DE102024000123A1 - Method for providing technical support to a passenger of a motor vehicle when relaxing, computer program product and motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

A method is described for the technical support of a passenger of a motor vehicle when relaxing, the motor vehicle having a panoramic roof or a glass roof, the passenger sitting in a motor vehicle seat of the motor vehicle, the motor vehicle seat being moved from a first seat configuration into a relaxation configuration, with a head position of the passenger is detected, whereby the motor vehicle is driven into the relaxation configuration so far that the passenger can look out of the panoramic roof or glass roof without moving his head in a neutral viewing direction.

Description

A method for providing technical support to a passenger of a motor vehicle when relaxing, a computer program product and a motor vehicle are described.

Methods for technical support of a passenger of a motor vehicle when relaxing, computer program products and motor vehicles of the type mentioned at the beginning are known in the prior art.

Passengers in a motor vehicle often become bored while driving due to a lack of opportunities for activity or relaxation. Even in a reclined relaxation position, passengers often find it difficult to rest.

In addition, the eyes are often strained due to long screen work and long car journeys. Eye strain can cause symptoms such as blurred vision, reduced vision, stinging and burning in the eyes, increased sensitivity to light, headaches, back pain and neck pain. The eye muscles have to constantly adapt to focus on the screen. The letters on a screen are often not as clearly visible as on a printed page. Glare on the screen and too little contrast between letters and the background can cause the eyes to work harder and tire more quickly.

It is therefore important to relax your eyes regularly to reduce discomfort caused by long screen time. Ways to relax your eyes include letting your eyes wander into the distance and doing eye exercises.

From the US 2023 302 966 A1 is known a vehicle seat that includes: a seat cushion and a backrest, a reclining drive portion configured to recline the backrest, and a sliding mechanism configured to allow the seat to recline in a vehicle front-rear direction to slide. The sliding mechanism includes: a sliding rail including an upper rail and a lower rail and supporting the seat to move in a sliding manner in the front-rear direction, a sliding drive portion configured to the upper rail to allow sliding relative to the bottom rail, and a manual mode switching switch configured to allow switching between modes. A normal mode, in which there is a sliding range of the seat in the front-back direction, is used when the vehicle is driven. In a relaxation mode, the seat is moved toward a rearmost end of the sliding range of the normal mode and the backrest can be reclined rearward.

The disadvantage of this is that there is no emphasis on relaxing the eyes.

The task therefore arises of developing a method for the technical support of a passenger of a motor vehicle in relaxing, a computer program product and a motor vehicle of the type mentioned at the beginning so that a passenger can optimally relax his eyes.

The task is solved by a method for technical support of a passenger of a motor vehicle when relaxing according to claim 1, a computer program product according to the independent claim 7 and a motor vehicle according to the independent claim 8. Further refinements and further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

What is described is a method for providing technical support to a passenger of a motor vehicle when relaxing, the motor vehicle having a panoramic roof or a glass roof, the passenger sitting in a motor vehicle seat of the motor vehicle, the motor vehicle seat being moved from a first seat configuration into a relaxation configuration, with a head position of the passenger is detected, whereby the motor vehicle is driven into the relaxation configuration so far that the passenger can look out of the panoramic roof or glass roof without moving his head in a neutral viewing direction.

The first seating configuration may be a common seating position, in particular a passenger-selected driving position, which is typically an upright seating position.

The relaxation configuration depends on the individual passenger and their physical conditions. The relaxation position can vary from passenger to passenger.

The motor vehicle seat can be adjusted electrically, depending on the specific design, in a variety of degrees of freedom: backrest inclination, seat inclination, seat height, position in the motor vehicle, footrest retracted or extended, etc. Other functions of the motor vehicle seat can also be adjusted in the relaxation The voltage configuration can be activated or deactivated or set differently, for example seat air conditioning, for example seat ventilation and/or seat heating, lumbar support, side bolsters, massage functions, structure-borne sound transducers, etc.

The head position of the occupant or passenger can be detected using an interior camera, whereby a control device can be provided which can determine the passenger's neutral viewing direction using a computer program product running on it. For this purpose, the computer program product can have a neural network.

Detecting the head position and the adjustment of the motor vehicle seat in such a way that the passenger can look out of the panoramic roof or glass roof in a relaxed and easy manner allows one to relax and look into the distance. This relaxes the eyes and counteracts the negative consequences of long periods of concentrated staring. In addition, the passenger can relax better than if he had to actively move his head or eyes to look through a panoramic roof or glass roof.

