Method for actively changing a configuration of a speed adjustment system of a vehicle, computing device of a speed adjustment system, computer-readable (storage medium

Abstract

The invention relates to a method according to the invention for actively changing the configuration of a speed control system of a vehicle as a result of a repeatedly detected behavior pattern of a driver of the vehicle, comprising activating the speed control system of the vehicle, the speed control system adjusting the vehicle speed to a target speed. Additionally, the method includes receiving traffic sign data describing a maximum allowable speed on a route traveled by the vehicle. In addition, the method according to the invention comprises employing the maximum allowable speed as the target speed of the speed regulation system. Finally, the method comprises detecting a target speed correction, a change of the target speed by the driver of the vehicle being described by means of the target speed correction. Here, a behavior pattern of the driver is identified, said behavior pattern describing a change in the target speed due to the use of the maximum permissible speed as the target speed. Additionally, if the behavior pattern is repeatedly detected, an active configuration change suggestion is output to the driver. By accepting the proactive configuration change suggestion, when the maximum allowable speed is taken as the target speed, the target speed is deviated from the maximum allowable speed by a speed offset in the future.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a method for actively changing the configuration of a speed control system of a vehicle due to a repeatedly detected behavior pattern of a vehicle driver. Furthermore, the invention relates to a computing device of a speed control system of a vehicle for carrying out such a method. Finally, the invention relates to a computer-readable (storage) medium and a speed control system for a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Speed ​​control systems, in particular so-called adaptive cruise control (ACC), are the most frequently used driver assistance systems in vehicles. Such speed control systems adjust the speed of the vehicle to a preset target speed. In addition, the target speed can be adapted in order to adjust the distance to the vehicle ahead. Modern speed control systems now also have traffic sign recognition. The speed control system can therefore detect the maximum permissible speed and adopt the maximum permissible speed as the new target speed automatically and / or after confirmation by the driver.

[0003] The speed offset function significantly contributes to the acceptance of such speed control systems with traffic sign recognition. This speed offset function allows the presetting of a speed tolerance value or speed offset, which is added to the maximum permissible speed. If, for example, a speed offset of 5 km / h is set, the maximum permissible speed + 5 km / h is always set as the new target speed.

[0004] Document DE 102012 211 967 A1 describes a vehicle having a speed control system and a speed limiting system, wherein the speed control system in principle adjusts a set speed currently preset by the driver as a target speed, and the speed limiting system in principle prevents exceeding a currently preset maximum speed. Here, a connecting device is provided between the speed control system and the speed limiting system, so that the maximum speed of the speed limiting system can be used as the target speed of the speed control system instead of the set speed. Summary of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a solution for how a driver of a vehicle having a cruise control system and traffic sign recognition can be supported in operating a cruise control system.

[0006] This object is achieved according to the invention by a method, a computing device, a computer-readable (storage) medium and a speed control system having the features according to the independent claims. Advantageous developments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

[0007] The method according to the present invention for actively changing the configuration of a speed control system of a vehicle due to a repeatedly detected behavior pattern of a vehicle driver comprises activating a speed control system of the vehicle, wherein the speed control system adjusts the vehicle speed to a target speed. Additionally, the method comprises receiving traffic sign data, which describes the maximum permissible speed on the route the vehicle is traveling. In addition, the method according to the present invention comprises adopting the maximum permissible speed as the target speed of the speed control system. Finally, the method comprises detecting a target speed correction, wherein the change of the target speed by the vehicle driver is described by means of the target speed correction. Here, the behavior pattern of the driver is identified, wherein the behavior pattern describes the change of the target speed caused by adopting the maximum permissible speed as the target speed. Additionally, when the behavior pattern is repeatedly detected, an active configuration change suggestion is output to the driver. By accepting the active configuration change suggestion, when the maximum permissible speed is adopted as the target speed, the target speed will deviate from the maximum permissible speed in the future by a speed offset.

