DE102014017165A1 - A motor vehicle and method for controlling communication between a motor vehicle and a mobile device - Google Patents

Abstract

Motor vehicle (1), comprising a plurality of seats (2-6) arranged in the interior for occupants of the motor vehicle (1) and a communication device (8) for establishing a data connection according to a communication standard, in particular Bluetooth, to one of an occupant, in particular the driver , self-guided mobile device (9), wherein in at least the driver associated seat (2), in particular several or all seats (2-6), an NFC device (12) is integrated, wherein a control unit (11) of the motor vehicle (1) for receiving communication data of an NFC-enabled mobile device (9) received by the NFC device (12) identifying it with respect to the communication standard, and assigning the mobile device (9) to a seat (2-6) on the basis of receiving NFC device (12) is formed.

Description

The invention relates to a motor vehicle, comprising a plurality of seats arranged in the interior for occupants of the motor vehicle and a communication device for establishing a data connection according to a communication standard, in particular Bluetooth, to a mobile device carried by an occupant, in particular the driver. In addition, the invention relates to a method for controlling the communication between such a motor vehicle and a mobile device.

It is already known that data connections can be established between mobile devices, in particular mobile phones and motor vehicles. This process is often referred to as "coupling" of the mobile phone or generally mobile device to the motor vehicle. The purpose of this coupling is, for example, the use of a hands-free device of the motor vehicle and a user interface of the motor vehicle to talk with a mobile phone as a mobile device; However, it is also conceivable that the mobile device is used as access to an external vehicle network, for example the Internet, to retrieve information in the motor vehicle.

In order to establish the data connection, ie to couple the mobile device to the motor vehicle, a communication device is provided on the motor vehicle side. This is usually designed to implement a specific communication standard, with the standard used most frequently in this area being the so-called Bluetooth standard. When using Bluetooth, after activation, Bluetooth devices are displayed in the environment that can be paired with your device. After selecting the partner to be paired with and often entering authorization information the first time, the data connection is established between the device itself and the partner. It is also conceivable, then, if the Bluetooth communication devices of both partners are already active to perform the coupling automatically. If, for example, a driver with a mobile device, which is already known to the communication device of the motor vehicle and whose Bluetooth interface is activated, enters the motor vehicle, the data connection between the motor vehicle and the mobile device can be established completely automatically via Bluetooth.

Problems occur in the coupling of mobile devices to a motor vehicle whenever there are multiple mobile devices in the vehicle. If, for example, there are several occupants who carry all mobile devices with an active Bluetooth interface (or other communication standard interface) with them, they can not be assigned to the position of the occupants, whereby usually only a coupling with the driver's mobile device is desired. However, an assignment of the mobile device to the driver is not possible.

There are also motor vehicles are known whose communication device is designed to establish data connections to several mobile devices simultaneously, with certain mobile devices to be used for specific purposes, which also raises difficulties if they can not be assigned to specific persons or at least roles in the motor vehicle.

The invention is therefore based on the object of specifying an improved possibility for assigning mobile devices in a motor vehicle.

To solve this problem is provided according to the invention in a motor vehicle of the type mentioned that in at least the seat assigned to the driver, in particular several or all seats, at least one NFC device is integrated, wherein a control device of the motor vehicle for receiving by the NFC Means received communication data of an NFC-enabled mobile device that identify this with respect to the communication standard, and is designed to associate the mobile device to a seat on the basis of the receiving NFC device.

It is therefore proposed to use at least one seat, in particular the driver's seat, but preferably all seats, integrated NFC devices which detect the mobile device carried by the occupant, for example in the pocket, in particular a mobile telephone, so that in Motor vehicle can be made an assignment of the mobile device to an occupant. The abbreviation NFC stands for Near Field Communication and describes an international transmission standard for the contactless exchange of data over short distances, for example, of a few centimeters. Mobile devices, in particular mobile phones, nowadays often already have an NFC interface in order to be used, for example, in the context of the payment without a fee or the like. Due to the short range of Nahfeldkommunikation, which may be, for example, less than 30 cm, it can be concluded for potential communication partners of the NFC facilities that these mobile devices are also on the appropriate seat, so that the assignment is possible. In order to establish the connection to the other communication standard, in particular Bluetooth, the mobile device, on request by the NFC device, delivers communication data which describes its identity in the communication standard, so that the assignment is subsequently made by the communication device found possible or connected communication partners, to whom a data connection is to be established or exists to draw. Thus, in a simple manner, a reliable and robust way is given to assign mobile devices in a motor vehicle to a seat and thus at least one role of the occupant. The corresponding assignment information that arises in this way can be used in different ways, for example for selecting mobile devices with which a data connection is to be established, or else for assistance with inputs, in particular in the selection of mobile devices, with which the data connection is to be established or whose data connection is to be activated, if there are several data connections.

