Methods for determining a level of attention

Abstract

Method for determining the level of attention of a driver of a vehicle (1), wherein a sensitivity level of the determination is automatically set depending on the detected daylight, wherein if at least one predetermined threshold value assigned to the respective sensitivity level is exceeded, at least one warning message (W) about reduced attention is issued to the driver, characterized in that - the vehicle (1) has at least one light sensor (4) for detecting the current daylight, by means of which second signals (S2) regarding prevailing light conditions in the vicinity of the vehicle 1 are detected, and - a route of, for example, 30 km is specified, so that the second signals detected by means of the light sensor (4) can be checked and the time of day in the form of the time is used to verify the plausibility of the detected second signals (S2).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for determining the level of attention of a driver of a vehicle.

[0002] German patent application DE 10 2010 005 084 A1 discloses a method for verifying the time of day displayed by a clock integrated in a vehicle. The method involves verifying the time based on illuminance signals from at least one light sensor and an analysis of the distance traveled by the detected signals.

[0003] Furthermore, methods for determining the level of attention of a driver of a vehicle are known from the prior art.

[0004] DE 10 2009 009 975 A1 describes a method for determining an attention score describing a driver's attention from recorded measurements, e.g., of driving activity or a parameter describing the distance to a vehicle in front, during a predetermined period. Through statistical evaluation of the measurements, a statistical value characterizing the distribution of the measurements is determined, where the statistical value is a third-order moment of the distribution and a comparative measure representing the distance to a reference distribution. The attention score is then determined taking this statistical value into account.

[0005] Reference is made to the possibilities of further statistical values ​​from various measured variables and further attention-related calculation values ​​derived from them, such as brightness, time of day, the duration of the journey so far, or the use of the pedals.

[0006] The invention is based on the objective of providing a method for determining the level of attention of a driver of a vehicle that is improved compared to the prior art.

[0007] The problem is solved according to the invention by the features specified in claim 1.

[0008] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0009] An inventive method for determining the level of attention of a driver of a vehicle provides that a sensitivity level of the determination is automatically set depending on the detected daylight, wherein if at least one predetermined threshold value assigned to the respective sensitivity level is exceeded, at least one warning message about reduced attention is issued to the driver.

[0010] By adjusting the sensitivity level of the attention level determination based on the detected daylight, the determination of the attention level is improved, since daylight has a significant influence on the attention of a driver during vehicle operation.

[0011] By adjusting the determination of the level of attention to daylight as a driver assistance system, acceptance of such a driver assistance system can be increased.

[0012] By issuing a warning message when a corresponding level of attention is determined, a driver is made aware of their inattention, whereby the warning message can serve as a recommendation to take a break in order not to endanger themselves and other road users due to their determined attention deficit, so that road safety can be increased by means of such a procedure.

[0013] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing.

[0014] This shows: Fig. 1 schematically a block diagram of a device arranged in a vehicle for determining the level of attention of the driver of the vehicle.

[0015] The single figure shows a vehicle 1 with a device for determining the level of attention of the driver of vehicle 1.

[0016] The device comprises sensors 2 arranged in the vehicle 1, the initial signals S1 of which can be fed to a control unit 3, which evaluates and processes the initial signals S1. Based on the acquired initial signals S1, the control unit 3 determines the driver's driving behavior, whereby, for example, data acquired by a steering angle sensor is fed to the control unit 3 as initial signals S1. Among other things, inferences about the driver's attention can be drawn from the steering movements made by the driver. Furthermore, the time of day and the duration of the journey are taken into account when determining the level of attention.

[0017] In order to improve the determination of the level of attention and thus increase the driver's acceptance of this type of determination, it is planned to automatically adjust the sensitivity level of the determination depending on the daylight, since daylight has a significant medical influence on the driver's attention during the operation of the vehicle 1.

[0018] To detect the current daylight, the vehicle 1 has at least one light sensor 4, by means of which second signals S2 are detected with regard to the prevailing light conditions in the vicinity of the vehicle 1.

[0019] These captured second signals S2 are also fed to the control unit, which evaluates and processes the second signals S2.

[0020] If the detected second signal S2 indicates that daylight transitions from bright to dark, the sensitivity level is automatically adjusted. The level of attention is increased because a greater decline in attention due to fatigue is typically expected during such a twilight transition. As described above, the time of day and the duration of the journey are preferably taken into account when determining the level of attention.

[0021] If the detected second signals S2 indicate that daylight is transitioning from dark to bright, the sensitivity level for determining the level of attention is automatically reduced.

[0022] To essentially rule out the possibility that detected lighting conditions, for example during tunnel driving, affect the automatic adjustment of the sensitivity level for determining the attention level, a route of, for example, 30 km is specified so that the secondary signals detected by light sensor 4 can be verified. Furthermore, the time of day, in the form of the clock, can be used to validate the detected secondary signals S2.

[0023] Depending on the respective adjustable sensitivity level with regard to the degree of attention, a threshold value is stored in the control unit, whereby if the threshold value assigned to the sensitivity level is exceeded with regard to the determined degree of attention, a warning message W is issued to the driver of the vehicle.

[0024] The warning message W can be displayed visually, audibly, and / or haptically, alerting the driver to their inattention. In addition to the warning message W, a recommendation to take a break can be issued, and the warning message W itself may include such a recommendation.

Claims

[1] Method for determining the level of attention of a driver of a vehicle (1), wherein a sensitivity level of the determination is automatically set depending on the detected daylight, wherein if at least one predetermined threshold value assigned to the respective sensitivity level is exceeded, at least one warning (W) of reduced attention is issued to the driver, characterized by , that - the vehicle (1) has at least one light sensor (4) for detecting the current daylight, by means of which second signals (S2) regarding prevailing light conditions in the vicinity of the vehicle 1 are detected, and - a route of, for example, 30 km is specified, so that the second signals detected by means of the light sensor (4) can be checked and the time of day in the form of the time is used to verify the plausibility of the detected second signals (S2). [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by , that the sensitivity level is automatically increased during a transition from light to dark daylight. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the sensitivity level is automatically lowered during a transition from dark to light daylight. [4] . Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the automatic setting of the sensitivity level takes into account the time of day, the current time and the duration of the journey.

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