Method for Controlling Vehicle Functions

Abstract

A method for controlling vehicle functions to increase the well-being and/or to increase the attention of at least one vehicle user in a vehicle. A number of vehicle functions are activated when at least one specific user menu is selected. Here, a lead function assigned to the user menu from the number of vehicle functions is predetermined in each case and the time and content processes of the other vehicle functions assigned to the user menu are coordinated with respect to the lead function.

Claims

1.-10. (canceled)

11. A method for controlling vehicle functions for increasing a sense of well-being and/or for increasing attention of a vehicle user in a vehicle, comprising: activating a plurality of vehicle functions by selecting a user menu; wherein when selecting the user menu, a lead function assigned to the user menu is predetermined from the plurality of vehicle functions and a respective time and content of another vehicle function of the plurality of vehicle functions assigned to the user menu are coordinated with respect to the lead function.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of vehicle functions include ionization, scenting, seat ventilation, massage, air conditioning, seat heating, ambient light, acoustic output, optical output, and a sound-dependent movement of a partial region of a vehicle seat.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein a seat bubble integrated into a vehicle seat s controlled for a massage function in time with music played simultaneously.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein an ambient light is controlled depending on a background color of an animation running on a display unit.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein an air blast is generated by a blower, whereupon an element depicted on a display unit appears to move.

16. The method according to claim 11, wherein a speed of movement of an animation depicted on a display unit is set depending on a speed of music played.

17. The method according to claim 11, wherein, in a case of flowers being depicted on a display unit, a scenting is activated.

18. The method according to claim 11, wherein a relaxing and calming user menu and a stimulating and activating user menu are offered as a selectable user menu.

19. A device for carrying out the method according to claim 11, comprising: an operating element coupled to an on-board computer for selecting a specific user menu, wherein, via operation of the operating element, a plurality of activated vehicle functions are coordinated with one another in terms of time and content.

20. A vehicle comprising the device according to claim 19.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] FIG. 1 shows schematically, a cut-out of the interior of a vehicle; and

[0022] FIG. 2 shows schematically, a device for carrying out a method for controlling the vehicle functions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Parts corresponding to one another are provided with the same reference numerals in all Figures.

[0024] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a cut-out of the interior of a vehicle 1, wherein a vehicle seat 2, a steering wheel 3, a windscreen 4 and a center console 5 are depicted.

[0025] The vehicle 1 has a number of vehicle functions F1 to Fn shown in FIG. 2, which can be activated to increase the well-being and/or increase the attention of a vehicle user who is not depicted in more detail.

[0026] Here, the vehicle functions F1 to Fn can be activated and deactivated via an on-board computer 6 integrated into the center console 5 with a display unit 7, wherein the on-board computer has at least one control element 8 for this purpose.

[0027] Amongst other things, ionisation I, scenting B of the interior, seat ventilation S, massage M, air conditioning K, seat heating, ambient light A, acoustic output A1, optical output A2 by means of the display unit 7 and/or sound-dependent movement of at least partial regions of the vehicle seat 2 in the vehicle 1 are available as activatable vehicle functions Fl to Fn.

[0028] In addition, heating of a center console 5 and/or a steering wheel 3 can be present as a vehicle function to I/n. In addition, the Motion Seating function, surface heating and heated neck cushions can be present as a vehicle function F1 to Fn.

[0029] Motion Seating is to be understood here as the function in which the seat back and seat cushion move cyclically back and forth or up and down with relatively low amplitudes. By means of the permanent change of the seating position, cramped sitting during a longer journey should be counteracted.

[0030] This plurality of the vehicle functions F1 to Fn is available to the vehicle user, wherein the individual vehicle functions F1 to Fn can be activated and deactivated by means of switches in the vehicle 1 which are not depicted in more detail.

[0031] By way of example, the seat heating can be set, e.g., to a level 2, by means of a switch, not shown, arranged in a vehicle door, wherein a massage program and/or a selection of music can be activated via the on-board computer 6 by operating a rotary pushbutton or a touch-sensitive switch surface.

