Adaptive user interface for an autonomous vehicle

• US 10,300,929 B2
• Filed: 12/30/2015
• Issued: 05/28/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH, Robert Bosch LLC (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Nagy, Akos, Becker, Jan, Dechant, Moritz Achim Florian
• Primary Examiner(s): Moyer, Dale
• Application Number:
  US15/540,350
• Publication Number:
  US 20180001903A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,245 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1438 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1442 Emulation of input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/175 Autonomous driving
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/18 Information management
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/21 using cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/28 characterised by the type of the output information, e.g. video entertainment or vehicle dynamics information; characterised by the purpose of the output information, e.g. for attracting the attention of the driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/29 Instruments characterised by the way in which information is handled, e.g. showing information on plural displays or prioritising information according to driving conditions
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/146 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/00 Input parameters relating to occupants
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/22 Psychological state; Stress level or workload
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/221 Physiology, e.g. weight, heartbeat, health or special needs
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/09 Taking automatic action to avoid collision, e.g. braking and steering
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/14 Adaptive cruise control
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/08 Interaction between the driver and the control system
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/14 Means for informing the driver, warning the driver or prompting a driver intervention

Abstract

Systems and methods are described for an adaptive user interface system for a vehicle with an automatic vehicle system. The adaptive user interface system includes a display and an electronic controller. The controller is configured to generate a graphical user interface indicative of operation of the automatic vehicle system, output the graphical user interface on the display, monitor an indicia of a driver'"'"'s comfort level, and determine, based on the monitored indicia, when the driver is not comfortable with the operation of the automatic vehicle system. In response to determining that the driver is not comfortable with the operation of the automatic vehicle system, the electronic controller modifies the graphical user interface to provide an increased level of detail.

Claims

1. An adaptive user interface system for a vehicle with an automatic vehicle system, the adaptive user interface system including:

a display; and

an electronic controller, electrically coupled to the display, and configured to

generate a graphical user interface indicative of operation of the automatic vehicle system,

output the graphical user interface on the display,

monitor an indicia of a driver'"'"'s comfort level,

determine, based on the monitored indicia, when the driver is not comfortable with the operation of the automatic vehicle system, and

modify the graphical user interface to provide an increased level of detail in response to determining that the driver is not comfortable with the operation of the automatic vehicle system.

2. The adaptive user interface system of claim 1, further comprising a sensor configured to detect a physiological condition of the driver, and wherein the controller is configured to monitor the indicia of the driver'"'"'s comfort level by monitoring an output of the sensor.

3. The adaptive user interface system of claim 2, wherein the sensor includes a heart rate sensor, and wherein the controller is configured to determine when the driver is not comfortable with the operation of the automatic vehicle system by detecting an increase in heart rate.

4. The adaptive user interface system of claim 1, wherein the electronic controller is configured to generate the graphical user interface by selecting a first user interface of a plurality of predefined user interfaces, and wherein the electronic controller is configured to modify the graphical user interface by selecting a second user interface of a plurality of predefined user interfaces and outputting the second user interface on the display, the second user interface providing a greater level of detail than the first user interface.

5. The adaptive user interface system of claim 4, wherein the second user interface provides detail of the operation of the automatic vehicle system that is not provided by the first user interface.

6. The adaptive user interface system of claim 4, wherein the second user interface provides detail of a detected nearby vehicle that is not provided by the first user interface.

7. The adaptive user interface system of claim 4, wherein the second user interface provides a dynamic graphical representation of a vehicle, and wherein the first user interface does not provide the same dynamic graphical representation of the vehicle as the second user interface.

8. A method for providing an adaptive user interface for a vehicle with an automatic vehicle system, the method comprising:

generating a graphical user interface indicative of operation of the automatic vehicle system,

outputting the graphical user interface on a display,

monitoring an indicia of a driver'"'"'s comfort level,

determining, based on the monitored indicia, when the driver is not comfortable with the operation of the automatic vehicle system, and

modifying the graphical user interface to provide an increased level of detail in response to determining that the driver is not comfortable with the operation of the automatic vehicle system.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising receiving from a sensor a signal indicative of a physiological condition of the driver, and wherein monitoring the indicia of the driver'"'"'s comfort level including monitoring an output of the sensor.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein receiving the signal indicative of the physiological condition includes receiving an indication of a heart rate from a heart rate sensor, and wherein determining when the driver is not comfortable with the operation of the automatic vehicle system includes detecting an increase in heart rate.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein generating the graphical user interface includes selecting a first user interface of a plurality of predefined user interfaces, and wherein modifying the graphical user interface includes selecting a second user interface of a plurality of predefined user interfaces and outputting the second user interface on the display, the second user interface providing a greater level of detail than the first user interface.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the second user interface provides detail of the operation of the automatic vehicle system that is not provided by the first user interface.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the second user interface provides detail of a detected nearby vehicle that is not provided by the first user interface.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the second user interface provides a dynamic graphical representation of a vehicle, and wherein the first user interface does not provide the same dynamic graphical representation of the vehicle as the second user interface.