DE102013012639A1 - Method and system for operating at least one device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating at least one device (10), comprising: calibrating a gaze detection device (18) of the device (10), comprising the steps of emitting an infrared signal (26) and receiving a corresponding reflected signal (28) from at least an eye (30) of a user (24); Calibrating the gaze detecting means (18) in consideration of the received reflected signal (28); a personalization of at least one setting on the device (10), comprising the steps of: selecting a user profile (34) stored in a database (32) taking into account the received reflected signal (28); Changing the at least one setting on the device (10) according to the selected user profile (34). Furthermore, the invention relates to a system (16) for operating at least one device (10).

Description

The invention relates to a method for operating at least one device, comprising a calibration of a gaze detecting device of the device and a personalization of at least one setting on the device. Furthermore, the invention relates to a system for operating at least one device, comprising a calibration device and a control device.

There is an increasing use of gaze detectors in a variety of devices, such as smartphones, cars, and the like, which may be used to control the corresponding devices. Furthermore, more and more functions are offered in such devices, which can control a user depending on the direction of view.

The DE 10 2005 052 424 A1 shows a projection display in which an image is projected onto a windshield of a vehicle. In this case, the measurement of a viewing direction of a driver can be triggered, wherein a displayed by means of the projection display display is adjusted according to the detected line of sight of the driver.

The DE 102 50 946 A1 shows a method for biometric identification of a driver of a motor vehicle. To identify a corresponding driver, a venous pattern of the driver in the form of a blood vessel course pattern is detected and used as identification information.

The DE 10 2008 013 775 A1 shows a vehicle personalization system, by means of which a user identification is carried out by a detection of corresponding Netzhauteigenschaften the user in question.

The DE 103 21 750 A1 shows a method for vehicle personalization through biometric identification. The identification of the driver is carried out by detecting a skin pattern by means of near-infrared light. On the basis of the identified user, for example, a radio, mirrors, seats or an air conditioning system of the vehicle are set according to a selected user profile.

The DE 10 2011 112 680 A1 shows a procedure for configuring system settings and retrieving configured system settings. Here, a user is identified by capturing a retinal image of the user and then the system settings are set individually depending on the detected user.

It is the object of the present invention to enable an improved calibration of a gaze detection device and an improved personalization of at least one adjustment on a device.

This object is achieved by a method for operating at least one device and by a system for operating at least one device having the features of the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments with expedient and non-trivial developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

The method according to the invention for operating at least one device comprises a calibration of a gaze detection device of the device, in which an infrared signal is emitted and a corresponding reflected signal is received from at least one eye of a user. The gaze detector is calibrated in consideration of the received reflected signal. Furthermore, the inventive method comprises a personalization of at least one setting on the device, in which a user profile stored in a database is selected taking into account the received reflected signal and the at least one setting on the device is changed according to the selected user profile.

The invention is based on the knowledge that user-specific calibration is usually required in view detection devices in order to be able to reliably operate the gaze detection device. To calibrate such a gaze detection device, it is necessary to capture at least one user-specific property in the form of the properties of one or both of his eyes. Knowing these properties, a reliable calibration of the corresponding gaze detection device can be carried out. According to the method according to the invention, it is now provided to additionally use the calibration of the gaze detection device to perform a personalization on at least one setting of the device. Because the calibration already contains user-specific data, so that these can additionally be taken into account when selecting a correspondingly stored user profile. By means of this user profile, at least one setting on the device can then be changed according to the selected user profile.

In other words, according to the invention, a combined calibration of a gaze detection device and a personalization of at least one adjustment on the device take place. By integrating these two methods in a single process, both the calibration can be done as well as the personalization particularly user-friendly and fast to be carried out.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that at least one calibration parameter for the gaze detection device is determined in consideration of the received reflected signal and the gaze detection device is calibrated in accordance with the determined calibration parameter. In other words, the received reflected user-specific signal is used to determine a user-specific calibration parameter for the gaze detection device, whereby a reliable user-specific functionality of the gaze detection device can be ensured.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the calibration parameter determined in consideration of the received reflected signal is stored in the database or a memory unit of the device and used for a subsequent calibration of the gaze detection device of the device. If, for example, different users use one and the same device, it is no longer necessary for the respective infrared signal to be transmitted and the corresponding reflected signal to be received and evaluated by the at least one eye of the respective user in order to be able to make a calibration of the gaze detection device user-specifically , Instead, it is now possible in each case to resort to the stored calibration parameters, so that - if desired - the emission of the infrared signal and the reception of the corresponding reflective signal can be omitted. This enables a particularly convenient and fast user-specific calibration of the gaze detection device.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the user profile is selected as a function of the determined calibration parameter. As a result, it is likewise possible to select the relevant user profile in a particularly simple and reliable manner, since the calibration parameter has indeed also been determined user-specifically on the basis of the received and reflected signal.

