Device and method for determining a driver's short-term driving tendency

Abstract

A gear shift control device for a vehicle comprising: a data detector configured to receive data including an acceleration of a motor vehicle, a motor vehicle speed and to detect a distance between motor vehicles; and a controller (20) configured to calculate a relative speed with respect to a front vehicle from the vehicle speed and the distance between the vehicles, extract fuzzy result values for the vehicle speed and the distance between the vehicles, each by setting a membership function corresponding to the respective acceleration of the vehicle and the respective relative speed with respect to the front vehicle, and determine a short-term driving tendency of the driver using the fuzzy result values, and control an engine (30) or a transmission (40) based on the short-term driving tendency, wherein the controller (20) does not calculate the short-term travel tendency when the data shows that a condition of a roadway is a particular roadway condition, a particular roadway shape, or a congested roadway.

Description

Background of the inventionField of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a device and a method for determining a short-term driving tendency of a driver and in particular to a device and a method for determining a short-term driving tendency of a driver from the acceleration of a motor vehicle and a relative speed of the driver's motor vehicle with respect to a motor vehicle in front. Description of the state of the art

[0002] Customer satisfaction with a vehicle's performance depends on how the vehicle drives and whether it matches the driver's driving preferences. While customer preferences vary, the vehicle's performance characteristics are fixed as a single performance characteristic for the same vehicle model. Therefore, the vehicle's behavior may not match the customer's driving preferences.

[0003] Accordingly, customers often complain about the vehicle's driving behavior. This means that if the customer's driving behavior is recognized and the gearshift is controlled in such a way that the vehicle responds appropriately to the customer's driving behavior, customer satisfaction with driving performance could be maximized.

[0004] Accordingly, a method for learning the customer's driving tendency over a short period of time and controlling gear shifting according to the learned driving tendency was developed. The method of controlling gear shifting in accordance with the learned driving tendency is performed under the assumption that the driver's driving tendencies are uniform. However, since the driver's tendency is not always uniform and may change according to changes such as the driver's mood, sudden changes in driving intention, road conditions, and the like, there is a large difference between the learned driving tendency and a driver's current tendency under certain circumstances. Accordingly, if gear shifting is controlled according to the learned driving tendency, the driver's current driving style may not be reflected in the gear shifting, and the driver may be dissatisfied with the driving performance.

[0005] As the main parameters for determining a driver's acceleration intention, the prior art mainly uses the accelerator pedal opening degree (APS) and the accelerator pedal opening degree change rate (ΔAPS). Although the accelerator pedal manipulation state is an important reference value for determining the driver's acceleration intention, it is limited in expressing the driver's overall driving intention. Therefore, to detect the driving tendency in a state of vehicle travel rather than in a state of vehicle acceleration, a determination reference value more appropriate than the APS is required.

[0006] The information disclosed in this Background section is provided only to enhance the understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be considered as an acknowledgment or any other form of indication that this information forms prior art.

[0007] From US 2011 / 0187 522 A1 a controller is known which determines a speed and acceleration of a vehicle to predict a time until a future speed of the vehicle exceeds a predefined speed based on the predefined speed and the speed and acceleration of the vehicle, and to issue a warning via the interface if the time is shorter than a predefined time. Summary of the invention

[0008] The present invention was made in an effort to provide an apparatus and method for determining a short-term driving tendency of a driver to perform customized shifting by precisely determining a short-term driving tendency of a driver for a short time (e.g., while a motor vehicle is actually running or during a predetermined time while the vehicle is actually running).

[0009] Various aspects of the present invention are directed to a shift control apparatus for a vehicle comprising: a data detector configured to detect data including an acceleration of a motor vehicle, a motor vehicle speed, and a distance between motor vehicles;and a controller configured to calculate a relative speed with respect to a leading motor vehicle from the motor vehicle speed and the distance between motor vehicles, extract fuzzy result values respectively for the motor vehicle speed and the distance between motor vehicles by setting a membership function corresponding to the respective acceleration of the motor vehicle and the respective relative speed with respect to the leading motor vehicle, and determine the short-term driving tendency of the driver using the fuzzy result values and control an engine or a transmission based on the short-term driving tendency, wherein the controller does not calculate the short-term driving tendency when the data shows that a condition of a road surface is a certain road surface condition, a certain road surface shape, or a congested road surface.