Thus, an expedient development of the present invention provides that the control device for the automatic construction of the data connection is designed with a mobile device detected at a specific seat, in particular the seat assigned to the driver, using the communication data. In the sense of a pre-selection can thus be stored in the control unit to the mobile devices which seat automatically the data connection should be established, which is preferably the driver assigned seat. It is also conceivable that, for example via a user interface on an MMI of the motor vehicle, can be selected to the mobile device which seat automatically a data connection to be established. This goes beyond the previously known automatic connection setup, after seat-specific can be selected, to which mobile devices the automatic connection should be made.

Especially in this context, but also in general, it is particularly preferred if the control unit is designed to control a detected mobile device for activating the communication readiness for the communication standard via the NFC device. After communication with the mobile device via the NFC device is also possible without a communication interface that is active on the village side, in particular a Bluetooth interface, a particularly expedient refinement provides that these are activated in a controlled manner, in particular with detection by the NFC device can, so as to enable the automatic construction of the data connection, so a coupling. Specifically, therefore, the Bluetooth interface can be selectively activated in a mobile phone when a mobile phone already known to the motor vehicle (or generally mobile device) is detected by an NFC device, so that the user no cumbersome operations to activate the Bluetooth interface or generally the communication standard interface must be made. In this way, the comfort in the vehicle is significantly increased. It should also be noted at this point that it is of course also conceivable to transmit a deactivation signal for the communication standard interface to the mobile device upon termination of the data connection by the NFC device, so that its communication standard interface, in particular Bluetooth interface, not is unnecessarily continued and a power saving is possible. This can also be triggered by the control unit, which expediently also controls the operation of the communication device anyway.

It should also be noted at this point that several control units can work together to realize the functionalities described here. However, it is preferred if a control unit alone is assigned to the general communication to mobile devices in the motor vehicle, thus monitors and controls the communication device and the at least one NFC device.

A refinement of the invention provides that the control unit is designed to control the at least one NFC device for determining communication data on detection of a plurality of mobile devices in the interior of the motor vehicle which are ready for communication by the communication device in accordance with the communication standard. The NFC devices of the seats or of the at least one seat can therefore be used "on demand" as it were if, for example, more than one communication device ready to communicate in the interior of the motor vehicle has been determined and it is to be decided with which mobile device the data connection is made should. Of course, other embodiments are conceivable in which, in principle, for example cyclically, attempts are made to find the seats provided with at least one NFC device associated mobile devices and the like.

Conveniently, the controller may be configured to utilize the association of multiple mobile devices with seats to generate a user interface for selecting a mobile device to be seated and to use the communication data to establish the data connection with the thus selected mobile device. It is thus conceivable, for example, to use the assignment information to make the selection of mobile devices with which a data connection is to be established, not based on the partially cryptic naming in the communication standard, in particular Bluetooth, but on the basis of the seat to which the mobile device is assigned. For example, the UI may offer as options: "Pair the driver's seat mobile device", "Pair the front-seat mobile device" and "Pair the rear-right mobile device". In this way, an abstracted, easy-to-understand selection of mobile devices to be coupled is possible, which can easily be used to establish the data connection on the basis of the existing communication data, which also identify the mobile devices with respect to the communication standard.

Conveniently, the at least one NFC device can be integrated in the region of the seat surface of the seat and / or in the region of a potential shirt pocket in the backrest of the seat. NFC features integrated into the seat surface are ideal for contacting and identifying mobile devices tucked in trouser pockets. After some mobile devices can be transported in shirt pockets or the like, it makes sense, especially in addition to the amount of such a shirt pocket to arrange a particular more NFC device.

