Assistance system for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an assistance system (1) for a motor vehicle (20), comprising a parking sensor device (2), an acoustic system (5) for a vehicle interior (21), and a control unit (10), wherein the control unit (10) is designed to detect at least one parking space (30, 32, 34) by means of the parking sensor device (2), to indicate this parking space by means of a sound signal (A) of the acoustic system (5), and to determine a parking space direction (P1, P2, P3). In order to optimize the help for the driver to find a parking space, the control unit (10) according to the invention is designed to set a virtual origin direction (R1, R2, R3) of the sound signal (A) that can be perceived in a listening position (25) in the vehicle interior (21), the virtual origin direction being set relative to the listening position (25) and depending on the parking space direction (P1, P2, P3).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an assistance system for a motor vehicle. BACKGROUND

[0002] In modern motor vehicles, in particular in cars, parking assistance systems are known which detect available parking spaces using sensors and indicate the available parking spaces to the driver, for example by graphic display and / or signal tone. The parking spaces are measured automatically by the assistance system and compared with the dimensions of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, the assistance system can assist the driver when parking by indicating or the assistance system can also control the vehicle completely or partially autonomously when parking. Depending on the performance of the sensors, the found parking spaces can be at a distance from the current position of the motor vehicle. It is also possible that the position of the motor vehicle in a parking lot, at the roadside or the like is not clear or the driver has to concentrate on the constant stream of traffic, pedestrians, etc. In all these cases, it is sometimes difficult for the driver to easily locate the parking space found by the assistance system. Likewise, a plurality of parking spaces can be found by the system, in which case the driver has to choose which one of them to use. Systems are known in which the position of the parking spaces is displayed in a graphic manner on a screen. If there are a plurality of parking spaces, a recommendation can be displayed for the most suitable parking space. However, reading the corresponding display and matching them to the environment of the motor vehicle again distracts the driver.

[0003] DE 102 57 722 A1 discloses a parking assistance device for a vehicle, which has a measuring unit for detecting a parking space as the vehicle drives over it, a storage unit for storing attributes of the parking space and an output unit for outputting information about the parking space. Optionally, the information can also be output in the form of a sound, in particular by means of a warning signal or a speech output.

[0004] DE 10 2004 001 122 A1 discloses a method for providing information for parallel parking a vehicle relative to a roadway, which includes determining a size and a location of a parking space, determining a location of the vehicle relative to the parking space, calculating a setpoint trajectory, and generating a signal for determining a remaining distance to a next pull-in point for the vehicle. According to one configuration, a setpoint steering direction to the right or to the left relative to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle is indicated by a sound signal from a loudspeaker disposed in a right half or a left half of the vehicle relative to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

[0005] From EP 1 686 007 A2 a method for acoustically outputting information, in particular in a vehicle, is known, wherein a criticality of the information is determined, wherein the acoustic output is effected by at least one complex tone or a sequence of tones and wherein a harmony of the tone or the sequence of tones is selected in accordance with the criticality of the information. In particular, information about the length of a parking space can be output, wherein the criticality of the information increases with a decrease in the length of the parking space.

[0006] EP 2 130 736 B1 discloses an assistance system with an environment recognition function. On a monitor, distance markers, a plurality of route evaluation lines and a plurality of reference distance lines are displayed, wherein the route evaluation lines and the reference distance lines are displayed as a parking guidance. Furthermore, objects located in a predetermined area indicated by the distance markers around the user are detected and a special sound is emitted, the special sound corresponding to the distance indicated by the distance markers.

[0007] EP 2 557 020 A2 discloses a method for assisting a driver of a vehicle during a parking process. In the method, environment data characterizing an environment of the vehicle are provided and the environment data are evaluated with respect to at least a first object in a lateral environment of the vehicle, the at least first object indicating a potential parking space, and with respect to at least a second object outside the lateral environment of the vehicle, the at least second object confirming the presence of the parking space. Optionally, an indication of an available parking space can be effected in the form of a sound.

[0008] From EP 2 608 185 A1 a method for providing a parking assistance in a vehicle is known, in which method at least one parking space in an environment of the vehicle is detected and the environment of the vehicle with the at least one parking space is displayed by a graphical representation. At least two parking modes differing in a parking manner on the parking space and / or in a type of the parking space are defined and one parking mode is selected, wherein a type of the graphical representation of the environment and the parking space depends on the selected parking mode.

