Information system for motor vehicle, method for contextual suppression of information output, and motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an information system for a motor vehicle, which is designed to output information relating to an existing or imminent intervention of the motor vehicle with a driving parameter to a user of the motor vehicle during driving, characterized in that the output of the information to the user can be suppressed, the value of the control parameter preset by the user is incorporated into a decision of whether to suppress the output of the information to the user. The invention also relates to a method for contextual suppression of the output of information relating to an existing or imminent intervention of a motor vehicle on a driving parameter of the driving of the motor vehicle, characterized by the following steps: a. Determining whether an intervention of the motor vehicle on the driving parameter exists or is imminent; b. If there is or is about to occur an intervention of the motor vehicle on the driving parameter, determining an importance value for the presence or imminent intervention; c, querying at least one control parameter preset by a user; and d. Determining, using the importance value and the control parameter, whether to output or suppress information regarding the presence or imminent intervention of the motor vehicle with the driving parameter.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an information system for a motor vehicle, which is configured to output information about existing or imminent intervention of the motor vehicle in driving parameters to a user of the motor vehicle during driving; a method for contextually suppressing the output of information about existing or imminent intervention of the motor vehicle in driving parameters of the driving of the motor vehicle; and a motor vehicle. Background Art

[0002] For a long time, there has been a mechanical coupling between the wheel brakes and the actuating device for the wheel brakes (usually the brake pedal) as standard in motor vehicles. In the development towards electric vehicles and in particular also towards semi-autonomous or fully autonomous driving, "decoupled" brake control systems are increasingly being used. This means that there is no longer a mechanical coupling between the brake pedal and the usually hydraulic brake system in the form of a master brake cylinder and / or a brake caliper. The wheel brakes are then actuated by a separate actuator. The actuator is then connected to the actual brake system only via an intermediate sensor device or electronic device. Such systems are also known as "brake-by-wire" systems, or "Bremsen-per-Kabel" systems in German. The aforementioned decoupling results in that, if a stabilizing wheel pressure control, such as an ABS control, which in conventional systems results in slight vibrations of the brake pedal, is used, the driver does not receive tactile feedback from the system when braking and, for example, no longer feels it on his foot.

[0003] Advantageously, decoupling - especially when the brake pedal is electrically connected - allows the components of the brake control system to be installed freely in the engine compartment, which in turn leads to improved acoustic decoupling. However, as a result, the driver can no longer detect possible brake control processes acoustically, if possible. The same applies when using electromechanical brake calipers instead of hydraulic brake calipers. Therefore, in many cases, the driver can neither hear nor feel when he actuates the brake to reach the locking pressure or triggers ABS control.

[0004] This avoidance of sensory feedback may be desirable. For example, for comfort reasons, such as in autonomous or semi-autonomous driving, it may be felt as pleasant if the driver's sensory influences are blocked as much as possible. But in other cases, such as in the case of sports driving or when using the motor vehicle on a racetrack, information about the slip at the wheel may be helpful or even necessary, in order to optimize the braking point before a bend, for example. A possible measure for notifying the driver of a brake regulation intervention is a tactile, acoustic or visual prompt. According to the prior art, these prompts are output each time the brake regulation system intervenes. This can be felt as annoying within a wide range. In some cases, the disturbances felt by the user can be caused by such an information system: the user deactivates the corresponding assistance system. Therefore, it is extremely desirable, especially in safety-related assistance systems, to avoid such disturbances felt by the user. Similar situations apply to notifications about the use of other assistance systems. For example, these assistance systems can be lane keeping assistance, speed assistance, anti-skid regulation systems or other assistance systems. Summary of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a way of avoiding annoying the driver with too frequent information about existing or impending interventions of the motor vehicle in driving parameters, while at the same time providing the driver with a sufficient amount of such information.

[0006] According to the invention, the task can be achieved by an information system for a motor vehicle of the type mentioned at the outset, in which the output of the information to the user can be suppressed, wherein the value of a control parameter preset by the user is included in the decision whether to suppress the output of the information to the user.

[0007] In this case, intervention in driving parameters may be understood to mean, in particular, intervention in the steering of the motor vehicle or intervention with an influence on the speed of the motor vehicle. In other words, such intervention may be intervention in the longitudinal guidance or transverse guidance of the motor vehicle. Thus, intervention in driving parameters may be, for example, steering intervention, acceleration or braking of the vehicle, activation of an anti-lock braking system or generally intervention in a brake control system, activation of an electronic stability program or activation of an anti-slip control system.

