Method for adjusting vehicle functions automatically performed by an assistance system and driver assistance system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for adjusting vehicle functions automatically executed by an assistance system. In a method that prevents misunderstandings between the driver and the vehicle in predefined driving situations, driver aborts of automatically executed functions are detected and stored, wherein the aborted functions are replaced by modified or new functions if the frequency of aborts exceeds a predefined threshold value.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for regulating a vehicle function automatically performed by an assistance system and to a driver assistance system for performing the method. Background Art

[0002] DE 10 2004 023 544 A1 discloses a method in which the driver can activate functions in a training and configuration mode. With the training and configuration mode active, the assistance system detects the driver's driving style. If the driver ideally handles the traffic situation and wishes to configure functions in the vehicle based on their indicated driving behavior, they confirm the takeover by pressing a corresponding button or by presetting a corresponding command.

[0003] As assistance systems in vehicles are constantly improving and also becoming more complex, the vehicle can automatically initiate functions in various driving situations that could mislead the driver. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to specify a method for regulating a vehicle function automatically performed by an assistance system and a driver assistance system, in which no misunderstandings between the driver and the vehicle can occur in predefined driving situations.

[0005] Further features, possible applications and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following description and the explanation of exemplary embodiments of the invention shown in the drawings.

[0006] This task is accomplished by a method for adjusting vehicle functions automatically executed by an assistance system. In the event that the driver aborts an automatically executed function, the abort is detected and stored. If the frequency of aborts exceeds a predetermined threshold, the aborted function is replaced by a modified or new function. The term "function" refers, for example, to information output, such as instructions to the user or the activation of a function of one or another assistance system or infotainment system. The functions set by the assistance system are thus adapted to the driver's expectations or typical behavior and adjusted accordingly. This minimizes future misunderstandings between the vehicle and the driver and increases trust in the assistance system.

[0007] In one embodiment, the termination of a current vehicle function automatically set by the vehicle is achieved by the driver manually setting the desired function. Thus, the changed function or the new function is directly predefined by the driver.

[0008] In another embodiment, the changed or new function is executed after the driver's confirmation. The driver's confirmation ensures that the function desired by the driver is also effectively started. The changed or new function is only adapted after the driver's confirmation.

[0009] In another embodiment, when a function is terminated or a predetermined threshold is exceeded, information is output to the driver regarding the criteria for the terminated function. The driver is thus informed why the function was terminated, which allows for a better understanding of the terminated vehicle function.

[0010] In another embodiment, when a current function automatically executed by the vehicle is aborted, the current sensor signal of the function, which relates to the driving environment, is stored and taken into account when evaluating the abort frequency (even when triggering a new function). The sensor signal is a parameter that characterizes the aborted function, so that when determining the abort frequency of the same function, comparison with previously aborted functions is simplified and can be performed more accurately.

[0011] In another embodiment, the current sensor signal relating to the driving environment to be evaluated for the current vehicle function automatically performed by the vehicle includes the location and / or the clock time and / or vehicle-related events and / or environment-related events. Vehicle-related events include acceleration or braking, lane changes, or the adjustment of a cruise control or other assistance systems. Examples of environment-related events include moisture, thin layers of ice, or snow.

[0012] In another embodiment, the replacement of the current function automatically set by the vehicle with the desired function and the sensor signals representing the current function automatically set by the vehicle are stored in the vehicle's driver profile. Thus, when changing lanes, the function to be automatically set automatically appears when the corresponding driver profile is called up, thereby adapting the vehicle to the driving behavior of the respective driver.

[0013] A refinement of the present invention relates to a method for regulating vehicle functions automatically performed by an assistance system. In the event that an automatically executed function is suspended due to an assessment of the driver's mood, the suspension is detected and stored. If the frequency of suspension exceeds a preset threshold, the suspended function is replaced by a modified or new function. By assessing the driver's mood, such as facial expressions like head shaking or vocalizations, misunderstandings between the vehicle and the driver can be quickly identified and corrected accordingly. Mood can also be determined by monitoring pulse rate, blood pressure, or facial expressions. Based on measured variables that determine mood, a representative value is generated to determine mood. Suspension of the automatically executed function is triggered if the representative value exceeds a preset limit. Alternatively, suspension can only occur after a preset number of times the limit has been exceeded. For example, if low mood, i.e., unhappiness, is repeatedly detected during route selection in a navigation system, the driver may be prompted to choose to suspend route guidance and / or choose an alternative route in the future.