[0009] With regard to the prior art presented, there is still room for improvement in assisting the driver in finding a parking space. An intuitively comprehensible assistance that distracts the driver as little as possible is particularly desirable. SUMMARY

[0010] It is an object of the present application to optimize the assistance of the driver in finding a parking space.

[0011] According to the application, the object is achieved by an assistance system.

[0012] It should be noted that features and measures listed individually in the following description can be combined with one another in any technically meaningful manner and illustrate further configurations of the application. Furthermore, the description characterizes and specifies the application in particular in conjunction with the figures.

[0013] The invention provides an assistance system for a motor vehicle. The term "motor vehicle" here refers to a road vehicle in the narrower sense, i.e. a vehicle which is suitable for road travel and is approved for road travel. In particular, the motor vehicle can be a car, a truck or a bus. There are no restrictions with regard to the drive of the motor vehicle; for example, the motor vehicle can be driven by an internal combustion engine which uses gasoline, diesel, liquefied petroleum gas, hydrogen or another gas as fuel. Alternatively or in addition, an electric motor can be provided, for example, which can be powered by a battery unit and / or a fuel cell. Preferably, the motor vehicle has at least two axles, each of which has two wheels, but designs which deviate therefrom are also conceivable. The motor vehicle can at least be controlled by a driver on a regular basis. However, the motor vehicle can also be designed to be driven at least on a regular basis autonomously, i.e. without control by a driver. The assistance system serves to assist one or more occupants of the motor vehicle, in particular the driver. The assistance system can also be referred to as a parking assistance system.

[0014] The assistance system has a parking sensor device, an acoustic system for the interior of the vehicle and a control unit. The parking sensor device has at least one sensor, which can also be referred to as a parking sensor. The sensor is usually a non-contact sensor, i.e. an optical, ultrasonic, LiDAR (laser radar) or radar sensor. Combinations of different sensors are also conceivable. The acoustic system is arranged in the interior of the vehicle and can be arranged at least partially inside the interior of the vehicle or adjacent to the interior of the vehicle. The acoustic system is designed to generate sound. In addition to at least one sound-generating element, there can also be at least one sound-influencing element. For example, the sound-influencing element can be designed for distributing, focusing or reflecting sound, etc. The control unit can perform a control function on the one hand and an evaluation function on the other hand. The control unit does not necessarily have to be associated exclusively with the assistance system. For example, the control unit can be a vehicle computer of the motor vehicle, which is also associated with other systems of the motor vehicle. The term "unit" should not be interpreted to mean that all parts of the control unit have to be physically close together and / or arranged in one place. The control unit can also have a plurality of elements or sub-units, which can be connected to one another, for example, by data lines. The control unit can also be referred to as a controller. The control unit usually has hardware components, however, at least some of its functions can be implemented using software. The control unit is connected to the parking sensor device and the acoustic system for signal transmission. In particular, the connection can be a wired connection, however, a wireless connection is also possible.

[0015] The control unit is here designed to detect at least one parking space by means of the parking sensor arrangement, to indicate this parking space by means of an acoustic signal of the acoustic system and to determine the parking space orientation. The control unit receives sensor signals or sensor values from the parking sensor arrangement and can detect from these signals whether a parking space is available. The term "parking space" in this context refers to an area which is at least large enough in terms of its dimensions to park a motor vehicle therein. The parking space should expediently be larger than the dimensions of the motor vehicle in order to enable the motor vehicle to be maneuvered therein or to allow the doors to be opened. The parking space can be characterized by a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, which correspond to the longitudinal axis (X-axis) and the transverse axis (Y-axis) in the case of a parked motor vehicle. It goes without saying that the parking space must be open along at least one side in at least one direction in order to be able to park. If the control unit has detected a parking space, the control unit indicates the parking space by means of an acoustic signal by means of the acoustic system. The acoustic signal can be generated immediately after the detection of the parking space or after a certain time delay. Many different options are within the scope of protection of the present application in terms of the type of acoustic signal. The acoustic signal can refer to a single continuous tone or an intermittent tone sequence. The acoustic signal can comprise one or more frequencies, wherein the frequencies can also change over time; the frequencies can thus become higher or lower over time. Finally, the acoustic signal can also comprise a speech output which contains information which can be immediately understood by the occupants, for example "parking space found" or the like.