[0008] The information provided to the user of the motor vehicle can be understood in particular as visual, auditory or tactile information. For example, it is possible to present the visual information on a display or to present the visual information in the instrument panel as the lighting of a light. Changes in the ambient lighting device, such as the brighter lighting of the ambient lighting device, can also be used as visual signals. The auditory information can be voice information or a signal sound output by the motor vehicle. For example, a sound generated by a combined warning sound, a fade-in of an output signal through one or more radio speakers, or the sound of a "parking distance control" system, in other words, the sound of an acoustic (or auditory, i.e., akustisch) parking aid, can be output. For example, the tactile information can include vibrations of the steering wheel of the motor vehicle, vibrations of the motor vehicle pedal (e.g., the brake pedal of the motor vehicle), or the activation of a massage seat. All other known and commonly used force feedback mechanisms are also feasible.

[0009] According to the invention, the concept is realized that the output or suppression of tactile, acoustic or visual feedback, for example feedback about slip at the wheels of the motor vehicle, is linked to the setting options available to the user. For example, the output or suppression of feedback can be linked to a driving program selected by the user or to a driving state scenario.

[0010] If the information to be output is information about slip at a wheel or at a plurality of wheels of the motor vehicle, then, for example, if a locking pressure is approaching or reached, a criterion for an existing or imminent intervention in driving parameters can be met. The same applies to the use of an anti-lock braking system (ABS system). In principle, the output of information can be provided if a triggering of ABS braking is imminent or has already been performed.

[0011] The fact that a specific event is about to occur can be understood in particular as a result of calculation or an extrapolation of existing data indicating that the event mentioned is likely to occur in a short time interval in the future. Here, the time interval can be, for example, 0.5 seconds, 1 second, or 2 seconds.

[0012] It can be provided that the information system is designed for use in a motor vehicle with a brake-by-wire system. As already described above, in a motor vehicle with such a brake system, information about the driving situation or other states of the vehicle that is actively output by the vehicle can be advantageous, because in such a decoupled state from the vehicle, the user receives less direct feedback, in particular less acoustic and tactile feedback about the driving state of the motor vehicle and the reaction of the motor vehicle to the road and / or the operation of the motor vehicle by the user. Since it is particularly advantageous for such a motor vehicle to provide the driver with instructions in the form of additionally output information, there is at the same time an increased risk that the driver feels disturbed by the information provided. In this case, it is particularly meaningful to provide the driver with the option of adapting the frequency and range of the information output to the driver's personal preferences.

[0013] It is possible that the driving parameter is a slip control of the driven and / or braked wheels. This embodiment is particularly advantageous in the case of the wire control brake system already mentioned above.

[0014] According to one design of the present invention, the control parameters preset by the user include the selection of driving characteristics (or driving mode, i.e., Fahrprofil) or the setting of the electronic stability program. In general, the selection of driving characteristics and the setting of the electronic stability program can be summarized as "driving program selection". For example, when selecting a driving program, the output or suppression of information can be related to the selected driving characteristics (e.g., "normal", "comfort", "sport", "race") or the setting of the electronic stability program (ESC setting), such as "ESC normal" or "ESC sport". It is feasible to assign a characteristic value for suppressing the output of information to each driving characteristic and / or each ESC setting. In the simplest case, the characteristic value can be binary, i.e., for example, 0 or 1. Then, according to the setting associated with the corresponding driving program, either all the information to be output is output (which corresponds to the characteristic value 1) or all the information to be output is suppressed (which corresponds to the characteristic value 0).

[0015] Alternatively, the characteristic value can also be a parameter that is taken into account when deciding whether to output or suppress information. For example, a numerical value can be assigned to each driving characteristic, which is used as a factor when making the decision. For example, a "comfort" driving characteristic setting is assigned a value of 1, a "normal" driving characteristic setting is assigned a value of 0.75, a "sport" driving characteristic setting is assigned a value of 0.5, and a "race" driving characteristic setting is assigned a value of 0.25. For example, these values ​​can be entered into the product of the characteristic value and the intensity of the intervention in the driving parameter, the magnitude of the detected danger or other parameters that influence the output or suppression of information.

[0016] A limit value can then be predefined for the calculation result, for example for the described product, below which the output of the information is suppressed and above which the information is output. It is conceivable that different limit values ​​are stored and / or can be set for different assistance system-related information in order to decide whether the information should be output or suppressed.

[0017] As already explained, it can be advantageously provided that the user can deactivate the output of specific information independently of the activation of the associated assistance system. For example, this can be achieved by a specific selectable item in the menu guidance of the motor vehicle, for example a specific selectable item in the "Personal" menu.

