Driver assistance system

Abstract

Driver assistance system comprising a camera (4), an evaluation unit (16) coupled to the camera (4) and an output unit (20) coupled to the evaluation unit (16) for issuing instructions to the driver of a motor vehicle (2) to support a parking or exiting maneuver, wherein, in order to influence the output of instructions to the driver, the evaluation unit (16) is configured to take into account information originating from another motor vehicle system, characterized in that the information includes the length (30) of a parking space (28) and / or the depth (32) of a parking space (28).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a driver assistance system comprising a camera, an evaluation unit coupled to the camera, and an output unit coupled to the evaluation unit for issuing instructions to the driver of a motor vehicle to support a parking or exiting maneuver.

[0002] German patent DE 102 41 464 A1 discloses a device for detecting the environment of a vehicle, comprising a camera device and a sensor device. The measurement results of the sensor device are combined with the camera image in such a way that obstacles detected by the sensor outside the camera's field of view are also displayed in a suitable display.

[0003] DE 100 37 130 A1 discloses a parking and / or maneuvering aid for passenger cars or trucks, comprising a limited image acquisition unit and an image display unit. To achieve improved parking assistance even without considering the limited image display area within the vehicle, it is proposed that the camera-equipped image acquisition unit captures the exterior of the car / truck and displays the image on a screen.

[0004] DE 197 41 896 C2 discloses a device for displaying images in the driver's field of vision of a motor vehicle. This device is controlled by electronic processing of information provided by sensors that detect the vehicle's surroundings.

[0005] German patent DE 102 20 837 A1 discloses a device for detecting parking spaces for vehicles. This device comprises a distance-measuring beam sensor system mounted on a road vehicle and a signal processing system. A measuring beam is directed into the area in front of the vehicle to detect free areas in the traffic space that could serve as potential parking spaces. Upon detection of a free area, its dimensions and suitability for parking are examined.

[0006] DE 100 45 616 A1 discloses a method for the automatic parking of motor vehicles in which the vehicle's surroundings are recorded by a camera and displayed on a screen, so that the driver can select a desired parking space and, if necessary, initiate the automatic approach and parking process.

[0007] DE 102 50 021 A1 discloses a method for operating a display system in a vehicle for finding a suitable parking space with a camera with which an observation area in the vicinity of the vehicle can be recorded, with an image processing unit in which the image data coming from the camera can be processed, and a screen in the vehicle interior on which the image data coming from the image processing unit can be displayed as an image.

[0008] Such systems allow the driver to receive instructions on how to optimally park in and out of a parking space. Using a camera, an image of the vehicle's surroundings can be generated and displayed on the output unit. This could be, for example, a screen located in the vehicle's dashboard. This image of the surroundings can be overlaid with additional information, such as a suggested parking trajectory. This is a path the vehicle should follow to park in a space. The output unit can also provide the driver with additional guidance, such as when and in which direction to turn the steering wheel and how far to drive in each direction.

[0009] The systems described make it significantly easier to park and unpark a motor vehicle.

[0010] Based on this, the present invention aims to create a driver assistance system that works as accurately as possible.

[0011] This problem is solved according to the invention by the fact that, in order to influence the output of instructions to the driver, the evaluation unit is designed to take into account information originating from another motor vehicle system.

[0012] The additional vehicle system typically performs other tasks. For example, the vehicle system may include a distance warning system that issues a warning signal if the vehicle falls below a predefined minimum distance to an obstacle in its vicinity. By utilizing information from such additional vehicle systems, the accuracy with which the driver assistance system according to the invention operates can be significantly improved. This allows parking maneuvers to be performed with fewer maneuvering phases, even if the driver does not adhere perfectly to the instructions suggested by the output unit. The increased accuracy has the further advantage that any safety margins can be reduced, enabling the use of even very tight parking spaces.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the vehicle system has sensors that are coupled to the evaluation unit of a driver assistance system. In this embodiment, the information generated by the sensors is evaluated by the evaluation unit of the driver assistance system so that the instructions can be output to the driver with sufficient accuracy.

[0014] Alternatively or additionally, it is also possible that the vehicle system has a separate evaluation unit that is coupled to the evaluation unit of the driver assistance system. In this case, the sensor signals can be evaluated to generate information that can be taken into account by the evaluation unit of the driver assistance system.

[0015] The vehicle system can include various sensors, such as ultrasonic sensors, radar sensors, and / or optical sensors. The advantage is that these sensors are already present in a suitably well-equipped vehicle, meaning that improving the accuracy of the driver assistance system does not require increasing the number of components.

[0016] The camera can be positioned at the front or rear of the vehicle. Naturally, a driver assistance system can also include multiple cameras, which are positioned particularly at the rear and / or front.