[0016] The control unit is also designed to determine the parking space orientation. The parking space orientation generally refers to the setting direction of the parking space. More precisely, the parking space orientation refers to the setting direction of the parking space relative to the motor vehicle. In general, the parking space orientation can be the setting direction of at least one point or partial area of the parking space as seen from one point or partial area of the motor vehicle. For example, the parking space orientation can be given in degrees, wherein 0° can correspond to the direction of longitudinal action directly in front of the vehicle, 90° can correspond to the direction of the transverse direction along the right side of the vehicle, etc. Other units which can only be used internally by the control unit are also conceivable. The parking space orientation can be determined on the basis of the determination of the parking space position. The parking space position describes the position of the parking space relative to the motor vehicle here.

[0017] According to the invention, a control unit is provided which is designed to set a virtual origin direction of a sound signal which can be perceived in a listening position inside the vehicle, the virtual origin direction being set relative to the listening position and in dependence on a parking space direction. The listening position inside the vehicle can be defined more or less precisely and can also be referred to as a listening area. The listening position can be defined three-dimensionally; however, a two-dimensional definition in relation to the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis of the motor vehicle is usually sufficient. The listening position corresponds to the position of an occupant, assuming that the sound signal is related to the occupant. The listening position can be predetermined from the outset or can be determined in particular by the control unit depending on the situation. The control unit is designed to set a virtual origin direction of the sound signal. The term "virtual origin direction" is referred to here as the direction from which the sound signal appears to originate to a listener who is in the listening position, i.e. the listener would place the source of the sound signal in this direction. In certain cases, this can correspond to the actual direction of a signal generator, i.e. the signal generator position; however, the acoustic system generally only gives the impression that the sound signal comes from this direction. This is indicated by the term "virtual". In the following text, the term "origin direction" can simply be used, the term "origin direction" being equivalent to the term "virtual origin direction".

[0018] The virtual origin direction is set in dependence on the parking space direction. Overall, this means that different origin directions are set for different parking space directions. However, this does not mean that every change in the parking space direction also corresponds to a change in the origin direction. At least two parking space directions result in different settings of the origin direction, the two parking space directions differing from one another by at least a certain angular value (for example 10°, 20° or 45°, and possibly more). Thus, in each case, the origin direction contains information about the parking space direction. It goes without saying that, preferably, there should be an intuitively comprehensible correlation between the two directions. In any case, the occupant, in particular the driver, can detect the presence of a parking space on the basis of the sound signal and is assisted in the positioning in the parking space. Since this is achieved by means of the sound signal, the occupant does not need to read from a screen or other display and can instead direct his attention to the environment of the vehicle. It goes without saying that, in addition to the sound signal, the assistance system can also use a graphical representation in order to inform the occupant about the presence, position and / or configuration of the parking space.

[0019] In some embodiments, the association between the origin direction and the parking space direction can be given as a loose or approximate link. In this respect, it will be conceivable that when the parking space is located to the right or left of the motor vehicle, the origin direction is set to the right or left of the listening position. Likewise, the origin direction can just indicate whether the parking space is located in front of or behind the motor vehicle. A rough division into quadrants (front left, front right, rear left, rear right) will also be conceivable. However, a preferred configuration provides that the control unit is designed to set the origin direction to a maximum deviation of 45°, preferably a maximum deviation of 20°, further preferably a maximum deviation of 10°, relative to the parking space direction. Thus, a person in the listening position is given a comparatively precise orientation relative to the parking space direction. It goes without saying that the deviation of the origin direction relative to the parking space direction depends on various factors, for example on the accuracy with which the parking space direction and the listening position are determined, or on the accuracy with which the origin direction is set (for example increments of degrees).

[0020] In particular, in at least periodically self-driving vehicles, the person to whom the parking space direction is relevant can be located in different regions inside the vehicle. If the motor vehicle is not self-driving, then the driver is generally the person who should be informed about the parking space direction. Therefore, preferably, the listening position corresponds to the assumed driver's driving position. The driving position can be determined by sensors. However, it will also be conceivable to assume the position of the driver's seat as a standard as the driving position. The driving position can be defined more or less precisely. Ideally, the driving position should be based on the position of the driver's head. The driving position can also depend on the specific settings of an adjustable driver's seat, which can be taken into account when determining the driving position / listening position.