[0018] It is possible that the control parameters preset by the user specify a limit value for an intervention characteristic value describing the intensity of the intervention on the driving parameter, wherein if the intervention characteristic value is below the limit value, the output of the information to the user is suppressed. The motor vehicle or the controller of the motor vehicle first determines whether the information needs to be output, and then specifies the intensity of the intervention on the driving parameter if the information needs to be output. For example, the intensity of the intervention on the driving parameter can be determined according to the size of the steering force applied, according to the size of the steering correction angle, according to the size of the intervention on the longitudinal guidance of the motor vehicle, for example, according to the size of the acceleration or deceleration triggered, or similar parameters. In other words, it can be provided that information related to a stronger intervention on the driving parameter is output, while information related to a less strong intervention on the driving parameter is suppressed. The limit value for the intensity of the driving parameter can be fixedly preset and stored. Alternatively, such a limit value can be related to other parameters, for example, according to the control parameters preset by the user or can be explicitly set by the user.

[0019] It is possible that the control parameter predefined by the user includes a setting as to whether information about an existing or impending intervention in a driving parameter by the motor vehicle is to be output. In other words, it can be provided that the output of information about an impending or existing intervention in a driving parameter can be switched on or off separately from the associated assistance system. Conventionally, a plurality of individual assistance systems can be deactivated, whereby a user who finds the output of information disturbing can avoid this perceived disturbance. However, since the associated assistance system is also deactivated at the same time, the possibility of activating or deactivating the output of information individually is advantageous, since this allows the assistance system to remain activated and thus can increase driving safety.

[0020] Furthermore, it is possible that the control parameters predefined by the user define whether the result of the evaluation of the driving situation is included in the decision whether the output of the information to the user is to be suppressed. In particular, the evaluation of the driving situation can include an evaluation of the dangerousness of the driving situation and / or an evaluation of the importance of the user information, for example in order to prompt the user to intervene or change behavior.

[0021] The evaluation of the driving situation may include, in particular, an evaluation of the driving conditions, the presence of an autonomous or manual driving mode, poor friction values ​​identified between the wheels of the motor vehicle and the ground (in other words, for example, the risk of slipping) or other environmental data. The risk of slipping may occur due to wet or icy tracks, track damage, specific wind conditions or other reasons, such as, for example, oil or other lubricating films on the track. The motor vehicle can obtain information about such environmental data via its own onboard sensors or via an information system (e.g., Car2Car or Car2x communication) or via other communication interfaces (e.g., with a cloud storage). Position data and / or environmental data determined by the position data may also be used. In this way, the vehicle can, for example, recognize whether it has "deviated" from the normal road or is, for example, on a racetrack.

[0022] It is possible that the control parameter predefined by the user is the autonomy of the driving. For example, it can be provided that the output of one or more information is suppressed during autonomous driving, during autonomous and semi-autonomous driving, or starting from a certain autonomy of driving.

[0023] As has already been indicated above, it is also possible that the environmental data determined or received by the motor vehicle are incorporated into the decision whether to suppress the output of the information to the user. As has already been described above, such an inclusion of environmental data can be achieved by an evaluation of the driving situation or by a risk assessment that is independent of the specific driving situation. Thus, if, for example, a risk of thin ice or other risk factors is detected, the threshold for suppressing the output of information can be increased, so that information that would be suppressed if such a risk or such a risk factor were not present is also output.

[0024] The object is also achieved by a method for contextually suppressing the output of information about an existing or impending intervention of a motor vehicle in a driving parameter of the driving of the motor vehicle, the method comprising the following steps:

[0025] a. determining whether there is or is about to be an intervention of the motor vehicle on the driving parameters;

[0026] b. if an intervention of the motor vehicle on the driving parameter exists or is about to occur, determining a relevance value (or relevance value, ie, Relevanzwertes) for the existing or imminent intervention;

[0027] c. Query at least one control parameter preset by the user; and

[0028] d. Using the significance value and the control parameter, it is determined whether information about an existing or impending intervention of the motor vehicle in a driving parameter is to be output or suppressed.

[0029] In particular, the importance value can be understood here as the importance of the information to be output or to be suppressed. Parameters such as driving speed, the above-mentioned environmental data, detected obstacles or other vehicles or the like can be included in the definition of the importance value. In general, different assistance systems can be assigned different basic importance values. The importance value can be a measure of the detected danger for the current driving situation.