As already indicated, provision can be made for the communication device to be designed to produce data connections to a plurality of mobile devices. Thus, it is conceivable, for example, to use different coupled mobile devices for different functions to be performed and / or to retrieve information from a plurality of coupled mobile devices. In this context, an expedient development provides that the control device for selecting a data connection to be used is designed on the basis of the association with a seat produced by a respective NFC device. For example, it may be provided that for telephone calls, that is to say for example the use of a hands-free device, only the mobile device assigned to the driver is to be used, while navigation information present there on the likewise coupled mobile device of a passenger can be retrieved and also used in the motor vehicle. Of course, a variety of other criteria is conceivable as certain functions, the mobile devices may be assigned to different seats, so that the assignment data for selecting the data connection and thus the mobile device can be used.

The use of data connections to a plurality of mobile devices is particularly advantageous if, for example, multimedia contents of various mobile devices are to be reproduced on the (only one) multimedia system of the motor vehicle. It can be switched between the mobile devices dynamically, the mapping information can be used to easily identify mobile devices as data sources.

In a preferred refinement, the control device is for controlling the NFC device and / or the communication device for determining identification data of the respective owner of all detected mobile devices and for generating an occupancy plan of the motor vehicle based on the identification data and the assignment of the mobile devices determined by the NFC devices Sitting trained. It is therefore conceivable to use additional identification data to create an occupancy plan that indicates which seat is sitting on which person. For this purpose, the identification data with the assignment information, which can be determined by the NFC device, linked. In this way, it is for example possible to display the occupancy plan, so that, for example, when changing a data source direct feedback to a display device of the motor vehicle is possible. The by the production of the data connection ultimately "logged in" occupants can be displayed correctly based on the allocation plan, which is already extremely useful if, for example, previously unknown passengers, for example in the context of a carpool, transported.

An expedient development of the invention is also provided if the occupancy plan can be transmitted to at least one application of at least one mobile device via the data connection by the control unit. For such an occupancy plan can be extremely advantageous, for example, in terms of applications (apps) that provide carpooling use, after it can be displayed directly who is present in the vehicle. If the information is determined automatically, it is possible to obtain a virtual representation of the occupants in the motor vehicle even without the active involvement of the occupants.

A further embodiment provides that the identification data from an external network, in particular the Internet, be supplemented. For example, it is possible to use the identification data that was determined by the mobile device, for example, to retrieve images of the associated persons and / or further information about the persons, for example from the Internet. Such images and / or other further information can be used in the display and support, for example, the assignment, especially if, for example, multimedia content on a particular mobile device to be selected by touching the image of the owner of the mobile device and the like.

In addition to the motor vehicle, the invention also relates to a method for controlling the communication between a motor vehicle and a mobile device, wherein the motor vehicle several, in the Interior arranged seats for occupants of the motor vehicle and a communication device for establishing a data connection according to a communication standard, in particular Bluetooth, to one of an occupant, in particular the driver, with guided mobile device, which is characterized in that at least one in the driver assigned Seat integrated NFC device, in particular in several or all seats integrated NFC devices, are used, wherein received by the NFC device communication data of an NFC-enabled mobile device that identify this with respect to the communication standards are transmitted to a controller and this is the mobile device assigned to a seat by the receiving NFC facility. All statements relating to the motor vehicle according to the invention can be analogously transferred to the method according to the invention, with which therefore also the advantages already mentioned can be obtained. It should be pointed out again that the process does not necessarily have to be performed by a single control device, but quite procedural steps distributed on several cooperating control units can be performed.

Further advantages and details of the present invention will become apparent from the embodiments described below and with reference to the drawing. Showing:

1 a schematic diagram of a motor vehicle according to the invention,

2 a possible arrangement of NFC facilities in a seat, and

3 a possible display for selecting a multimedia data source.

1 shows a schematic diagram of a motor vehicle according to the invention 1 , This has five seats 2 to 6 on, with the seat 2 assigned to the driver, the seat 3 the passenger and the seats 4 to 6 through a backseat 7 of the motor vehicle 1 be formed.

The car 1 also has a communication device 8th enabling a data connection to mobile devices in the coverage area thereof 9 of which, for example, only a trained as a smartphone mobile device 9 in the area of the driver's seat 2 is shown. The operation of the communication device 8th is through a control unit 11 monitored and controlled. This also has access to a human machine interface (MMI) 10 of the motor vehicle 1 which also includes a display device.