[0021] For influencing the origin direction, different acoustic methods are conceivable. For example, in this regard, the distribution and / or reflection of sound waves inside the vehicle interior can be dynamically altered. According to a preferred configuration, the acoustic system has a plurality of sound generators, wherein the control unit is designed for setting the origin direction by individually adjusting the output volume of the sound signals at the individual sound generators. The term "sound generator" refers here to any component that can produce and output sound in a controllable manner. In particular, the sound generators can be loudspeakers. For example, these sound generators can belong to the infotainment system of the motor vehicle. The sound generators occupy different positions inside the vehicle interior. In particular, at least two sound generators can be spaced apart with respect to the longitudinal axis and / or the transverse axis of the motor vehicle. Advantageously, at least two sound generators are arranged on opposite sides of the vehicle interior. For example, although it is possible to obtain approximate directional information using two sound generators, preferably the acoustic system has at least four sound generators, which are spaced apart in pairs along the longitudinal axis and / or the transverse axis. That is, at least four sound generators can be arranged in front left and front right and in back left and back right of the vehicle interior. The output volume of the individual sound generators is set individually by the control unit. If the output volume of at least one front sound generator is increased relative to the output volume of at least one back sound generator, this causes the origin direction to move forward. If the output volume of at least one right sound generator is increased relative to the output volume of at least one left sound generator, this causes the origin direction to move to the right. It is possible to indicate a particular origin direction more precisely by a particular ratio of the output volumes.

[0022] The listening position can be fixed by the control unit. For example, due to the configuration of the motor vehicle, it can be assumed that the position of the driver is not changeable. It will also be conceivable to identify the listening position on the basis of a user-set setting. For example, on the basis of the settings of the infotainment system, in particular the equalizer, it can be inferred whether the listener (driver, passenger, etc.) is located on the left or right of the vehicle. Alternatively or in addition, preferably, the control unit is designed to determine the listening position by means of an interior sensor arrangement associated with the vehicle interior. The interior sensor arrangement has at least one sensor which can be used for detection of the vehicle interior and which can in particular be arranged in the vehicle interior or at least adjacent to the vehicle interior. One option is a seat cover sensor, by means of which the position of one or more occupants can be determined. The occupants can also be detected in a contactless manner: for example by optical means, by means of an interior camera, by radar, by laser radar or by ultrasound. Different sensors or detection methods can also be combined. For example, the listening position in relation to the transverse axis of the vehicle can be determined by means of the fixed position of the driver's seat in relation to the listening position. The relevant position of the driver's head can be estimated approximately by means of the current position of the seat in relation to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, the setting of the seat backrest and / or other parameters. If these settings are set using actuators, these settings can be detected directly. However, in addition or alternatively, such settings can also be detected by sensors, which can be referred to as position encoders.

[0023] On a part of the motor vehicle, different regions or points can be used as a reference for determining the parking space direction. For example, the parking space direction can be determined in relation to the central position of the motor vehicle in relation to the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis. If the control unit is designed to determine the parking space direction in relation to the listening position, particularly intuitively comprehensible information is provided. That is to say, it is determined in which direction the parking space is located as seen from the listening position. If the origin direction and the parking space direction correspond to a sufficient extent, the occupant in the listening position hears the sound signal approximately or exactly from a direction, and the occupant in the listening position is also able to see the parking space in this direction, provided that the parking space is not hidden.

