A method of operating a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a vehicle (1), wherein the cortisol content in the blood of a driver (2) of the vehicle (1) is determined. According to the invention it is provided that: - the cortisol content in the blood of the driver (2) is derived from the cortisol content in the sweat of the driver (2) detected by means of sensors of a wearable data processing unit (4); and - in dependence of the derived cortisol content of the driver (2), a setting of vehicle parameters and / or vehicle functions is adjusted to reduce the risk of an accident.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for controlling a vehicle, wherein the cortisol level in the blood of the vehicle driver is determined.

[0002] A method for adjusting a control algorithm with parameters dependent on the driver is known from EP 2 711 227 B1. This control algorithm controls the transmission system in a vehicle. The method includes: measuring the driver's physical parameters; determining the driver's stress level based on the performed measurements; and adapting the control algorithm to the determined driver stress level. Furthermore, the method is characterized by adjusting the control algorithm to expand the permissible speed range before gear shifting, wherein this expansion is proportional to the driver's specific stress level. The measured driver physical parameters include blood cortisol levels and palmar perspiration.

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a method for controlling a vehicle.

[0004] According to the present invention, this objective is achieved by a method having the features described in claim 1.

[0005] Advantageous designs of the present invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0006] According to the present invention, a method for controlling a vehicle is provided, wherein the cortisol level in the driver's blood is determined, the method specifying that the cortisol level in the driver's blood is derived from the cortisol level in the driver's sweat detected by a sensor using a wearable data processing unit, and the settings of vehicle parameters and / or vehicle functions are adjusted based on the obtained cortisol level in the driver to reduce the risk of accidents.

[0007] By using this method, the risk of accidents can be reduced (especially for relatively young drivers) and thus traffic safety can be improved. Relatively young novice drivers with relatively low cortisol levels have a significantly higher risk of accidents than their peers with relatively high blood cortisol levels.

[0008] Cortisol is a stress hormone found in mammals, including humans. It can improve concentration and work efficiency, and protect the body from inflammation. The release of cortisol helps the body remain alert and efficient under relatively extreme conditions. Therefore, it can be concluded that when blood cortisol levels are relatively low, drivers, especially relatively young drivers with limited driving experience, have lower attention spans and work efficiency. This increases the risk of accidents for such drivers.

[0009] Cortisol levels in sweat can be determined based on detection signals from wearable data processing units, particularly so-called sweat trackers. This is a non-invasive measurement of cortisol levels in a driver's sweat. Sweat trackers can be integrated, for example, into so-called fitness trackers or smartwatches. By determining cortisol levels in sweat and blood, the stress level of the person wearing the data processing unit can be deduced.

[0010] Furthermore, the driver's accident risk level is determined based on the obtained cortisol level in the driver's blood and the determined driving experience. That is, if the driver's blood cortisol level is determined to be relatively low and the driving experience is relatively limited, then the risk level is relatively high in terms of accident risk. Conversely, if a relatively high cortisol level is determined and the driver has relatively more driving experience, then the risk level is assumed to be relatively low, and therefore the driver's accident risk is low. For example, driving experience can be determined by querying the driver's date of birth and / or the date of issuance of the driver's license. At this point, the driver has the opportunity to manually enter the corresponding information. Alternatively or supplementarily, it can be proposed that the driver must position their driver's license relative to an onboard camera, thereby allowing the necessary data to be recorded and from which the driver's driving experience can be derived.

[0011] One implementation of this method specifies that, as vehicle parameters and / or vehicle functions, based on the respective determined hazard levels, the following are provided: a maximum speed for further driving the vehicle is specified; the maximum possible acceleration is limited; a warning is issued in the vehicle when the distance between the vehicle and the vehicle ahead is less than a specific distance, wherein the specific distance is greater than a minimum rated distance; an advance warning is issued and the intervention limit of the lane departure warning system used for steering intervention is reduced when the vehicle leaves the current lane; and / or the selection of sport driving procedures is blocked.