Settings regarding data connections to be made and the like can be made via the MMI, which will be discussed in more detail below with respect to some functions.

To mobile devices 9 within the motor vehicle 1 To sit 2 to 6 and thus being able to assign occupants is in every seat 2 to 6 at least one NFC device 12 integrated for near field communication with mobile devices 9 is trained. This way, mobile devices can 9 in the extremely limited communications area of NFC facilities 12 Be queried for communication data that will allow the mobile devices 9 also for Bluetooth connections as data connections of the communication device 8th to identify. After the control unit 11 also the NFC facilities 12 monitors and controls, it also receives the communication data from the respective NFC devices 12 and thus can by reference to the receiving NFC facility 12 mobile devices 9 the respective seats 2 to 6 assign. In other words, the controller 11 designed for carrying out the method according to the invention.

2 shows how NFC facilities 12 in a seat, here for example the driver's seat 2 , can be integrated. You can see an NFC device 12 below and adjacent to the seat 13 of the seat 2 arranged while a second NFC device 12 in one area 14 of the seat 2 is integrated, in such a way that in people of different sizes, the position of the shirt pockets or of inner pockets of jackets from the reception area is included, so not only in the pockets of an occupant mobile devices 9 in the area of the seat 13 but also stowed mobile devices 9 ,

To use this mapping information from mobile devices 9 to sit 2 to 6 Various embodiments are conceivable, which are briefly explained below. For example, via the MMI 10 an operating mode can be selected in which only mobile devices 9 that a certain seat 2 to 6 For example, the driver's seat 2 , be associated with the motor vehicle 1 by establishing a data connection by means of the communication device 8th should be coupled, but this should be done automatically. Consequently, whenever a mobile device 9 at the driver's seat 2 (or any other predetermined seat 3 to 6 ) is detected, first by the NFC device 12 Checks if the Bluetooth interface of the mobile device 9 is active. If this is not the case, the control unit controls 11 the NFC facility 12 on, the Bluetooth interface of the mobile device 9 activating command to the mobile device 9 to send. Thereafter (or, if the Bluetooth interface was already active, immediately) the data connection to the particular seat can be completely automatic 2 to 6 arranged mobile device 9 getting produced.

However, it is also an operating mode conceivable in the data connections to all a seat 2 to 6 assignable mobile devices 9 thus, if appropriate, a plurality of data connections, wherein also in such a case, the control unit 11 a corresponding NFC device can control, a command to activate the Bluetooth interface to a mobile device 9 to send.

So, at least in the communication device 8th already known Bluetooth mobile devices 9 to easily make an automatic creation of data connections to multiple mobile devices 9 in the motor vehicle 1 respectively.

Which data connection is used for certain functions may depend on the assignment to a seat 2 to 6 be made dependent, so that, for example, telephone calls basically via a driver associated with the mobile device 9 should take place if such a thing exists.

Particularly expediently, however, the procedure according to the invention allows an occupancy plan of the motor vehicle 1 What to do with identification data from the mobile devices 9 what the NFC facilities are 12 or the data connection to the communication device 8th can be used. Then it is known which person on which seat 2 to 6 should be located and which mobile device 9 assigned to this person. If there is a connection to an external network, for example the Internet, further information about the respective person can also be called up. Such an occupancy plan extended by identification data can be used in many ways, for example in applications for locating a carpool to which the occupancy plan can be transmitted. But also inside the motor vehicle 1 offer possibilities, for example, when operating the multimedia system with changing mobile devices 9 as data sources.

If the data source, for example, be changed by a user input, a representation 15 be generated as they are in 3 is shown by way of example. For all seats 2 to 6 on which mobile devices 9 are present, to which a data connection is made, personalized controls 16 displayed, which is representative of the mobile device 9 serve as a data source. In the present embodiment is located on the driver's seat 2 a person named "Philipp" whose picture is displayed as well. The passenger on the seat 3 is "Nina", right back on the seat 4 is "Sebastian". The seats 5 and 6 are blank or it could by the appropriate NFC device 12 no mobile device is detected with which a data connection was made. Nonetheless, the seats are 5 . 6 through empty elements 17 hinted at the orientation in the presentation 15 to improve. This way you can connect to the MMI 10 different mobile devices are simply selected as data sources, whereby, of course, for example when programming a play list, a dynamic change between data sources (mobile devices 9 ) is possible, based on their assigned seat 2 to 6 were defined.

