WO2018206533A1

WO2018206533A1 - Mobile device, vehicle and method for handover of digital media presentation

Info

Publication number: WO2018206533A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/061776
Authority: WO
Inventors: Biyun ZHOU
Original assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 2017-05-12
Filing date: 2018-05-08
Publication date: 2018-11-15
Also published as: CN108874822A

Abstract

The present invention provides a vehicle (10), a mobile device (2) and a method for handover of digital media presentation. The method comprises the steps: - receiving the digital media via a receiver (3) of a vehicle (10), - determining an arrival of the vehicle (10) at a destination, and in response thereto - handover the digital media presentation to a mobile device of a passenger (1) of the vehicle.

Description

Mobile device, vehicle and method for handover of digital media presentation

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle, a mobile device as well as to a method for handover of digital media presentation. In particular, the present invention relates to a more convenient user experience when consuming media streams via a vehicle-based infrastructure.

In the course of making media widely accessible also in automobiles and other vehicles, the vehicle infrastructure provides highly capable data reception means as well as audio systems and high resolution displays. In particular, the co-driver and passengers not being entrusted with operating the vehicle can consume media streams, browse the internet and use other data sources during riding in a vehicle.

On the other hand, the demand for mobility, especially in urban environments, causes mobility service providers to provide a steadily growing number of pool cars operated in different ways. One attempt is car sharing, where a user can order a car and either drop it in a predefined area or drop it at remote predefined areas. One different approach is the so-called ride sharing service, where a car driven by a distinct driver is available for taking customers to predefined or arbitrary locations. In these cars (also "on-demand mobility (ODM) cars"), the passenger can experience all the features of the car with no distraction due to operating the car. On the one hand, the passengers can experience the features of the car in order to get to know the car and maybe purchase a similar car/similar brand later on or experience data services (e.g. video and audio streams), which the passenger may be interested in using even after having reached his/her destination. WO 2014/044695 A1 discloses a system for controlling a vehicle computer using a mobile telephone. A local network connection between the mobile phone and the vehicle facilitates controlling certain vehicle functions by means of the mobile phone.

DE 10 2013 006 087 A1 discloses a method for adjusting driver-specific and car- specific parameter in accordance with a user profile by means of a mobile device.

Departing from the prior art mentioned before it is an object of the present invention to improve the user experience in connection with data services provided via a car infrastructure.

This object is solved by a method for handover of digital media presentation, where digital media can refer to audio-, video-, web-based services, etc. The term "handover" in connection with the present invention does not necessarily refer to a seamless handover happening automatically with no involvement from the use or interaction by the user required. The term "handover" rather relates to a method of (e.g. automatically) guiding the user from perceiving the digital media via the car infrastructure to perceiving the media on a mobile device or any other media system external to the car. In a first step, the digital media are received via a receiver of a vehicle. This can be during a ride with a vehicle, while the vehicle can be a car, transporter, truck, motorcycle, plane or watercraft. The media can be provided via a streaming platform (audio, video, multimedia etc.) or can relate to a website (e.g. a web shop) without being limited thereto. The receiver can be a wireless receiver which is capable of receiving, in particular also transmitting, via a terrestrial and/or satellite-based communication infrastructure such as GSM, UMTS, LTE, LTE-A, Wi-Fi etc. The vehicle in particular can be a pool car, preferable an on-demand car, which leaves the user's destination after the user has gotten off. In a second step, the arrival of the vehicle at a destination, which can be a predefined destination, is determined. This step can automatically be performed in response to a match between a current location of the vehicle and the predefined destination of the vehicle. The step of determining the arrival of the vehicle can be performed independently of a route guidance being activated. In response to determining the arrival of the vehicle, the handover of the digital media presentation is formerly presented in the vehicle to a mobile device of a passenger of the vehicle. The passenger does not need to be the driver of the car and especially, is a user registered to a web-based platform of a service provider providing the vehicle or mobility service. In general, the handover means that the media presentation in the vehicle is stopped and resumed after shifting the corresponding data transmission to the mobile device of the passenger. This may require the user inputting a login/password combination and/or payment data such that the digital media provider can identify the mobile device of the passenger. In particular, the mobile device of the passenger may be requested to capture an optical code presented by a screen of the vehicle and to interpret the data comprised in the optical code in order to access the digital media by the mobile device/complete the handover. On the one hand, the present invention provides a powerful marketing instrument for providers of digital media platforms, which can present digital media content as teasers to passengers using on- demand vehicles. On the other hand, the present invention provides a better user experience by a convenient handover of digital media, the first part of which is presented in the vehicle and the second part of which is presented via a smartphone or any other suitable device.

