ENTERTAINMENT APPARATUS FOR A SELF-DRIVING MOTOR VEHICLE

The disclosure relates to an entertainment apparatus for a self-driving motor vehicle. The entertainment apparatus is designed to use a plurality of interior surfaces in an interior of the motor vehicle as reproduction surfaces for image data. A module is configured to, in response to an evaluation of dynamic parameters while driving, transfer image data from image data sets to a plurality of interior surfaces in a vehicle interior to reproduce the image data such that the dynamic parameters are coordinated with the image data on each of the interior surfaces.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims foreign priority benefits under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) to DE Application 10 2017 205 079.9 filed Mar. 27, 2017, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to an entertainment apparatus for a self-driving motor vehicle.

BACKGROUND

A self-driving motor vehicle is understood to be a motor vehicle that can drive, steer and park without the intervention of a human driver (highly automated driving or autonomous driving). The term robot car is also used in cases where no manual control on the part of the driver is necessary. The driver's seat can then remain empty; steering wheel, brake and accelerator pedal may not even be present.

The term “self-driving motor vehicle” also includes trucks, agricultural tractors and military vehicles that drive without the intervention of the driver, or even without a driver at all. If an unmanned motor vehicle has to be remotely controlled by a human being, i.e. it cannot drive autonomously, it is not an autonomous land vehicle.

Autonomous motor vehicles can detect their surroundings with the aid of a variety of sensors and can determine their position and that of other road users from the information obtained, can drive to a destination through cooperation with the navigation software, and can avoid collisions on the way.

Through this development towards self-driving motor vehicles, motor vehicles will change into mobility platforms that are no longer controlled by a driver. This leads to a complete redesign of the interior of the motor vehicle. In addition to this, the fact that the driver is no longer forced to concentrate on driving means that he has much more “free time”, especially during longer trips.

SUMMARY

It is therefore the object of the disclosure to indicate ways in which the driver can use this new free time.

The object of the disclosure is achieved through an entertainment apparatus for a self-driving motor vehicle that is designed to use a plurality of interior surfaces in an interior of the motor vehicle as reproduction surfaces for image data. These interior surfaces can thus be used to reproduce image data from films or computer games.

According to one embodiment, one of the interior surfaces is designed as a screen. The screen can, for example, be designed as a flat screen, e.g. an OLED screen, and can have a curved form adapted to the interior space.

According to a further embodiment, the entertainment apparatus comprises a projector that projects image data onto one of the interior surfaces. The interior surface can thus itself remain unchanged.

According to a further embodiment, one of the interior surfaces is designed as a window surface of the motor vehicle. A surface that is relatively flat in comparison with other surfaces in the interior of a motor vehicle can thus be used.

According to a further embodiment, one of the interior surfaces is designed as a roof lining of the motor vehicle. The roof lining can thus also be used as a reproduction surface.

According to a further embodiment, the entertainment apparatus is designed to use the plurality of interior surfaces to reproduce image data of an image data set and/or of a plurality of image data from image data sets. It is thus possible—e.g. when reproducing image data of a computer game—to extend a reproduction over a plurality of reproduction surfaces to convey a 3-D impression, or a progress of a game surrounding the players. The interior surfaces can also, alternatively, be used so that each passenger can watch his own individual film or can play his own individual computer game.

According to a further embodiment, the entertainment apparatus is designed to output 2-D and/or 3-D image data sets as image data. In contrast to 2-D image data, 3-D image data here means that a reproduction thereof conveys a moving image with an impression of depth for stereoscopic vision to the observer through a stereoscopic method.

According to a further embodiment, the entertainment apparatus is designed to output 4-D image data sets as image data. In contrast to 3-D image data, 4-D image data here means that yet further operations are employed during the reproduction thereof in order to increase the completeness of the illusion, e.g. through the following special effects:

fragrances are introduced into the cinema room,

artificial rain and/or fog are produced,

wind is generated, and

so-called leg-ticklers (usually plastic threads) rotate under the cinema seats. They are intended to imitate grass, moving insects or similar.

According to a further embodiment, the entertainment apparatus is designed to control a ventilation and/or air-conditioning device of the motor vehicle in order to implement this additional data during reproduction.

According to a further embodiment, the entertainment apparatus is designed to output 5-D image data sets as image data. In contrast to 4-D image data, 5-D image data here means that, during a reproduction thereof, as further special effects, seats, or entire groups of observer seats are moved or vibrate in order to raise the completeness of the illusion even further.

According to a further embodiment, the entertainment apparatus is designed to control a seat adjustment device of a seat of the motor vehicle in order to implement this additional data during reproduction.