It should be noted that the mapping information can be used even when mobile devices 9 be selected with which a data connection is to be made. Then, for example, an optionally cryptic Bluetooth name of the mobile device 9 be suppressed and the selection based on the assignment of the mobile device 9 to a seat 2 to 6 respectively.

Claims (11)

Motor vehicle ( 1 ), comprising a plurality of seats ( 2 - 6 ) for occupants of the motor vehicle ( 1 ) and a communication device ( 8th ) for establishing a data connection according to a communication standard, in particular Bluetooth, to a mobile device carried by an occupant, in particular the driver ( 9 ), characterized in that in at least the seat assigned to the driver ( 2 ), in particular several or all seats ( 2 - 6 ), an NFC facility ( 12 ) is integrated, whereby a control device ( 11 ) of the motor vehicle ( 1 ) for receipt by the NFC facility ( 12 received communication data of an NFC-enabled mobile device ( 9 ), which identify this with respect to the communication standard, and the assignment of the mobile device ( 9 ) to a seat ( 2 - 6 ) using the receiving NFC facility ( 12 ) is trained. Motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit ( 11 ) for automatically establishing the data connection at a particular seat ( 2 - 6 ), in particular the seat assigned to the driver ( 2 ), detected mobile device ( 9 ) is formed using the communication data. Motor vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control unit ( 11 ) for controlling a detected mobile device ( 9 ) for enabling the communication standard for the communication standard via the NFC device ( 12 ) is trained. Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit ( 11 ) for controlling the at least one NFC device ( 12 ) for detecting communication data upon detection of a plurality of mobile devices that are ready to communicate according to the communication standard ( 9 ) in the interior of the motor vehicle ( 1 ) by the communication device ( 8th ) is trained. Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit ( 11 ) to use the assignment of multiple mobile devices ( 9 ) to sit ( 2 - 6 ) for generating a user interface for selecting a mobile device to be connected ( 9 ) by seat and use of the communication data to establish the data connection with the thus selected mobile device ( 9 ) is trained. Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one NFC device ( 12 ) in the area of the seat ( 13 ) of the seat ( 2 - 6 ) and / or in the field ( 14 ) a potential shirt pocket in the backrest of the seat ( 2 - 6 ) is integrated. Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the communication device ( 8th ) for making data connections to multiple mobile devices ( 9 ) is trained. Motor vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that the control unit ( 11 ) for selecting a data connection to be used on the basis of a respective NFC device ( 12 ) to a seat ( 2 - 6 ) is trained. Motor vehicle according to one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the control unit ( 11 ) for controlling the NFC devices ( 12 ) and / or the communication device ( 8th ) for identifying identification data of the owner of all detected mobile devices ( 9 ) and for the preparation of an occupancy plan of the motor vehicle ( 1 ) on the basis of the identification data and by the NFC facilities ( 12 ) determined assignment of the mobile devices ( 9 ) to sit ( 2 - 6 ) is trained. Motor vehicle according to claim 9, characterized in that by the control unit ( 11 ) the allocation plan of at least one application of at least one mobile device ( 9 ) can be transmitted via the data connection and / or that the identification data from an external network, in particular the Internet, to be supplemented. Method for controlling communication between a motor vehicle ( 1 ) and a mobile device ( 9 ), wherein the motor vehicle ( 1 ) several, arranged in the interior seats ( 2 - 6 ) for occupants of the motor vehicle ( 1 ) and a communication device ( 8th ) for establishing a data connection according to a communication standard, in particular Bluetooth, to a mobile device carried by an occupant, in particular the driver ( 9 ), characterized in that at least one in the seat assigned to the driver ( 2 ) integrated NFC device ( 12 ), in particular in several or all seats ( 2 - 6 ) integrated NFC facilities ( 12 ), whereby the NFC device ( 12 received communication data of an NFC-enabled mobile device ( 9 ), which identify this with respect to the communication standard, to a control unit ( 11 ) and this is the mobile device ( 9 ) to a seat ( 2 - 6 ) using the receiving NFC facility ( 12 ).

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