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DE-102024206652-B4 - System and procedures for operating a system

DE102024206652B4DE 102024206652 B4DE102024206652 B4DE 102024206652B4DE-102024206652-B4

Abstract

System comprising a motor vehicle (12) and a communication device (14), wherein the communication device (14) comprises a body (18), a head (20) mounted on the body (18) which includes a screen device (22) for displaying an optical message for communication with a vehicle occupant of the motor vehicle (12), a movement device (24) configured to move the head (20) relative to the body (18), a control device configured to control the movement device (24) and/or the screen device (22), an interface device via which a mechanical and an electrical connection for power supply and/or data transmission between the communication device (14) and the motor vehicle (12) can be reversibly established, and a storage device on which several different displays and/or movement sequences for movement of the head (20) relative to the body (18) are stored, wherein the control device is configured to receive a control signal from the motor vehicle (12), depending on the received control signal to select one of the displays stored in the memory device and trigger the output of the display and/or to select one of the movement sequences stored in the memory device and trigger the execution of the movement sequence, wherein - the communication device (14) is configured to read out extension information stored on an extension storage device of an extension component (46) and transmit it to the motor vehicle (12); - the motor vehicle is designed (12) to request a data set from a higher-level server facility (26) depending on the extension information and to transmit this data set received from the server facility (26), which characterizes at least one optical display and/or at least one movement sequence, from the motor vehicle (12) to the communication device (14).

Inventors

  • Vitalij Sadovitch
  • Manuel Joachim

Assignees

  • VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20240716

Claims (9)

  1. System comprising a motor vehicle (12) and a communication device (14), wherein the communication device (14) comprises a body (18), a head (20) mounted on the body (18) which includes a screen device (22) for displaying an optical message for communication with a vehicle occupant of the motor vehicle (12), a movement device (24) configured to move the head (20) relative to the body (18), a control device configured to control the movement device (24) and/or the screen device (22), an interface device via which a mechanical and an electrical connection for power supply and/or data transmission between the communication device (14) and the motor vehicle (12) can be reversibly established, and a storage device on which several different displays and/or movement sequences for movement of the head (20) relative to the body (18) are stored, wherein the control device is configured to receive a control signal from the motor vehicle (12), depending on the received The control signal selects one of the displays stored in the memory device and triggers the output of the display and/or selects one of the movement sequences stored in the memory device and triggers the execution of the movement sequence, wherein: - the communication device (14) is configured to read out extension information stored on an extension memory device of an extension component (46) and transmit it to the motor vehicle (12); - the motor vehicle (12) is configured to request a data set from a higher-level server device (26) depending on the extension information and to transmit this data set received from the server device (26), which characterizes at least one optical display and/or at least one movement sequence, from the motor vehicle (12) to the communication device (14).
  2. System according to Claim 1 , wherein the interface device is configured to establish a mechanical connection as well as a wireless connection between the communication device (14) and the motor vehicle (12).
  3. System according to Claim 1 or 2 , wherein the motor vehicle (12) comprises a computing device (40) which is configured to select an action for the communication device (14) in response to a detected input from a vehicle occupant or a behavior of the vehicle occupant and to provide a control signal characterizing the action to the control unit of the communication device (14).
  4. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the system additionally comprises a superior server facility (26) which is connected to the motor vehicle (12) via a first data connection (28), wherein the motor vehicle (12) is connected to the communication device (14) via a second data connection (30).
  5. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the motor vehicle (12) has several mating interface devices at different positions in a vehicle interior of the motor vehicle (12), each of which is connected to the The interface device of the communication device (14) can be brought into action.
  6. A method for operating a system according to one of the preceding claims, in which a control signal is received from the motor vehicle (12) by means of the control unit of the communication device (14) and, depending on the received control signal, a display stored in the storage device is selected and the output of the display is triggered and/or a movement sequence stored in the storage device is selected and the execution of the movement sequence is triggered, wherein the extension information, which is stored on the extension storage device of the extension component (46), is read out by means of the communication device (14) and transmitted to the motor vehicle (12), a data set is requested from a higher-level server device (26) by means of the motor vehicle (12) depending on the extension information and this data set received from the server device (26), which characterizes at least one optical display and/or at least one movement sequence, is transmitted by the motor vehicle (12) to the communication device (14).
  7. Procedure according to Claim 6 , wherein the motor vehicle (12) evaluates a voice input from the vehicle occupant and provides the control signal depending on the evaluation.
  8. Procedure according to Claim 6 or 7 , wherein the control signal is provided by means of the motor vehicle (12) depending on information which the motor vehicle (12) has received from a higher-level server facility (26).
  9. Procedure according to one of the Claims 6 until 8 , wherein the optical display and/or the movement sequence characterized by the data set is stored in the storage device of the communication device (14).