[0010] Furthermore, if it is determined from the fuzzy result values that the acceleration of the motor vehicle is equal to or lower than a predetermined reference acceleration, and the relative speed with respect to the front motor vehicle is equal to or higher than a predetermined reference speed, the controller may determine that the short-term travel tendency is a first tendency. If it is determined from the fuzzy result values that the vehicle acceleration exceeds a predetermined reference acceleration, and the relative speed with respect to the front vehicle is lower than a predetermined reference speed, the controller may determine that the short-term travel tendency is a second tendency.

[0011] In addition, when it is determined from the fuzzy result values that the acceleration of the motor vehicle is equal to or lower than a reference acceleration, and the relative speed with respect to the front vehicle is lower than a predetermined reference speed, or when it is determined from the fuzzy result values that the acceleration of the motor vehicle exceeds the reference acceleration, and the relative speed with respect to the front vehicle is equal to or higher than the predetermined reference speed, the controller may determine that the short-term travel tendency is a third tendency.

[0012] The controller may calculate the acceleration of the motor vehicle by differentiating the motor vehicle speed. The data detector may include a vehicle speed sensor mounted on a wheel of the motor vehicle and measure the motor vehicle speed using the vehicle speed sensor. Further, the data detector may include a GPS module capable of determining a position of the motor vehicle and calculating the motor vehicle speed using a GPS signal obtained from the GPS module. Additionally, the data detector may include an acceleration sensor mounted on the motor vehicle and measure the acceleration of the motor vehicle using the acceleration sensor.

[0013] Further aspects of the present invention are directed to a method for controlling gear shifting for a vehicle, comprising: detecting an acceleration of a motor vehicle, a motor vehicle speed, and a distance between vehicles; calculating a relative speed with respect to a leading motor vehicle from the motor vehicle speed and the distance between vehicles; determining a membership function corresponding to the respective acceleration of the motor vehicle and the respective relative speed with respect to the leading motor vehicle; extracting fuzzy result values from the respective motor vehicle speed and the respective distance between vehicles;and determining the short-term driving tendency of the driver using the fuzzy result values, and controlling an engine or a transmission based on the short-term driving tendency, wherein the controller does not calculate the short-term driving tendency when the data shows that a condition of a roadway is a certain roadway condition, a certain roadway shape, or a congested roadway.;

[0014] The methods and apparatus of the present invention have additional features and advantages which will become apparent and will be set forth in detail in the accompanying drawings, which are hereby incorporated by reference, and the following detailed description, which together serve to explain certain principles of the present invention. Short description of the drawings Fig. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary device for determining a driver's short-term driving tendency according to the present invention. Fig. 2 is a flowchart of an exemplary method for determining a driver's short-term driving tendency according to the present invention. Fig. 3 is an explanatory view showing a membership function for determining a short-term driving tendency of a driver according to the present invention. Detailed description

[0015] Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present invention(s), examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings and described below. While the invention(s) will be described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the present description is not intended to limit the invention(s) to these exemplary embodiments. On the contrary, the invention(s) are intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments, but also various alternatives, modifications, equivalents, and other embodiments which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0016] Fig. 1 is a block diagram of an apparatus for determining a driver's short-term driving tendency according to various embodiments of the present invention. As illustrated, an apparatus for determining a driver's short-term driving tendency includes a data detector 10, a controller 20, a motor 30, and a transmission 40.

[0017] The data detector 10 detects the driver's short-term driving tendency and data for determining the short-term driving tendency, and the data measured by the data detector 10 is transmitted to the controller 20. The data detector 10 includes an accelerator pedal position sensor 11, a vehicle speed sensor 12, a shift speed sensor 13, an acceleration sensor 14, a steering angle sensor 15, a brake pedal position sensor 16, a navigation device 17, a global positioning system (GPS) 18, and a distance sensor 19.

[0018] The accelerator pedal position sensor 11 measures the amount by which the driver presses the accelerator pedal. That is, the accelerator pedal position sensor 11 measures data regarding the driver's intention to accelerate a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle speed sensor 12 measures a motor vehicle speed and is mounted on a wheel of the motor vehicle. In these cases, the motor vehicle speed can be calculated based on a GPS signal received from the GPS module 18.

