Patent Publication Number: US-2017355383-A1

Title: Operating unit for a motor vehicle and method for operating an operating unit of a motor vehicle

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims benefit to German Patent Application No. DE 10 2016 110 850.2, filed Jun. 14, 2016, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
     FIELD 
     The present invention relates to an operating unit for a motor vehicle having a vehicle interface that forms an interface between the vehicle and the driver, a central control unit that is configured to control a vehicle state and/or an operating element of the vehicle interface, a data interface that is connected to the central control unit and forms a wireless link between the central control unit and an external data service, wherein the data interface is configured to transmit data from the vehicle interface to the external data service. The present invention furthermore relates to an operating system for a motor vehicle having an external data service for providing operating instructions for a vehicle interface. The present invention finally relates to a method for operating an operating unit of a motor vehicle having the steps of querying a function of an operating unit via a vehicle interface that forms an interface between the motor vehicle and the driver, wherein the vehicle interface is configured with a central control unit for controlling a vehicle state and/or an operating element of the vehicle interface, and transmitting data from the vehicle interface to an external data service via a data interface that forms a wireless link between the central control unit and the external data service. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Operating units in motor vehicles serve for assistance when operating vehicle functions such as for example functions of the infotainment system. Owing to the multiplicity of and the constantly increasing number of functions in motor vehicles, operating the comprehensive systems in motor vehicles becomes increasingly complex, with the result that the driver does not use or only partially uses the vehicle systems, or complicated explanations from the dealer are necessary to explain the vehicle systems to the driver. 
     SUMMARY 
     In an embodiment, the present invention provides an operating unit for a motor vehicle. The operating unit includes a vehicle interface that forms an interface between the motor vehicle and a driver, a central control unit configured to control a vehicle state and/or an operating element of the vehicle interface, and a data interface that is connected to the central control unit and that forms a wireless link between the central control unit and an external data service. The data interface is configured to transmit data from the vehicle interface to the external data service. The data interface is configured to transmit data from the external data service to the vehicle interface via the central control unit. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will be described in even greater detail below based on the exemplary figures. The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments. All features described and/or illustrated herein can be used alone or combined in different combinations in embodiments of the invention. The features and advantages of various embodiments of the present invention will become apparent by reading the following detailed description with reference to the attached drawings which illustrate the following: 
         FIG. 1  shows a schematic illustration of an operating unit for a motor vehicle that is connected to an external data service; 
         FIG. 2  shows a detailed illustration of an operating unit of a motor vehicle; and 
         FIG. 3  shows a detailed view of an operating system having an operating unit that is connected to an external data service. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     An operating unit of a motor vehicle and a method for operating an operating unit of a motor vehicle are described herein that explain the use of functions and operating features and thus facilitate operation of complex driver/vehicle interfaces. 
     An operating unit is described herein having a data interface being configured to transmit data from an external data service to a vehicle interface via a central control unit. A method is described herein in which data is transmitted from an external data service to a vehicle interface via a central control unit. An operating system is described herein having an operating unit including a data interface configured to transmit data from an external data service to a vehicle interface via a central control unit. 
     Since the data interface both transmits data from the vehicle interface to the external data service and can transmit data from the external data service to the vehicle interface via the central control unit, an external control of the vehicle interface can be displayed as instructions for operating the vehicle interface, and operation of the vehicle interface can thus be facilitated for the driver. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the vehicle interface has a voice interface for transmitting voice messages. As a result, it is possible to guide a driver through a menu simply by way of voice messages. 
     In a further embodiment, the data interface and the central control unit are configured to transmit the voice messages to the vehicle interface. As a result, a driver as a user of the vehicle interface can be guided through the menu safely even while he is driving. 
     In a further embodiment, the vehicle interface has at least one manual operating element. As a result, the operation of the vehicle interface can generally be operated like a button, switch, rotary reset actuator or the like, wherein in a particular embodiment, the manual operating element can be configured such that it is illuminated. 
     In a further embodiment, the data interface and the central control unit are configured to transmit optical messages to the at least one manual operating element. As a result, it is possible to explain to the driver, with little outlay, individual operating steps of the manual operating elements, for example by way of illuminated operating elements. 
     In a particular embodiment, the vehicle interface has a screen and in particular a screen having touch input function, such as for example a touchscreen. As a result, it is possible to explain to the driver simple visualized steps for operating the vehicle interface, for example by displaying arrow borders or flowcharts or explanatory videos. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the data interface and the central control unit are configured to transmit optical messages to the vehicle interface. As a result, menu guidance can be represented to the driver with technically little outlay. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the data interface is configured to transmit data to the central control unit and to control the vehicle interface on the basis of the transmitted data. As a result, the external data service can generally assume control of the vehicle interface and perform settings, such that in general settings of the operating unit can be undertaken for the driver. 
     In a further embodiment, the data interface is configured to transmit updated function data to the central control unit for controlling a vehicle state and/or an operating element. As a result, current vehicle configurations or updates of the software can be transmitted from the external data service to the central control unit of the motor vehicle. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the external data service is configured as a voice-guided computer system. As a result, the transmission of the data can be provided cost-effectively with little outlay. 
     In a further embodiment, the external data service is configured in the form of a call center. As a result, competent and user-friendly instructions can be provided to the driver. 