[0012] This adjustment of vehicle parameters and / or vehicle functions is specifically designed to prevent drivers from actually causing accidents or becoming involved in accidents due to negligence when a relatively high level of danger has been identified. By adjusting the settings, the accident risk for vehicle drivers can be reduced.

[0013] In an improved version of this method, the driver in a vehicle is identified based on sweat. To do this, the driver's sweat data is first stored so that the driver can be identified by comparing the detected and stored sweat data. By using a wearable data processing unit to detect sweat and compare it with the stored data, the driver can be automatically identified without requiring input from the vehicle's driver.

[0014] Another possible implementation of this method involves transmitting the detected driver's sweat data to a computer unit on the vehicle side for evaluation and processing. Therefore, the vehicle possesses sweat data, which can be used to identify the driver and determine their blood cortisol levels to assess accident risk.

[0015] In one possible improvement, for vehicles where the driver may change, a database of potential drivers is stored in the computer unit. Specifically, all potential drivers are stored in the database and can be identified using sweat data stored and detected at the vehicle side. Furthermore, the cortisol levels in the sweat of each potential driver can be determined before driving begins. Based on the determined hazard level, appropriate changes can be made to vehicle parameters and / or vehicle function settings before driving begins to reduce the driver's accident risk.

[0016] In one possible design, the birth dates of each potential driver and personal sweat data used to identify each potential driver are stored in a database. In particular, driving experience can be inferred from the birth dates of the corresponding potential drivers of the vehicle and automatically taken into account when determining the level of danger.

[0017] In another possible design of this method, upon initial detection of sweat data from each potential driver, the driver is registered in a database using an electronically readable driver's license. Thus, the driver is stored as a potential driver of the vehicle and can be clearly identified based on their sweat. Furthermore, the cortisol level in the driver's blood can be derived from the detected cortisol levels in the driver's sweat, thereby determining the risk level of an accident. Based on the determined risk level, vehicle parameters and / or vehicle function settings, particularly safety-related settings, can be adjusted as necessary.

[0018] In one possible implementation, a driver's driving experience can be determined based on the date of issuance of their driver's license. If the driver's license is an electronically readable one for each potential driver of the vehicle, the driver's driving experience can be automatically derived from the electronically readable date of issuance of the license.

[0019] Additionally, one implementation scheme specifies that all changes made to vehicle parameters and / or vehicle function settings, along with the determined current cortisol levels in the driver's sweat and / or blood, are displayed to the corresponding driver on the vehicle's display unit. This allows the driver to have an overview of their cortisol levels and the associated changes to vehicle parameters and / or vehicle function settings, which is particularly beneficial for improving the safety of the driver and road users in the surrounding environment.

[0020] The embodiments of the present invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] in:

[0022] Figure 1 A perspective view of a portion of the vehicle is shown schematically, with the driver seated.

[0023] The only accompanying drawing shows a perspective view of a portion of vehicle 1, with driver 2 sitting in the driver's seat 3 of vehicle 1.

[0024] Generally, traffic accidents are known to be the most common cause of death in the 16-29 age group. Younger novice drivers with relatively low blood cortisol levels have a significantly higher risk of accidents than their peers with relatively high cortisol levels.

[0025] Cortisol is a stress hormone, released especially in mammals when under stress, and can be detected in sweat. The release of cortisol can improve concentration and work efficiency, and protect the body from inflammation. Cortisol helps the body remain alert and efficient under relatively extreme conditions.

[0026] To reduce the accident risk for driver 2 of vehicle 1, a method is described below.

[0027] This method provides a non-invasive measurement of cortisol levels in the sweat of driver 2 of vehicle 1. The measurement is performed specifically using a wearable data processing unit 4, which can be referred to as a sweat tracker. This sweat tracker can be integrated, for example, into driver 2's fitness tracker or smartwatch. In one possible implementation of this method, the wearable data processing unit 4 may be specified to remain continuously in vehicle 1 and must be worn by the respective driver 2 before driving begins.

[0028] Based on the cortisol level detected in driver 2's sweat, the cortisol level in driver 2's blood can be determined. Based on the detected cortisol level in driver 2's sweat and / or the determined cortisol level in the driver's blood, vehicle parameters and / or vehicle function settings can be adjusted to reduce the risk of accidents.