[0024] If the parking space is relatively far away from the motor vehicle, the parking space as a whole can be considered approximately "point-like", so that the individual parking space direction can be associated approximately with the entire parking space. As soon as the distance from the parking space becomes smaller, i.e. less than a fifth of the length of the parking space or less than a third of the length of the parking space, the directions of different points or areas of the parking space can be distinguished. According to one embodiment, the control unit is designed to determine the parking space direction as the direction of a reference point in the parking space. Depending on the positioning of the reference point within the parking space, different options are provided. This reference point can be centrally arranged in the parking space, it goes without saying that a precise mathematical and geometric determination of the center of the parking space is not really feasible or useful. For example, it is meant to say that the reference point can be considered "central" if it is arranged within a fifth or a tenth of the middle with respect to the longitudinal length and the transverse length of the parking space. Alternatively, the reference point can also be moved forward with respect to the driving direction of the motor vehicle. The "driving direction" here is the direction in which the front of the vehicle is facing when the motor vehicle is parked in the parking space. Based on the current orientation of the motor vehicle, the control unit is able to deduce in which direction the driver will presumably park the motor vehicle. In particular, it can be assumed that the deviation of the direction from the current direction of the vehicle will be less than 90°. In most motor vehicles, the arrangement of the reference point moved forward corresponds to the position of the driver when the motor vehicle is parked. That is, in particular in the last phase of the parking procedure, the driver can receive an intuitively understandable feedback on how the motor vehicle is positioned with respect to the intended parking position. Although the movement of the driving direction indicates a shift in the longitudinal direction of the parking space, a shift in the transverse direction is also conceivable. For example, in addition to the longitudinal shift, the reference point can be moved laterally to the approach side of the motor vehicle. "Laterally" here means in the transverse direction of the parking space. The approach side is the side with respect to which the motor vehicle approaches the parking space. If the parking space is located on the side of a road, the approach side faces the road.

[0025] Essentially, the assistance system can indicate the parking space by a single sound signal. A repeated indication will also be conceivable, in which the origin direction remains unchanged. Depending on the situation - for example if the motor vehicle does not move or only slightly moves - this can be sufficient. However, the control unit provided in the preferred configuration is designed to update the origin direction when the parking space direction changes. That is, the control unit is designed to determine a change in the parking space direction on the one hand. This can be achieved by re-detecting the parking space. However, it is also possible to calculate the current position of the parking space from the original position of the motor vehicle and the movement of the motor vehicle that has taken place at the same time, from which the current parking space direction can be deduced again from the current position of the parking space. A person in the listening position can learn how the origin direction has changed in the course of the movement of the motor vehicle. This can further contribute to the positioning of the parking space compared to a stationary sound signal.

[0026] The position of each parking space can be characterized by a direction and a distance. In some cases, the direction information can be sufficient for the guidance; in other cases, for example if the parking space is further away and / or currently hidden, the distance information can at least be helpful. In another possible configuration, the control unit can be designed to set the sound signal as a function of the parking space distance. The parking space distance can here be the distance between any point of the parking space and any point of the motor vehicle. In particular, the reference point in the above parking space can be used as a basis for the parking space distance and / or the listening position. Depending on the distance-related setting, different options are available. For example, the overall volume of the sound signal can be set, wherein in particular the overall volume can increase with decreasing parking space distance. It will also be conceivable to set the pitch of the sound signal, i.e. in such a way that the pitch increases with decreasing parking space distance. Another option would be that the sound signal consists of a series of individual tones that are interrupted, wherein the time interval between the individual tones likewise decreases with decreasing parking space distance. It will also be conceivable that the sound signal contains a speech output that provides information related to the particular parking space distance.

[0027] According to an advantageous configuration, the control unit is designed to detect a plurality of parking spaces and to indicate each parking space by at least one sound signal. That is, in the case of a plurality of parking spaces available, these parking spaces are detected and indicated in the form of sound. The control unit determines for each parking space a parking space direction associated with the parking space and possibly a parking space distance. Each sound signal can be associated with each parking space, or a single sound signal can be generated, each sound signal containing a partial signal of each parking space. The partial or total sound signals or partial signals can be output simultaneously, although this can be confusing. Alternatively, the partial or total sound signals or partial signals can also be output in alternating time periods, so that it is easier to perceive them individually. It goes without saying that the same listening position should form the basis of all signals. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0028] Further advantageous details and effects of the application are explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, in which: Figure 1 schematic top view showing a motor vehicle with an assistance system according to the application and a part of a parking space; Figures 2-4 schematic top view showing a motor vehicle according to Figure 1 on a road with a plurality of parking spaces; Figure 5 schematic top view showing a motor vehicle according to Figure 1 in a parking area with a parking space; and Figures 6-7 schematic top view showing a motor vehicle according toFigure 2 a schematic top view of details. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Identical parts in different drawings are always denoted by the same reference signs and are therefore generally only described once.