[0017] The information, which originates from another vehicle system, can include, for example, the length and / or depth of a parking space. It is also possible that the information includes the position of an obstacle in the vehicle's vicinity relative to a reference position of the vehicle.

[0018] A further development of the invention provides that the information includes the orientation of the motor vehicle, in particular relative to a parking space.

[0019] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in which a particularly preferred embodiment is described in detail with reference to the drawing. The features shown in the drawing and mentioned in the claims and in the description can each be essential to the invention individually or in any combination.

[0020] The drawing shows: Fig. 1 a top view of a motor vehicle with a driver assistance system according to the invention; Fig. 2 to 5 a parking maneuver of the in Fig. 1 depicted motor vehicle in four different phases.

[0021] In Fig. 1 is a motor vehicle, designated by reference numeral 2. This vehicle has a central camera 4 at the rear. Sensors 6 and 8 are positioned externally, adjacent to the camera 4 on either side. Sensors 6 and 8 are ultrasonic sensors and part of a distance warning system (not shown). The camera 4 and sensors 6 and 8 are each connected to an evaluation unit 16 via data lines 10, 12, and 14, respectively. The evaluation unit 16 processes the signals or information received by the camera 4 and sensors 6 and 8. This processing is carried out to control an output unit 20 via a data line 18. The output unit 20 is shown as a screen. This screen can display the image of the vehicle 2's surroundings captured by the camera 4.This image can be overlaid with additional information, such as a suggested parking trajectory or a suggested exit trajectory. The output unit can also display further guidance, such as the remaining distance for a maneuvering operation during parking and / or a suggested steering angle. Naturally, the output unit 20 can also include a speaker that provides the driver with audible feedback.

[0022] The function of the driver assistance system is described below. Fig. 2 to 5 illustrate. According to Fig. 2. The motor vehicle 2 is positioned laterally to obstacles 22 and 24 (parked vehicles). The obstacles 22 and 24 are positioned laterally adjacent to an obstacle 26 designed as a curb. A parking space 28 is formed between the aforementioned obstacles, into which the motor vehicle 2 is to be parked. The parking space 28 has, according to Fig. 3 a certain length 30 and a certain depth 32.

[0023] To park vehicle 2 in parking space 28, it must first be moved backwards, as shown in Fig. 2 indicated. The completion of this reversing maneuver can be indicated by a corresponding message using output unit 20. Subsequently, a message can be issued instructing the driver of vehicle 2 to turn the steering wheel fully to the left in order to proceed accordingly. Fig. 3 to be able to drive into parking space 28. The completion of this phase can also be indicated using output unit 20. In a next step, the driver can be instructed to turn the steering wheel fully to the right in order to maneuver vehicle 2 according to Fig. 4 to move further into parking space 28. The completion of this phase can again be indicated or communicated to the driver, so that finally the vehicle is completely parked (compare Fig. 5).

[0024] The accuracy of the described instructions can be significantly improved by taking into account the information obtained using sensors 6 and 8. This makes it possible to park the vehicle 2 even in very tight parking spaces 28. Furthermore, it makes it possible to reduce any safety impacts.

Claims

[1] Driver assistance system comprising a camera (4), an evaluation unit (16) coupled to the camera (4) and an output unit (20) coupled to the evaluation unit (16) for issuing instructions to the driver of a motor vehicle (2) to assist with a parking or exiting maneuver, wherein, in order to influence the output of instructions to the driver, the evaluation unit (16) is configured to take into account information originating from another motor vehicle system, characterized by , that the information includes the length (30) of a parking space (28) and / or the depth (32) of a parking space (28). [2] Driver assistance system according to claim 1, characterized by , that the motor vehicle system has sensors (6, 8) which are coupled to the evaluation unit (16) of the driver assistance system. [3] Driver assistance system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by, that the motor vehicle system has a separate evaluation unit which is coupled to the evaluation unit (16) of the driver assistance system. [4] Driver assistance system according to claim 1, characterized by that the vehicle system includes a distance warning system. [5] Driver assistance system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the vehicle system includes an ultrasonic sensor. [6] Driver assistance system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the vehicle system includes a radar sensor. [7] Driver assistance system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the vehicle system includes an optical sensor. [8] Driver assistance system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the camera (4) is located at the front of the motor vehicle. [9] Driver assistance system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the camera (4) is located at the rear of the motor vehicle. [10] Driver assistance system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that driver assistance system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the information includes the position of an obstacle (22, 24, 26) in the vicinity of the motor vehicle (2) relative to a reference point of the motor vehicle (2). [11] Driver assistance system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the information includes the orientation of the motor vehicle (2), in particular relative to a parking space (28).

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