[0029] The detected sweat data of the driver 2 is transmitted from the data processing unit 4, particularly in a non-contact manner (e.g., via a standardized radio connection), to the computer unit 5 of the vehicle 1 (i.e., the so-called on-board computer) for evaluation and processing.

[0030] Computer unit 5 contains a database with data on all potential drivers 2 authorized to drive vehicle 1. In addition to identifying each driver 2, the database also stores individual sweat data and dates of birth for each potential driver 2. For example, each driver 2 needs to register for vehicle 1, which can be done using an electronically readable driver's license. Specifically, driver 2 registration is performed during the first sweat measurement. To identify the corresponding driver 2 in vehicle 1, the sweat data is compared with the database using a machine learning algorithm.

[0031] As an alternative to or supplement to using an electronically readable driver's license, in order to register on the vehicle side, the corresponding driver 2 can manually enter the date of birth and / or the date of issuance of the driver's license.

[0032] Another alternative or supplementary implementation specifies that the driver's license, and in particular the information stated thereon, can be determined by image signals captured by an onboard camera 6, which, according to this embodiment, is integrated into the rearview mirror 7 of the vehicle 1. For this purpose, the driver 2 needs to place his driver's license in front of the onboard camera 6 so that the camera can capture data. The captured image signals are evaluated by an image recognition program, and the data (i.e., date of birth and / or date of issuance) is identified and recorded in a database to register the driver 2.

[0033] According to the registration, the sweat data recorded by the data processing unit 4 can be associated with the corresponding driver 2, and therefore also with the date of birth and age.

[0034] In particular, driving experience can be inferred based on driver 2's age and the date of issuance of their driver's license. The inferred driving experience, along with the determined cortisol levels in driver 2's blood, are used to determine the risk level of driver 2 (especially relatively young novice drivers). The lower driver 2's cortisol levels and the less driving experience, the higher their risk level.

[0035] Adjust vehicle parameters and / or vehicle function settings according to the determined hazard level, especially the degree of the determined hazard level.

[0036] In particular, the maximum possible speed at which vehicle 1 can be driven is specified based on the determined hazard level. To this end, it is specifically stipulated that the higher the hazard level, the earlier the maximum speed of vehicle 1's transmission system should be adjusted.

[0037] When the determined danger level is high, the maximum possible acceleration of vehicle 1 is limited. From the moment the danger level is predetermined, the possibility of performing a so-called forced downshift start when starting to drive vehicle 1 is completely prevented.

[0038] Regarding the use of the speed-dependent distance control device on vehicle 1, it is stipulated that: in situations where the determined danger level is high, a warning is issued to driver 2 when the distance to the vehicle ahead is less than a predetermined distance. This predetermined distance is greater than a minimum rated distance, specifically a safe distance appropriate to the speed of vehicle 1. Therefore, issuing a warning when vehicle 1 approaches the vehicle ahead largely prevents a collision between vehicle 1 and the vehicle ahead.

[0039] If vehicle 1 is equipped with a lane departure warning system, a warning will be issued if vehicle 1 leaves the current lane prematurely in situations where the determined danger level is high. Furthermore, the intervention limit of the lane departure warning system can be lowered, at which point automatic steering intervention will be performed to reposition vehicle 1 within its lane.

[0040] For example, if it is determined that the current driver 2 of vehicle 1 is at a high risk level, warnings can be issued to other vehicles in the lane that vehicle 1 intends to merge into, even if these vehicles are relatively far from vehicle 1. Predictive speed adjustments can also be implemented more forcefully in cases where a high risk level is determined, especially when map data indicates that there are curves, intersections, and / or roundabouts ahead of vehicle 1.

[0041] It is also conceivable that the sensitivity of the attention assist device in vehicle 1 increases with the level of danger, so that even when the signs of fatigue are relatively mild, a warning is issued to a dangerous driver 2 with relatively low levels of cortisol in sweat and blood.