[0030] Figure 1 A motor vehicle 20, in this case a car, is shown. The longitudinal axis X, the lateral axis Y and the driving direction F of the motor vehicle 20 are shown. The motor vehicle 20 has a vehicle interior 21, in which a driver's seat 22, a passenger seat 23 and a rear seat 24 are arranged. Four sound generators 6 to 9 of an acoustic system 5 are installed in the vehicle interior 21 and are designed to generate a sound signal A. A plurality of parking sensors 3 of a parking sensor device 2 are integrated on the outside of the motor vehicle 20. These parking sensors 3 can be, for example, ultrasonic, radar and / or LiDAR sensors. The parking sensor device 2 and the acoustic system 5 are connected to a control unit 10 by data lines (not shown) and form together with these parts an assistance system 1 according to the application. Furthermore, the control unit 10 is connected to an interior sensor device 27, for example a camera, with which at least a part of the vehicle interior 21 can be monitored.

[0031] In Figure 1 a part of a parking space 30 is also shown. The control unit 10 is designed to detect this parking space 30 by means of the sensor device 2. The control unit 10 then generates a sound signal A by means of the acoustic system 5. The sound signal A indicates to the occupants (not shown) of the motor vehicle 20 that the parking space 30 is present. Furthermore, the sound signal A contains more information. Depending on the determined position of the parking space 30 relative to the motor vehicle 20, the control unit determines a parking space direction P1 and a parking space distance. By individually adjusting the output volume of the sound signal A at the individual sound generators 6 to 9, the control unit 10 influences a virtual origin direction R1 of the sound signal A. The virtual origin direction R1 of the sound signal A is the direction from which the sound signal A appears to originate to an occupant located at a listening position 25. The listening position 25 should correspond to the position of the driver's head and can be determined by means of the interior sensor device 27. Furthermore or alternatively, the listening position can also be determined at least approximately depending on the current position of the driver's seat 22, including the position of the seat back of the driver's seat 22, for example.

[0032] Here, the parking space direction P1 is determined relative to the determined listening position 25. The control unit 10 sets the origin direction R1 such that the origin direction R1 deviates by a maximum of 10° from the parking space direction P. Thus, the driver in the listening position 25 learns the sound signal A at least approximately from the same direction in which the parking space 30 is located as seen from the position of the driver. For this purpose, the sound signal A is generated in such a way that the sound signal A is perceived by the driver in the listening position 25 as a sound source located in the direction of the parking space 30.Figure 1 In the case shown in Fig. 6, the origin direction R1 is in the right front, only qualitatively sound signals A are generated by the left front sound generator 6 and the right front sound generator 7, wherein the volume of the right front sound generator 7 is greater than the volume of the left front sound generator 6. Furthermore, the sound signals A can be set in dependence on the distance to the parking space. For example, the pitch, the overall volume or the time interval between the individual tones can be changed in dependence on the distance. It is also possible to realize a speech output which indicates the specific distance.

[0033] Figures 2 to 4 The motor vehicle 20 is shown on a road on which other vehicles 40 are parked at the roadside, wherein in total three parking spaces 30, 32, 34 are provided. In Figure 2 In Fig. 6, in the driving direction F, the parking space 30 is still slightly in front of the motor vehicle, which is approaching the approach side N of the parking space 30. As can be seen in Figures 2 to 4 In Fig. 6, in the driving direction F, the parking space 30 is still slightly in front of the motor vehicle, which is approaching the approach side N of the parking space 30. As can be seen in Figure 2 and Figure 3 In Fig. 6, in the driving direction F, the parking space 30 is still slightly in front of the motor vehicle, which is approaching the approach side N of the parking space 30. As can be seen in Figures 2 to 7 In Fig. 6, in the driving direction F, the parking space 30 is still slightly in front of the motor vehicle, which is approaching the approach side N of the parking space 30. As can be seen in Figure 3 A case is shown in which the motor vehicle 20 has further driven forward along the driving direction F, so that the parking space direction P1 has changed. The change in the parking space direction P1 is recorded by the control unit 10 and the origin direction R1 is adjusted accordingly. For this purpose, the volume of the left front sound generator 6 is reduced, while the volume of the right rear sound generator 9 is increased. In Figure 4 In Fig. 6, in the driving direction F, the parking space 30 is still slightly in front of the motor vehicle, which is approaching the approach side N of the parking space 30. As can be seen in Figure 4If the parking spaces 30, 32, 34 are measured as shown, parking space directions P2 and P3 are determined for these parking spaces. The acoustic signals A are correspondingly enhanced, which means that a separate acoustic signal is generated for each parking space 30, 32, 34. If these acoustic signals are generated simultaneously, they are superimposed on each sound generator 6 to 9 according to the volume determined for the respective origin direction R1, R2 or R3. Alternatively, the acoustic signals A corresponding to the respective parking space 30, 32, 34 can also be generated in alternating time periods.