[0008] Therefore, the method is used to change the configuration of the speed control system due to the repeatedly detected behavior pattern of the driver. Therefore, if it is determined, for example, that after adopting the maximum permissible speed as the target speed of the speed control system, the driver always corrects the target speed, for example, increases by 5km / h, then it can be suggested to the vehicle driver that this change should always be considered in the future. If the vehicle driver is not aware of the speed offset function of the speed control system, this is particularly advantageous. It is also advantageous that the vehicle driver does not find the corresponding adjustment in the speed control system. In other words, the speed offset is identified as the driver's expectation and is continuously adopted. Here, the speed offset can represent a fixed speed value (for example 5km / h, 10km / h, 15km / h). However, here, the speed offset can also represent a percentage value (for example 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%) of the maximum permissible speed. The speed offset can also change for the maximum permissible speed. For example, in the maximum permissible speed of 30km / h, the speed offset can be 5km / h, on the contrary, in the maximum permissible speed of 130km / h, the speed offset 20 can be 20km / h.

[0009] The method can be performed, for example, by means of a computing device. The computing device can be designed, for example, as at least one electronic control unit of the vehicle, which includes one or more programmable processors. Furthermore, the computing device can have a computer-readable (storage) medium storing a computer program. In order to perform the corresponding method steps, for example to identify the behavior pattern of the driver, the computer program can be executed on the computing device. The computing device can be part of the speed control system.

[0010] The speed control system of the vehicle can be any assistance system which regulates at least the longitudinal guidance of the vehicle. In particular, the speed control system can be a so-called adaptive cruise control system (ACC). However, it is also conceivable that the speed control system is part of the automated driving function. The automated driving function can be automated driving with any degree of automation. Exemplary degrees of automation are assisted driving, semi-automatic driving, conditional automated driving, highly automated driving and fully automated driving. The five degrees of automation mentioned above correspond to SAE levels 1 to 5 according to the SAE J3016 (SAE - Society of Automotive Engineers) standard of April 30, 2021.

[0011] For example, traffic sign data can be provided by a camera, which describes the maximum permissible speed on a route that the vehicle has traveled and / or will travel in the future. Such a camera can be designed, for example, to detect and recognize / classify traffic signs in the environment of the vehicle. However, it is also conceivable that the traffic sign data are provided, for example, by a navigation system or, more generally, by map data.

[0012] The maximum permissible speed described by the traffic sign data can then be adopted as the target speed for the speed control system. The adoption can be effected, for example, as a result of a driver input. It is conceivable, for example, that the driver of the vehicle is shown the maximum permissible speed and then, for example, actuates a SET button. However, the adoption of the maximum permissible speed as the target speed for the speed control system can also take place without a corresponding input from the driver and thus automatically.

[0013] The following example should illustrate the detection of target speed correction. If the driver of the vehicle drives when the speed control system (which, for example, adjusts the vehicle speed to 70km / h as the target speed) is activated, and passes a traffic sign with a preset maximum permissible speed of, for example, 50km / h, then (instead of 70km / h) the maximum permissible speed of 50km / h can be adopted as the target speed of the speed control system. Now, there may be various reasons for correcting the maximum permissible speed to the target speed. For example, it often happens that strictly adhering to the maximum permissible speed will hinder the traffic flow, and / or the vehicle thus becomes an obstacle to the traffic flow. Another reason may be that the driver of the vehicle is aware of the speedometer that is too fast (vorauseilend), and therefore does not want to directly adopt the maximum permissible speed as the target speed of the speed control system. Here, the speedometer that shows the vehicle speed slightly higher than the actual speed of the vehicle is called a speedometer that is too fast. Independently of the above reasons, the driver can increase the target speed that is set to 50km / h due to the maximum permissible speed to, for example, 55km / h. In other words, the driver of the vehicle has added a speed offset of 5km / h. The addition of the speed offset can correspond to the detection of the target speed correction here.

[0014] A behavior pattern of the driver, i.e. a change in the target speed due to the use of the maximum permissible speed as the target speed, can be detected. This can be done, for example, by counting the occurrence of this sequence with the aid of a counter. If this behavior pattern of the driver is detected repeatedly, an active configuration change suggestion for the speed control system can be presented to the driver.

[0015] For example, if this behavior pattern of the driver can be repeatedly identified, it can be assumed that the driver of the vehicle is not aware that a speed deviation can be configured continuously in the regulation. By outputting an active configuration change suggestion, this function can be indicated to the vehicle driver. In addition, the corresponding configuration change can be directly implemented. As a result, the vehicle driver can be supported in operation or in implementing the regulation of the speed control system. The active configuration change suggestion is particularly intuitive for the driver and also takes into account the driver's behavior.