According to a further embodiment, the entertainment apparatus is designed to evaluate driving dynamic parameters of the motor vehicle and to take them into account in the reproduction of image data. The illusion of movements can thus be raised yet further through vehicle movement.

A computer program product and a motor vehicle with such an entertainment apparatus also belong to the disclosure. The entertainment apparatus may be a microprocessor, or controller.

The disclosure will now be explained with reference to a drawing, in which:

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is first made toFIG. 1.

A self-driving vehicle2, which in the present exemplary embodiment takes the form of an automobile, is illustrated. Differing from the present exemplary embodiment, the motor vehicle2can also take the form of a truck.

A self-driving motor2vehicle is understood here to be a motor vehicle that can drive, steer and park without intervention of a human driver (highly automated driving or autonomous driving). A driver's seat (not shown) can then remain empty, and a steering wheel, and brake and accelerator pedals may not even be present.

The self-driving motor vehicle2can detect its surroundings with the aid of a variety of sensors (not illustrated), determine a position of the vehicle2and that of other road users from the information obtained, drive to a destination through cooperation with navigation software, and avoid collisions on a route to the destination.

Four seats8a,8b,8c,8dfor passengers are provided in an interior6of the motor vehicle2in the present exemplary embodiment. An entertainment apparatus4is designed to use a plurality of interior surfaces10a,10b,10c,10d,10eas displays12in the interior6of the motor vehicle2as reproduction surfaces for image data provided in the interior6.

For this purpose, the entertainment apparatus4in the present exemplary embodiment comprises one or a plurality of projectors (not illustrated) with which image data can be projected onto one or all of the interior surfaces10a,10b,10c,10d,10e. Alternatively, one or all of the interior surfaces10a,10b,10c,10d,10ecan each be designed as a screen, e.g. as an OLED screen.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the interior surfaces10a,10b,10c,10dare window surfaces of the motor vehicle2, such as for example a windshield, a rear window and side windows. Depending on a presence of A, B or C pillars, a number of side windows can vary from the present exemplary embodiment. A further interior surface10eis designed as a roof liner of the motor vehicle2.

With the entertainment apparatus4, an image data set can optionally be reproduced on the plurality of interior surfaces10a,10b,10c,10d,10e. The entertainment apparatus4is also designed to reproduce a plurality of image data sets on each of the interior surfaces10a,10b,10c,10d,10e.

The entertainment apparatus4is furthermore designed in the present exemplary embodiment to output 2-D and/or 3-D and/or 4-D and/or 5-D image data sets as image data.

For this purpose, it is possible—as will be explained later in more detail—for the entertainment apparatus4to be designed to operate ventilation and/or air-conditioning devices34(not illustrated inFIG. 1) of the motor vehicle2and/or seat adjustment devices42(not illustrated inFIG. 1) of the seats8a,8b,8c,8dof the motor vehicle2.

Reference is now additionally made toFIG. 2.

The entertainment apparatus4comprises, in the present exemplary embodiment, the following components: an entertainment module16, a communication module18, a human-machine interface20, a cloud server22, a 4-D image data reproduction module24, a 5-D image data reproduction module26and a coordination module28.

The entertainment apparatus4, and also the entertainment module16, the communication module18, the human-machine interface20, the cloud server22, the 4-D image data reproduction module24, the 5-D image data reproduction module26and/or the coordination module28can comprise hardware such as a microprocessor and/or software component in order to execute their functions as described below.

The entertainment module16is designed to transfer image data of a film or of a computer game to reproduction devices such as a screen or projectors.

The entertainment module16can, furthermore, contain a collection of films and/or computer games that have been downloaded by passengers before, or during, a trip that can be used while driving. The entertainment module16can, furthermore, comprise a video streaming function in order to reproduce one of a plurality of films on the display12, while all the films are archived on the cloud server22. The entertainment module16can also act as a game client for a computer game on the cloud server22.

The communication module18in the present exemplary embodiment is designed for wireless communication (e.g. 4G or 5G) between the entertainment module16and the cloud server22(e.g. fiber optics, Ethernet . . . ) and the seats8a,8b,8c,8d.

The human-machine interface20is designed such that, in operation, a film and/or a computer game can be selected and controlled by the passengers. The human-machine interface20can be a mobile part that is implemented in the respective seat8a,8b,8c,8d. Alternatively, the human-machine interface20can be a smartphone of a passenger that is connectable via an interface to the entertainment apparatus4(e.g. via SYNC, wireless, plug, Bluetooth . . . ). The human-machine interface20can be integrated into a virtual environment or comprise so-called smart glasses (wearable computers that project information into the visual field of the user) or so-called 3-D glasses. Haptic elements, e.g. haptic gloves, can furthermore be assigned to the human-machine interface20.