[0042] Furthermore, this method stipulates that if driver 2 can select a driving program, the possibility of selecting a sport driving program will be prevented.

[0043] All changes made in relation to the settings of vehicle parameters and / or vehicle functions are displayed on display unit 8 to the driver 2 of vehicle 1.

[0044] In one possible implementation of this method, the anti-theft device can be integrated into vehicle 1. The anti-theft device can be activated, for example, by the driver 2's parents, a vehicle rental company, a company fleet manager, and / or by an insurance company via remote access. Therefore, it is stipulated that the drive unit of vehicle 1 can only be activated when the driver 2 of vehicle 1 is wearing the wearable data processing unit 4. For example, the wearable data processing unit 4 is assigned to vehicle 1, remains in the vehicle, and must be worn by the authorized driver 2 of vehicle 1 before driving begins.

[0045] As an alternative to the vehicle 1's drive unit being able to be activated only when the data processing unit 4 is worn, it is stipulated that if the data processing unit 4 is not worn or is malfunctioning, the driver 2 can only operate the vehicle 1 at the maximum danger level. This means that the vehicle 1 can be moved even if the data processing unit 4 is not working or is malfunctioning.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a vehicle (1), wherein the cortisol level in the blood of the driver (2) of the vehicle (1) is determined. Its features are, - The cortisol level in the driver's (2) blood is determined based on the cortisol level in the driver's (2) sweat detected by a sensor in the wearable data processing unit (4), wherein the driver (2) in the vehicle (1) is identified based on the detected sweat and thereby their date of birth and / or the date of issuance of their driver's license, and the driver's driving experience is determined based on their date of birth and / or the date of issuance of their driver's license. - Based on the obtained cortisol levels of the driver (2), adjust the vehicle parameters and / or vehicle function settings to reduce the risk of accidents, and - The risk level of the accident risk of the driver (2) is determined based on the obtained cortisol content in the blood of the driver (2) and the determined driving experience of the driver (2). The lower the cortisol content of the driver (2) and the less driving experience, the higher the corresponding risk level. The higher the cortisol content of the driver (2) and the more driving experience, the higher the attention and work efficiency, the lower the corresponding risk level. The risk level of the accident risk of relatively young novice drivers with relatively low cortisol content is significantly higher than that of their peers with relatively high cortisol content. Before driving begins, the cortisol levels in the sweat of each potential driver are determined and the hazard level is established. Based on the determined hazard level, the vehicle parameters and / or vehicle function settings are modified accordingly before driving begins to reduce the driver's accident risk.

2. The method according to claim 1, Its features are, As settings for the vehicle parameters and / or vehicle functions, based on the respective determined hazard levels: - Specify the maximum speed at which the vehicle (1) can be driven further. - Limit the maximum possible acceleration of the vehicle (1), - When the distance between the vehicle (1) and the vehicle in front is less than a certain distance, a warning is issued in the vehicle (1), wherein the certain distance is greater than the minimum rated distance. - When the vehicle (1) leaves the current lane, issue an advance warning and reduce the intervention limit of the lane departure warning system used for steering intervention, and / or - Prevent selection of the Sport driving program.

3. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, Its features are, The detected sweat data of the driver (2) is transmitted to the computer unit (5) on the vehicle side for evaluation and processing.

4. The method according to claim 3, Its features are, The computer unit (5) stores a database of potential drivers (2) of the vehicle (1).

5. The method according to claim 4, Its features are, The birth dates of each potential driver (2) and personal sweat data used to identify each potential driver (2) are stored in a database.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, Its features are, During the first detection of sweat data of each potential driver (2), each potential driver is registered in the database using an electronically readable driver's license.

7. The method according to claim 6, Its features are, The driving experience of the driver (2) is determined based on the date of issuance of the driver's license.

8. The method according to claim 1, Its features are, All changes made in relation to the settings of the vehicle parameters and / or vehicle functions, as well as the current cortisol levels in the sweat and / or blood of the driver (2), are displayed on the display unit (8) of the vehicle (1) to the corresponding driver (2) of the vehicle (1).

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