Process for the output of information in a vehicle

• US 7,482,911 B2
• Filed: 03/10/2005
• Issued: 01/27/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Original Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Inventors: Lengning, Marc, Schambeck, Bernhard
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Tai T
• Application Number:
  US11/076,303
• Publication Number:
  US 20050216136A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,419 Days
• Field of Search: 340/439, 340/575, 340/576, 702/182, 702/183, 702/188, 702/186, 701/29, 701/33, 701/34
• US Class Current: 340/439
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/09 Driving style or behaviour

Abstract

In the case of a process for the output of information in a vehicle, an information source is used for the output of information which is generated as a function of the driver'"'"'s behavior. The driver'"'"'s behavior is determined on the basis of data of one or more driving systems and/or of one or more comfort systems of the vehicle. According to the invention, the nature of the information depends on the driver'"'"'s driving behavior. It describes the next useful behavior step following the momentary behavior.

Claims

1. A process for an output of information via an information source in a vehicle, which information is generated as a function of a driver'"'"'s behavior, the process comprising the acts of:

obtaining data from at least one of one or more driving systems and one or more comfort systems of the vehicle;

determining the driver'"'"'s momentary behavior based on said data; and

outputting information which describes a next useful action that follows the momentary behavior and would be more convenient for the driver to perform in connection with the momentary behavior.

2. The process according to claim 1, wherein the information is targeted at a sequence occurring during start-up of the vehicle.

3. The process according to claim 1, wherein the information is targeted at a sequence occurring during termination of a driving operation.

4. The process according to claim 2, wherein the information is additionally targeted at a sequence occurring during termination of a driving operation.

5. The process according to claim 2, wherein the information is additionally targeted toward calming the driver.

6. The process according to claim 3, wherein the information is additionally targeted toward calming the driver.

7. The process according to claim 4, wherein the information is additionally targeted toward calming the driver.

8. The process of claim 1, wherein obtaining the data comprises obtaining the data from a first set of vehicle systems, wherein the first set of vehicle systems includes the at least one of one or more driving systems and one or more comfort systems of the vehicle.

9. The process of claim 8, wherein the next useful action corresponds to at least one additional vehicle system that is not within the first set of vehicle systems used for obtaining the data.

10. The process of claim 1, further comprising, prior to said outputting, determining the next useful action based solely on a determination that it would be more convenient for the driver to perform the next useful in connection with the momentary behavior than at other times.

11. The process of claim 1, wherein the next useful action corresponds to a vehicle warning indication that has not yet been activated.

12. The process of claim 11, wherein the vehicle warning indication corresponds to a vehicle sensor.