[0019] Furthermore, a target transmission speed can be calculated based on a signal from the accelerator pedal position sensor 11 and a signal from the vehicle speed sensor 12 using a shift pattern, and shifting to the target shift speed is controlled. At this time, in the case of an automatic transmission having a plurality of planetary gear stages and a plurality of friction elements, the hydraulic pressure supplied to or discharged from the plurality of friction elements is adjusted. Additionally, in the case of a dual-clutch transmission, a current applied to a plurality of synchronizers and actuators is controlled.

[0020] The shift speed sensor 13 detects the currently set shift speed. The acceleration sensor 14 detects the acceleration of the vehicle. In addition to the vehicle speed sensor 12, the acceleration sensor 14 is mounted to directly detect the acceleration of the vehicle, or the acceleration of the vehicle can be calculated by differentiating the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor 12.

[0021] The steering angle sensor 15 detects a steering angle of the motor vehicle. This means that the steering angle sensor 15 detects a direction in which the motor vehicle intends to travel. The accelerator pedal position sensor 16 detects whether the brake pedal is depressed or not. This means that the accelerator pedal position sensor 16 detects the driver's intention to accelerate the vehicle together with the accelerator pedal position sensor 11.

[0022] The navigation device 17 is a device that informs the driver about the route to a destination. The navigation device 17 includes an input and output unit configured for input and output information during route guidance, a current position detector configured to detect information about the current position of the motor vehicle, a storage unit for storing map data required to calculate a route and data required to guide the driver, and a control unit configured to perform route search or route guidance, and the like.

[0023] The GPS module 18 receives an electric wave transmitted from a GPS satellite and transmits a signal related to the electric wave to the navigation device 17. The distance sensor 19 detects a distance between the driver's motor vehicle and a front or front motor vehicle, or a distance between the driver's motor vehicle and a rear motor vehicle.

[0024] Various sensors such as an ultrasonic sensor or an infrared sensor can be used as the distance sensor 19.

[0025] The controller 20 determines the driver's short-term driving tendency based on the data detected by the data detector 10. For this purpose, the controller 20 may be implemented to include at least one processor operated by a predetermined program, and the predetermined program may be programmed to perform each step of a method for determining the driver's short-term driving tendency according to the various embodiments of the present invention.

[0026] Specifically, the controller 20 determines the driver's short-term driving tendency for a comparatively short time based on the data detected by the data detector 10. This means that the controller 20 can determine a driver's driving tendency, e.g., while the motor vehicle is currently driving or during a predetermined time while the motor vehicle is currently driving. The driver's short-term driving tendency can be determined based on how well one or more assumptions regarding a driver's tendency are met, and a fuzzy control theory can be used to determine the driver's short-term driving tendency.

[0027] The controller 20 applies fuzzy control theory to a relative speed with respect to the front vehicle and the acceleration of the motor vehicle, and can determine a membership function corresponding to each relative speed with respect to the front vehicle and the acceleration of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, the controller 20 can calculate a fuzzy result value from the membership function corresponding to each relative speed with respect to the front vehicle and the acceleration of the motor vehicle. In addition, the controller 20 can determine the short-term driving tendency using a relative speed of the driver's motor vehicle with respect to a motor vehicle other than the front vehicle. A configuration in which the short-term driving tendency is determined using the relative speed with respect to the front vehicle will be described below.

[0028] When the controller 20 calculates a speed difference between the front vehicle and the driver's vehicle using a distance between the driver's vehicle and the front vehicle detected by the distance detector 19, the calculated result can be defined as the relative speed of the driver's vehicle with respect to the front vehicle. That is, the relative speed with respect to the front vehicle can be calculated according to the following equation. Velocity (relative) VSPREL = V1 − V2

[0029] In equation 1, VSPREL refers to a relative speed of the driver's vehicle with respect to the front vehicle, V1 refers to a speed of the front vehicle, and V2 refers to a speed of the driver's vehicle.

[0030] The membership function of the relative speed with respect to the front motor vehicle can be defined separately or split into a defensive status with respect to the front motor vehicle when the value of VSPREL is a positive value and an aggressive status with respect to the front motor vehicle when the value of VSPREL is a negative value.

[0031] In addition, the acceleration of the motor vehicle may be defined separately or divided into a state where the membership function of the acceleration of the motor vehicle is high and a state where the membership function of the acceleration of the motor vehicle is low, according to the acceleration of the motor vehicle measured by the acceleration sensor 14 mounted separately from the motor vehicle speed sensor 12, or the acceleration of the motor vehicle is calculated by differentiating the motor vehicle speed detected by the motor vehicle speed sensor 12.

