System and method for adjusting aid driving function of vehicle

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a system for adjusting an aided driving function of a vehicle, comprising: a vision unit configured to acquire an environmental image of the vehicle; the visual processing unit is configured to generate a visual signal according to the collected environment image; the rainfall detection unit is configured to generate the rainfall signal according to the actual rainfall of the environment; the control unit is configured to adjust the auxiliary driving function according to the visual signal and / or the rainfall signal; wherein when rainfall exists in the environment, the control unit is configured to adjust the auxiliary driving function according to the visual signal and the rainfall signal. In addition, the disclosure also relates to a method for adjusting an aided driving function of a vehicle, a vehicle having the system, and a computer program product and a computer readable storage medium for carrying out the method.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a system for adjusting driver assistance functions of a vehicle, a method for adjusting driver assistance functions of a vehicle, a vehicle having said system, and a computer program product and a computer-readable storage medium for performing said method. Background Technology

[0002] Vehicle driver assistance and / or autonomous driving functions are based on a large number of sensors deployed on the vehicle. Among these sensors, image sensors, especially cameras, play a crucial role. Image sensors acquire images of the vehicle's surroundings and transmit the corresponding image information to a vision chip. The vision chip processes the images, for example, determining in real time the coordinates, relative distance, relative speed, relative angular velocity, and size of various targets in the lane ahead relative to the vehicle. This information is transmitted to the vehicle's processor and affects the vehicle's driver assistance and / or autonomous driving functions.

[0003] Furthermore, the vision chip can also identify weather changes in the environment, such as detecting the presence of precipitation through images. If precipitation is present, the vision chip will also issue instructions to affect driver assistance and / or autonomous driving functions. For example, the vision chip may issue a downgrade instruction to reduce the level of assistance or automation of the driver assistance / autonomous driving functions. This allows the driver to participate more in driving or drive fully autonomously, thereby ensuring driving safety.

[0004] However, such functional limitations caused by vision chips are often too sensitive and can seriously affect the driver's driving experience. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This disclosure provides a system and method for adjusting the driver assistance functions of a vehicle. In the system and method, the control unit can adjust the driver assistance functions according to instructions from a vision chip, while also preventing inaccurate, unreliable, or overly sensitive weather-related instructions from the vision chip from affecting the adjustment of the driver assistance functions.

[0006] This disclosure provides a system for adjusting the driver assistance functions of a vehicle, the system comprising: a vision unit configured to acquire environmental images of the vehicle; a vision processing unit configured to generate a visual signal based on the acquired environmental images; a precipitation detection unit configured to generate a precipitation signal based on actual precipitation in the environment; and a control unit configured to adjust the driver assistance functions based on the visual signal and / or the precipitation signal; wherein, when there is precipitation in the environment, the control unit is configured to adjust the driver assistance functions based on the visual signal and the precipitation signal.

[0007] In embodiments according to this disclosure, adjusting the driver assistance function based on the visual signal and the precipitation signal includes: adjusting the driver assistance function based only on the precipitation signal, and / or adjusting the driver assistance function based on the visual signal and the precipitation signal.

[0008] In embodiments according to this disclosure, adjusting the driver assistance function includes: enabling, disabling, upgrading, or downgrading the driver assistance function.

[0009] In an embodiment according to this disclosure, the visual signal includes a visual precipitation detection signal, the visual precipitation detection signal including a signal characterizing precipitation, and wherein adjusting the driver assistance function based on the visual signal and the precipitation signal includes: adjusting the driver assistance function based on the visual precipitation detection signal and the precipitation signal.

[0010] In embodiments according to this disclosure, the precipitation signal includes a signal characterizing precipitation amount, and the control unit is further configured to disable or downgrade the driver assistance function only if the precipitation amount is greater than a pre-given precipitation threshold.

[0011] In an embodiment according to this disclosure, the control unit is further configured to obtain a precipitation signal from the vehicle's bus.

[0012] In embodiments according to this disclosure, the vision unit is configured as a camera.

[0013] In embodiments according to this disclosure, the precipitation detection unit is configured as a rain gauge sensor.

[0014] In embodiments according to this disclosure, the driver assistance function includes one or more of the following functions: lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control.

[0015] This disclosure also provides a method for adjusting a vehicle's driver assistance function, the method comprising: obtaining a visual signal representing a visual perception of the vehicle's environment; determining whether precipitation exists; adjusting the driver assistance function based on the visual signal if precipitation does not exist; obtaining a precipitation signal if precipitation exists; disabling or downgrading the driver assistance function based on the precipitation signal; and enabling or upgrading the driver assistance function based on the visual signal and the precipitation signal.