According to a further alternative embodiment of the invention, it is provided that an image of blood vessels of the eye of the user is determined on the basis of the reflected signal and the corresponding user profile is selected based thereon. With this approach, it is also reliably possible to select a user-specific user profile, since the image of the blood vessels of the eye of the user in question determined using the reflected signal also allows a reliable user identification.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the database is arranged outside the device and is accessed wirelessly by means of the device.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that at least one manually made by the user setting on the device is stored in the selected user profile and provided in a new selection of the user profile. Thus, according to user-specific changes made to one or more settings of the device in a renewed call the user profile can be provided in a convenient way. The thus adapted user profile can be transmitted, for example, wirelessly to the database and stored in this for a new access.

In accordance with a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that at least one setting made manually by the user is stored on another device in the user profile stored in the database and made available when the user profile is selected again. Thus, it is not necessary that the user must always make his desired settings in one and the same device, instead, this can also make manual settings in a same device or in a similar device and store them so that he on these settings on the in the database stored user profile at any time, as soon as he wants to use a different device.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the user profile is created by means of a device-external device and sent to the database and stored in this before the user profile is selected. Depending on the type of device, it may be more convenient, for example, to make user-specific settings, for example on a PC, a notebook or the like, and store these user-specific settings in the corresponding user profile and transmit them to the database, so that this user profile with the corresponding Settings in turn preferably wirelessly can be accessed as soon as the user wants to use the actual device.

The system according to the invention for operating at least one device comprises a A calibration device configured to emit an infrared signal and to receive a corresponding reflected signal from at least one user's eye and to calibrate a gaze detector of the device in consideration of the received reflected signal. The system further comprises a control device which is designed to select a user profile stored in a database and to change at least one setting on the device according to the selected user profile, taking into account the received reflected signal. Advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the system, wherein the system comprises in particular means for performing the method steps.

A motor vehicle includes the system, wherein the motor vehicle is the device. In other words, the system is thus integrated in the motor vehicle, so that the combined calibration of a gaze detection device of the motor vehicle and a personalization of at least one setting of the motor vehicle, as already described, can take place in the motor vehicle.

A mobile terminal includes the system, the mobile terminal being the device. Thus, it is also possible for the mobile terminal to perform a combined calibration of a gaze detection device of the mobile terminal and a personalization of the mobile terminal.

In an advantageous embodiment of the mobile terminal, it is provided that the mobile terminal is a notebook, a tablet computer or a smart phone.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and from the drawing. The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the figure description and / or shown alone in the figure can be used not only in the respectively specified combination, but also in other combinations or in isolation, without the scope of To leave invention.

Embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the single schematic figure, in which two cars and a notebook are shown, which are connected via respective radio links with a database shown schematically.

A car 10 with a calibration device 12 and a controller 14 comprehensive system 16 is shown in a schematic representation in the single figure. The car 10 further comprises a gaze detection device 18 , a storage unit 20 and a functional unit 22 , At the functional unit 22 is this case an automatic climate control of the motor vehicle 10 , where the car 10 in addition to the automatic climate control 22 still further functional units, not shown here, such as driver assistance systems, navigation systems and the like may include. The control device 14 is designed to have one or more climate control settings 22 and also to the other functional units of the motor vehicle, not shown here 10 make.

The eye-tracking device 18 serves to a view or a viewing direction of a user 24 to be detected, wherein by means of the gaze detection device 18 as a function of a respectively detected viewing direction of the user 24 various functions of the motor vehicle 10 can be controlled.

The eye-tracking device 18 is ideally to set user-specific, so that, depending on who the car 10 drives, a corresponding calibration to the specific driver or other vehicle occupants takes place.

The calibration device 12 is designed to be an infrared signal indicated by the solid line 26 to send out and a corresponding, by means of the dashed line 28 characterized reflected signal from at least one eye 30 of the user 24 to recieve. The calibration device 12 is also designed to be the eye-tracking device 18 taking into account the received reflected signal 28 to calibrate.