[0030] Finally, the object is achieved by a motor vehicle having an information system of the type described above and / or having a control unit which is configured to carry out the method described above. Such a motor vehicle then has all the advantages of the information system according to the invention or the method according to the invention explained above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Embodiments of the present invention are explained in more detail with the aid of the accompanying drawings and the following description. In the accompanying drawings:

[0032] Figure 1 A schematic side view of a motor vehicle is shown with a first exemplary embodiment of an information system according to the invention;

[0033] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing a dashboard or a center console of a motor vehicle having a second embodiment of an information system according to the invention;

[0034] Figure 3 A flow chart for explaining a first exemplary embodiment of the method according to the present invention is shown;

[0035] Figure 4 shows a flow chart for explaining a second exemplary embodiment of the method according to the present invention, and

[0036] Figure 5 The operating principle of a third exemplary embodiment of the information system according to the present invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Figure 1 A schematic side view of a motor vehicle 2 equipped with a first exemplary embodiment of an information system 12 according to the invention is shown. The motor vehicle 2 moves on a ground surface 4 and is in contact with the ground surface via wheels 6. A user, in particular a driver of the motor vehicle 2, can sit on a seat 8. The user can interact with the motor vehicle 2 via a series of operating elements, of which only some are shown for simplicity, and via various output devices of the motor vehicle 2.

[0038] The information system 12 has a control unit 14 which is able to execute computer programs, receive data from a plurality of data sources, process these data and output information via different channels. The control unit can receive information here, in particular, via sensors arranged at the wheels 6, other sensors 16 (such as cameras, radar sensors or temperature sensors) or via a communication device 18, which can establish a wireless connection to a network or other vehicles. As already explained, this information can be, in particular, information about slip at the wheels 6 or about the use of an anti-lock braking system. The information can also contain environmental conditions and / or the surroundings of the motor vehicle 2 and in particular the properties of the ground 4, information about detected obstacles or detected other vehicles, or information about the course of the route.

[0039] The user can set up the information system 12 via input elements, for example via a touch-enabled display 20. In particular, the user can thereby set or influence control parameters which are then taken into account by the information system 12 when deciding whether information should be displayed or suppressed.

[0040] If information is to be output, it can be output in different ways. For example, the seat 8 and / or the brake pedal 10 can be subjected to vibrations of different intensities, or the information can also be output on the display 20 and / or on the instrument panel 26, which can also have a display or special lighting elements for this purpose. In addition, the information can be output acoustically, for example via a loudspeaker 30. It is also possible to use a lighting element 36 for outputting the information, which can be part of an ambient lighting system of the motor vehicle 2.

[0041] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a dashboard or center console of a motor vehicle equipped with a second embodiment of an information system according to the present invention is shown. In the left area of ​​the figure, a dashboard 26 is shown, which has a plurality of optical displays 28 in the lower right area. Depending on which information should be output, one or more of these optical displays 28 can be lit. In the right area of ​​the figure, a display 20 is shown, which can also be used to output information. In addition, the display 20 can generally be used for communication between the user and the motor vehicle. For example, the display 20 can interact with a plurality of operating elements 24, which can be designed in the form of keys or buttons. It is also possible that the display 20 is designed as a touch screen. In the view shown, the display 20 displays a menu 32, which has a plurality of individual menu items 34. In the view shown, the menu 32 provides the user with different options for selecting a driving program. The user can then select the option by touching the display 20 or, if possible, also by the associated operating element 24.

[0042] In the right area of ​​the accompanying drawings, a loudspeaker 30 can also be seen, which can also be used for outputting information. In order to carry out other exchanges with the user, a microphone not shown in the figure can also be present, and the user can carry out voice input through the microphone.

[0043] Figure 3 A flow chart is shown for explaining a first embodiment of the method according to the invention. In step S10, it is determined whether an intervention of a motor vehicle on a driving parameter exists or is about to occur. In step S20, if an intervention of a motor vehicle on a driving parameter exists or is about to occur, a significance value for the existing or imminent intervention is determined. In step S30, at least one control parameter preset by the user is queried. Finally, in step S40, it is determined with the aid of the significance value and one or more control parameters whether information about an existing or imminent intervention of a motor vehicle on a driving parameter is to be output or suppressed. In steps not shown in detail, the information can then be optionally output.

[0044] Figure 4 A flow chart for explaining a second embodiment of the method according to the present invention is shown. Steps S10, S20, S30 and S40 are here identical to those described above with reference to Figure 3 The steps of the first embodiment described are the same. Steps S31, S32, S33, S34, S35 and S36 are optional and can be implemented in any combination.

[0045] In step S31 , the set driving characteristics are queried and control parameters, if applicable, associated therewith are read out.

[0046] In step S32 , the settings of the electronic stability program (ESC) are queried and the control parameters associated therewith, if applicable, are read out.

