function of at least one of the following:

1. a) a driver state;
2. b) a route;
3. c) a driving autonomy level;
4. d) a driving speed, with a voice input mode being selected as the active input mode once a minimum driving speed has been reached.

The method can include any further feature and any further step in order to also provide all of the operating states, interactions and effects of the driver information system described herein. In particular, all further developments and designs of the driver information system can also be provided or apply to the identical method features. Furthermore, the method can be carried out by a driver information system in accordance with any embodiment described herein.

Furthermore, it is generally possible that a user can flexibly select or set any reference states, critical states, criteria (in particular a predetermined complexity criterion) or the like described herein, according to which the driver information system should select active input modes or switch to these. In addition, according to a development, the driver information system can also deactivate all input modes or deactivate the function and in particular any search function when a predetermined criterion and in particular a predetermined critical reference state of the driver's state is reached.

In addition, it can also be provided that the user deactivates automatic definitions of the active input mode by the driver information system at least temporarily or that these can be deactivated or not provided from the outset at least for some of the cases a) to d) considered. The latter can e.g. be provided depending on legal regulations or regions in which the vehicle is to be used.

• 1 zeigt eine schematische Darstellung eines Fahrerinformationssystems mit Fokus auf die hiervon bereitstellbaren Funktionen; und
• 2 zeigt ein Ablaufschema eines erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens, das mit dem Fahrerinformationssystem aus 1 ausführbar ist.

In the following, exemplary embodiments according to the invention are explained with reference to the attached figures.

• 1 shows a schematic representation of a driver information system with a focus on the functions that can be provided by it; and
• 2 shows a flow chart of a method according to the invention that is carried out with the driver information system 1 is executable.

In 1 is a driver information system 10 shown according to an embodiment of the invention. The driver information system 10 is installed in a vehicle not shown separately, for example in a center console thereof. The driver information system 10 comprises a display device 12th , which in the case shown is designed as a touch-sensitive screen (touchscreen). The driver information system 10 also includes a processor device 14th with at least one processor. It further comprises a storage device 16 , in which program instructions are stored, which when executed on the processor device 14th the functions, methods and in particular the selection of input modes described herein enable. It is also indicated that the driver information system 10 a microphone device 18th includes to receive voice input from a driver. This can be done by the processor device 14th be analyzed by means of known speech recognition algorithms in order to capture their semantic content.

The driver information system 10 also includes a graphical user interface 19th that appear on the display device 12th can be displayed. With the graphical user interface 19th various functions can be called up or executed in a known manner, in particular a search function. In the example shown, the search function is a global search function that searches for relevant hits in several services of the driver information system or their associated data. However, it can also be the search function of just a specific service, for example the search function of a navigation service with which addresses or so-called points of interest can be searched for.

In order to be able to make search entries, an example of a general user entry in the driver information system 10 are, in principle, different input modes are available to a user and in particular to the driver. In the case shown, this involves voice input using a microphone device 18th . You can also use the touch-sensitive screen of the display device 12th a character string can be entered by handwriting, with handwriting recognition from the driver information system in a manner known per se 10 can be carried out in order to recognize the characters entered or to translate them into a text string. Another input mode is a soft keyboard that can preferably be displayed selectively 20th available for typing search entries.

It was recognized that voice input requires less attention from the driver than the other input options mentioned, because he can keep his hands on the steering wheel and, if at all, only minimal eye contact with the driver information system 10 or the display device 12th is required. The driver information system 10 therefore selects, as will be explained in more detail below, in cases in which a high level of driver stress or a complex driving situation is determined, preferably selects the voice input as the active input mode. This has a lower distraction potential compared to the other alternatives.

The driver information system is with a CAN bus 22nd connected. There are various detection devices on this in a manner known per se 24-28 connected. But it is also possible that the driver information system 10 directly with at least selected investigative institutions 24-28 connected is. The driver information system also includes 10 a schematically indicated navigation service 30th which is set up in a manner known per se to read out data of a route and in particular location-based data, for example from a locally stored data collection, and / or to retrieve them online.

Via the aforementioned investigative bodies 24-28 and the navigation service 30th receives the driver information system 10 Information to define an input mode. This information can be provided by the processor device 14th are processed, the selection of an input mode taking place rule-based depending on a determined current state or a current situation.

At the investigative institutions 24-28 it is a driver state determination device 24 , a driving autonomy level determining device 26th and a vehicle speed determining device 28 . Properties of a route are used by the navigation service 30th determined.

Basically, these investigative facilities deliver 28-28 as well as the navigation service 30th current status descriptions, status information or status values for the variables described here and these are provided by the driver information system 10 with references (in particular reference states) or with predetermined criteria (in particular selection criteria) or, in other words, with rules stored in advance (ie decision rules) in order to determine a suitable input mode.

In a manner known per se, for example, the driver state determining device determines 24 a current level of awareness and / or drowsiness of the driver. For this purpose, it determines at least some of the parameters explained above using suitable sensor devices (for example a camera device, a microphone device and, for example, the microphone device 18th of the driver information system 10 or a biometric sensor). The driver condition determining device 24 then sends a determined driver status to the driver information system 10 out. If this reaches a predetermined critical reference state, the driver information system chooses 10 select the voice input mode as the active input mode from the available input modes.

In general, the active input mode is that input mode which can be used directly for a user input (for example by means of which a user input can be converted directly into a search input). Several input modes can be selected as active input modes at the same time, or just one. Input modes that are not active, on the other hand, cannot be used directly for user input or would first have to be activated automatically or by user input.