The control device 14 is designed to take into account the received reflected signal 28 a in a vehicle external arranged database 32 saved user profile 34 select. In addition, the control device 14 designed to at least one setting on the automatic climate control 22 and / or on other not shown here functional units of the motor vehicle 10 according to the selected user profile 34 to change. The control device 14 For example, it may itself have a corresponding communication module by means of which a wireless connection to the database 32 can be produced. Alternatively, the control device 14 be connected to a communication module, not shown here, by means of which turn the wireless connection to the database 32 can be built.

Instead, as shown here, the system can 16 , the eye-tracking device 18 , the storage unit 20 and the functional unit 22 , which then is not an automatic climate, be integrated in a mobile terminal, such as a notebook, a tablet computer or a smart phone. The following is a method of operating the motor vehicle 10 explained, wherein the method described below is also applicable to a mobile terminal in the form of a notebook, a tablet computer or a smart phone analog.

Once the user 24 the car 10 climbs and the ignition or other starting device of the motor vehicle 10 activated to start this, is first a calibration process for the gaze detection device 18 carried out. By means of the calibration device 12 becomes the infrared signal 26 sent out and the corresponding reflected signal 28 from the eye 30 of the user 24 receive. Subsequently, the eye detection device 18 user-specific, taking into account the received reflected signal 28 calibrated. At least one calibration parameter will be used 13 for the gaze detection device 18 taking into account the received reflected signal 28 determined, wherein the eye detection device 18 then according to the determined calibration parameter 13 is calibrated to the eye-tracking device 18 to adjust to the user-specific circumstances. This allows a reliable user-specific viewing direction detection.

The taking into account the received reflected signal 28 determined calibration parameters 13 can, for example, also wirelessly to the database 32 be transmitted and stored in this or alternatively in the memory unit 20 of the motor vehicle 10 be stored. Regardless of the way the calibration parameter is stored 13 or other calibration parameters, this or other calibration parameters for calibration of the gaze detection device 18 be used again, so that the emission of the infrared signal 26 and receiving the corresponding reflected signal 28 in the future for the user 26 can also be omitted once the user or the specific calibration parameters have been determined once.

That in the vehicle external database 32 saved user profile 34 then becomes dependent on the determined calibration parameter 13 or also generally considering the received reflected signal 28 selected. It can be in the database 32 a variety of other, not dargstellten user profiles are stored. Once the user profile 34 in the control device 14 has been loaded, at least one setting on the automatic climate control 22 according to the selected user profile 34 changed. In other words, there is an individualization of one or more settings on the automatic climate control 22 depending on the user-specifically selected user profile 34 ,

Based on the reflected signal 28 can also be an image of not shown here veins of the eye 30 of the user 24 determines and based on the corresponding user profile 34 to be selected.

Is now the user profile 34 in the control device 14 has been loaded, the user can 24 also other settings on the automatic climate control 22 or also on other functional units, not shown here, these settings, if by the user 24 desired, in which in the control device 14 currently stored user profile 34 can be saved, so that when reselecting the user profile 34 can be made available. It is possible, for example, that an automatic synchronization of the user profile 34 with the in the database 32 stored user profile 34 done, so that they are essentially always on the same level.

It is also possible for the user 24 for example, the car 36 moves and to corresponding functional units, for example, also on a not shown here automatic climate control or other functional units, such as a navigation device, a driver assistance system or the like of the motor vehicle 36 , makes appropriate settings. So these user-specific settings also in the car 10 or can be provided in other cars, they can on the car 36 manually made settings also in the database 32 saved user profile 34 stored and deposited, so that when re-selecting the user profile 34 these settings are available.

For example, it may be in the car 10 and the car 36 to act the same or similar vehicle models, which have a similar or even the same functionality. This allows the user 24 once in the car 36 made personal settings in a very simple way in the car 10 use it without him Make settings again. Namely, in the combined calibration and personalization simply on the appropriately deposited user profile 34 be resorted to, which is now the at the car 36 made settings, so that the user 24 in a very simple way, these settings in the car 10 can take over.

Furthermore, there is also the possibility that the user 24 the user profile 34 by means of an apparatus external device 38 , which in this case is a notebook, create and send to the database 32 can send, so the user profile 34 then in the database 32 is saved before the user profile 34 again, for example, about the in the car 10 seated user 24 is selected. For example, in the notebook 38 a corresponding software be deposited, by means of which the user 24 in a particularly convenient way a wide variety of settings for the car 10 or the other cars 36 so that he does not initially elaborate these desired individual settings by means of a corresponding user interface of the motor vehicle 10 or 36 must adjust. Instead, he can easily make the appropriate settings using the software and the user profile 34 and then wirelessly to the central database 32 transfer, so that the user profile desired by him 34 then for a download by car 10 . 36 ready.