[0016] In an embodiment according to this disclosure, the precipitation signal is a signal characterizing the amount of precipitation, and disabling or downgrading the driver assistance function based on the precipitation signal includes disabling or downgrading the driver assistance function only if the amount of precipitation is greater than a pre-given precipitation threshold.

[0017] This disclosure also provides a vehicle that includes a system for adjusting the vehicle's driver assistance functions according to the above embodiments of this disclosure.

[0018] This disclosure also provides a computer program product comprising a computer program that, when executed by a processor, performs a method for adjusting driver assistance functions of a vehicle according to the above embodiments of this disclosure.

[0019] This disclosure also provides a computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, are used to perform a method for adjusting the driver assistance functions of a vehicle according to the above embodiments of this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are merely some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. For those skilled in the art, other embodiments can be obtained based on these embodiments without creative effort.

[0021] In the attached image:

[0022] Figure 1 A schematic block diagram illustrates a system for adjusting driver assistance functions of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and

[0023] Figure 2 A flowchart of a method for adjusting the driver assistance functions of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0024] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this disclosure more apparent, exemplary embodiments according to this disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are merely some embodiments of this disclosure, and not all embodiments of this disclosure. It should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described herein.

[0025] Furthermore, in this specification and the accompanying drawings, steps and elements that are substantially the same or similar are indicated by the same or similar reference numerals, and repeated descriptions of these steps and elements will be omitted.

[0026] Furthermore, in this specification and accompanying drawings, elements are described in singular or plural forms according to embodiments. However, the singular and plural forms have been suitably chosen for the presented cases merely for ease of explanation and are not intended to limit this disclosure. Thus, a singular form may include a plural form, and a plural form may include a singular form, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0027] Furthermore, the terms "first / second" used in this specification and drawings are merely to distinguish similar objects and do not represent a specific ordering of objects. It is understood that "first / second" may be interchanged in a specific order or sequence where permitted, so that the embodiments of this disclosure described herein can be implemented in an order other than that illustrated or described herein.

[0028] Furthermore, the terms "upper," "lower," "vertical," and "horizontal," which relate to orientation or positional relationships, are used in this specification and accompanying drawings only for the convenience of describing embodiments according to this disclosure and are not intended to limit this disclosure. Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting this disclosure.

[0029] The vehicle's cameras capture images of its surroundings. These images can be transmitted from the cameras to a vision chip via a bus. The vision chip processes these images, determining, for example, in real-time the coordinates, relative distance, relative speed, relative angular velocity, and size of various targets in the lane ahead relative to the vehicle. This information is transmitted to the vehicle's processor and affects the activation, disabling, upgrading, or downgrading of active safety functions such as Automatic Emergency Braking (AEBS), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Blind Spot Detection (BSD), and Active Speed ​​Limiter. This, in turn, impacts Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Auto-Driving functions.

[0030] The impact of vision chips on active safety, driver assistance features, and autonomous driving functions is related to the visual self-check results generated by the vision chip. For example, when the vision chip determines that precipitation is present, it will issue a degrade command to reduce the level of assistance or automation of the driver assistance / autonomous driving functions. This allows the driver to participate more in driving or even drive fully autonomously, thereby ensuring driving safety.

[0031] However, such functional limitations caused by vision chips are often overly sensitive and can severely impact the driver's experience. Therefore, it is necessary to determine whether the vision chip's self-test results are reasonable—that is, whether the self-test results should be accepted or the impact of the self-test results should be eliminated.

[0032] This disclosure provides a system 100 for adjusting the driver assistance functions of a vehicle. Figure 1A schematic block diagram of system 100 is shown. System 100 includes a vision unit 110, a vision processing unit 120, a control unit 130, and a precipitation detection unit 140. The vision unit 110 is configured to acquire environmental images of the vehicle. In embodiments according to this disclosure, the vision unit 110 may be, for example, an image acquisition sensor for the vehicle, such as a camera. The image acquisition sensor may, for example, acquire or capture photos or videos of the vehicle's environment. The vision processing unit 120 is configured to generate visual signals based on the acquired environmental images. In embodiments according to this disclosure, the vision processing unit 120 may be, for example, a separate vision chip capable of determining the impact of the environment on the vision unit or the vehicle itself based on the environmental images provided by the vision unit 110, and thereby generating visual signals. The precipitation detection unit 140 is configured to generate precipitation signals based on actual precipitation in the environment and feed the precipitation signals to the control unit 130.