[0032] Furthermore, the controller 20 may determine the short-term driving tendency of the driver using the membership function defined for the relative speed with respect to the front motor vehicle and the acceleration of the motor vehicle.

[0033] Furthermore, the controller 20 can determine a condition of a road on which the motor vehicle is currently traveling based on the data detected by the data detector 10. The road condition includes specific road conditions such as an icy road, a slippery road, a rough road, and an unpaved road; a specific road shape such as a curved road and a downhill road; and a degree of traffic congestion. In the case of specific road conditions, specific road shapes, or a congested road, the motor vehicle generally does not drive according to the driver's driving tendency, but rather drives according to the road condition. Therefore, the driver's short-term driving tendency is not calculated under specific road conditions, so the driver's driving tendency can be accurately calculated.

[0034] In some cases, the driver's short-term driving tendency can also be calculated under specific road conditions. In these cases, a filter that is significantly different from the driver's short-term driving tendency calculated under the specific road conditions can be applied.

[0035] Additionally, the controller 20 controls the engine 30 or the transmission 40 according to a characteristic of the driver's short-term driving tendency. This means that the controller 20 can change a shift pattern, an exercise feeling regarding a target shift speed, an engine torque map, and / or an engine torque filter according to the characteristic of the short-term driving tendency.

[0036] In the following, a method for determining the driver’s short-term driving tendency is described in detail with reference to the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 described. Fig. 2 is a flowchart of a method for determining the driver’s short-term driving tendency and Fig. 3 is an exemplary view illustrating the membership function for determining the driver's short-term driving tendency according to various embodiments of the present invention.

[0037] As in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 2, the data detector 10 detects the acceleration of the motor vehicle, a speed of the motor vehicle, and a distance between motor vehicles (S110). Specifically, the data detector 10 may measure the motor vehicle speed using the motor vehicle speed sensor mounted on the wheel of the motor vehicle or may detect the motor vehicle speed by calculating the motor vehicle speed based on a GPS signal obtained from the GPS module 18. Furthermore, the data detector 10 may measure the acceleration of the motor vehicle using the acceleration sensor 14 mounted separately from the motor vehicle speed sensor 12. In addition, the data detector 10 may detect a distance between the driver's motor vehicle and the front motor vehicle using the distance sensor 19.Furthermore, the data detector 10 can transmit the detected vehicle acceleration, the vehicle speed or the distance between vehicles to the controller 20.

[0038] Next, the data detector 10 detects the acceleration of the motor vehicle, the speed of the motor vehicle, the distance between motor vehicles, and transmits the acceleration of the motor vehicle, the motor vehicle speed, or the distance between motor vehicles to the controller 20. The controller 20 calculates the acceleration of the motor vehicle or the relative speed with respect to the front motor vehicle (S120).

[0039] Specifically, in the case where the vehicle speed and the distance between the vehicles are detected by the data detector 10 and transmitted to the controller 20, the controller 20 can calculate the acceleration of the vehicle by differentiating the vehicle speed. Additionally, in a case where the acceleration of the vehicle is detected and transmitted from the data detector 10, the controller 20 cannot perform the calculation of the acceleration of the vehicle.

[0040] Furthermore, the controller 20 may calculate a speed of the leading motor vehicle using the motor vehicle speed and the distance between motor vehicles. Additionally, the controller 20 may calculate the relative speed relative to the leading motor vehicle by inputting the calculated speed of the leading motor vehicle and the calculated speed of the driver's motor vehicle into Equation 1.

[0041] Next, the controller 20 calculates the membership function using the relative speed with respect to the front vehicle and the acceleration of the vehicle as variables (S130). The relative speed with respect to the front vehicle and the acceleration of the vehicle used as variables for the calculation may be values measured by the data detector during a predetermined time and transmitted from the data detector, or values calculated by the controller 20 based on the transmitted values.

[0042] The controller 20 determines whether the relative speed with respect to the front vehicle is a positive magnitude and the acceleration of the vehicle is equal to or lower than a predetermined reference acceleration (S140). Further, if it is determined that the relative speed with respect to the front vehicle is a positive magnitude and the acceleration of the vehicle is equal to or lower than the predetermined reference acceleration, the controller 20 determines that the driver's short-term driving tendency is a first (gentle) tendency (S150).

