EP3230844A1

EP3230844A1 - Information-entertainment system for a motor vehicle and method for operation thereof

Info

Publication number: EP3230844A1
Application number: EP15749983.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Christian Klaucke; Ulf Kuehnapfel
Original assignee: Daimler AG
Current assignee: Mercedes Benz Group AG
Priority date: 2014-12-09
Filing date: 2015-07-10
Publication date: 2017-10-18
Also published as: US20170336931A1; WO2016091339A1; CN107003795A; DE102014018116A1; WO2016091339A8

Abstract

The invention relates to an information-entertainment system for a motor vehicle, comprising a display unit (1) for displaying at least one function (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10), which is or can be activated by an operating person, and/or content of the information-entertainment system to a passenger of the motor vehicle, comprising a control unit for controlling the display unit (1) and the function (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10), which is or can be activated by the operating person, comprising an interface for coupling an additional, portable device to the control unit by means of information technology, wherein the control unit is designed, after coupling of the additional device, to supplement the function (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) displayed on the display unit (1) by a changeover function (3) and, upon an activation of the changeover function (3), to display a function (4', 6', 7', 11, 12, 13, 14) of the additional device, which is or can be activated by the operating person, by means of the display unit (1), wherein at least the changeover function (3) can be depicted as a superordinate function which covers other content displayed on the display unit (1) independently of the nature thereof in order to simplify the integration of an information-entertainment system of a third-party manufacturer in a motor vehicle.

Description

Information entertainment system for a motor vehicle and method of operating such

The invention relates to an informational entertainment system for a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1. It further relates to a method of operating such an informational entertainment system.

When integrating information-entertainment systems or infotainment systems from third-party manufacturers, so-called third-party infotainment systems, there are two infotainment systems or two infotainment software systems in parallel in the car. Such systems include Apple's CarPlay, Google's Android Auto and the independent MirrowLink. These each provide a so-called Remote User Interface (Remote Provided Operator Interface) or Remote Ul, which provides content and functions as a telematics software system from an external device, such as a smartphone, to a head unit or control unit of an informational entertainment system. These systems provide, inter alia, similar functions or functionalities as the telematics software systems usually already installed in motor vehicles, for example

Media playback, navigation, telephony, access to the World Wide Web and the like.

DE 10 2014 100 183 A1 discloses a method for controlling a transmission of a media content between a portable device and a main control unit in a motor vehicle. Here, a first coupling is established to transmit control signals between a control client and a control server. A second link is established to transfer the media content between a data server and a data client. The media content is output via a media output device in the car to a user.

It is an object of the present invention to simplify the integration of a third-party information entertainment system into a motor vehicle. This object is achieved by the subject matter of the two independent claims. Advantageous embodiments will be apparent from the dependent

Claims, the description and the figures.

An information entertainment system or infotainment system for a motor vehicle according to the invention comprises a display unit for displaying at least one operator-activatable or activated function and / or content, for example a media content, of the information entertainment system to an occupant of the motor vehicle. It also comprises a control unit for controlling the display unit and the functions that can be activated or activated by the operator, as well as an interface for information technology coupling of a portable further device with the control unit. An information technology coupling is to be understood here in particular as a wired or wireless electrical or electronic coupling for transmitting information in the form of data signals. The coupling can in particular be done by means of a wireless local network connection (WLAN), a Bluetooth connection or a universal serial bus connection. To integrate an informational entertainment system

To simplify the third party manufacturer, the control unit is designed, after a successful coupling of the other device to supplement the functions displayed on the display unit by a toggle function and activating the switching function towards at least one activatable by the operator or activated function of the other device by means of the display unit. In this case, at least the switching function can be represented as a higher-level function, which covers other contents displayed on the display unit regardless of their nature.

The switching function for the external further device can thus appear in a menu which of all areas of the telematics software of the information-entertainment system over a predetermined number of operations of the

Operator, especially a control action, is achievable. In the

Operator action can be an actuation of a predetermined operating element, for example a so-called "home button." The menu can be embodied as a so-called overlay menu, which can be placed over all contents displayed on the display unit the overlay menu is out by the operator of the telematics software and thus the remote user interface of the external further device by pressing or activating the toggle function in the corresponding menu item can be activated. In particular, therefore, the Remote User Interface is initialized only by activating the switching function and not by merely coupling the other device with the information-entertainment system. Thus, for example, the further device can be electrically charged after being electrically coupled to the information entertainment system, even without activating its remote user interface. It is thus a separation between a charging function and initializing or starting the telematics software of the

Given Third Party Information Entertainment System. The control unit may be configured to deactivate the remote user interface after its activation, after deactivating the switching function.