The dependent claims are related to further features, advantage and aspects of the present invention.

The passenger/user of the present invention may be a non-registered user with respect to an audio streaming platform, a video streaming platform, a multimedia streaming platform, a certain website and/or a web shop presenting the digital media via the infotainment system of the car. E.g. such platforms may require monthly payment from regularly registered users. In the course of the handover performed on the basis of the present invention, a voucher can be presented to the passenger in order to provide a further incentive for performing the handover and registered to the underlying service platform. In other words, after determining that the vehicle is close to its destination or at least the passenger is close to his/her destination, the voucher can be presented via the vehicle infrastructure and/or the mobile device infrastructure. Such voucher can show a numerical code and/or an optical code, which are to be entered or captured via a camera of the mobile device, respectively.

The destination of the passenger can be predefined in the course of

booking/ordering the vehicle. In other words, the passenger predefines the desired destination of the car in addition to the position, where he/she wishes to being picked up by the vehicle. In the course of such booking/reservation the passenger may be required to enter login data or access the platform via an application on a mobile device, in which the login data are predefined. Similarly, the passenger's mobile device may be identified via said app and/or in the course of booking/ordering the vehicle. Said identification can be employed for performing the handover to the passenger's mobile device after the vehicle is about to arrive at the destination or has already reached the destination.

In order to perform the handover only on request and/or with the consent of the passenger, a predetermined time span before the arrival or distance from the destination a request for performing the handover is output to the passenger. In other words, the passenger's consent is determined by requesting a user input before the handover is performed. For example, the digital media presentation can be paused and a pop-up can request the user to either decline the handover or accept the handover. In case the passenger accepts the handover, the handover may require the user to identify himself/herself and/or his/her mobile device. This can involve near field communication including Wi-Fi or any other suitable wireless data protocol. In case the handover can be performed without any instant user input, a corresponding request can be displayed on the display of the user smartphone before the digital media can be accessed by the mobile device. This provides the advantage that the user can focus on packing his/her belongings, pay the driver and realize the traffic situation before getting off the car before considering completing the handover and accessing the digital media via the mobile device or not.

Advantageously, after the handover is completed, the usage history is deleted out when the user gets out of car and the handover goes back to the personal device. In other words, any user related data or smartphone-related data acquired in the vehicle during the ride is deleted, such that for example no records of search list / playlist would remain in the vehicle. Accordingly, the user's privacy is guaranteed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention a vehicle (e.g. a car, transporter, truck, motorcycle, watercraft and/or aircraft) is provided, which is adapted to perform a handover of digital media presentation, in particular based on a method presented above. The vehicle comprises a digital data receiver and a processor. The receiver can employ an antenna, which is adapted to access media via mobile communication networks. The processor may be an ECU (electronic control unit), a programmable processor or the like. The receiver is adapted for receiving digital media during a ride with the vehicle. The processor is adapted for automatically determining an arrival of the vehicle at a destination predefined by a passenger. In response to the arrival, an automatic handover of the digital media presentation (e.g. a multimedia stream) from the vehicle to a mobile device of a passenger of the vehicle is initiated, in particular performed. Optionally, the vehicle may comprise a playback device adapted for presenting and play back the digital media (stream). The playback device may comprise an audio system and/or a video system, e.g. a rear seat entertainment system. By means of said system, the handover can be paused until the user/passenger is requested for providing a predefined user input declaring his/her consent. The features, combination of features and advantages of the vehicle according to the present invention correspond to those narrated in connection with the inventive method above, that re-iteration of same is omitted hereinafter for the sake of brevity.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a mobile device (e.g.