[0033] Control unit 130 is configured to adjust the driver assistance functions based on visual signals and / or precipitation signals. In this disclosure, driver assistance functions may include, for example, multiple driver assistance functions. Driver assistance functions may particularly be the enabling, disabling, or limiting of one or more active safety functions. In embodiments of this disclosure, adjusting the driver assistance functions may include, for example, enabling, disabling, upgrading, or downgrading one or more of the driver assistance functions. Control unit 130 is also configured to adjust the driver assistance functions based on the visual signals and precipitation signals when there is precipitation. In other words, when there is precipitation, the adjustment of the driver assistance functions by control unit 130 takes into account not only the visual signals from the vision processing unit but also the precipitation signals generated according to the environment.

[0034] In embodiments according to this disclosure, adjusting the driver assistance function may include, for example, enabling, disabling, upgrading or downgrading one or more of the following driver assistance functions: lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control.

[0035] In the prior art, vision units, such as vision chips, generate visual signals based on environmental images and thus influence driver assistance functions. This image-based assessment of the environment is inaccurate in some situations. For example, when there is precipitation, adjusting driver assistance functions solely based on visual signals is unreliable and often negatively impacts the driving experience. This disclosure therefore incorporates a precipitation signal. The control unit 130 can additionally adjust driver assistance functions more reliably based on the precipitation signal.

[0036] In embodiments according to this disclosure, when there is precipitation in the environment, the visual signal may include, for example, a visual precipitation detection signal indicating that the visual unit 110 has been affected by precipitation, and the visual precipitation detection signal may include, for example, a signal characterizing the amount of precipitation. Therefore, the control unit 130 may adjust the driver assistance function based on, for example, the visual precipitation detection signal and the precipitation signal. In another embodiment, the control unit 130 may also ignore the visual precipitation detection signal and reduce the driver assistance function based solely on the precipitation signal.

[0037] In embodiments according to this disclosure, when there is precipitation in the environment, the control unit 130 may adjust the assisted driving function based solely on the precipitation signal.

[0038] When there is precipitation, the vision unit typically suggests to the control unit, based on visual signals generated from the environmental image, that the driver assistance functions be downgraded, such as disabling or downgrading some functions. This disabling or downgrading is often overly strict, occurring even in very light precipitation or in cases of unexpected splashing or spraying of water. This creates a very poor experience for the driver, leading to distrust of driver assistance or autonomous driving systems. In the embodiments of this disclosure, the control unit adjusts the driver assistance functions solely based on precipitation signals when precipitation occurs. This avoids inaccurate judgments about precipitation by the vision unit and prevents the corresponding visual signals from affecting the driver assistance functions.

[0039] In embodiments according to this disclosure, the precipitation signal is a signal characterizing the amount of precipitation, and the control unit 130 may be further configured, for example, to disable or downgrade the assisted driving function only if the amount of precipitation is greater than a pre-given precipitation threshold.

[0040] Rainfall intensity can be determined by measuring precipitation levels. If the precipitation exceeds a pre-defined threshold, it is assumed that the current precipitation is excessive, adversely affecting driver assistance functions and rendering them unreliable. In this case, the driver assistance functions are downgraded, requiring more or full driver involvement to ensure control of the vehicle in complex or adverse environments. If the precipitation is below the pre-defined threshold, it is assumed that the current precipitation is insufficient to affect driver assistance functions; in other words, it will not affect safe vehicle operation. In this case, driver assistance functions are maintained, and less driver intervention is required.

[0041] In embodiments according to this disclosure, the control unit 130 may also obtain precipitation signals, for example, from the vehicle's bus. Precipitation sensors, such as rain sensors, may already be present in the vehicle. These sensors are used for other vehicle functions, such as windshield wiper functions. The control unit 130 can therefore obtain precipitation signals provided by these existing sensors directly from the vehicle's bus.

[0042] This disclosure also provides a vehicle that includes a system for adjusting the vehicle's driver assistance functions according to the above embodiments of this disclosure.

[0043] Figure 2 A schematic flowchart of a method 200 for adjusting driver assistance functions of a vehicle according to the present disclosure is shown. In step S210 of method 200, a visual signal is obtained, representing a visual perception of the vehicle's environment. In step S220, it is determined whether precipitation exists. If no precipitation exists, step S240 is executed, i.e., adjusting the driver assistance functions based on the visual signal. If precipitation exists, a precipitation signal is obtained in step S230, and in step S250, the driver assistance functions are disabled or downgraded based on the precipitation signal, and the driver assistance functions are enabled or upgraded based on the visual signal and the precipitation signal.

[0044] In embodiments according to this disclosure, the precipitation signal may be, for example, a signal characterizing the amount of precipitation. The disabling or downgrading of the driver assistance function based on the precipitation signal in step S250 may specifically be: disabling or downgrading the driver assistance function only if the precipitation amount is greater than a pre-given precipitation threshold.