As already explained, the method of calibration and personalization can not be done only in motor vehicles. Instead, it is also possible to perform this method in appropriately designed mobile devices, such as notebooks, tablet computers or smart phones.

In the case of a smart phone, this then also includes a gaze detection device, a calibration device and a control device, as already described above. By means of the control device, corresponding user-specific settings can also be made as a function of a currently loaded user profile. Analogous to the already described method steps using the example of the motor vehicle 10 Then, a calibration of the visual detection device of the smart phone is also carried out, likewise emitting an infrared signal and a corresponding reflective signal from the eye 30 of the user 24 is received, wherein the integrated in the smart phone sight detecting device also taking into account the received reflected signal 28 is calibrated.

The controller integrated in the smart phone then also selects taking into account the received reflected signal 28 from a database a corresponding stored user profile. According to the selected user profile corresponding user-specific settings can again be made automatically on the smart phone.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102005052424 A1 [0003]
• DE 10250946 A1 [0004]
• DE 102008013775 A1 [0005]
• DE 10321750 A1 [0006]
• DE 102011112680 A1 [0007]

Claims (13)

Method for operating at least one device ( 10 ), comprising: - calibration of a gaze detection device ( 18 ) of the device ( 10 ), with the steps: - emitting an infrared signal ( 26 ) and receiving a corresponding reflected signal ( 28 ) of at least one eye ( 30 ) of a user ( 24 ); Calibrating the gaze detection device ( 18 ) taking into account the received reflected signal ( 28 ); A personalization of at least one setting on the device ( 10 ), with the steps: - Selecting one in a database ( 32 ) stored user profile ( 34 ) taking into account the received reflected signal ( 28 ); Changing the at least one setting on the device ( 10 ) according to the selected user profile ( 34 ). Method according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one calibration parameter ( 13 ) for the gaze detection device ( 18 ) taking into account the received reflected signal ( 28 ) and the gaze detection device ( 18 ) according to the determined calibration parameter ( 13 ) is calibrated. Method according to Claim 2, characterized in that, taking into account the received reflected signal ( 28 ) determined calibration parameters ( 13 ) in the database ( 32 ) or a storage unit ( 20 ) of the device ( 10 ) and for a subsequent calibration of the eye detection device ( 18 ) of the device ( 10 ) is used. Method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the user profile ( 34 ) in dependence on the determined calibration parameter ( 13 ) is selected. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that based on the reflected signal ( 28 ) an image of blood vessels of the eye ( 30 ) of the user ( 24 ) and based thereon the corresponding user profile ( 34 ) is selected. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the database ( 32 ) is arranged outside the device and can be wirelessly connected to it by means of the device ( 10 ) is accessed. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the user ( 24 ) manual setting on the device ( 10 ) in the selected user profile ( 34 ) and when selecting the user profile again ( 34 ) is made available. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the user ( 24 ) manual setting on another device ( 36 ) in the database ( 32 stored user profile ( 34 ) and when selecting the user profile again ( 34 ) is made available. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the user profile ( 34 ) by means of an external device ( 38 ) and to the database ( 32 ) and stored in it before the user profile ( 34 ) is selected. System ( 16 ) for operating at least one device ( 10 ), comprising: - a calibration device ( 12 ), which is designed to - an infrared signal ( 26 ) and a corresponding reflected signal ( 28 ) of at least one eye ( 30 ) of a user ( 24 ) to recieve; A gaze detection device ( 18 ) of the device ( 10 ) taking into account the received reflected signal ( 28 ) to calibrate; A control device ( 14 ), which is designed, taking into account the received reflected signal ( 28 ) in a database ( 32 ) stored user profile ( 34 ); At least one setting on the device ( 10 ) according to the selected user profile ( 34 ) to change. Car ( 10 ) with a system ( 16 ) according to claim 10, characterized in that the motor vehicle ( 10 ) the device ( 10 ). Mobile terminal with a system according to claim 10, characterized in that the mobile terminal device ( 10 ). Mobile terminal according to claim 12, characterized in that the mobile terminal is a notebook, a tablet computer or a smart phone.

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