Methods and devices for outputting information in a motor vehicle

• US 9,262,920 B2
• Filed: 11/15/2013
• Issued: 02/16/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Zarife, Rami
• Primary Examiner(s): Swarthout, Brent
• Application Number:
  US14/081,302
• Publication Number:
  US 20140139355A1
• Time in Patent Office: 823 Days
• Field of Search: 340/903, 340/435, 340/937, 340/436, 348/78, 348/148, 348/149, 701/45, 382/103
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/597 Recognising the driver's state or behaviour, e.g. attention or drowsiness
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0962 having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/166 for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/167 Driving aids for lane monitoring, lane changing, e.g. blind spot detection

Abstract

A method and to a device are provided for outputting information in a motor vehicle, in which as a function of an event visual and/or acoustic information is output to a driver of the motor vehicle. In order to achieve an improved choice of the suitable timing of the outputting of the information it is provided that the time between registering of the event and outputting of the information is set as a function of the orientation of the driver'"'"'s head.

Claims

1. A method for outputting information in a motor vehicle, comprising:

determining a static head orientation and a dynamic head movement, the dynamic head movement including a head movement speed;

registering an event;

identifying a time between registering of the event and an outputting of information as a function of the event head orientation;

adjusting the time as a function of the static head orientation and the dynamic head movement; and

outputting information as a function of the time.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the event comprises a traffic event that occurs outside of the motor vehicle.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the event comprises an activity within the motor vehicle.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the outputting of the information is spatially coupled to a location of the event.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising detecting the static head orientation and the dynamic head movement with an optical detection device.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting of the time between registering of the event and the outputting of information as the function of the static head orientation and the dynamic head movement is set as a function of a viewing direction of a driver.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting of the time between registering of the event and the outputting of information as the function of the static head orientation and the dynamic head movement is set as a function of a type of the event.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein an intensity of the outputting of the information is set as a function of the static head orientation and the dynamic head movement.

9. A device for outputting information in a motor vehicle, comprising:

a sensor that is configured to detect an event;

an outputting device that is configured to output information;

a control device that is coupled to the sensor and the outputting device; and

an orientation device coupled to the control device and configured to detect an orientation and a movement of a driver'"'"'s head, the movement of the driver'"'"'s head including a head movement speed,

wherein the control device is configured such that a time between detecting of the event and outputting of the information is dependent on the event and the time is adjusted based on the orientation and movement of the driver'"'"'s head.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein a detection device is configured to detect a viewing direction of a driver.

11. The device according to claim 9, wherein the device that is configured to detect the orientation of the driver'"'"'s head is an interior camera.

12. The device according to claim 9, wherein the outputting device comprises a loudspeaker and a visual display.

13. The device according to claim 12, further comprising a driver assistance system that is coupled to the control device,

wherein the sensor is part of the driver assistance system.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein the driver assistance system comprises a lane changing assistant.

15. A method for outputting information in a motor vehicle, comprising:

determining a static head orientation and a dynamic head movement, the dynamic head movement including a head movement speed;

registering an event and an event location;

identifying a time between registering of the event and an outputting of information as a function of the event head orientation;

adjusting the time as a function of the static head orientation, the dynamic head movement, and the event location; and

outputting information as a function of the time.