Compared to known adjustable motor vehicle seats, with the method described here it can be achieved that the passenger's view through the panoramic roof or glass roof is not only possible without active eye or head movement, but rather is actively offered in the correct sitting position. This makes it possible to have a relaxed view of the sky, for example, through the panoramic roof or glass roof. In this way, poor posture and painful tension can be avoided, among other things.

In a first further embodiment it is therefore provided that the movement of the motor vehicle seat into the relaxation configuration is offered or adjusted automatically depending on the situation.

The transfer of the motor vehicle seat into the relaxation position can be initiated by the passenger himself, for example by a corresponding physical or virtual switch on a touch screen, by a voice command or the like.

In addition, situational activation or at least a recommendation to activate the relaxation configuration can also be recommended. For example, depending on external environmental conditions, the driving mode or physiological parameters such as tiredness or the passenger's state of concentration, activation of the relaxation configuration can take place or be recommended. A relaxation configuration can also be recommended or initiated during driving breaks, for example when charging a traction battery of an electric vehicle.

An appropriate relaxation program can be recommended if there is a place nearby that offers an attractive view into the distance. Information about the weather and time of day and other sources can also be used in the background to ensure that the weather and position and time of day and thus light and visibility conditions also enable a positive experience and a relaxed phase of the break with a look into the distance or the sky.

In a further further embodiment it is provided that multimedia content is played in the relaxation configuration.

Such multimedia content can be language, for example a meditation program, music, for example soundscapes, for example via loudspeakers and/or structure-borne sound transducers, ambient lighting, and others.

Optionally, additional content, for example from third-party providers, can be activated that matches the landscape, time of day, star constellation, weather or the like. For example, information about the constellation visible at that moment can be provided if it is dark enough, there is no city nearby and the sky is clear. Or a relaxation meditation can be offered that takes the surroundings into account, i.e. refers to the forest if the car is in the forest and trees are visible through the glass roof, or a rain meditation if it is currently raining, and so on.

The relaxation program can be carried out while driving, whereby it can be activated at any time for passengers, for example in the rear, but for the driver only in highly automated driving situations or when stationary.

In a further further embodiment, it is provided that when moving into the relaxation configuration or in the relaxation configuration with the motor vehicle stationary, doors and/or windows are closed and/or a privacy screen is activated and/or interior air conditioning is continued.

In this way, security and comfort as well as privacy can be optimized.
In a further further embodiment it is provided in the relaxation configuration A massage is carried out with the help of a massage device installed in the motor vehicle seat.

For example, if available in the motor vehicle and not deselected by the passenger, a pressure zone application system, a massage or mobilization process can start.

In a further further embodiment it is provided that when a charging station recommendation is made, one or more charging stations are sorted according to a relaxation factor.

When a charging station is reached, the corresponding procedure can be carried out automatically or recommended. Alternatively, the passenger starts the process directly via an operating interface.

In addition, charging stations with attractive landscape locations can be selected based on their suitability for carrying out the relaxation program.

If, in a further embodiment, additional information about the passenger's schedule is available and the charging status and the route are known via the navigation, and no relaxation program has yet been completed on the current journey, the charging station can be selected accordingly.

A first independent subject relates to a computer program product, with a computer-readable storage medium on which instructions are embedded which, when executed by at least one computing unit, cause the at least computing unit to be set up to carry out the method of the aforementioned type.

The method can be carried out on one or more computing units, so that certain method steps are carried out on one computing unit and other method steps on at least one further computing unit, whereby calculated data can be transmitted between the computing units if necessary.

Another independent subject relates to a motor vehicle with a computer program product of the type described above.

In a first further embodiment it is provided that a camera is provided that is aligned with a head area of a motor vehicle seat.

If the position of the passenger's head is available as a coordinate in space via the camera function, this information can be used to further optimize the view through the glass roof and the relaxation configuration individually.

Further advantages, features and details emerge from the following description, in which at least one exemplary embodiment is described in detail - if necessary with reference to the drawing. Identical, similar and/or functionally identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals.

• 1 eine Seitenansicht auf ein Kraftfahrzeug;
• 2A ein Kraftfahrzeugsitz in einer ersten Sitzkonfiguration mit einem Passagier;
• 2B der Kraftfahrzeugsitz aus 2A in einer Entspannungskonfiguration, sowie
• 3 ein Ablaufdiagramm eines Verfahrens zur technischen Unterstützung eines Passagiers beim Entspannen.