This has the advantage that so two infotainment systems can be used in parallel in the vehicle. Using the toggle function and its presentation as a higher-level function, for example in an overlay menu, a function of the other device, ie the Remote User Interface, can be activated quickly and easily. Even if the switching function is not activated, an automatic charging function for the portable further device can be activated. Furthermore, the third-party information entertainment system and the in-vehicle information entertainment system can be easily and intuitively switched back and forth from all areas of the information entertainment system or its representation on the display unit. Also, the remote user interface of the third-party manufacturer can be quickly terminated from all menu areas. Thus, the operator can quickly and easily turn on and off a car provided by another device remote user interface or a second infotainment system in the car.

In an advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the at least one function of the information entertainment system and the switching function can be displayed as superordinate functions, that is, for example, as the abovementioned overlay menu, which contains other contents displayed on the display unit and / or Cover functions regardless of their nature. This has the advantage that the operator always from each menu area regardless of the currently used

Information entertainment system or regardless of the made by the specific third-party design of the remote user interface has an overview of the functions that can be activated in the information entertainment system.

In a further embodiment, it is provided that the control unit is designed to no longer display a function of the information-entertainment system corresponding to the displayed function of the further device when the switching function is activated and to deactivate it, in particular if it activates before activating the Shift function is activated. This has the advantage that the functions displayed on the display unit are clearer and in particular not more

different instances of a similar or functionally identical functionality or function can be active at the same time. This can otherwise cause conflicts in the

Information entertainment system and lead to a confusion of an operator and a potential hazard in traffic.

In a preferred embodiment, it is further provided that the control unit is designed to no longer indicate the function of the further device upon deactivation of the activated switching function and, in particular, to deactivate the function if it is activated. This also has the advantage that the clarity is increased and an operator is not confused by an indication of a no longer available function of the other device. Moreover, it is possible to prevent a function of the further device from continuing unintentionally and, for example, as described in the previous paragraph, unintentionally blocking a function of the information entertainment system which corresponds to a function of the further device or leading to confusion of the operator.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, it is provided that the control unit is designed to re-activate a function of the information-entertainment system deactivated by or during the activation of the switching function in order to deactivate the switching function. This has the advantage that the information-entertainment system is at least partially restored to a state which corresponds to the state before activating the switching function. This is particularly intuitive and convenient for the operator.

In a further embodiment it is provided that the control unit is designed, upon activation of the switching function, to switch off one of the information-entertainment System itself provided and displayed by the display unit to replace display content provided by the other device display content. This has the advantage that a display content can be adapted to properties or capabilities of the other device.

In particular, it may be provided here that the complete display content provided by the information entertainment system, in particular a

Operator interface (user interface) as a whole, can be replaced by the display content provided by the further device, in particular the remote user interface. This may be the case in particular at times. In particular, the display content provided by the further device comprises a display of one of the

Operator activatable reverse replacement function whose triggering or activating replaces the display content provided by the further device on the display unit by the display content provided by the information entertainment system. This has the advantage that both the information-entertainment system of the motor vehicle and the functionality or the user interface of the other device can be used in parallel and between the two infotainment systems in the car quickly and easily back and forth can be. Just by the complete replacement of the display content, the operator always knows in which area or which telematics software it navigates, so whether just functions of the information-entertainment system or the other device are controlled by the operator.

The invention further comprises a communication system for a motor vehicle, comprising an information entertainment system according to the invention and a portable further device, which is designed as a smartphone.

Furthermore, the invention comprises a method for operating an informational entertainment system of a motor vehicle. A step of the invention

A method is an indication of at least one operator-activatable or activated function and / or content of the information-entertainment system to an occupant of the motor vehicle by a display unit of the information-entertainment system. Another step is controlling the display unit and the operator-activatable or activated function by a control unit of the information entertainment system. An information technology coupling of a Portable further device with the control unit via an interface of the information entertainment system is a further step. Essential for the invention here is a supplementing the function displayed on the display unit by a switching function after coupling the other device, as well as a display of a through the

Operator activatable and / or activated function of the other device on activating the toggle function. In this case, the toggle function can be represented as a higher-level function which covers other contents displayed on the display unit, regardless of their nature.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment and with reference to the figures. The features mentioned above in the description and

Feature combinations as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures are not only in the respective combinations indicated, but also in others

Combinations or alone, without departing from the scope of the invention.

Showing:

1 shows an exemplary display unit of an exemplary embodiment of an information entertainment system at a first time;

FIG. 2 shows the display unit of FIG. 1 at a second time; FIG. and

Fig. 3, the display unit of Fig. 1 at a third time.