[0016] The speed offset can be continuously adjusted by accepting active configuration change suggestions. If the maximum permissible speed is adopted as the target speed of the speed control system in the future, the speed offset is added to the maximum permissible speed. In other words, the target speed will deviate from the maximum permissible speed by a speed offset in the future. The speed offset can have a positive or negative sign. A negative sign can mean a reduction in the target speed.

[0017] It may be advantageous if a precondition for identifying a behavior pattern is that a change in the target speed occurs within a preset time interval due to the adoption of the maximum permissible speed as target speed. In other words, it is therefore advantageous that a change in the target speed due to the adoption of the maximum permissible speed can be associated (in time) with the event of the adoption of the maximum permissible speed. It can thereby be ensured that the behavior pattern is reliably identified. For example, such a preset time interval can be 3 seconds, 5 seconds, etc. Therefore, changes in the target speed that do not occur within a preset time interval after the adoption of the maximum permissible speed will not be associated with a behavior pattern. It can therefore be ensured that changes in the target speed that have causes that may be different from the adoption of the maximum permissible speed as target speed are not taken into account.

[0018] It may also be advantageous if the recognition of a behavior pattern presupposes that the change in the target speed describes a specific speed value. In other words, the behavior pattern may be a specific change in the target speed. For example, it is conceivable that, due to the use of the maximum permissible speed as the target speed, the vehicle driver always increases the target speed by 5 km / h or by a specific speed value. However, if the vehicle driver only increases the target speed by 3 km / h in another case, this pattern is not associated with the behavior pattern.

[0019] It may be particularly advantageous if the speed offset by which the target speed deviates from the maximum permissible speed in the future is equal to a certain speed value. This allows the driver's behavior pattern to be addressed individually. An active configuration change suggestion may generally be a suggestion with a different speed offset. However, if the change in the target speed is always to a certain speed value, the driver's wishes can be addressed individually, i.e., for example, always adding 5 km / h to the maximum permissible speed as the new target speed.

[0020] According to another embodiment of the method of the invention, the target speed is increased by means of a target speed correction. In other words, it is therefore advantageous that the speed offset is always positive. This ensures that the vehicle does not inadvertently become a traffic obstacle.

[0021] However, it may also be advantageous to reduce the target speed by means of the target speed correction. Some drivers have higher safety requirements, so that the target speed may be reduced if necessary, especially in the case of high maximum permissible speeds. In this case, the maximum permissible speed described by the traffic sign data can also be taken into account when identifying the driver's behavior pattern. If the vehicle driver always reduces the target speed by 10 km / h after adopting a maximum permissible speed of, for example, 130 km / h, this specific behavior pattern can be identified. As a result, the driver's safety requirements can be addressed individually and intuitively.

[0022] In other words, the maximum permissible speed can also be explicitly taken into account in the behavior model. Thus, the speed offset of the active configuration change suggestion can only be added if the maximum permissible speed identified with the aid of the traffic sign data corresponds to the maximum permissible speed of the corresponding behavior model.

[0023] Finally, it is also advantageous if an active configuration change suggestion is output only if the behavior pattern is detected repeatedly at least a predetermined minimum number of times. For example, the predetermined minimum number of times may be 2, 3, 4, 5 or more times. For example, if the behavior pattern is detected repeatedly three times, an active configuration change suggestion is output. This ensures that the driver's behavior pattern is a pattern in the true sense.

[0024] The computing device according to the present invention for a vehicle is designed to activate a speed control system of the vehicle, wherein the speed control system adjusts the vehicle speed to a target speed. The computing device is also designed to receive traffic sign data describing the maximum permissible speed on the route the vehicle is traveling. In addition, the computing device is designed to use the maximum permissible speed as the target speed of the speed control system and detect a target speed correction, wherein the change of the target speed by the vehicle driver is described by means of the target speed correction. The computing device is designed to identify the driver's behavior pattern and output an active configuration change suggestion when the behavior pattern is repeatedly detected, wherein the driving pattern describes the change of the target speed caused by using the maximum permissible speed as the target speed. Finally, the computing device is designed to detect the acceptance of the active configuration change suggestion, so that when the maximum permissible speed is used as the target speed, the target speed will deviate from the maximum permissible speed in the future by a speed offset. The computing device can be constructed, for example, as an electronic control unit, which includes one or more programmable processors.