[0043] In step S140, if the relative speed with respect to the front vehicle is a negative amount or the acceleration of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined reference acceleration, the controller 20 determines whether the relative speed with respect to the front vehicle is a negative amount and the acceleration of the vehicle exceeds the predetermined reference acceleration (S160). Furthermore, if it is determined that the relative speed with respect to the front vehicle is a negative amount and the acceleration of the vehicle exceeds the predetermined reference acceleration, the controller 20 determines that the driver's short-term driving tendency is a second tendency (sporty) (S170).

[0044] Finally, in step S160, if the relative speed with respect to the front motor vehicle is a negative amount and the acceleration of the motor vehicle is equal to or less than a predetermined reference acceleration, or if the relative speed with respect to the front motor vehicle is a positive amount and the acceleration of the motor vehicle exceeds the predetermined reference acceleration, the controller 20 determines that the short-term driving tendency of the driver is a third tendency (normal) (S180).

[0045] Subsequently, the controller 20 calculates a short-term driving tendency index at each time point (S190). Additionally, the controller 20 calculates and stores an average value of the short-term driving tendency indexes for a predetermined time T1 as a short-term driving tendency index (SI_Avg) for a predetermined time. That is, the short-term driving tendency index (SI_Avg) for a predetermined time is calculated according to the following Equation 2. SI_Avg=∑t=t0t0+T1(sec)SIT1(sec)

[0046] When the short-term driving tendency index for a predetermined time is calculated in step S190, the controller 20 calculates a long-term driving tendency index (SI_Iong) from the latest n short-term driving tendency indexes using the following equation 3 (S200). SI_long=∑i=1nSI_Avgn−i+1×WinT1

[0047] Here, SI_Avg refers to the i-th short-term driving tendency index and W irefers to the i-th weight value. In addition, the sum of the n weight values is 1, and the i-th weight value can be equal to or less than the (i+1)th weight value. By setting the (i+1)th weight value equal to or greater than the i-th weight value, the most recent short-term driving tendency index most influences the long-term driving tendency index.

[0048] While the present invention discloses an exemplary method for calculating the short-term driving tendency index and the long-term driving tendency index, it should be understood that the method for calculating the short-term driving tendency index and the long-term driving tendency index is not limited to the exemplary methods disclosed in the present specification.

[0049] When the driver's long-term driving tendency index is calculated in step S200, the controller 20 controls the shifting according to the long-term driving tendency index (S210). That is, the controller changes the engine torque map and / or the engine torque filter according to the long-term driving tendency index, and controls the engine 30 according to the changed engine torque map and / or the changed engine torque filter. In addition, the controller 20 changes the shift pattern and the applied feeling with respect to the target shift speed according to the long-term driving tendency index, and controls the transmission 40 according to the changed shift pattern and the applied feeling with respect to the target shift speed.

[0050] The following describes the membership function of the relative speed related to the front vehicle and the acceleration of the vehicle with reference to the Fig. 3 described. Fig. 3 is an exemplary view illustrating the membership function for determining the driver's short-term driving tendency according to various embodiments of the present invention.

[0051] In the case where the vehicle speed increases or decreases rapidly, the controller 20 may express an input membership function in a state where the acceleration of the vehicle does not vary, as shown in Fig. 3A. Furthermore, when the relative speed with respect to the front motor vehicle is a positive magnitude, ie, a magnitude calculated according to Equation 1 that is equal to or greater than 0, the controller 20 may express the distance between vehicles as an input membership function in a defensive state, as in Fig. 3B illustrates.

[0052] Furthermore, as in Fig.As illustrated in Figure 3C, the controller 20 may output the fuzzy result value using both input membership functions. For example, when the input membership function is input, the controller 20 may output the fuzzy result value as the third tendency (normal) and may determine the driver's short-term driving tendency as the third tendency.

[0053] As described above, according to various embodiments of the present invention, the short-term driving tendency of the driver can be easily calculated from the relative speed of the driver's motor vehicle with respect to the front motor vehicle and the acceleration of the motor vehicle.