[0047] In step S33, the limit value for the intervention characteristic value describing the intensity of the intervention on the driving parameter is read out. In this step, the information system can also analyze the intervention on the driving parameter and thereby specify an appropriate intervention characteristic value.

[0048] In step S34, it is read whether the output of the information relating to the intervention on the driving parameter is in principle deactivated or in principle activated. If possible, the setting of such a control parameter by the user can cover all further method steps.

[0049] In step S35, the setting is read out whether the evaluation result of the driving situation is included in the decision whether to suppress the output of information to the user. In addition, if possible, the driving situation can be analyzed and evaluated in this step, wherein the information system can use different information sources, such as sensor data and network information, for this purpose.

[0050] In step S36, it can be read whether the environmental data determined or received by the motor vehicle are included in the decision whether to suppress the output of information to the user. In addition, if possible, the environmental data can be determined and evaluated in this step.

[0051] In principle, the method according to the invention can be carried out for a plurality of different interventions in different driving parameters sequentially or in parallel.

[0052] Figure 5 The operating principle of a third specific embodiment of the information system 12 according to the invention is schematically shown. The information system 12 determines (preferably continuously) whether an intervention E of the motor vehicle on the driving parameters is present or is about to occur. If this is the case, the information system 12 reads a control parameter K, for example, from a memory and decides with the aid of the control parameter K whether information I is to be output to the user 22 or whether the output of information I is to be suppressed. Optionally, a relevance value R for the present or imminent intervention can also be determined. This relevance value R can then also be taken into account when deciding whether information I is to be output or suppressed by the information system 12.

[0053] Reference numerals list

[0054] 2Motor Vehicles

[0055] 4 Ground

[0056] 6 wheels

[0057] 8 seats

[0058] 10Brake pedal

[0059] 12Information System

[0060] 14 Controller

[0061] 16 sensors

[0062] 18 communication devices

[0063] 20 Displays

[0064] 22 users

[0065] 24 operating elements

[0066] 26. Dashboard

[0067] 28 Optical display components

[0068] 30 speakers

[0069] 32Menu

[0070] 34 menu items

[0071] 36 lighting fixtures

[0072] K control parameter

[0073] E-Intervention

[0074] I Information

[0075] R Importance Value

Claims

1. An information system (12) for a motor vehicle (2), the information system being configured to output information (I) about an existing or impending intervention (E) of the motor vehicle (2) in driving parameters to a user (22) of the motor vehicle (2) during driving, characterized in that The output of the information to the user (22) can be suppressed, wherein the value of a control parameter (K) preset by the user is included in the decision whether to suppress the output of the information (I) to the user (22).

2. The information system (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that The driving parameter is a slip regulation of the driven and / or braked wheels (6).

3. The information system (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The control parameters (K) preset by the user (22) include the selection of driving characteristics or the setting of an electronic stability program.

4. The information system (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that A control parameter (K) preset by the user (22) specifies a limit value for an intervention characteristic value describing the intensity of an intervention (E) on a driving parameter, wherein the output of the information (I) to the user (22) is suppressed if the intervention characteristic value falls below the limit value.

5. The information system (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The control parameters (K) predefined by the user (22) include a setting as to whether information (I) about an existing or impending intervention (E) of the motor vehicle (2) in a driving parameter is to be output.

6. The information system (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that A control parameter (K) preset by the user (22) specifies whether a result of the evaluation of the driving situation is included in the decision whether to suppress the output of the information (I) to the user (22).

7. The information system (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The control parameter (K) predefined by the user (22) is the degree of autonomy of the driving of the motor vehicle.

8. The information system (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that Environmental data determined or received by the motor vehicle (2) are incorporated into a decision as to whether to suppress output of the information (I) to the user (22).

9. A method for contextually suppressing the output of information (I) about an existing or impending intervention (E) of a motor vehicle (2) in a driving parameter of the driving of the motor vehicle (2), the method comprising the following steps: a. determining whether there is or is about to be an intervention (E) of the motor vehicle (2) on the driving parameters; b. if an intervention (E) of the motor vehicle (2) on the driving parameter exists or is about to occur, determining a significance value (R) for the existing or imminent intervention (E); c. querying at least one control parameter (K) preset by a user (22); as well as d. Using the significance value and the control parameter (K), it is determined whether information about an existing or impending intervention (E) of the motor vehicle (2) in a driving parameter is to be output or suppressed. 10 . A motor vehicle ( 2 ) having an information system ( 12 ) according to claim 1 and / or having a control unit which is designed to carry out the method according to claim 9 .

Images