[0025] The computer-readable (storage) medium according to the present invention comprises a command, which, when executed by a computing device, causes the computing device to activate a speed regulation system of a vehicle, wherein the speed regulation system regulates the vehicle speed to a target speed. In addition, the computer-readable (storage) medium comprises a command, which, when executed by a computing device, causes the computing device to receive traffic sign data describing the maximum permissible speed on a route traveled by the vehicle. In addition, the computer-readable (storage) medium comprises a command, which, when executed by a computing device, causes the computing device to adopt the maximum permissible speed as the target speed of the speed regulation system and detect a target speed correction, wherein the target speed correction is used to describe the change of the target speed by the vehicle driver. The computer-readable (storage) medium comprises a command, which, when executed by a computing device, causes the computing device to recognize a behavior pattern of the driver and output an active configuration change suggestion when the behavior pattern is repeatedly detected, wherein the behavior pattern describes the change of the target speed caused by adopting the maximum permissible speed as the target speed. Finally, the computer-readable (storage) medium comprises a command, which, when executed by a computing device, causes the computing device to detect the acceptance of the active configuration change suggestion, so that when the maximum permissible speed is adopted as the target speed, the target speed will deviate from the maximum permissible speed in the future by a speed offset.

[0026] The speed control system according to the invention for a vehicle comprises a computing device according to the invention. Furthermore, the speed control system according to the invention comprises a display device designed to output an active configuration change suggestion. Finally, the speed control system according to the invention comprises an input device designed to detect the acceptance of an active configuration change suggestion.

[0027] Another aspect of the invention relates to a computer program, which includes commands which, when the program is executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to carry out the method according to the invention and its advantageous embodiments. In addition, the invention relates to a vehicle including a speed control system according to the invention. The vehicle can be designed in particular as a passenger car.

[0028] The preferred embodiments and their advantages mentioned with reference to the method according to the invention apply accordingly to the computing device according to the invention, the computer-readable (storage) medium according to the invention and the speed control system according to the invention. In addition, the preferred embodiments and their advantages mentioned with reference to the method according to the invention also apply to the computer program according to the invention and the vehicle according to the invention.

[0029] Further features of the invention are obtained from the claims, the drawings and the description of the drawings. Without departing from the scope of the invention, the above-mentioned features and feature combinations mentioned in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned later in the description of the drawings and / or shown only in the drawings can be used not only in the respectively specified combination but also in other combinations or alone. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The present invention will now be explained in detail with the aid of preferred exemplary embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a method according to the invention for actively changing the configuration of a vehicle's cruise control system due to repeatedly detected behavior patterns of the vehicle driver is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Figure 1 The method steps of the method according to the present invention for actively changing the configuration of the speed control system of a vehicle due to repeatedly detected behavior patterns of the vehicle driver are shown. In step S1, the speed control system of the vehicle is activated. The speed control system adjusts the vehicle speed to a target speed. In step S2, traffic sign data can be received. The traffic sign data can be provided, for example, by a camera of the vehicle. Here, the camera can be designed to recognize traffic signs or to recognize the maximum permissible speed. However, the traffic sign data can also be provided by a navigation system, or more generally by a map database. In step S3, the maximum permissible speed is adopted as the target speed of the speed control system. In step S4, a target speed correction is detected. The target speed correction can describe the change of the target speed by the vehicle driver.

[0033] For example, in step S2, traffic sign data can be received, which describe a maximum permissible speed of 100 km / h. In step S3, the maximum permissible speed of 100 km / h can be adopted as the target speed of the speed control system. In other words, the speed control system thus regulates the vehicle speed to the adopted maximum permissible speed or target speed. In step S3, the vehicle driver can, for example, increase the target speed from 100 km / h to 110 km / h. Steps S3 and S4 describe the driver's behavior pattern 1. The behavior pattern 1 describes the change in the target speed due to the adoption of an additional maximum speed as the target speed.