It shows schematically:

• 1 a side view of a motor vehicle;
• 2A a motor vehicle seat in a first seating configuration with a passenger;
• 2 B the motor vehicle seat 2A in a relaxation configuration, as well
• 3 a flowchart of a method for providing technical assistance to a passenger in relaxing.

In the exemplary embodiments described below, identical or identical components or elements are provided with the same reference numerals for better readability.

1 shows a side view of a motor vehicle 2. The motor vehicle 2 has a glass roof 4. In an interior 6 of the motor vehicle 2 there is a motor vehicle seat 8 in the second row of seats, which is based on the 2A , 2 B will be explained in more detail. On the side shown, the motor vehicle 2 has two side doors 10, 12 and side windows 14, 16, 18, of which the side windows 14, 16 are electrically height-adjustable.

As in 2A is shown, a passenger 20 cannot look through the glass roof 4 in a first seat configuration A shown with a normal viewing direction n. To do this, the passenger 20 would have to turn his passenger head 20.1 backwards and look up. The resulting posture would not be ergonomic and would not be relaxing.

In the first seat configuration A, the motor vehicle seat 8 is in an upright position, as is usual for driving. A backrest 8.2, which is electrically adjustable on a seat 8.1, and an electrically adjustable headrest 8.3, which is attached to the backrest 8.2, are relatively steep at an angle of approximately 72 to 75 degrees from the horizontal. An electrically adjustable leg rest 8.4 is folded in.

A camera 22 monitors the passenger 20 by recording a position of the passenger head 20.1 as well as its orientation and the position of the eyes of the passenger 20 using the camera 22. From this, a controller 24 connected to the camera 22 can calculate a viewing direction n and calculate whether the viewing direction n falls through the glass roof 4, which is not the case in the first seating configuration A.

As soon as the passenger 20 activates a relaxation mode, the motor vehicle seat 8 is electrically converted into a relaxation configuration B, which is in 2 B is shown. For this purpose, the inclinations of the seat 8.1 and the backrest 8.2 are changed using the control 24 in such a way that the posture of the passenger 20 is further reclined. In addition, the leg support 8.4 is extended. The entire motor vehicle seat 8 can also be adjusted in a longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle as required.

The viewing direction n of the passenger 20 is continuously monitored by the controller 24 based on the data from the camera 22 and the relaxation configuration B is set so that the passenger 20's view falls through the glass roof 4 in a relaxed manner.

This means that the relaxation configuration B may be different for each passenger, as passengers often have different body sizes and proportions, so a particular passenger will require a different relaxation configuration than another passenger.

3 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of the method.

After starting the relaxation program, which is triggered by an operator request, a head of the passenger 20 and the direction of his gaze n are recorded using the camera 22. The operator request can arise, for example, as a result of an offer through a human-machine interface of the motor vehicle 2 or without such an offer. The offer can be made depending on the situation, for example depending on the condition of the motor vehicle 2 (charging, parking in a relaxing environment) or on the condition of the passenger 20 (after a certain driving time, depending on physiological parameters such as stare, blinking frequency, vital signs, etc.).

At the same time, information about the relaxation program can be provided via the human-machine interface of the motor vehicle 2, for example via voice output and/or via text on one or more displays.

The motor vehicle seat 8 is then moved, in particular the inclination of the backrest 8.2 being made flatter, but other settings of the motor vehicle seat 8 may also be changed, for example longitudinal position in the direction of travel, unfolding the leg rest 8.4, adjusting the seat 8.1 and/or headrest 8.2 , adjusting lumbar support, etc.

The adjustment of the motor vehicle seat 8 takes place until the viewing direction n of the passenger 20 overlaps with a glass roof cutout, which can be determined by mathematical functions in three-dimensional space within the control 24. As soon as the passenger's view falls comfortably through the glass roof 4. The corresponding glass roof cutout lies within the transparent surface of the glass roof and is chosen to be smaller so that a certain area of the passenger 20's expanded field of vision also looks through the glass roof 4.

Meanwhile or afterwards, the status of door locking and side window position can be checked and, if necessary, the windows can be closed, the doors locked and air conditioning started in order to maintain a pleasant temperature in the interior 6.

This is followed by a series of optional procedural steps, including activating a multimedia program, a massage function, a timer or the like, before the process is ended.