[0014] Another refinement of the present invention relates to a driver assistance system for adapting a vehicle function automatically executed by the assistance system to the driver's driving behavior. The driver assistance system includes an evaluation unit for detecting driver-interrupted, automatically executed vehicle functions. The evaluation unit includes a memory for storing interrupted functions and is connected to a counter for determining the frequency of driver-initiated interruptions of the currently automatically executed function. The comparison unit controls a triggering unit to activate a modified or new function if the interruption frequency determined by the counter exceeds a threshold value. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Further advantages, features, and details result from the following description, in which at least one exemplary embodiment is described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, if necessary. The features described and / or shown in the drawings may form the subject matter of the invention individually or in any meaningful combination, possibly also independently of the claims, and in particular may also be the subject matter of one or more separate applications. Identical, similar, and / or functionally identical components are provided with the same reference numerals, wherein:

[0016] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a driver assistance system according to the present invention,

[0017] Figure 2 An embodiment of the method according to the invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Figure 1 An embodiment of a driver assistance system according to the present invention is shown, for example, for use in a vehicle. Driver assistance system 1 includes an evaluation unit 3 , in which a memory 5 designed as a ring memory is located. Evaluation unit 3 is connected to a counter 7 . Counter 7 is in turn connected to a comparison unit 9 , which outputs a signal to a trigger unit 11 .

[0019] Should use Figure 2The principle of the method according to the present invention as implemented by a driver assistance system 1 is explained below. After the method starts (block 100), a check is performed in block 110 to determine whether the driver assistance system 1 has met the triggering conditions for executing an automatically executed vehicle function. If so, the driver assistance system executes the function automatically configured in the vehicle (block 120). In block 130, the currently automatically executed function is stored in memory 5 along with the current sensor signals of the automatically executed function related to the driving environment. If a ring memory is used, the last automatically executed function and its triggering conditions are stored continuously for the last few seconds. From block 120 or 130, a determination is made as to whether the automatically executed function has been terminated by the driver (block 140). If not, the process returns to the beginning (block 100). If the automatically executed function has been terminated by the driver, a log file is created in block 150 to record the termination of the automatically executed function. To this end, the function that the vehicle has automatically executed or was originally intended to execute, along with the vehicle's GPS position, is recorded at the time of the termination. To this end, the currently executed function stored in memory 5 is added along with the current sensor signals of the automatically executed function related to the driving environment and its triggering conditions. Subsequently, a check is performed in block 160 to determine whether the number of entries of the aborted function in the log file, as determined by counter 7, exceeds a preset threshold. If not, the method returns to block 100 and restarts. If it is determined that the number of entries in counter 7 exceeds the preset threshold, a check is performed in block 170 to determine whether the evaluated entries regarding the aborted function are spatially abundant around a specific location Y. This is checked in comparison unit 9 by comparing the GPS data stored in the log file. If no accumulation of the evaluated entries at a specific location can be determined, the method returns to block 100. If an accumulation is determined, the driver is asked whether the aborted function should no longer be executed at this location Y in the future (block 180). If the driver agrees, the driver assistance system 1 is informed in block 190 that the aborted function should no longer be executed at location Y. If the driver denies the query, the process proceeds from block 180 to block 200 , or from block 190 to block 200 after storing the non-execution of the checked function, where all entries regarding the checked function at position Y are deleted from the log file. The method then restarts at block 100 .

[0020] For a better understanding, different applications of the described method will now be described. In the first case, the driver sets a predefined driving route (a function currently being automatically executed) in his navigation system. This route is stored in memory 5 along with the triggering measures. However, the driver decides not to follow the route set by the navigation system and instead terminates the function by selecting a different route, for example, by taking the next motorway exit as planned without closing the navigation system or entering a new destination. He then activates the speed controller for the predefined speed. The navigation system specifies driving along the original route, so the vehicle slows down before exiting the possible exit. In this case, an explanation is displayed to the driver for the vehicle's deceleration to help him understand the vehicle's behavior. When the predefined driving route is terminated, it is stored in a log file along with the vehicle's GPS position at the time of termination and other data already stored in memory 5. The terminations and termination locations of the driving route are counted by counter 7. Comparator unit 9 then checks whether the automatically set driving route has been terminated frequently at the same location. If this is the case, the number of terminations at the same location recorded in counter 7 is compared with a predefined threshold value. If the threshold is exceeded, the driver is asked whether the automatically executed driving route is no longer executed at this location. If the driver agrees, the driving route is no longer executed at the specific location and is replaced by the driving route determined by the driver.