The same or functionally identical elements are provided in the different figures with the same reference numerals.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary display unit of an exemplary embodiment of an information entertainment system at a first time. In the present case, the display unit 1 is designed as a screen, for example as a touch-sensitive screen. Shown are contents and functions in FIG. 1, as they are also represented by an operator in a motor vehicle by the display unit 1. In the present case, a foreground is shown on the display unit 1 in a first subarea of the screen and a background in a second subarea of the screen. The focus here is a so-called overlay menu 2, which in the illustrated embodiment of the information-entertainment system from all areas of the provided by the information-entertainment system

Telematic software in this example can be called by a single operation, for example, by a control button, not shown here. The overlay menu 2 comprises in the example shown a series of representations of a

Operator in the car activatable or activated functions 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. The representations are in the present case designed as control tiles, which can be selected for example by touching the touch-sensitive screen. As a result, the corresponding menu item or the corresponding function can be selected, ie activated or deactivated. The background is used to represent other content, such as an illustration or status of an activated feature. In the present case, the background is used, for example, for a visualization of a control of a massage function of the information entertainment system. Of the displayed contents of the background, the overlay menu 2 is basically independent in this example. It can be called independently of the displayed contents of the background and superimposed on them.

In the present case, an operator has just before the first time a portable or mobile other device or terminal, such as a smartphone, coupled via cable or a wireless connection to the information-entertainment system. Accordingly, the overlay menu 2, which before coupling has represented only the original functions 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 without a switching function 3, has been supplemented by the switching function 3. The addition was made here in the form of an additional menu item or an additional control tile in the overlay menu 2. It is therefore after the information technology coupling of the other device to the information-entertainment system, the full functionality of the information-entertainment system with the original Functions 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 given. However, the operator can now activate the switching function 3 from the overlay menu 2, for example by tapping or selecting the corresponding operating tile or the corresponding menu item via a

Operating unit. By activating the switchover function 3, an initialization of the telematics software of a third-party manufacturer provided via the further device takes place

For example, a so-called remote user interface, a remote user interface provided. Following the activation of the switching function 3, in the example shown, the changeover to the remote user interface follows. The display unit 1 is thus switched to display the one provided by the further device

User interface, the Remote User Interface. The display unit 1 then sets

Functions or functionalities of the portable device, as shown in Fig. 2. It runs in the background basically functions of the information-entertainment system of the motor vehicle, which are active, on. However, in the present case

Functions disabled, also provided by the other device.

It may also be provided a soft switching, in which functions of the informational entertainment system of the motor vehicle, which are active, initially continue, but are automatically deactivated at a later date. Thus, for example, a telephone function 7 remain activated after pairing a running as a smartphone other device when a call is in progress. The telephone call then initially continues via the vehicle's own information-entertainment system, even if a telephone function 7 '(FIG. 2) also provides for the remote user interface. After the call is over then

For example, the car's own phone function 7 is disabled and it can only be phoned via the phone function T (Fig. 2) of the remote user interface.

Fig. 2 shows the display unit 1 of Fig. 1 at a second time in a different display state. Shown here is a content, provided by the further device Remote User Interface, without the overlay menu shown in Fig. 1 2. The appearance differs significantly in the present case from the background shown in Fig. 1. However, a number of functions 4 ', 6', 7 ', 11, 12, 13, 14 as well as a different content 15 are also displayed. One of the functions 13 in the present case is a return-replacement function, via which the vehicle-own telematics software can be switched back. Since in the present case a navigation function 4 ', a display function 6' and a telephone function T are provided by the remote user interface, the navigation function 4 (FIG. 1), the display function 6 (FIG. 1) and the telephone function 7 (FIG. Fig.1) of in-car information-entertainment system disabled and at a

Calling up the Overlay menu 2 is no longer displayed. This is also shown in Fig. 3.

In Fig. 3, the display unit of Fig. 1 is now shown at a further time, in which an operator in the display state of the display unit 1 shown in FIG. 2, ie activated switching function and a display of the remote device provided by the remote User Interfaces, which has known from Fig. 1 Overlay menu 2 called. This can be done, for example, as described above, by operating a hardware button. As is known from FIG. 1, the overlay menu 2 sets itself in the background over the content formed by the remote user interface in this case. Since the navigation function 4, the playback function 6 and the phone function 7 corresponding functions 4 ', 6', 7 'are provided by the activated further device, only the remaining functions 5, 8, 9, 10 of the information-entertainment system of Motor vehicle in the overlay menu 2 represents. As before, since the other device is coupled to the information entertainment system, the switching function 3 in the overlay menu 2 is also represented. Added is a function 3 ', which as part of the switching function 3 disabled this.

