Method and device for warning other road users of hazards

Abstract

Procedures for warning other road users (30, 44) of hazards, comprising the following steps: • Detection (110) of at least one hazard in a traffic infrastructure by a detection device (14) in a first vehicle (12); • Providing (120) hazard information about the at least one hazard location, detected by means of the detection device (14), to a control and computing unit (24) with evaluation program (26) arranged in the first vehicle (12), characterized in that the method comprises the following further steps: • Detecting (130) at least one other road user (30, 44) by means of a detection device (28) in the first vehicle (12) after the first vehicle (12) has detected the at least one hazard; • Providing (140) information on road users recorded by means of the recording device (28) about at least one other road user (30, 44) to the control and computing unit (24) with evaluation program (26) arranged in the first vehicle (12); • Projecting (150) the hazard information by means of a projection device (38) coupled to the control and computing unit (24) in the first vehicle (12) onto at least one perception point of at least one other road user (30, 44), wherein a current first position and at least one subsequent second position of the at least one other road user (30, 44) are taken into account during projection by means of control operations of the control and computing unit (24) in such a way that a targeted and highly precise provision (120) of the hazard information to the at least one other road user (30, 44) is ensured in both the first and in the at least one second position.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method and a device for warning other road users of danger spots and to a vehicle comprising such a device.

[0002] The presence of hazards, such as physical obstacles, on roads and pathways within a transportation infrastructure can significantly impact the road safety of all road users. To actively prevent such hazardous situations, providing early warnings of potential obstacles or hazards in general is crucial and can positively influence road safety. Currently, real-time information is either unavailable or only partially available, as it is typically transmitted via radio traffic reports. For road users already at the location, such as those approaching a curve and thus only seeing an obstacle very late, early, visual, or otherwise, information can offer a decisive advantage.In previously known solutions from the prior art, information provision related to the topic discussed above is achieved, for example, by means of screen devices mounted on the rear of a vehicle, particularly a truck. Other technical approaches are also known that allow following road users to receive information via camera images. These camera images show, for example, the road ahead, with the images being provided by a vehicle traveling in front of these road users. Several examples from the prior art, which broadly address the aforementioned topic, are listed below.

[0003] A motor vehicle with a warning device for the driver is disclosed in German patent application DE 10 2011 078 288 A1. Specifically, a vehicle with a warning device for the driver is described, and the vehicle is a motor vehicle. The warning device includes a detection device for detecting one or more predetermined traffic situations in which the vehicle is located. Furthermore, a projection device is provided, which is designed to project a light distribution, comprising one or more light stripes and / or changing over time, onto the roadway in the driver's field of vision to warn the driver, as long as the detection device detects a predetermined traffic situation, the projected light distribution depending on the detected traffic situation.

[0004] Document CN 105261235 A also discloses an electronic warning sign system for vehicles, an early warning system for road conditions and its operation, and an electronic warning sign system for motor vehicles, a road condition warning system and its operating procedure. The electronic warning sign system for motor vehicles comprises: a laser emission device for projecting the road surface onto the vehicle behind the warning pattern and an orientation adjustment device for adjusting the position of the laser projection pattern.The laser emission device and the position adjustment device are connected to the control unit, the control unit being adapted to control the opening or closing of the electronic warning sign system for motor vehicles, and being adapted to control the alignment adjustment device and the laser emission device which project the warning pattern onto the position of a parking space behind the correct distance.

[0005] Vehicle notifications are also known from US patent 10,134,280 B1. These systems and methods utilize various light projection technologies to inform other drivers of nearby vehicles about information that can promote safer driving. In some embodiments, the projection technologies can be used to project laser light onto a road surface when a vehicle indicates a lane change, thus showing its intended physical position on the road surface. In some embodiments, a parked vehicle can indicate that a door is about to be opened by projecting a warning and the physical space in which the door can open onto the road surface for other drivers to see.In some embodiments, sensors such as cameras, infrared and / or radar can locate nearby vehicles, predict their position and indicate where the vehicle is physically located in a curve, lane change or passing situation.

[0006] DE 10 2016 007 014 A1 discloses a method for operating a communication device of a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle is driven fully automatically in an autopiloted operating mode and draws the attention of other road users to itself by projecting at least one light pattern onto a surface. The attention of other road users to a motor vehicle moving in traffic in fully automatic operation is thus increased.