If, within the scope of this disclosure, the selection of an input mode as the active input mode is spoken of, this can be synonymous with the fact that all other available input modes are not active. As mentioned, it is in principle possible that several input modes can be selected and, for example, another input mode can be activated in parallel in order to provide the user with several options.

The driving autonomy level determining device 26th determines a current level of a driving autonomy level. For this purpose, an autonomy level selected by the user can be used, or the autonomy level can be determined, preferably in real time, depending on the currently activated assistance systems. Such information is usually available within the vehicle. In the case shown, if the driving autonomy level is below a certain level or, in other words, level, an input mode is selected as the active input mode, which requires only little attention. This is preferably the voice input mode.

The vehicle speed determining device 28 , which can be a wheel speed sensor or an ESP control unit, for example, determines a driving speed and sends it to the driver information system 10 out. The latter then compares the driving speed with a predetermined minimum driving speed. If this is achieved, the voice input mode is preferably selected as the active input mode and all other input modes are preferably not activated. This is to prevent the driver from directly touching the driver assistance system by touching or using the keyboard at increased speed 10 interact, which could reduce his attention.

Using the navigation service 30th properties of the route are finally determined, as explained above in the general part. If it turns out that the route meets a predetermined complexity criterion, which in turn is determined by the driver information system 10 is checked and determined, the voice input mode is preferably selected as the (preferably only) active input mode in order to keep the distraction potential for the driver as low as possible.

In the example shown, the automatic selection of an active input mode (and preferably a single active input mode) by the driver information system is used to define this selected input mode as the preset input mode, which is defined as the corresponding preset input mode when the search function is called up.

According to certain embodiments, however, it can be provided that a user himself determines from which input modes an input mode can be automatically selected as the active input mode (i.e. input modes not generally preferred by the operator can be permanently deactivated or excluded from the automatic definition).

Likewise, it is also possible for the user himself to select an input mode as his preferred input mode, which is then preset by default as the active input mode when calling up, for example, the search function. In this case, however, the driver information system 10 automatically switch to another input mode if one of the criteria described herein is met or one of the situations described here is present.

Preferably, however, the operator always has the option of manually switching between the input modes and, for example, one from the driver information system 10 interrupt the selected active input mode and replace it with another.

In 2 a flow chart for the procedure described above is shown. This is a flow chart of a method according to the invention that is carried out with the driver information system 10 out 1 is executable.

In one step S1 a search function of the driver information service is activated so that a search input could be made by means of at least one of a plurality of input modes that are available in principle. In one step S2 information about a current state or a current situation is received. These are those from the investigative institutions 24-28 determined states and / or information as well as about those of the navigation service 30th determined route characteristics. In one step S4 compares the driver information system 10 this received information and / or status with the criteria, references or otherwise stored decision rules. On this basis, decisions are then made as to which input mode or also which input modes are to be selected as the active input mode (or active input modes). These are then in step S5 set as the corresponding active input mode or active input modes.

List of reference symbols

10

Driver information system

12

Display device

14th

Processor facility

16

Storage facility

18th

Microphone device

19th

graphical user interface

20th

Fade-in keyboard (soft keyboard)

22nd

CAN bus

24

Driver condition determining device

26th

Driving autonomy level determining device

28

Vehicle speed determination device

30th

Navigation service

Claims (10)

Driver information system (10) for a vehicle, the driver information system (10) comprising at least one function that can be operated via a user input, the driver information system (10) being set up to use at least one of a plurality of available input modes as an active input mode select for user input; and wherein this selection is made as a function of at least one of the following: a) a driver state; b) a route; c) a driving autonomy level; d) a driving speed, with a voice input mode being selected as the active input mode once a minimum driving speed has been reached. Driver information system (10) Claim 1 where the function is a search function and the user input is a search input. Driver information system (10) Claim 1 or 2 wherein the selection is made as a function of the driver's condition and the driver's condition is determined on the basis of at least one of the following parameters: a fatigue variable; - a pupil size; - an eye movement quantity; - a pitch; - a pulse. Driver information system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the selection is made as a function of the driver state and then, when the driver state reaches a predetermined critical reference state, a voice input mode is selected as the active input mode. Driver information system (10) Claim 1 , the selection being made as a function of the route, based on at least one of the following properties of the route: a type of route, in particular whether it is a motorway, a country road or an urban route; - a number of turns along the route; - an intersection frequency along the route; - a complexity quantity of the route; - a traffic volume along the route; - known accident black spots along the route. Driver information system (10) Claim 1 or 5 , the selection being made as a function of the route and then, when the route meets a predetermined complexity criterion, a voice input mode is selected as the active input mode. Driver information system (10) Claim 1 , wherein the selection is made as a function of the driving autonomy level and a voice input mode is selected as the active input mode when the driver falls below a predetermined driving autonomy level. Driver information system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an active input mode can be selected by a user, in particular whereby a user can thereby switch from an input mode selected by the driver information system (10) to another input mode. Driver information system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein from the total possible input modes, a preselection can be defined as available input modes, from which the driver information system (10) can then select an active input mode. Method for selecting an input mode for a driver information system (10) of a vehicle, the driver information system (10) comprising at least one function that can be operated via a user input, and wherein the method comprises selecting at least one input mode from a plurality of available input modes as an active input mode for the user input; and wherein this selection is made as a function of at least one of the following: a) a driver state; b) a route; c) a driving autonomy level; d) a driving speed, with a voice input mode being selected as the active input mode once a minimum driving speed has been reached.

Images