The operator can now via the overlay menu 2 on the other functions 5, 8, 9, 10 directly to functions or applications, such as

Seat settings, access in the informational entertainment system of the motor vehicle. Incidentally, the offered and provided by the other device run

Functions in the background continue.

The operator can also switch back to the remote user interface via the switching function 3, whereupon the display unit 1 offers the functions of the further device, as shown for example in FIG. In the present case, the vehicle's own information-entertainment system continues in the background.

The operator can also quickly terminate the remote user interface via the further function 3 '. As a result, the full functionality of the

own car information-entertainment system available, as shown for example in Fig. 1. Of course, it is then possible to re-initialize the functions provided by the further device by activating the switching function 3, as shown in FIG. 1, from this status. Over the overlay menu 2, the operator can thus between the telematics software of the motor vehicle and the telematics software of the other device, the remote user interface, back and forth. Pressing the deactivation function 3 'via the corresponding menu tile in the overlay menu 2 allows rapid deactivation of the remote user interface. As a result, the operator is the complete again

Telematics software of the motor vehicle without restrictions in functionality available. If the operator wishes to use the remote user interface of the further device again, she can activate this via the switchover function 3. The operator can thus in the car quickly and easily a remote user interface of another device on and off and use the corresponding functions in an intuitive way.

Claims

claims

1. Information Entertainment System for a Car, with

a display unit (1) for displaying at least one of them

Operator activatable or activated function (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) and / or content of the information entertainment system to an occupant of the motor vehicle;

a control unit for controlling the display unit (1) and the function activatable or activated by the operator (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10);

- An interface for information technology coupling a portable further device with the control unit;

characterized in that

the control unit is designed

after the coupling of the further device, the function (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) displayed on the display unit (1) is to be supplemented by a toggle function (3) and

upon activation of the switching function (3), a function (4 ', 6', 7 ', 11, 12, 13, 14) of the further device which can be activated or activated by the operator is displayed by means of the display unit (1),

wherein at least the toggle function (3) can be displayed as a higher-level function which covers other contents displayed on the display unit (1) independently of their nature.

2. Information entertainment system according to claim 1,

characterized in that

the function (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) of the information entertainment system and the toggle function (3) can be displayed as superordinate functions, which other contents displayed on the display unit (1) are independent of them Cover nature.

3. Information entertainment system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit is designed, with activated switching function (3) one of the displayed function (4 \ 6 ', 7', 11, 12, 13, 14) of the further device corresponding function (4, 6, 7) of the information entertainment -System by means of the display unit (1) and in particular to disable, if it is activated before the activation of the switching function (3).

4. Information entertainment system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that

the control unit is designed to no longer indicate the function (4 ', 6 \ 7', 11, 12, 13, 14) of the further apparatus upon deactivation of the activated switching function (3) and, in particular, the function (4 ', 6 ', 7', 11, 12, 13, 14) of the further device, if activated.

5. Information entertainment system according to claim 2 and 3,

characterized in that

the control unit is adapted to reactivate a function (4, 6, 7) of the information entertainment system deactivated by activating the switching function (3) in response to deactivation of the switching function (3).

6. Information entertainment system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that

the control unit is adapted, upon activation of the switching function (3), to replace a display content provided by the information entertainment system itself and displayed by the display unit (1) by a display content provided by the further apparatus.

7. Information entertainment system according to claim 6,

characterized in that

the complete display content provided by the information entertainment system being replaceable by the display content provided by the further device, in particular the display content provided by the further device comprising a display of an operator-activatable reverse-replace function (13) the triggering thereof the display content provided by the further device on the display unit by the display content provided by the information Replaced entertainment content provided display content.

8. Communication system for a motor vehicle, comprising an information

Entertainment system according to one of the preceding claims and a portable further device which is designed as a smartphone.

9. A method of operating an informational entertainment system

Motor vehicle, with the steps:

Display of an activatable or activated by an operator function (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) and / or of a content of the information-entertainment system to an occupant of the motor vehicle by a

Display unit (1);

- Controlling the display unit (1) and the activatable by the operator or activated function (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) by a control unit;

- Information technology coupling a portable further device with the control unit via an interface;

marked by

- supplementing the function (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) displayed on the display unit (1) by a switching function (3) after the coupling of the further apparatus;

- Display of an activatable and / or activated by the operator

Function (4 ', 6', 7 ', 11, 12, 13, 14) of the further device upon activation of the switching function (3),

wherein the toggle function (3) can be displayed as a higher-level function which covers other contents displayed on the display unit (1) regardless of their nature.