[0007] The invention is based on the objective of providing an alternative method and an alternative device for warning other road users of hazards, which makes it possible to warn road users of hazards in the traffic infrastructure early, in a targeted manner and with high precision.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a method for warning other road users of hazardous locations is provided. Such a method comprises the following steps: • Detection of at least one hazard in a traffic infrastructure by a detection device in a first vehicle, • Providing hazard information detected by the detection device about at least one hazard location to a control and computing unit with evaluation program located in the first vehicle.

[0009] In this configuration, the procedure also includes the following further steps: • Detecting at least one other road user by means of a detection device in the first vehicle, after the first vehicle has detected the at least one hazard, • Providing road user information about at least one other road user, collected by means of the detection device, to the control and computing unit with evaluation program located in the first vehicle, • Projecting the hazard information by means of a projection device coupled to the control and computing unit in the first vehicle onto at least one perception point of at least one other road user, wherein a current first position and at least one subsequent second position of the at least one other road user are taken into account during projection by means of control operations of the control and computing unit, so that a targeted and highly precise provision of the hazard information to the at least one other road user is ensured in both the first and in the at least one second position.

[0010] In this way, it is advantageously possible to provide an alternative method for warning other road users of hazards, enabling early, targeted, and highly precise warnings of road users about dangers in the traffic infrastructure. In particular, the visual transmission of this hazard information, which can also be generally referred to as traffic information or a part thereof, can be carried out in a targeted and highly precise manner. The term "targeted" refers specifically to the positioning of the other road user.Instead of a general display of warnings, which may not be perceived by all other road users, the presented method, based on the prior detection of other road users and their respective positions, enables a highly targeted delivery of relevant hazard information about the previously detected hazard location. In this context, and also due to the fact that other road users are detected with exceptional accuracy and dynamically in near real-time, it is possible to transmit the desired hazard information with high precision. In other words, every other road user is provided with a near-ideal, high-resolution visual representation of the hazard information.

[0011] For example, the first vehicle passes a hazard and detects numerous hazard warnings. These warnings are then stored in the control and processing unit and evaluated and / or processed accordingly by the evaluation program. Another road user, such as a person in an oncoming vehicle, can be informed or warned early and comprehensively after the first vehicle has already passed the hazard. This is achieved by projecting the processed hazard information precisely and accurately onto at least one perception point of the other road user. Ultimately, this can significantly improve road safety, as the warned road users can adjust their behavior accordingly.This allows, for example, direct accidents caused by the hazard to be avoided. At least one other road user may also be in a vehicle, perhaps even the driver actively controlling that second vehicle. It is also conceivable that it could be any other road user, not necessarily in a vehicle. Both the detection of hazards and the detection of at least one other road user, as well as the subsequent projection, can take place 360° around the first vehicle. For example, the system can operate in both the front and rear areas of the first vehicle.

[0012] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, a device for warning other road users of hazards is provided. Such a device comprises a detection unit that can be installed in a vehicle and is designed to detect at least one hazard in a traffic infrastructure, and a control and computing unit with an evaluation program that can be installed in the vehicle and is designed to receive hazard information about the at least one hazard.

[0013] In this configuration, the device also includes the following additional components: - a detection device designed to detect at least one other road user in the vicinity of the vehicle and to provide this road user information to the control and computing unit with evaluation program, - a projection device that can be coupled to the control and computing unit with evaluation program, which is designed to project the hazard information onto at least one perception point of at least one other road user, wherein a current first position and at least one subsequent second position of the at least one other road user can be taken into account during projection by means of control processes of the control and computing unit, so that a targeted provision of the hazard information to the at least one other road user can be ensured in both the first and in the at least one second position.

[0014] The aforementioned advantages also apply, insofar as they are transferable, to the presented device.

[0015] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, a vehicle comprising a device according to claim 9 is provided. This device is designed to perform at least the method according to claims 1 to 8. The aforementioned advantages also apply, insofar as they are transferable, to the vehicle presented.

[0016] Further preferred embodiments of the invention result from the other features mentioned in the dependent claims.