[0032] Each vehicle function F1 to Fn can only be activated individually, wherein activated vehicle functions F1 to Fn are not coordinated with each other in terms of time and content.

[0033] By way of example, it is possible for Active Workout to be set as the program of a massage M and Purple Sky to be set as the theme of the ambient light A.

[0034] In order to coordinate activated vehicle functions F1 to Fn in terms of time and content, it is provided that the vehicle functions F1 to Fn are coordinated by means of the on-board computer 6, which represents a control unit, as shown in more detail in FIG. 2.

[0035] The individual vehicle functions F1 to Fn are intelligently controlled centrally by means of an application program which is stored in the on-board computer 6.

[0036] By means of the on-board computer 6 and/or another suitable control unit, all individual vehicle functions F1 to Fn, in particular their components for executing the respective vehicle function F1 to Fn, are controlled.

[0037] By means of the central control of the vehicle functions F1 to Fn, a coordinated design of processes of the individual vehicle functions F1 to Fn is made possible.

[0038] For this purpose, a control software SS is implemented on the on-board computer 6, which is connected both to the control element 8, which represents a person-machine interface, and to an audio player 9 of vehicle 1 for the acoustic output A1.

[0039] The on-board computer 6 is coupled to a bus system 10 of the vehicle 1, in particular a CAN bus, for controlling the individual vehicle functions F1 to Fn.

[0040] Due to the central control of the vehicle functions F1 to Fn by means of the on-board computer 6, a behavior, in particular a process, of the individual vehicle functions F1 to Fn can be coordinated in terms of time and content, whereby an overall atmosphere is generated for the vehicle user and other occupants of the vehicle 1.

[0041] By way of example, inflatable seat bubbles, which are used for the vehicle function I to Fn massage M, are controlled simultaneously in time with the played music.

[0042] It is also conceivable that a sound, i.e., in particular the acoustic output A1, is transferred via sound converters, so-called exciters, into mechanical movement, for example of the vehicle seat 2, and thus becomes a physical sound experience. This vehicle function F1 to Fn is known as 4D sound.

[0043] Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that the ambient light A is adapted to an animation running on a display unit 7 depending on a background color.

[0044] In turn, alternatively or additionally, an air blast is generated by means of a blower of an air conditioning system of vehicle 1, resulting in a movement of at least one element depicted on a display unit 7. This can create the impression that the movement of the element results from the air blast.

[0045] One embodiment provides that an animation depicted on the display unit 7 moves depending on the speed of music playing, whereby a harmonious impression between the display unit 7 and the music is created.

[0046] Furthermore, it is provided that the scenting B of the interior of vehicle 1 is activated in the case of flowers being depicted on the display unit 7.

[0047] Due to the intelligent and coordinated interaction of the vehicle functions F1 to Fn, the vehicle user in particular is offered a maximum possible added value of the vehicle functions F1 to Fn integrated in the vehicle 1. The combinations depicted above are not an exhaustive list but serve to illustrate the general idea.

[0048] On one hand, different combinations of vehicle functions F1 to Fn can create different atmospheres in the interior of vehicle 1, which can increase the well-being and/or the attention of the vehicle user. For this purpose, the vehicle user can select a desired user menu and thus a corresponding atmosphere.

[0049] On the other hand, a corresponding atmosphere can be created, such that the vehicle user and other occupants can enjoy the overall experience in the interior of vehicle 1.

[0050] If, for example, the user menu Activation is selected, the vehicle functions F1 to Fn acoustic output A1, optical output A2, scenting B, ionization I, ambient light A, seat ventilation S, the 4D sound and a moving vehicle seat 2, motion seating, are activated and their processes are coordinated in terms of time and content.

[0051] For each user menu, leading functions from the number of vehicle functions F1 to Fn, so-called Lead Functions, are predetermined. In the user menu activation, for example, the Lead Function is the acoustic output A1, wherein all other vehicle functions to Fn assigned to the user menu are adjusted in relation to the lead function.

[0052] in the Refreshment user menu, the lead function is in particular the air conditioning K.