Description

The present invention relates to a system comprising a motor vehicle and a communication device, as well as a method for operating a system. From the US 2011 / 0 144 856 A1 A three-dimensional physical figure for communicating with a vehicle occupant in a motor vehicle is known, wherein the three-dimensional physical figure is fixed in a position within the motor vehicle. The three-dimensional physical figure is configured to communicate visually and/or audibly with a driver or a vehicle occupant of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, from the DE 10 2007 037 073 A1 A device for conveying information to the driver of a motor vehicle is known. The device comprises a control unit and a display unit controlled by the control unit. The display unit has at least one three-dimensionally formed direction indicator element that is movable in at least one degree of freedom. Furthermore, the display unit has a drive element for moving the direction indicator element. The control unit can determine the spatial direction to be displayed to the driver. The control unit can actuate the drive element of the display unit to align the direction indicator element in the spatial direction to be displayed. Furthermore, from the WO 2016 / 202 450 A1 A method for controlling an interface device of a motor vehicle is known. The method involves acquiring at least one physiological parameter of a vehicle occupant, in particular the driver, by means of a sensor device. Furthermore, the method includes determining the mental state of the vehicle occupant by analyzing the acquired physiological parameter. The method also includes controlling an output device of the interface device in order to influence at least one output depending on the analyzed mental state of the vehicle occupant. Furthermore, from the JP 2021 - 99 228 A An agent system for a vehicle is known, comprising an agent with a three-dimensional structure. This agent is located in the driver's cabin and has movable parts such as a head, arms, and body. Furthermore, the agent includes several drive units by means of which the head, body, and arms can be moved, and the eyelids opened and closed. The agent can provide information, respond to voice or touch inputs, and is controlled via a control unit. Furthermore, from the JP 2002 - 104 103 A An information device is known that is used in a vehicle and comprises a three-dimensional notification object. The device can be attached to the front of the passenger compartment, for example on the dashboard, by means of fixings. It has a body and arms that are movable by motors. The information device serves to direct the occupant's attention to vehicle-related information and at the same time positively influence their entertainment and mood. Furthermore, from the WO 2020 / 195 462 A1 An information device is known that comprises a main body and several display elements. The display elements, such as arms, a head, or ears, are movably attached to the main body. Furthermore, the information device can be equipped with a microphone, a loudspeaker, and display elements for speech interaction. The information device can direct the driver's attention by means of visual gestures and acoustic signals, thereby, for example, improving vehicle safety. The object of the present invention is to create a solution which enables a motor vehicle occupant to communicate with a communication device in a particularly simple and comprehensive way. This problem is solved according to the invention by the subject matter of the independent claims. Further possible embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims, the description, and the figures. Features, advantages, and possible embodiments set forth in the description for one of the subject matter of the independent claims are to be regarded, at least analogously, as features, advantages, and possible embodiments of the respective subject matter of the other independent claims, as well as of any possible combination of the subject matter of the independent claims, optionally in conjunction with one or more of the dependent claims. The invention relates to a system comprising a motor vehicle, in particular a motor car, especially a passenger car, and a communication device. The communication device is a physical avatar. It comprises a body and a head mounted on the body, which serves for communication. The communication device comprises a screen display for displaying an optical message to a vehicle occupant, as well as a movement device configured to move the head relative to the body. Specifically, the movement device is configured to move the head in six degrees of freedom, and thus in the three spatial directions relative to the body, and to pivot it in the respective spatial directions relative to the body. Furthermore, the communication device includes a control unit configured to control the movement device and/or the screen display. In addition, the communication device includes a