[0017] In a further embodiment of the invention, the control processes of the control and processing unit are provided for to consider both the movement of the first vehicle itself and the movement of at least one other road user in relation to a given traffic infrastructure, as well as the movement of a body belonging to at least one other road user. For example, both the vehicle's own trajectory and the trajectory of the at least one other road user can be taken into account accordingly. This trajectory, both the vehicle's own and the other road user's, is known and is continuously monitored and updated in real time. Simultaneously, a display or projection option is determined for the at least one other road user and the other road user, respectively.In other words, the movement of the other road user, as well as their own movement, is taken into account so that, at any given time, a targeted and highly precise projection of hazard information can be carried out based on the corresponding control processes. This means that the position and movement of the other road user, for example, within their vehicle, are determined in real time so that the hazard information can then be transmitted or projected in a targeted and highly precise manner. At least one other road user can be approaching from the opposite direction or following behind.

[0018] In a further embodiment of the invention, the projection device includes a laser projection unit designed to project the hazard information precisely into at least one eye of at least one other road user. A laser projection unit is particularly suitable for enabling highly precise projections because the laser beams emitted accordingly hardly scatter even over long distances, thus avoiding any resulting loss of information. It is therefore possible to focus precisely on at least one eye of at least one other road user, thereby ensuring a highly precise projection. The hazard information to be displayed can thus be positioned with high accuracy, since the visual representation is transmitted or projected by means of at least one laser of this laser projection unit.

[0019] Furthermore, in a further embodiment of the invention, the hazard location comprises at least one obstacle on the roadway, in particular an obstacle on an adjacent lane of a roadway traveled by the first vehicle, and the hazard information is selected from: the size of the obstacle, the position of the obstacle, the shape of the obstacle, and the material of the obstacle. The type of hazard information can thus vary considerably and differ depending on the detected hazard location and the associated obstacle. Depending on the obstacle's characteristics, the hazard information can be projected in a corresponding sequence or even projected together in a single, summarized hazard message.

[0020] Furthermore, in a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that at least one other road user is located in a second vehicle in the vicinity of the first vehicle. For example, this could be an oncoming vehicle that encounters the first vehicle after the first vehicle has already passed the hazard. In this way, the oncoming vehicle, or its occupant (who could, for example, be the driver actively controlling the second vehicle), can be alerted in a timely manner to the hazard in the immediate traffic infrastructure. For example, this could be an obstacle in the lane of the second vehicle that is not yet within the other road user's field of vision.

[0021] Furthermore, in a further embodiment of the invention, the detection device in the first vehicle is designed to detect the material and position of the windshield of the second vehicle. This information, after evaluation by the control and processing unit of the projection device, is then made available for the targeted projection of hazard information. In this way, the refraction of light rays caused by the windshield can be taken into account during the projection of the hazard information, ensuring that it reaches at least one eye of the respective road user. Additionally, the windshield of the other road user can be made of or coated with a special material, allowing these material properties to be considered as well.For example, laser beams can then be designed to be particularly bright for projection, thereby enhancing a desired visual effect.

[0022] In a further embodiment of the invention, the detection device in the first vehicle is designed to detect an optical aid, in particular eyeglasses, and at least one property of this optical aid in at least one other road user, so that this information, after evaluation by the control and processing unit of the projection device, is made available for targeted projection of the hazard information. In this way, any refraction of light rays caused by the optical aid can be taken into account during the projection of the hazard information, so that it can thus be directed precisely into at least one eye of the respective road user. The optical aid could also have at least a partially tinted area, and this property would then also be taken into account accordingly.For example, the optical aid could be sunglasses.

[0023] Finally, in a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that, in addition to the hazard information, at least one recommendation for action, in particular a recommendation to reduce speed, is projected in the first vehicle onto the at least one perception point of at least one other road user by means of the projection device coupled to the control and processing unit. These additional recommendations for action can, for example, be assigned to a detected hazard by means of the evaluation program of the control and processing unit and can be projected additionally, optionally or in a user-defined manner.In this way, other road users can not only be warned in a targeted and highly precise manner about hazards in the road infrastructure, but can also receive initial suggestions in the form of recommendations for action, making a safe reaction to the received hazard information even more likely.

[0024] The presented method and device can be advantageously used in any type of vehicle. In particular, it is advantageously suited for use in vehicles intended for use in traffic infrastructure. For example, use in any motor vehicle, especially any passenger vehicle, is conceivable.

[0025] Unless otherwise stated in individual cases, the various embodiments of the invention mentioned in this application can be advantageously combined with one another.

[0026] The invention is explained below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show: Fig. 1. A process diagram of a procedure for warning other road users of hazards; Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a device for warning other road users of hazards; Fig. 3 a schematic representation of a vehicle comprising a device for warning other road users of hazards.