[0045] In existing technologies, when there is precipitation, visual signals generated from environmental images typically suggest reducing driver assistance functions, such as disabling or downgrading some functions. This disabling or downgrading is often overly stringent, occurring even in very light precipitation or unexpected splashing or spraying of water. This creates a very poor driving experience and fosters distrust of driver assistance or autonomous driving systems themselves.

[0046] In the method disclosed herein, when there is no precipitation in the environment, the driver assistance functions can be adjusted based on visual signals. When there is precipitation in the environment, if the visual signals, especially the visual precipitation detection signals, require downgrading or disabling one or more driver assistance functions, the visual signals are ignored, and the driver assistance functions are disabled or downgraded only based on the precipitation signals. This avoids inaccurate judgments of precipitation by the vision unit and avoids the influence of the corresponding visual signals on the driver assistance functions.

[0047] This disclosure also provides a computer program product including a computer program that, when run by a processor, is used to perform a method for adjusting the driver assistance functions of a vehicle according to the above embodiments of this disclosure.

[0048] This disclosure also provides a computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, are used to perform a method for adjusting a vehicle's driver assistance functions according to the above embodiments of this disclosure.

[0049] This disclosure uses specific terms to describe embodiments of the present disclosure. Terms such as "first / second embodiment," "an embodiment," and / or "some embodiments" refer to a particular feature, structure, or characteristic associated with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be emphasized and noted that references to "an embodiment," "one embodiment," or "an alternative embodiment" in different locations throughout this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, certain features, structures, or characteristics in one or more embodiments of the present disclosure can be appropriately combined.

[0050] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) shall have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. It should also be understood that terms such as those defined in a common dictionary shall be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art, and not as having an idealized or highly formalized meaning, unless expressly defined herein.

[0051] The foregoing description is illustrative of the present disclosure and should not be construed as limiting it. Although several exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, those skilled in the art will readily understand that many modifications can be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the present disclosure. Therefore, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. It should be understood that the foregoing description is illustrative of the present disclosure and should not be construed as limiting it to the specific embodiments disclosed, and modifications to the disclosed embodiments and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. The present disclosure is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A system for adjusting the driver assistance functions of a vehicle, comprising: The vision unit is configured to acquire environmental images of the vehicle; The vision processing unit is configured to generate visual signals based on the acquired environmental images; A precipitation detection unit is configured to generate the precipitation signal based on the actual precipitation in the environment. and The control unit is configured to adjust the driver assistance function based on the visual signal and / or the precipitation signal; In the event of precipitation, the control unit is configured to adjust the driver assistance function based on the visual signal and the precipitation signal.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein, Adjusting the driver assistance function based on the visual signal and precipitation signal includes: adjusting the driver assistance function based solely on the precipitation signal, and / or adjusting the driver assistance function based on the visual signal and precipitation signal.

3. The system according to claim 1, adjusting the assisted driving function includes: Enable, disable, upgrade, or downgrade the aforementioned driver assistance features.

4. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The visual signal includes a visual precipitation detection signal, which includes a signal characterizing precipitation amount, and... The adjustment of the driver assistance function based on the visual signal and the precipitation signal includes: adjusting the driver assistance function based on the visual precipitation detection signal and the precipitation signal.

5. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The precipitation signal includes a signal characterizing the amount of precipitation, and the control unit is further configured to disable or downgrade the driver assistance function only if the amount of precipitation is greater than a pre-given precipitation threshold.

6. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The control unit is further configured to receive precipitation signals from the vehicle's bus.

7. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The visual unit is configured as a camera.

8. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The precipitation detection unit is configured as a rain gauge sensor.

9. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the driver assistance function includes one or more of the following functions: Lane departure warning Lane keeping assist Forward collision warning, - Automatic emergency braking, and - Adaptive cruise control.

10. A method for adjusting the driver assistance functions of a vehicle, comprising: Obtain visual signals, which represent visual perception of the environment of the vehicle; Determine if precipitation is present; In the absence of precipitation, the driver assistance function is adjusted based on the visual signals; In the presence of precipitation, a precipitation signal is obtained; as well as The driver assistance function is disabled or downgraded based on the precipitation signal, and the driver assistance function is enabled or upgraded based on the visual signal and the precipitation signal.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein, The precipitation signal is a signal representing the amount of precipitation, and disabling or downgrading the driver assistance function based on the precipitation signal includes disabling or downgrading the driver assistance function only when the amount of precipitation is greater than a pre-given precipitation threshold.

12. A vehicle comprising the system according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

13. A computer program product comprising a computer program, which, when executed by a processor, performs the method according to claim 10 or 11.

14. A computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by a processor, are used to perform the method according to claim 10 or 11.

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