smartphone, tablet, laptop etc.) is provided which is adapted for playback of digital media presentation. The mobile device comprises a receiver and a processor. The receiver may comprise an antenna and a mobile communication chip. The processor may comprise a programmable processor, a microcontroller or the like. The receiver is adapted for receiving the digital media stream during a ride with a vehicle. In particular, the receiver is adapted for receiving a request for performing a handover and/or for receiving the digital media presentation after the vehicle has reached the destination. The processor is adapted for

automatically determining an arrival of the vehicle at a destination predefined by the passenger. In response to arriving at the destination, the processor is adapted for requesting handover of the digital media, which can be a digital media/multimedia stream from a receiver of a vehicle. In other words, the digital media presentation is paused or even stopped at the vehicle's entertainment system and resumed on the mobile device according to the present invention. The features, combination of features and advantages of the mobile device according to the present invention correspond to those disclosed and discussed in connection with the vehicle and the method according to the present invention above, such that for the sake of brevity re-iterated discussion is omitted hereinafter.

Further details, features and advantages of the present invention are presented hereinafter referring to the enclosed drawings. Therein:

Figure 1 depicts a situation in which a vehicle according to an aspect of the present invention and a mobile device according to an aspect of the present invention, perform a method according to an aspect of the invention; and

Figure 2 depicts a flow diagram reflecting steps of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 1 depicts a user 1 who is registered to a service of a mobility service provider which also provides the on-demand car 10 as an embodiment of a vehicle according to the present invention. In the course of ordering the car 10, the user 1 has informed a driver (not shown) of the car 10 regarding the pick-up location and the desired destination (drop-off location). Moreover, the user 1 has made a seat reservation for a certain seat in the vehicle 10. Since the user 1 intended to relax during the ride, he reserved a second seat row seat on the right- hand side, where a rear seat entertainment system 5 is provided. In order to provide all necessary information for facilitating the present invention, an ID (e.g. a MAC address of his smartphone) is transmitted to a server 7, such that the smartphone 2 can be used for making seat-specific adjustments of functions of the vehicle 10. For example, a seat heating, a seat ventilation, a movie for playback by means of the rear seat entertainment 5 etc. can be chosen by means of an application even before the user 1 has ever seen the on-demand vehicle 10. After being picked up by the on-demand vehicle 10, the user 1 can enjoy the selected movie by means of the rear seat entertainment 5. The movie is streamed from the server 7 via a transmission tower 6 by means of a data link 8. The data link 8 is received by an antenna 3, converted in an ECU 4 and played back on a screen of the rear seat entertainment 5. This facilitates best possible data reception quality, since the external antenna 3 is not shielded by the passenger's compartment of the on-demand vehicle 10. Moreover, the user 1 can write and read text messages by using his/her smartphone 2 even while watching the selected movie. A predetermined time span before arriving at the depicted destination, a request is displayed via the rear seat entertainment system 5 in order to acquire the information required for performing the inventive handover to the smartphone 2 of the user 1 . For initiating/performing the handover, the user 1 can capture an optical code presented on the rear seat entertainment 5 via a camera (not shown) of the smartphone 2. After capturing and interpreting the optical code, the smartphone 2 via a data link 9 and a transmission tower 6 instructs the server 7 to resume the movie by streaming the movie via the data link 9 to the smartphone 2 after the user 1 has exited the on-demand vehicle 10. Before doing so, the server 7 can check whether payment information or a valid account of the user 1 is accessible in order to charge the user 1 and/or his/her account for continuing the streaming even after exiting the on-demand vehicle 10 (where the presentation of multimedia streams are free of charge). It goes without saying that the digital media presentation on the rear seat entertainment 5 may be other than multimedia streams. E.g., a web shop can be accessed by the rear seat entertainment 5 and a handover of the current web shop's status (cart) to the smartphone 2 of the user 1 can be similarly initiated. Moreover, a voucher can be presented to the user 1 as a teaser for completing his/her shopping after the handover to the smartphone 2. The provision of the inventive handover can depend on a personal record of the user 1 maintained e.g. by a mobility service provider. In other words, the user 1 can be rated by a plurality of drivers and/or co-passengers of on-demand vehicles 10 with respect to his friendliness, his reliability (e.g. with respect to appearing at a certain position/point in time predefined when ordering the on- demand vehicle 10) and other properties. The user 1 can also be judged with respect to his/her preferences in connection with the functions/features of the on- demand car 10. For example, the user 1 can be rated as a multimedia-orientated person, a comfort-orientated person or a data security-aware person. According to the rating, predefined functions of the on-demand vehicle 10 can be enabled/disabled for access via the smartphone 2 of the user 1 . Accordingly, incentives can be provided for friendly and reliable users 1 . For example, free handover of digital media presentation from the rear seat entertainment 5 to the smartphone 2 can be offered to customers/users 1 having positive ratings. By means of the present invention, the user 1 can continue watching the movie on a smartphone 2 after an inventive handover has been performed. The user 1 will appreciate being provided with watching the movie and most likely will request the mobility service provider of the on-demand car 10 in case further mobility service is required.