[0027] Fig. Figure 1 shows a process diagram 100 of a procedure for warning other road users of hazards. In a first process step 110, at least one hazard in a traffic infrastructure is detected by a detection device in a first vehicle. In a second process step 120, hazard information about the at least one hazard, recorded by the detection device, is provided to a control and processing unit with evaluation software located in the first vehicle. In a third process step 130, at least one other road user is detected by a detection device in the first vehicle after the first vehicle has detected the at least one hazard.In a fourth process step 140, the road user information recorded by means of the recording device about at least one other road user is provided to the control and computing unit with evaluation program arranged in the first vehicle.In a fifth process step 150, the hazard information is projected in the first vehicle onto at least one perception point of at least one other road user by means of a projection device coupled with the control and computing unit, wherein a current first position and at least one subsequent second position of the at least one other road user are taken into account during projection by means of control processes of the control and computing unit, so that a targeted and highly precise provision of the hazard information to the at least one other road user is ensured in both the first and in the at least one second position.The presented method advantageously fulfills various minimum requirements, listed below, for displaying hazard information or this specific traffic information to other road users. These minimum requirements are: the location of the hazard is known; a trajectory, both one's own and that of the other road user, is known; a highly accurate determination of the display or projection options for the other road user is known; and both the position and movement of the other road user are determined with high accuracy in real time. The projection can also be understood as external display on the road user or their vehicle, or as a display on another vehicle.

[0028] Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a device 10 for warning other road users of hazards. This device 10 is shown arranged in a first vehicle 12. This device 10 is shown with a detection device 14, which is designed to detect at least one hazard in a traffic infrastructure. Fig. Figure 1 shows a hazard point as an obstacle 18 in the form of a boulder on the adjacent roadway 16. A detection arrow 20 in a detection field 22 represents this detection process and also indicates that hazard information about this hazard point is collected by the detection device 14. This hazard information is provided to a control and processing unit 24 with evaluation program 26. For this purpose, the detection device 14 is shown coupled to this control and processing unit 24 with evaluation program 26. The control and processing unit 24 with evaluation program 26 is therefore designed to receive hazard information about at least one hazard point. The device 10 with a detection unit 28 is also shown.This detection device 28 is designed to detect at least one other road user in the vicinity of the first vehicle 12 and to provide this road user information to the control and processing unit 24 with evaluation program 26. For this purpose, the detection device 28 is shown coupled to this control and processing unit 24 with evaluation program 26. In the... Fig. 2. The detection device 28 detects another first road user 30 in a second vehicle 32. The position of the second vehicle 32 is shown arbitrarily here and serves only to visually illustrate the overarching relationships of the device 10. For example, the second vehicle 32 can encounter the first vehicle 12 after the first vehicle 12 has already passed and detected the obstacle 18. A detection arrow 34 in a detection field 36 represents this detection process. In this way, a current first position and at least one subsequent second position of this other first road user 30 can be detected. The device 10 is also shown with a projection device 38, which is likewise shown coupled with the control and processing unit 24 with evaluation program 26.This projection device 38 is designed to project the hazard information onto at least one perception point of at least one other first road user 30, wherein a current first position and at least one subsequent second position of the at least one other first road user 30 can be taken into account during projection by means of control operations of the control and processing unit 24, so that a targeted provision of the hazard information to the at least one other first road user 30 can be ensured in both the first and the at least one second position. Fig. 2 The projection device 38 projects targeted and highly precise hazard information onto the eye 40 of the first other road user 30, this process being represented by a first projection arrow 42. A second other road user 44, a pedestrian without a vehicle, is also shown for illustrative purposes only. A second projection arrow 46 indicates this process. The depicted detection device 28 may have already detected this second other road user 44, and this information is stored accordingly in the control and processing unit 24. All depicted components of the device 10 are designed to operate in a 360° radius around the first vehicle 12, according to their respective functions.This may include additional components of the respective parts, which can be kept or arranged at the positions required to cover the 360° area around the vehicle 12.