The cloud server22can be a remotely arranged server that the entertainment apparatus4can access in order to download films or computer games before, or during, a journey, possibly, for example, via the communication module18, in order to establish a streaming connection to the cloud server22or to establish a connection as a game client.

The 4-D image data reproduction module24can comprise software and/or a controller, and will be explained later with additional reference toFIG. 3.

The 5-D image data reproduction module26is designed to coordinate a degree of movement of the seats8a,8b,8c,8dwith particular scenes of a film/computer game. This can be done through an arbitrary combination of vehicle movements (particular longitudinal/transverse movement of the vehicle); vehicle maneuvers that are performed by the motor vehicle for this purpose, or through special maneuvers independent of traffic.

The coordination module28is designed to coordinate and control of the overall system. For example, two passengers in the front seats8a,8bwant to watch a 4-D film during the trip, while the passengers in the rear seats8c,8dwant to play a motor racing game.

Reference is now additionally made toFIG. 3.

The instrument panel (not illustrated) is also considered to belong to the seats8a,8b,8c,8d. In the present exemplary embodiment, the seats8a,8b,8c,8dcomprise a sitting surface30, loudspeakers32, a ventilation and/or air-conditioning device34, a fragrance generator36, a water droplet generator38, an interface40for connection of the human-machine interface20, a seat adjusting device42, a seat rotation device44, and a seat acceleration device46.

The seats8a,8b,8c,8d, along with the loudspeakers32, the ventilation and/or air-conditioning device34, the fragrance generator36, the water droplet generator38, the interface40, the seat adjusting device42, the seat rotation device44and/or the seat acceleration device46can comprise hardware and/or software components in order to execute their functions as described below.

The loudspeakers32can be arranged in the environment or in a seat backrest. The loudspeaker32, which can comprise groups of individual loudspeakers, is designed here to implement a surround-effect or 3-D sound. The loudspeaker32can be accessible via an audio plug in the respective seat8a,8b,8c,8d, which can be particularly useful when a plurality of passengers would like to use the entertainment apparatus4for different purposes at the same time.

The ventilation and/or air-conditioning device34can be controlled by the 4-D image data reproduction module24in order in this way to implement 4-D effects. The fragrance generator36which, together with the ventilation and/or air-conditioning device34, implements 4-D effects, can be a fragrance generator that is designed to implement an ambient fragrance or to implement countermeasures to bad odors.

The water droplet generator38is used together with the fragrance generator36and the ventilation and/or air-conditioning device34in order to implement 4-D effects.

The 4-D image data reproduction module24can drive the ventilation and/or air-conditioning device34, the fragrance generator36and the water droplet generator38in order to generate weather effects.

A flow of air can thus be generated with the 4-D image data reproduction module24if, for example, a person in a film scene moves quickly or is exposed to wind. Fragrances can, furthermore, be generated if a person is exposed to an odor. Water droplets can, furthermore, be generated if, for example, a person in a film scene is exposed to rain and/or air moisture. The 4-D image data reproduction module24can be activated when a 3-D game or film is selected by a passenger.

Services can, furthermore, be offered to the passengers via the interface40and a human-machine interface20connected through it.

The seat adjusting device42is designed to adjust a sitting position with respect to the virtual display or for reproduction of 5-D image data.

The seat rotation device44, furthermore, is provided to create the sitting position with reference to the virtual display for the reproduction of 5-D image data.

The seat acceleration device46, furthermore, is designed for the simulation of G-forces.

Alternatively or in addition, the seat adjusting devices42, the seat rotation device44and/or the seat acceleration device46can be driven by the 5-D image data reproduction module26. At a beginning of the journey, the passengers enter the system through their respective human-machine interfaces20. After downloading the 4-D film and the motor racing game, the entertainment apparatus4configures the display12such that the two passengers in the front seats8a,8bsee the 4-D film, while the passengers in the rear seats8c,8dcan play the motor racing game. The internal surface10cand the internal surface10dcan here each be used in a divided manner, so that part of the interior surfaces10b,10cis assigned to the front seats8a,8band the other part to the rear seats8c,8d.

The ventilation and/or air-conditioning device34, the fragrance generator36and the water droplet generator38may furthermore be driven, if appropriate, by the 4-D image data reproduction module24.

Reference is additionally made toFIG. 4.

The apparatus48illustrated inFIG. 4detects and evaluates driving dynamic parameters of the motor vehicle2, such as, for example speeds, accelerations and torques that act along a longitudinal, transverse and/or vertical axis of the motor vehicle2. The apparatus48also detects a profile of a drive path such as climbs, drops and/or curves. The apparatus48furthermore detects environmental conditions such as, for example, weather and wind, traffic conditions such as traffic density, traffic jams, start-stop traffic, and other road users.