Figure 2 shows steps of a method for handover of digital media presentation from a vehicle to a mobile device of a passenger. In step 100, the digital media are received via a receiver of an on-demand vehicle. In other words, the digital media are presented by an information infrastructure of the vehicle. In step 200, arrival at a predefined destination of a passenger of the vehicle is automatically determined. This may employ satellite-based positioning services. In step 300, a predetermined user input identifying the user and his/her smartphone for initiating a handover are requested and received. In the course of inputting his/her details, an e-mail address and payment information can be entered by the passenger. In step 400, the handover is initiated by depicting an optical code on a display of a rear seat entertainment of the vehicle. The code is captured via a camera of the smartphone and the information contained therein is interpreted. Finally, in step 500, a handover of the digital media presentation to the mobile device of the passenger, who is not the driver of the car, is performed/completed. In other words, the digital media presentation is paused/stopped within the car and shifted to/resumed on the mobile device of the passenger, while preferably the data infrastructure of the on-demand car is not used anymore.

The present invention helps enhancing the riding experience and extending the entertainment experience to the out-of-car scenario. Furthermore, the interaction between the data infrastructure of the vehicle and the mobile device of the passenger enhances the on-the-way fun and provides a new marketing tool for digital media providers, such as streaming platforms.

List of reference signs:

1 user

2 smartphone

3 antenna

4 ECU (electronic control unit)

5 rear seat entertainment

6 transmission tower

7 server

8, 9 data link

10 on-demand vehicle

100-500 method steps

Claims

Claims:

1 . Method for handover of digital media presentation comprising the steps

- receiving (100) the digital media via a receiver (3) of a vehicle (10),

- determining (200) an arrival of the vehicle (10) at a destination, and in response thereto

- handover (500) the digital media presentation to a mobile device of a passenger (1 ) of the vehicle.

2. Method according to claim 1 , wherein the digital media represent

- an audio stream and/or

- a video stream and/or

- a multimedia stream and/or

- a website and/or

- a web shop.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the arrival is determined by

means of an input of the passenger (1 ) predefined when ordering the vehicle (10).

4. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a voucher is sent to the mobile device (2) of the passenger (1 ) for subscribing to a service of a provider of the digital media.

5. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a request for performing the handover is output to the passenger (1 ), in particular a predetermined time span before the arrival.

6. Method according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising

- receiving (300) a predetermined user input and in reaction thereto

- initiating (400) the handover.

7. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the mobile

device (2) is a

- smartphone and/or - tablet and/or

- laptop computer.

8. Vehicle (10) for handover of a digital media presentation comprising

- a receiver (3), and

- a processor (4), wherein

- the receiver (3) is adapted for receiving the digital media, and

- the processor (4) is adapted

for determining an arrival of the vehicle (10) at a destination, and in response thereto

handover the digital media presentation to a mobile device (2) of a passenger (1 ) of the vehicle (10).

9. Vehicle according to claim 8 further comprising

- a playback device (5) adapted for presenting the digital media.

10. Mobile device (2) for playback of digital media presentation comprising

- a receiver, and

- a processor, wherein

- the receiver is adapted for receiving the digital media presentation, and

- the processor is adapted

for determining an arrival at a destination and in response thereto, requesting handover of the digital media from a receiver of a vehicle (10).