[0034] Figure 5 A parking area is shown in which a correspondingly large number of vehicles 40 are parked between the parking spaces 30. In this case, the approach side N is at the end with respect to the longitudinal direction L, whereas in Figures 2 to 4 the approach side N is at the side with respect to the transverse direction Q. In particular in a parking area with a large number of parked vehicles 40, it can be difficult for a driver to find a parking space 30 or to notice a parking space 30. The driver can also need to pay particular attention to pedestrians in the parking area. An acoustically intuitively comprehensible indication of the parking spaces 30 is therefore particularly advantageous here.

[0035] Figure 6 and Figure 7 The display control unit 10 defines the reference point 31 in a manner different from Figures 2 to 5 In Figure 6 the reference point 31 is moved forward in the direction of travel F with respect to the longitudinal direction L. In Figure 7 the reference point 31 is arranged centrally with respect to the longitudinal direction L but is moved towards the approach side N with respect to the transverse direction Q.

[0036] List of reference signs: 1 assistance system 2 parking sensor arrangement 3 parking sensor 5 acoustic system 6-9 sound generator 10 control unit 20 motor vehicle 21 vehicle interior 22 driver's seat 23 passenger seat 24 rear seat 25 listening position 27 interior sensor arrangement 30, 32, 34 parking space 31, 33, 35 reference point 40 vehicle A acoustic signal F direction of travel L longitudinal direction N near side P1-P3 parking space direction Q lateral direction R1-R3 origin direction X longitudinal axis Y lateral axis

Claims

1. An assistance system (1) for a motor vehicle (20), comprising: a parking sensor device (2), an acoustic system (5) for a vehicle interior (21), and a control unit (10), wherein the control unit (10) is designed to detect at least one parking space (30, 32, 34) by means of the parking sensor device (2), to indicate the parking space by means of a sound signal (A) of the acoustic system (5) and to determine a parking space direction (Pl, P2, P3), and wherein the control unit (10) is designed to set a virtual origin direction (Rl, R2, R3) of the sound signal (A) perceptible in a listening position (25) in the vehicle interior (21), to set the virtual origin direction relative to the listening position (25) and in accordance with the parking space direction (Pl, P2, P3).

2. The assistance system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (10) is designed to set the origin direction (Rl, R2, R3) to a maximum deviation of 45° relative to the parking space direction (Pl, P2, P3).

3. The assistance system according to claim 1, wherein the listening position (25) corresponds to an assumed driver driving position.

4. The assistance system according to claim 1, wherein the acoustic system (5) has a plurality of sound generators (6, 7, 8, 9) and the control unit (10) is designed to set the origin direction (Rl, R2, R3) by individually adjusting the output volume of the sound signal (A) at the respective sound generators (10).

5. The assistance system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (10) is designed to determine the listening position (25) by means of an interior sensor device (27) associated with the vehicle interior (21).

6. The assistance system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (10) is designed to determine the parking space direction (Pl, P2, P3) relative to the listening position (25).

7. The assistance system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (10) is designed to determine the parking space direction (Pl, P2, P3) as the direction of a reference point (31, 33, 35) in the respective parking space (30, 32, 34), which reference point (31, 33, 35) is centrally in the respective parking space (30, 32, 34), moved forward relative to a driving direction (F) of the motor vehicle (20) and / or moved laterally to a proximity side (N) of the motor vehicle (20).

8. The assistance system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (10) is designed to update the origin direction (Rl, R2, R3) when the parking space direction (Pl, P2, P3) changes.

9. The assistance system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (10) is designed to set the sound signal (A) in accordance with a parking space distance.

10. The assistance system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (10) is designed to detect a plurality of parking spaces (30, 32, 34) and to indicate each parking space (30, 32, 34) by at least one acoustic signal (A).

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