In operation, the apparatus48works in two operating modes.

In the first operating mode, the entertainment program that is made available to the passengers depends on external parameters. This means that the apparatus48only provides those entertainment offerings (game, film) for which additional effects can be implemented, bearing in mind the values of the external parameters. For example, the apparatus48will preselect a part of a film or of a computer game for which a route to be driven and traffic conditions allow it to generate an appropriate acceleration and/or deceleration. This operating mode can be used when the driver has selected this operating mode, the motor vehicle2has been started and is moving, a specific route to be driven has been selected, traffic density is below a limiting value, the specific route exhibits a certain distribution of drops/climbs, other road users are located outside a predetermined region surrounding the motor vehicle2, weather conditions are good and an expected energy consumption for effects related to the specific route lie below a threshold value.

If, on the other hand, some of these conditions are not met, the effects are not implemented.

In the second operating mode, the apparatus48is designed to influence a few external parameters in order to implement effects. This means that the apparatus48is designed to choose a particular driving route, determine a trajectory and implement driving maneuvers.

This operating mode can be used when the driver has selected the second operating mode, the motor vehicle2is at the beginning of a trip and no specific route to be driven has been selected, an alternative route is available for selection that will not bring a delay, the traffic density is below a limiting value, other road users are located outside a predetermined region surrounding the motor vehicle2, weather conditions are good and an expected energy consumption for the effects lies below a threshold value.

If, on the other hand, some of these conditions are not met, the effects are not implemented.

The apparatus48comprises a driving dynamic monitoring device50, a calculation unit52, an effect determination unit54, a vehicle movement control unit56, a maneuver monitoring unit58and an entertainment management unit60.

For the execution of their functions as described below, the apparatus48, together with the driving dynamic monitoring device50, the calculation unit52, the effect determination unit54, the vehicle movement control unit56, the maneuver monitoring unit58and/or the entertainment management unit60can comprise hardware and/or software components.

The driving dynamic monitoring device50detects driving dynamic parameters of the motor vehicle2such as, for example, speeds, accelerations and torques. The driving dynamic monitoring device50also monitors a profile of a drive path such as climbs, drops and curves. The driving dynamic monitoring device50furthermore detects environmental conditions such as, for example, weather and wind, traffic conditions such as traffic density, traffic jams, start-stop traffic, and other road users.

On the basis of values detected by the driving dynamic monitoring device50, an effect determination unit54determines the effects that can be implemented, and which cannot. This is done before the entertainment apparatus4starts up, and can be repeated continuously during operation of the entertainment apparatus4.

The vehicle movement control unit56is designed to determine a type and time of effects that should be implemented for a selected entertainment program. Suitable time points can be marked by the vehicle movement control unit56.

The maneuver monitoring unit58is designed to implement maneuvers of the motor vehicle2through specification of driving variables such as acceleration and/or torques. The maneuver monitoring unit58can have access to vehicle control components for this purpose. Control signals from the maneuver monitoring unit58here have a lower priority than control signals from other vehicle components, in order to guarantee traffic safety.

The maneuver monitoring unit58is designed to implement a particular effect through a driving maneuver. The effects are converted for this purpose into drive parameters in that, for example, a table, a regulator, a Kalman filter etc. is used and the drive parameters are transferred to the maneuver monitoring unit58. The maneuver monitoring unit58also uses information from the driving dynamic monitoring device50in order to check whether or not the external conditions allow the effects to be implemented. No effects are implemented in the presence of a traffic jam, for example.

It can, further, be provided that effects are only implemented in a weakened form if the parameters allowed this and implementation of the effects with full strength is not possible.

It can, further, be provided that an energy requirement or consumption for the effect generation is determined. A decision to implement the effects or not can be made on the basis of a current energy reserve. The deactivation, i.e. a non-implementation of effects can also be provided, in order in this way to reduce the energy consumption and, potentially, emissions from the motor vehicle2.

It can, in addition, be provided that, in planning a route to be traveled, a selected piece of entertainment such as a film is borne in mind in order to be able to implement effects with maximum effect by taking external parameters that will result from driving along this route into account.

The entertainment management unit60coordinates all said components, i.e. the driving dynamic monitoring device50, the calculation unit52, the effect determination unit54, the vehicle movement control unit56and the maneuver monitoring unit58. The entertainment management unit60furthermore monitors which effects should be implemented, and whether the current route and current traffic conditions allow them to be implemented through driving maneuvers, requests the implementation of the effects by the vehicle movement control unit56, and monitors this.

In this way it is possible to use the interior surfaces10a,10b,10c,10d,10ein the interior6of the motor vehicle2in order to reproduce image data of films or computer games.