Methods for assisting the control of a vehicle, assistance systems and vehicles

Abstract

Method for assisting the control of a first vehicle (1) in road traffic by means of a system comprising at least one device (3) for determining the presence and parameters of at least one other road user (2), at least one control device (4), and at least one driver-vehicle interface (5) that informs the driver about the traffic situation, comprising the steps: - Detects a specific intention of the driver to control the first vehicle from a stationary position (1), - Using the device to detect the presence of at least one other road user (2), - Detecting at least the distance, direction and speed of the other road user (2) by the device (3), - Calculating a strategy for the driver to initiate the intended control action by the control device (4), - Displaying a traffic situation to the driver using the interface (5), where a time window is determined that allows the driver to initiate the intended control action, characterized by the fact that as a device (3) for identifying other road users, vehicle-to-vehicle communication is used, and a countdown timer is displayed to the driver via the interface (5) indicating the time course of favorable road use, the timer starting before a favorable interval appears and ending when the interval starts.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for assisting the control of a vehicle in road traffic, wherein parameters of other road users are recorded, and to an assistance system for controlling the vehicle.

[0002] Road traffic requires a high level of attention from every road user. Crossing busy intersections and merging into moving traffic from a standstill pose particular challenges for drivers. For example, it can be difficult for drivers to estimate the distance and speed of other road users, e.g. vehicles approaching on a road that the driver intends to merge onto. This is particularly true in situations where other road users are not clearly visible to the driver due to other vehicles or obscuring structures. There are approaches to warn drivers of dangerous situations involving other road users and, if necessary, initiate emergency braking (US 2010 / 0 201 508 A1, US 2012 / 0 041 632 A1).

[0003] The publication DE 10 2005 023 185 A1 discloses a method for assisting a lane change, particularly during motorway travel. The publication DE 10 2011 010 864 A1 discloses a collision prediction system with special consideration of blind spots. The traffic situation can be displayed graphically. DE 10 2015 204 122 A1 discloses the transmission of a traffic light phase to a motor vehicle and the visualization of the traffic light signal in the motor vehicle. The publications DE 10 2004 057 745 A1 and DE 10 2013 225 057 A1 disclose the determination of a time window for executing an upcoming driving action. DE 10 2011 082 483 A1 shows a method in which data from the surroundings of the motor vehicle is recorded and evaluated to detect objects. Information about the shortest distance between at least one selected object and the motor vehicle is output.

[0004] However, these conventional approaches are insufficient to provide the driver with sufficient overview, for example when approaching a road.

[0005] The task is therefore to support the driver of a vehicle in estimating the traffic.

[0006] This object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments and refinements of the invention emerge from the dependent and subclaims, the figures and the exemplary embodiments.

[0007] A first aspect of the invention relates to a method for assisting the control of a first vehicle in road traffic by means of a system comprising at least one device for determining a presence and parameters of at least one further road user, at least one control device, and at least one driver-vehicle interface that informs the driver about the traffic situation, comprising the steps: - Detecting a specific intention of the driver to control the first vehicle, - Use of the device to detect the presence of at least one other road user, - Recording of at least the distance, direction and speed of the other road user by the device, - Calculating a strategy for the driver to start the intended control action by the control device, - Representing a traffic situation to the driver via the interface, whereby a time window is determined that allows the driver to start participating in traffic.

[0008] The method according to the invention is advantageous because it displays a time window to the driver during which it is possible to start moving from a stationary position onto a road without endangering themselves or other road users. In other words, the driver is informed whether there is sufficient space in the traffic flow to start moving and when starting moving is not advisable.

[0009] The vehicle driven by the driver is considered the first vehicle. It is the vehicle from which the procedure is carried out.

[0010] Other road users include land vehicles, e.g. especially motor vehicles, rail vehicles, bicycles, and carts, as well as pedestrians who potentially interfere with the traffic participation of the first vehicle.

[0011] A specific driver intention can be understood as meaning that the driver may intend to drive straight across an intersection, or to enter or turn into a street. This specific intention can be inferred from engaging first gear while the vehicle is stationary and / or from indicating a move toward or turning into a street by activating the turn signal.

[0012] A device for determining the presence and parameters of at least one other road user is a device designed to detect other road users and their movement parameters. These parameters include direction of movement, distance, and speed. The direction of movement and speed are parameters specific to the other road users, while the distance refers to the first vehicle.