Claims

[1] A gear shift control device for a vehicle comprising: a data detector configured to receive data including an acceleration of a motor vehicle, a motor vehicle speed and to detect a distance between motor vehicles; and a controller (20) configured to calculate a relative speed with respect to a front vehicle from the vehicle speed and the distance between the vehicles, extract fuzzy result values for the vehicle speed and the distance between the vehicles, each by setting a membership function corresponding to the respective acceleration of the vehicle and the respective relative speed with respect to the front vehicle, and determine a short-term driving tendency of the driver using the fuzzy result values, and control an engine (30) or a transmission (40) based on the short-term driving tendency, wherein the controller (20) does not calculate the short-term travel tendency when the data shows that a condition of a roadway is a particular roadway condition, a particular roadway shape, or a congested roadway. [2] The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller (20) determines the short-term travel tendency as a first tendency when it is determined from the fuzzy result values that the vehicle acceleration is equal to or less than a predetermined reference acceleration and the relative speed with respect to the front vehicle is equal to or higher than a predetermined reference speed. [3] The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller (20) determines the short-term travel tendency as a second tendency when it is determined from the fuzzy result values that the vehicle acceleration exceeds a predetermined reference acceleration and the relative speed with respect to the front vehicle is lower than a predetermined reference speed. [4] The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller (20) determines the short-term travel tendency as a third tendency when it is determined from the fuzzy result values that the vehicle acceleration is equal to or lower than a reference acceleration and the relative speed with respect to the front vehicle is lower than a predetermined reference speed, or when it is determined from the fuzzy result values that the acceleration of the vehicle exceeds the reference acceleration and the relative speed with respect to the front vehicle is equal to or higher than the predetermined reference speed. [5] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller (20) calculates the acceleration of the motor vehicle by differentiating the motor vehicle speed. [6] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data detector comprises a vehicle speed sensor (12) mounted on a wheel of the vehicle and measures the vehicle speed using the vehicle speed sensor (12). [7] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data detector comprises a GPS module (18) capable of determining a position of the motor vehicle and calculating the motor vehicle speed using a GPS signal obtained from the GPS module (18). [8] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data detector comprises an acceleration sensor (14) mounted on the motor vehicle, and measures the acceleration of the motor vehicle using the acceleration sensor (14). [9] A method of controlling gear shifting for a vehicle comprising: Detecting (S110) data indicating an acceleration of a motor vehicle, a motor vehicle speed and a distance between vehicles; Calculating (S120) a relative speed with respect to a front motor vehicle from the motor vehicle speed and the distance between vehicles; Determining a membership function (S140, S160) corresponding to the respective acceleration of the motor vehicle and the respective relative speed with reference to the front motor vehicle; Extracting (S150, S170, S180) fuzzy result values for the respective vehicle speed and the respective distance between vehicles; Determining (S190) the driver’s short-term driving tendency using the fuzzy result values; and Controlling an engine (30) or a transmission (40) based on the short-term driving tendency, wherein the controller (20) does not calculate the short-term travel tendency when the data shows that a condition of a roadway is a particular roadway condition, a particular roadway shape, or a congested roadway. [10] The method of claim 9, wherein determining the driver’s short-term driving tendency comprises: Determining the short-term travel tendency as a first tendency when it is determined from the fuzzy result values that the vehicle acceleration is equal to or lower than a predetermined reference acceleration, and the relative speed with respect to the front vehicle is equal to or higher than a predetermined reference speed. [11] The method of claim 9, wherein determining the driver’s short-term driving tendency comprises: Determining the short-term travel tendency as a second tendency when it is determined from the fuzzy result values that the vehicle acceleration exceeds a predetermined reference acceleration and the relative speed with respect to the front vehicle is less than a predetermined reference speed. [12] The method of claim 9, wherein determining the driver’s short-term driving tendency comprises: Determining a short-term travel tendency as a third tendency when it is determined from the fuzzy result values that the vehicle acceleration is equal to or lower than a predetermined reference acceleration and the relative speed with respect to the front vehicle is lower than a predetermined reference speed, and when it is determined from the fuzzy result values that the acceleration of the vehicle exceeds the predetermined reference acceleration and the relative speed with respect to the front vehicle is equal to or higher than the predetermined reference speed. [13] The method of claim 9, wherein the acceleration of the motor vehicle is calculated by differentiating the motor vehicle speed. [14] The method of claim 9, wherein the vehicle speed is measured by using a vehicle speed sensor (12) mounted on a wheel of the vehicle. [15] The method of claim 9, wherein the vehicle speed is calculated using a GPS signal obtained from a GPS module (18) capable of determining a position of the vehicle. [16] The method of claim 9, wherein the acceleration is measured using an acceleration sensor (14) mounted on the motor vehicle.

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