     In a further embodiment, the data interface is configured to transmit the data from the external data service to the central control unit in encrypted form. As a result, secure control of the operating unit by the external data service is possible. 
     Overall, it is possible with the operating unit and the method for operating the operating unit to provide a simple system that explains to a driver the constantly increasing number of functions and setting features of operating units, such as for example infotainment systems and navigation systems, and, if necessary, performs settings, such that the functions of the motor vehicle can be used accordingly. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic view of an operating unit for a motor vehicle, generally designated with  10 . The operating unit  10  is generally made up of an infotainment system  12 , a cluster instrument  14  and further buttons or switches  16  or touchscreens that generally form a user interface  18  between the driver and the vehicle. Owing to the multiplicity of setting features and linking features in modern motor vehicles that relate both to the vehicle setting and to the infotainment, navigation or communication setting, it is difficult even for technically versed users or drivers to operate or set all functions and setting features and accordingly to completely use the features of the motor vehicle. 
     The operating unit  10  generally has a central control unit  20  that controls the user interfaces  18  and is connectable to an external data service  24  via a data interface  22 . The central control unit  20  can include a processor and a memory having stored thereon processor executable instructions. The data interface  22  can be a transceiver. The external data service  24  is here a stationary data service that may be configured as a computer system  26 , such as for example in the form of a voice-guided computer system  26  or as a call center  28 . The data interface  22  is here connected or connectable to the external data service  24  via a wireless radio link  30 . The radio link  30  forms an encrypted data link that can be connected to the central control unit  20  and the motor vehicle in general via the data interface  22 , and can accordingly make visible to the user operating steps and settings of the user interfaces  18  and perform them in a comprehensible manner. 
     If the user needs help with respect to settings of the user interfaces  18  or the vehicle in general, or settings of the vehicle and/or of the user interfaces  18  need to be performed, this can be by the external data service  24  done via the radio link  30 , and corresponding help can be offered to the user. 
     The current state of the motor vehicle and in particular the state of the operating elements  16 , of the infotainment  12 , of the cluster instrument  14 , the current vehicle configuration is transmitted to the external data service  24  via the central control unit  20  and the data interface  22  and the radio link  30 , and corresponding settings and configurations of the motor vehicle and of the user interfaces  18  can be performed. Furthermore, it is also possible for software updates or the like to be transmitted to the central control unit  20  and the operating unit  10  in general via the radio link  30 , such that, when the external data service  24  is used, always the most recent function of the software can be used. 
     If the user utilizes the help function via the external data service  24 , the instruction or the operating steps can be performed, among others, by voice output, by video display for example of the infotainment system  12  by way of arrows, borders by displaying explanatory videos or by illuminated vehicle operating elements  16 , such as for example buttons, switches or rotary reset actuators, and in the process in particular by switching on and off illumination and color change of illumination means. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a detailed view of the operating unit  10  for explaining the operating steps. The operating unit  10  here includes the infotainment  12 , the cluster instrument  14 , the buttons  16  and a steering wheel  32 , a rotary switch  34  and an audio output and input  36 . 
     In the corresponding menu guidance by way of the external data service  24 , buttons or switches on the steering wheel  32 , rotary positions of the rotary switch  34 , individual switches  16  can be illuminated for example by color change or flashing in order to explain a menu guidance. Furthermore, positions and menu guidance in the cluster instrument  14  and in the infotainment system  12  can be represented by way of arrows, borders or the like, so as to explain a menu guidance by way of the external data service  24 . Using audio input and output  36 , menu guidance can also be explained verbally, and, if the external data service  24  is formed by a call center  28 , the driver can accordingly ask questions to achieve easier menu guidance. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a detailed view of the operating unit  10  and in particular of the central control unit  20 . The central control unit  20  is connected to the external data service  24  via the data interface  22  and the radio link  30  and has a server  38  as a remote service that is connected to various web servers  40 ′,  40 ″,  40 ′″ and a HMI interface as a client  42 . The remote service or the server  38  is connected to various control devices  46  of the motor vehicle via a vehicle bus  44  so as to correspondingly control these control devices  46  via the external data service  24 . 
     The web servers  40 ′,  40 ″,  40 ′″ can be connected to external devices, such as for example smartphones  48  or the like. 
     While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive. It will be understood that changes and modifications may be made by those of ordinary skill within the scope of the following claims. In particular, the present invention covers further embodiments with any combination of features from different embodiments described above and below. 
     The terms used in the claims should be construed to have the broadest reasonable interpretation consistent with the foregoing description. For example, the use of the article “a” or “the” in introducing an element should not be interpreted as being exclusive of a plurality of elements. Likewise, the recitation of “or” should be interpreted as being inclusive, such that the recitation of “A or B” is not exclusive of “A and B,” unless it is clear from the context or the foregoing description that only one of A and B is intended. Further, the recitation of “at least one of A, B and C” should be interpreted as one or more of a group of elements consisting of A, B and C, and should not be interpreted as requiring at least one of each of the listed elements A, B and C, regardless of whether A, B and C are related as categories or otherwise. Moreover, the recitation of “A, B and/or C” or “at least one of A, B or C” should be interpreted as including any singular entity from the listed elements, e.g., A, any subset from the listed elements, e.g., A and B, or the entire list of elements A, B and C.