[0013] As a device for determining the presence and movement parameters of other road users, at least one sensor mounted on the vehicle is preferably used. It is crucial that the sensors are designed to detect the distance and speed of other road users, particularly motor vehicles. The sensor can be, for example, a camera, particularly a stereo camera, and radar- and lidar-based sensors.

[0014] The driver-vehicle interface, or interface for short, is a display that provides the driver with visual information.

[0015] Vehicle-to-vehicle (v2v) communication is used as a device for determining the presence and movement parameters of other road users. V2V communication can be determined alone or in combination with the aforementioned sensors. Furthermore, vehicle-to-infrastructure (v2i) communication can also advantageously be used to determine the presence and movement parameters of other road users, either alone or in combination with the aforementioned v2v communication or sensors. The functionality of v2v and v2i communications is known to those skilled in the art.

[0016] In the method, a countdown is shown to the driver via the interface, indicating the temporal progression of favorable traffic participation. In this way, the driver is advantageously shown an opportunity to pull away. The countdown can start when an interval appears, i.e. start when a sufficient distance to the next road user is detected, and end when the distance becomes too small to ensure safe pulling away. The countdown can also start before a favorable interval appears, e.g. when a distance is detected between several road users. In this case, the countdown ends when the interval starts. Different countdowns can also run, e.g. one until an interval occurs and one until the end of the interval.In addition to being displayed on the interface, the countdown can also be configured so that the interface has a corresponding loudspeaker output.

[0017] Preferably, the interface display is supported by at least one audio signal. Different audio signals can support different situations. In particular, a specific audio signal can be provided for a situation in which starting is unfavorable, and another specific audio signal for a situation in which starting is favorable, i.e., a favorable interval to the next road user or between two or more road users exists.

[0018] Preferably, a traffic situation can be graphically displayed via the interface. Ideally, the road situation is shown, with other road users shown to scale, along with their distance from the vehicle and from each other. The graphic display can be used alone or in combination with a countdown or audio signal.

[0019] Furthermore, the interface provides additional color support for the display. For example, the countdown can be highlighted in color, or the countdown can be highlighted in different colors for different situations. Different messages communicated to the driver via the interface can also be marked with different colors, e.g., red for a stop signal.

[0020] It is also preferred if the method activates an emergency braking system when the driver performs an action that would result in a collision with another road user.

[0021] A second aspect of the invention relates to a system for carrying out the method according to the invention, comprising at least one device for detecting other road users, at least one control device, and at least one driver-vehicle interface that informs the driver about the traffic situation. Vehicle-to-vehicle communication is used as the device for detecting other road users, and a counting timer indicating the temporal progression of favorable traffic participation is displayed to the driver via the interface. The timer starts before a favorable interval appears and ends when the interval starts. The advantages of the system correspond to the advantages of the method.

[0022] A third aspect of the invention relates to a motor vehicle with a system according to the invention.

[0023] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the figures. Fig. 1 a representation of a traffic situation for carrying out the method according to the invention. Fig. 2 a representation of a traffic situation for carrying out the method according to the invention. Fig. 3 a schematic representation of an embodiment of a system according to the invention. Fig. 4 a schematic representation of an embodiment of a system according to the invention. Fig. 5 a flow diagram of an embodiment of the process according to the invention.

[0024] The method according to the invention is carried out with a first vehicle 1 ( Fig. 1 and Fig. 2). The first vehicle 1 is in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 a sedan whose driver intends to cross an intersection. The first vehicle 1 has a system for assisted steering, which has at least one camera 3, at least one control device 4, and at least one driver-vehicle interface 5, which informs the driver about the traffic situation ( Fig. 3 and Fig. 4).

[0025] The camera is used to detect the presence and parameters of at least one other road user, which according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 is a second vehicle 2. Alternatively, the other road user can also be a pedestrian, or a cyclist instead of a motor vehicle. The camera is, for example, a stereo camera. The function of the camera can be supported by RADAR- or LIDAR-based sensors. Alternatively, the RADAR- or LIDAR-based sensors can also be used without a camera. Furthermore, the function of the sensors (including the camera) can be supported by V2V or V2I communication, or the method can be carried out solely by these, whereby the first vehicle 1 has a corresponding device for communicating with other vehicles or infrastructure facilities. In the following, only camera data will be referred to as an example.