[0029] Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of a vehicle 12 comprising a device 10 for warning other road users of hazards. This is, for example, a device in Fig. 2. Device 10 presented in detail, wherein this device 10 is designed to perform the method according to claims 1 to 8. Reference symbol list 10 Device 12 first vehicle 14 Detection device 16 adjacent lane 18th obstacle 20 Detection arrow 22 Detection field 24 Control and computing unit 26 Evaluation program 28 Recording device 30 first other road user 32 second vehicle 34 Capture arrow 36 Recording field 38 Projection device 40 Eye 42 first projection arrow 44 second other road user 46 second projection arrow 100 process diagram 110 First procedural step - Detection of hazard 120 Second procedural step - Provision of hazard information 130 Third procedural step - Recording other road users 140 Fourth procedural step - Provision of road user information 150 fifth procedural step - projection of hazard information

Claims

[1] Procedure for warning other road users (30, 44) of hazards, comprising the following steps: • Detection (110) of at least one hazard in a traffic infrastructure by a detection device (14) in a first vehicle (12); • Providing (120) hazard information detected by means of the detection device (14) about the at least one hazard location to a control and computing unit (24) with evaluation program (26) arranged in the first vehicle (12), characterized by that the procedure includes the following further steps: • Detecting (130) at least one other road user (30, 44) by means of a detection device (28) in the first vehicle (12) after the first vehicle (12) has detected the at least one hazard; • Providing (140) information on road users recorded by means of the recording device (28) about at least one other road user (30, 44) to the control and computing unit (24) with evaluation program (26) arranged in the first vehicle (12); • Projecting (150) the hazard information by means of a projection device (38) coupled to the control and computing unit (24) in the first vehicle (12) onto at least one perception point of at least one other road user (30, 44), wherein a current first position and at least one subsequent second position of the at least one other road user (30, 44) are taken into account during projection by means of control operations of the control and computing unit (24) in such a way that a targeted and highly precise provision (120) of the hazard information to the at least one other road user (30, 44) is ensured in both the first and in the at least one second position. [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein the control operations of the control and computing unit (24) take into account both a self-movement of the first vehicle (12) and a movement of at least one other road user (30, 44) in relation to a respective road infrastructure and additionally a movement of a body of at least one other road user (30, 44). [3] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the projection device (38) comprises a laser projection unit designed to project the hazard information into at least one eye (40) of at least one other road user (30, 44). [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the hazard location comprises at least one obstacle (18) on the roadway, in particular an obstacle (18) on an adjacent roadway (16) of a roadway traveled by the first vehicle (12), and wherein the hazard information is selected from: size of the obstacle (18), position of the obstacle (18), shape of the obstacle (18), material of the obstacle (18). [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one other road user (30, 44) is in a second vehicle (32) which is in the vicinity of the first vehicle (12). [6] Method according to claim 5, wherein the detection device (28) in the first vehicle (12) is designed to detect the material and position of a windshield of the second vehicle (32), so that this information is made available to the projection device (38) for targeted projection of the hazard information after evaluation by means of the control and computing unit (24). [7] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the detection device (28) in the first vehicle (12) is designed to detect an optical aid, in particular spectacles, and at least one property of this optical aid in the at least one other road user (30, 44), so that this information is made available to the projection device (38) for targeted projection of the hazard information after evaluation by means of the control and computing unit (24). [8] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, in addition to the hazard information, at least one recommendation for action, in particular a recommendation for reducing speed, is projected in the first vehicle (12) onto the at least one perception point of the at least one other road user (30, 44) by means of the projection device (38) coupled with the control and computing unit (24). [9] Device (10) for warning other road users (30, 44) of hazards, comprising a detection device (14) which can be arranged in a vehicle (12) and which is designed to detect at least one hazard in a traffic infrastructure, and a control and computing unit (24) with evaluation program (26) which can be arranged in the vehicle (12) and which is designed to receive hazard information about the at least one hazard, characterized by , that the device (10) comprises the following additional components: - a detection device (28) designed to detect at least one other road user (30, 44) in the vicinity of the vehicle (12) and to provide this road user information to the control and computing unit (24) with evaluation program (26), - a projection device (38) that can be coupled to the control and computing unit (24) with evaluation program (26), which is designed to project the hazard information onto at least one perception point of at least one other road user (30, 44), wherein a current first position and at least one subsequent second position of the at least one other road user (30, 44) can be taken into account during projection by means of control operations of the control and computing unit (24), so that a targeted provision of the hazard information to the at least one other road user (30, 44) can be ensured in both the first and in the at least one second position. [10] Vehicle (12) comprising a device (10) according to claim 9, wherein the device (10) is designed to perform at least the method according to claims 1 to 8.

Images