• Neben den zuvor beschriebenen Verfahrensschritten werden in der Entspannungskonfiguration B haptische Impulse aus den berührten Flächen, z.B. Armauflage, Beinauflage, Rückenlehne erzeugt. Solche haptischen Impulse können durch Druckzonen, luftbefüllbare Blasen oder durch Aktivieren von Vibrationsmotoren entstehen, sie können Musiksignale mittels Körperschallwandler spürbar machen und dergleichen. Darüber hinaus kann die Entspannung unterstützt werden durch Erwärmen von Sitzflächen z.B. im Rücken.

A possible more concrete design looks as follows. The method is used during the charging phase or in a parking lot:

• In addition to the previously described method steps, in the relaxation configuration B, haptic impulses are generated from the surfaces touched, for example armrest, legrest, backrest. Such haptic impulses can be created by pressure zones, air-fillable bubbles or by activating vibration motors; they can make music signals noticeable using structure-borne sound transducers and the like. In addition, relaxation can be supported by heating seats, for example in the back.

The program duration can be determined by the passenger 20. It can be provided that a certain standard duration is preset, for example 10 minutes. The time can then be varied individually using the timer in a range of, for example, 5 to 40 minutes. The program ends after the set time has elapsed or is started using a button tion, voice control or on a touch-sensitive screen.

The seating position can then be changed back to the first seating configuration A as part of the program.

The relaxation program is only offered at seats that are occupied, which can be recorded via seat occupancy sensors. A direct start of the program in the first seating configuration A is possible on all seats at the same time.

By default, relaxation configuration B is only offered on one site. Additional seats can be unlocked if there is enough space based on the information on the interior size of the motor vehicle 2 and the number of occupied seats.

Example 1: There is a glass roof in motor vehicle 2. Only the driver's seat is occupied. Under this condition the in 3 The relaxation program shown is suggested.

Example 2: the passenger side seat in the second row of seats is also occupied. Due to space constraints, a relaxation program is also possible here.

Although the invention has been illustrated and explained in detail by preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the examples disclosed and other variations may be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. It is therefore clear that a large number of possible variations exist. It is also to be understood that exemplary embodiments are truly examples only and should not be construed in any way as limiting the scope, application, or configuration of the invention. Rather, the preceding description and the description of the figures enable the person skilled in the art to concretely implement the exemplary embodiments, whereby the person skilled in the art can make a variety of changes with knowledge of the disclosed inventive concept, for example with regard to the function or the arrangement of individual elements mentioned in an exemplary embodiment, without departing from the scope of protection defined by the claims and their legal equivalents, such as a further explanation in the description.

Reference symbol list

2

motor vehicle

4

Glass roof

6

inner space

8th

Motor vehicle seat

8.1

Seat

8.2

backrest

8.3

headrest

8.4

Leg support

10, 12

Side door

14 - 18

sidewindow

20

passenger

20.1

Passenger head

22

camera

24

steering

A

first seating configuration

b

Relaxation configuration

n

Direction of view

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was 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 2023302966 A1 [0006]

Claims (9)

Method for the technical support of a passenger (20) of a motor vehicle (2) when relaxing, the motor vehicle (2) having a panoramic roof or a glass roof (4), the passenger (20) being in a motor vehicle seat (8) of the motor vehicle (2). sits, the motor vehicle seat (8) being moved from a first seat configuration (A) into a relaxation configuration (B), characterized in that a head position of the passenger (20) is detected, the motor vehicle (2) being moved as far into the relaxation configuration ( B) is driven so that the passenger (20) can look out of the panoramic roof or glass roof (4) without moving his head in a neutral viewing direction (n). Procedure according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the method is automatically offered or set in the relaxation configuration (B) depending on the situation. Procedure according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that multimedia content is played in the relaxation configuration (B). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when moving into the relaxation configuration (B) or in the relaxation configuration (B) with the motor vehicle (2) stationary, doors and/or windows are closed and/or a privacy screen is activated and/or a Interior air conditioning continues. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the relaxation configuration (B) a massage is carried out using a massage device installed in the motor vehicle seat (8). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when a charging station recommendation is made, one or more charging stations are sorted according to a relaxation factor. Computer program product, with a computer-readable storage medium on which instructions are embedded which, when executed by at least one computing unit, cause the at least computing unit to be set up to carry out the method according to one of the preceding claims. Motor vehicle with a computer program product Claim 7 . motor vehicle Claim 8 , characterized in that a camera (22) aligned with a head area of a motor vehicle seat (8) is provided.

Images