[0021] Another example concerns a distance assistance system, which monitors the distance between a vehicle and the vehicle ahead. The vehicle assisting the driver (currently an automated function) intends to brake to set a preset distance. However, the driver brakes prematurely compared to the distance assistance system, thereby aborting the automatically executed control process. This information is stored in memory 5 along with the triggering conditions for the automatically triggered distance control process. The GPS position and the time of driver deceleration are now recorded in a log file along with the data stored in memory 3. A counter 7 counts the number of driver decelerations preceding the deceleration of the passing vehicle. The vehicle explains to the driver why the vehicle intends to decelerate when the distance to the vehicle ahead is reached, thus resolving any misunderstandings between the driver and the vehicle. However, because the driver intends to brake prematurely when the distance to the vehicle ahead is greater, a check is performed to determine whether a similar situation has already occurred at the same GPS location. Comparison unit 9 compares the value of counter 7 with a preset threshold. If the threshold is exceeded, the distance assistance system is instructed by trigger unit 11 to replace the vehicle deceleration calculated based on the distance to the vehicle ahead with the future distance deceleration by the driver.

[0022] Another example focuses on a lane keeping system for maintaining a vehicle's trajectory. The lane keeping system monitors the curve of the lane the vehicle is traveling in. The predetermined lane curve causes the vehicle to overstep a road marking, so the vehicle automatically performs braking and / or steering interventions (currently automated functions) to return to the predetermined trajectory. This irritates the driver and the vehicle takes over the automated action through active steering intervention. In this case, the lane keeping system outputs information about why the automated braking and / or steering interventions were performed. Simultaneously, the driver is asked whether the automated steering or braking interventions should be deactivated in the future at the corresponding location or generally. If the driver agrees to do so, the lane keeping system is instructed accordingly.

[0023] In many cases, when, for example, the driver's facial expression is evaluated by facial recognition, it is already possible to promptly determine the driver's dissatisfaction with an automatically executed vehicle function. Here, a misunderstanding between the driver and the vehicle can already be identified and the described method can be initiated before the driver takes action.

[0024] Although the details of the present invention have been described and explained in detail by means of preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the disclosed examples and those skilled in the art may deduce other changes therefrom without exceeding the scope of protection of the present invention. It is therefore clear that there are many possibilities for variation. It is also clear that the embodiments illustrated are in fact only examples and should in no way be understood as limitations on, for example, the scope of protection, the possibilities of application or the design of the invention. On the contrary, the above description and the accompanying drawings enable those skilled in the art to implement the exemplary embodiments in detail, wherein a technician who is aware of the disclosed inventive concept can accomplish various modifications, for example, related to the function or arrangement of the elements mentioned in the exemplary embodiments without exceeding the scope of protection defined by the claims and their legal equivalents and the detailed description in the specification.

Claims

1. A method for adjusting a vehicle function automatically performed by an assistance system, characterized in that The method comprises: Determining whether the automatically executed function has been aborted by the driver; In the event that the automatically executed function is terminated by the driver, detecting and storing the termination; determining whether the number of the automatically executed functions that are suspended exceeds a preset threshold; determining whether the suspended functions are spatially clustered around a location; In case the number of suspensions exceeds a preset threshold and the suspended functions are spatially accumulated around the location, the suspended functions are replaced by changed functions or new functions, The automatically executed function is an automatically adjusted driving route of the vehicle, and The changed function or new function is to replace the automatically set driving route of the vehicle with the driving route determined by the driver at the location.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The termination of the current vehicle function automatically set by the vehicle is achieved by the driver manually setting the desired function.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: After confirmation by the driver, the changed function or the new function is executed.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: In the event of a function being terminated or a predefined threshold being exceeded, information is output to the driver regarding the criteria by which the function was terminated.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: When a current function automatically executed by the vehicle is terminated, the current sensor signals of the function relating to the driving environment are respectively stored and taken into account when evaluating the number of terminations, even when triggering the new function.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein: As current sensor signals to be evaluated for current vehicle functions automatically set by the vehicle and relating to the driving environment, location and / or clock time and / or vehicle-related events and / or environment-related events are used.

7. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The replacement of a current function automatically performed by the vehicle by the desired function and the parameters of the current function automatically set by the vehicle are stored in the driver profile of the vehicle.

8. A driver assistance system for adapting vehicle functions automatically performed by the assistance system to the driver's driving behavior, characterized in that: An evaluation unit (3) for detecting an automatically executed current vehicle function that is interrupted by the driver comprises a memory (5) for storing the interrupted function and is connected to a counter (7) for determining the number of interruptions of the automatically set current function that have been generated by the driver, wherein a comparison unit (9) controls a triggering unit (11) to enable a changed function or a new function when the number of interruptions determined by the counter (7) exceeds a threshold value, wherein the driver assistance system is configured to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

Images