[0034] If behavior pattern 1 is detected repeatedly (indicated by arrow 2), an active configuration change suggestion can be output. Repeated detection of behavior pattern 1 can indicate that the driver of the vehicle generally desires a speed deviation. Such a speed deviation can be proposed to the vehicle driver within the scope of an active configuration change suggestion S5.

[0035] It may be advantageous if behavior mode 1 also includes receiving traffic sign data. Figure 1 In the example, it may be advantageous that behavior mode 1 can always be associated with a maximum permissible speed. In other words, it may be helpful to add a speed offset only at a certain maximum permissible speed.

Claims

1. A method for actively changing the configuration of a vehicle's speed regulation system due to a repeatedly detected behavior pattern (1, 1') of a vehicle driver, comprising the following steps: - activating a speed regulation system of the vehicle, wherein the speed regulation system regulates the vehicle speed to a target speed, - receiving traffic sign data describing the maximum permissible speed on a route travelled by said vehicle, - adopting the highest permissible speed as the target speed of the speed regulation system, and - detecting a target speed correction, wherein a change in the target speed by the driver of the vehicle is described by means of the target speed correction, It is characterized in that - identifying a behavior pattern (1, 1') of the driver, wherein the behavior pattern (1, 1') describes a change in the target speed due to the use of the maximum permissible speed as the target speed, - if the behavior pattern (1, 1') is detected repeatedly, outputting an active configuration change suggestion to the driver, By accepting the proactive configuration change proposal, when adopting the maximum permitted speed as target speed, the target speed will deviate from the maximum permitted speed by a speed offset in the future.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that A prerequisite for identifying the behavior pattern (1, 1') is that a change in the target speed occurs within a preset time interval due to the use of the maximum permissible speed as the target speed.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: A prerequisite for identifying the behavior pattern (1, 1') is that the change in the target speed describes a specific speed value.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The speed deviation of the target speed from the maximum allowed speed in the future is equal to the specific speed value.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The target speed is increased by means of the target speed correction.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The target speed is reduced by means of the target speed correction.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The proactive configuration change suggestion is output only if the behavior pattern is repeatedly detected at least a predetermined minimum number of times.

8. A computing device for a vehicle, the computing device being configured to: - activating a speed regulation system of the vehicle, wherein: The speed regulating system regulates the vehicle speed to a target speed, - receiving traffic sign data describing the maximum permissible speed on a route travelled by said vehicle, - adopting the highest permissible speed as the target speed of the speed regulation system, and - detecting a target speed correction, wherein a change in the target speed by the driver of the vehicle is described by means of the target speed correction, Characterized in that the computing device is designed to: - identifying a behavior pattern (1, 1') of the driver, wherein the behavior pattern (1, 1') describes a change in the target speed due to the use of the maximum permissible speed as the target speed, - if said behavior pattern (1, 1') is detected repeatedly, then outputting a proactive configuration change suggestion, - Detecting the acceptance of the proactive configuration change proposal, so that when adopting the maximum permitted speed as target speed, the target speed will in future deviate from the maximum permitted speed by a speed offset.

9. A computer-readable (storage) medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to: - activating a speed regulation system of the vehicle, wherein: The speed regulating system regulates the vehicle speed to a target speed, - receiving traffic sign data describing the maximum permissible speed on a route travelled by said vehicle, - adopting the highest permissible speed as the target speed of the speed regulation system, and - detecting a target speed correction, wherein a change in the target speed by the driver of the vehicle is described by means of the target speed correction, The computer-readable storage medium causes the computing device to: - identifying a behavior pattern (1, 1') of the driver, wherein the behavior pattern (1, 1') describes a change in the target speed due to the use of the maximum permissible speed as the target speed, - if said behavior pattern (1, 1') is detected repeatedly, then outputting a proactive configuration change suggestion, - Detecting the acceptance of the proactive configuration change proposal, so that when adopting the maximum permitted speed as target speed, the target speed will in future deviate from the maximum permitted speed by a speed offset.

10. An auxiliary system for a vehicle, comprising: - a computing device according to claim 8, - a display device designed to output the proactive configuration change suggestion, and - an input device designed to detect acceptance of the proactive configuration change proposal.

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