Device for the combined use of data and mobile data processing device

0001The invention relates to a device for the combined use of data with a mobile data processing device for personal data and in a Vehicle permanently installed on-board computer with a navigation system. Further the invention relates to a correspondingly configured mobile data processing device for personal data.

0002Currently exist in the market several devices for personal data, so-called Personal Data Assistant (PDA), for example, handheld PC or Palmtop, in various trim levels. It is also known, such to combine single devices to a personal computer (PC) for data exchange (See. To US 5,727,202).

0003Moreover, from US 5,787,373 an apparatus for travel expenses Acquisition a mobile computer, comprising a memory, an input keyboard and known a screen for use in a vehicle. The vehicle provides distance signals to the portable computer ready the basis of what information are displayed on the screen.

0004From 5,928,292 a vehicle data communications system is a separately to established host known where in the vehicle system, a mobile is terminal arranged. The mobile terminal can be accommodated in a holding device and can it replace positioned data with members of a network. This application is designed for logistics purposes.

0005In EP 0666198 B1 an onboard computer of a vehicle is described, which consists of can be taken the vehicle to the data stored therein also To use outside the car.

0006Object of the present invention is an apparatus for combined use indicate data of the aforementioned kind with which the personal Data in a mobile computing device as the data of an to combine in a vehicle permanently installed on-board computer with navigation system are that new support functions for the driver (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) can be provided.

0007This object is achieved by the features mentioned in the claim. 1 moreover would the task by a mobile computing device for personal Data solved, as it is mentioned in the claim. 7

0008Until now, the information of mobile computers with personal Data, such as palmtops, only in conjunction with personal computers or as a single device. The in a diary or in a Address storing recorded data could not with the data of a vehicle, in particular the navigation data, are combined, since no data exchange been possible. With the present invention, the integration of a initially Personal Data Assistant (PDA) above achieved in a vehicle. This is a data exchange of in-vehicle information with those information contained in the PDA possible, creating a number of additional assistance functions for a driver are provided can. To do this, both the mobile computing device and the fixed data processing device in the form of the on-board computer Hardware and software interfaces have between a data transfer Both systems allow. The following examples show how particular default on a personal data assistant existing data, as address databases, calendars, etc. with integrated in-vehicle systems can be linked. The linkage is preferably an implementation realized by software. Here also a flow can automatically, ie without further interaction of the driver, for example, situationally from data of the vehicle or those of the Personal Data Assistant be performed.

0009A first possible application is to address data from the address book of Personal Data Assistant to load into the navigation system of the vehicle. This address data is then in the navigation system in coordinate data converted and stored. Conversely, the address data may include the Coordinate information from the navigation system in the address book of the staff Data Assistant to load. Thus, it is possible to input of destination locations conduct outside the vehicle. This can provide some preliminary planning carried out by means of a PC and the PDA in the navigation system be imported. The activation of target data in the car navigation system can then be started by the connection of the personal data assistant to the vehicle will. Another option is to implement a travel diary, and due to the time and place entries in the Personal Data Assistant be made. For this purpose, the address information can be loaded.

0010In particular, it is interesting also enter notes into the PDA. Naturally is also adding additional data, such as images of a digital camera or External Travel information possible.

0011Another functionality is realized by a so-called card-Assistant are, in certain matters nearby area (POI = Points of Interests) to a user of a specified planar point of the navigation system be transferred to the PDA. Further, a current position around, for example, in an environment of 3 km radius interesting places, such as hotels, restaurants, museums, sights etc., may , Are highlighted with symbols.

0012Of course, this information may also be shown with reference to a map.

0013Moreover, it is possible to load an environment map in the PDA, so this is then available on the display of the mobile device. If the map transmitted in the form of a vector, it is also more scalable.

0014Further, it is possible to store a personal site list in the PDA. there are recorded by the navigation system, the locations of the vehicle and transmitted as personal sites to the PDA. In addition, on a Map of PDA interactive sites are marked, which are also in stored a personal site list. The name can the associated Address are used.

0015A further possibility consists in the realization of the functionality of a daily planner. With the data stored in the PDA and vehicle data, for example, to which movement places, route length, average time etc., can route planning be carried out and entered in a diary. As day planner For example, the Windows (registered trademark) personal organizer and the Windows Address Book are used. In the day planner be made in particular the addresses from the address book with the dates the organizer linked.

0016A further possibility is to tell or delays automatically encourage such communications. Given compares the PDA schedule data in the day planner with the determined by the navigation system data and makes example to alert users of delays. This assistance function should be activated early enough. Is to the target date a phone number or an email address stored, so the date can be associated with it and the operator when sending an e-mail or the establishment of a telephone connection Tobe offered. Of course, phone numbers can out of the PDA be sent to the permanently installed on-board computer. These are then a screen and can be accessed, for instance one a telephone wizard builds the appropriate connection.

0017Moreover, are a variety of other support functions to imagine.

0018The invention will in more detail below and with reference to the sole drawing explained. The drawing shows in schematic way a (not shown) in a Vehicle mounted data processing device with different Participants who are connected to a common bus 10th A first Member is an input device 12 that represented herein as Keyboard is. However, any input device such identification. A second communication subscriber is a screen 14 on which the various information are displayed. In addition, other members of the network are provided, of which presently only two 16,18 are shown. In the by reference numeral 16 designated communication member is a navigation device, which is not illustrated, but known per se Location Details receives via the GPS (Global Positioning System) and due to, for example, present on a CD-ROM data, a Map on the screen may represent 14th can for destinations representations via the control device 12 and additional driver information display. Reference number 18 is a telephone device called, which is not shown on other elements can build up to a mobile network to connect.

0019To the bus 10 a holder 20 is also connected, in which a palmtop handset can be inserted. The palmtop handset 22 has particular stored personal data and includes (not shown) a special interface , so that produced by means of the bracket 20 connect to the bus 10 can be. In addition to this hardware connection in the palm 22 is also a software interface provided for communication with the on-board computer can perform in the vehicle. The palmtop handset 22 includes assistance functions in the form of software modules, which due to the over the bus 10 data provided from the vehicle, such as navigation data, Time data etc., compiles new information and its own display 24 represents. Once the palmtop handset 22 is inserted into the holder 20 is, a data synchronization and a communication is taking place, depending on the existing can cause data to different results. It is an operator possible about the palmtop handset 22 themselves as well as through the input unit 12th

0020Depending on customer requirements are special software modules in palmtop handset 22 and stores the arranged in the vehicle on-board computer so that the top described assistance functions from the data in the vehicle and the palmtop handset 22 may be provided. Overall, is a data transfer between a personal data assistant and a vehicle, and the mobile use of navigation data outside the vehicle possible. By assistance functions, an additional valuable support for the driver can be ensured. Moreover, the route planning in simplified navigation input.