[0026] In Fig. Figure 1 depicts a situation in which the first vehicle 1 and the second vehicle 2 are at an intersection of two roads. The first vehicle 1 is on a secondary road 6 and must yield to the second vehicle 2, which is on a main road 7 that is crossed by the secondary road 6. Fig. 2, the second vehicle 2 has passed the intersection, so that the first vehicle 1 can approach from the secondary road 6 and cross the intersection.

[0027] In one embodiment of the method according to the illustration of Fig. 5, in a first step S1, a specific intention of the driver to steer the vehicle 1 through the intersection is detected. In a second step S2, the camera 3, which is arranged on the vehicle, determines whether there are other road users on the main road 7. If no other road user is detected (in Fig. 5 N, like No), the process returns to step S2 and the traffic situation is further monitored. At the same time, the driver is signaled via the interface that no further road users have been detected and can start the intended action. If another road user is detected, as in the Fig. 1, the second vehicle 2 (Y, like Yes), the method continues to a third step S3. In the third step S3, according to Fig. 3 by evaluating the camera data recorded over time by the control device 4, it is detected that the second vehicle 2 is moving towards the intersection area, what current distance the second vehicle 2 has from the intersection area and at what speed it is moving.

[0028] In a fourth step S4, the control device 4 determines that the second vehicle 2 will arrive at the intersection in less than 2 s. From this, it is concluded that an immediate start of the first vehicle 1 towards the intersection would lead to a collision with the second vehicle 2. The traffic situation is displayed to the driver in a fifth step S5 via the interface, as shown in Fig. 3. A first countdown 8 is displayed via the interface, counting from, for example, 2 to 0, indicating that a 2-second wait is required before starting. Once the second vehicle 2 has passed the intersection, a second countdown 9 is displayed, counting from, for example, 5 to 0, indicating a time window in which the intersection can be crossed safely. The countdown is combined with a graphical representation of the road situation ( Fig. 4). The graphical representation of Fig. 3 corresponds to the situation of Fig. 1 and those of Fig. 4 the situation of Fig. 2.

[0029] A stop signal 10, which can be red or highlighted, is displayed via the interface until the time window for crossing the intersection is reached. Furthermore, the control device triggers activation of the brake if the driver intends to steer the first vehicle 1 into the intersection before the time window for crossing has begun. Once the time window for crossing has begun, the stop signal goes out.

[0030] The procedure according to Fig.5 can also be carried out in the same way, for example, when entering a road from a standstill or when turning from a side street onto a main road. Furthermore, the method according to the invention can be applied to situations in which a display of time windows is useful, e.g., when starting in reverse, changing lanes, parking, and similar situations in which assistance systems can be used. List of reference symbols 1 first vehicle 2 second vehicle 3 Camera 4 Control device 5 Driver-vehicle interface 6 side street 7 Main Street 8 first countdown 9 second countdown 10 Stop signal

Claims

[1] Method for assisting the control of a first vehicle (1) in road traffic by means of a system comprising at least one device (3) for determining a presence and parameters of at least one further road user (2), at least one control device (4), and at least one driver-vehicle interface (5) which informs the driver about the traffic situation, comprising the steps: - detecting a specific intention of the driver to control the first vehicle from a stationary position (1), - using the device to detect the presence of at least one other road user (2), - recording of at least the distance, direction and speed of the other road user (2) by the device (3), - calculating a strategy for the driver to start the intended control action by the control device (4), - Displaying a traffic situation to the driver via the interface (5), whereby a time window is determined that allows the driver to start the intended control action, characterized by , that vehicle-to-vehicle communication is used as the device (3) for determining other road users, and a backward-running timer is displayed to the driver via the interface (5), which timer indicates the temporal course of a favorable traffic participation, wherein the timer starts before a favorable interval appears and ends when the interval starts. [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein at least one sensor (3) is used as the device (3) for detecting other road users. [3] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the display of the interface (5) is supported by an audio signal. [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the interface (5) can graphically display a traffic situation. [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the interface (5) additionally supports the display in color. [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an emergency braking system is activated when the driver performs an action which would result in a collision with another road user. [7] Assistance system for controlling a vehicle (1), comprising at least one device (3) for detecting other road users, at least one control device (4), and at least one driver-vehicle interface (5) which informs the driver about the traffic situation, characterized bythat vehicle-to-vehicle communication is used as the device (3) for determining other road users, and a backward-running timer is displayed to the driver via the interface (5), which timer indicates the temporal course of a favorable traffic participation, wherein the timer starts before a favorable interval appears and ends when the interval starts. [8] Motor vehicle with an assistance system according to claim 7.

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