METHOD FOR INCREASING A DRIVER'S ATTENTION LEVEL, CALCULATION DEVICE, COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM

Abstract

A first aspect of the invention relates to a method for increasing the attention level of a driver of a vehicle operating in a semi-automated driving mode with a first set of parameters. The method includes detecting a traffic situation, wherein the traffic situation describes a road layout and / or another road user. Furthermore, the method includes determining a second set of parameters for the semi-automated driving mode, wherein the second set of parameters is determined depending on the traffic situation. Finally, the method also includes operating the vehicle in the semi-automated driving mode with the second set of parameters.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for increasing an attention level of a driver of a vehicle which is operated in a partially automated driving mode. The present invention furthermore relates to a computing device for a vehicle for carrying out such a method. Finally, the present invention relates to a computer readable storage medium.Driving modes which take over driving tasks and automate them in parts are constantly increasing. An example of such a partially automated driving mode is, in particular, an adaptive cruise control system. The driver can specify a setpoint speed, for example, to which the speed of the vehicle is automatically regulated. If a slower road user is located in front of the vehicle, the speed is automatically reduced in order to prevent a tailgating or to maintain a preset distance. In addition, modern vehicles also have a traffic sign recognition, so that the speed can also be adapted to the applicable speed limit.These and numerous further developments of such an adaptive cruise control system are an example of how the driver of a vehicle can be increasingly debundled from a multiplicity of driving tasks. Nevertheless, in particular in the case of so-called level-2 functions, responsibility is still still present at the driver even during operation of the vehicle in such a partially automated driving mode, with the result that a corresponding attention level-despite all of the facilitations brought about by the partially automated driving mode-must be ensured by the driver.In order to ensure the attention of the driver during operation of the vehicle in a partially automated driving mode, the driver is usually monitored by means of an interior camera. If the driver is inattentive, the partially automated driving mode is usually deactivated.Furthermore, document DE 10 2012 216 888 A1 discloses a method for increasing driving safety in motor vehicles. For this purpose, at least one comfort function (e.g. HiFi system, air conditioning system, interior light, electrical seat adjustment) is automatically adjusted in the direction of a more uncomfortable setting in order to increase the attention of the driver if a specific external condition of the motor vehicle (e.g. traffic density change to be expected, wind volume, temperature fall) changes essential to driving safety.It is the object of the present invention to show a solution how the increase of the attention of a driver of a vehicle during operation in a partially automated driving mode can be improved in order to thus overall increase the traffic safety of the partially automated driving mode.This object is achieved by the features of the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims.The term "automated driving" is understood within the context of the document to mean driving with automated longitudinal and / or transverse guidance. Automated driving can be, for example, longer-time driving on the freeway or limited-time driving in the context of parking. The term "automated driving" includes automated driving with an arbitrary degree of automation. Exemplary degrees of automation are assisted, partially automated, conditionally automated, highly automated and fully automated driving (with increasing degrees of automation in each case). The five automation levels mentioned above correspond to SAE levels 1 to 5 of the standard SAE J3016 (SAE-Society of Automotive Engineering) according to the state of April 30, 2021. In assisted driving (SAE level 1), the system carries out the longitudinal or lateral guidance in specific driving situations. In partially automated driving (SAE level 2), the system assumes longitudinal and lateral guidance in certain driving situations, the driver having to monitor the system permanently, as in assisted driving. In conditionally automated driving (SAE level 3), the system assumes longitudinal and lateral guidance in certain driving situations without the driver having to monitor the system permanently; however, the driver must be able to assume vehicle guidance at the request of the system in a certain time. In highly automated driving (SAE level 4), the system assumes the guidance of the vehicle in certain driving situations, even if the driver does not react to a request for intervention, so that the driver is omitted as a fallback level. In fully automated driving (SAE level 5), all aspects of the dynamic driving task can be carried out by the system under any roadway and environmental condition that are also controlled by a human driver.Furthermore, the term "at least partially automated driving or manoeuvring" in the context of the document is also understood to mean partially automated, conditionally automated, highly automated, fully automated driving. In other words, the term "at least partially automated driving" is thus understood to mean a degree of automation starting from SAE level 2.Finally, the term "partially automated driving mode" in the context of the document is understood to mean a driving function (of a driving assistance system) of the vehicle, which is configured to operate the vehicle in such a way that the vehicle drives in a partially automated manner. In other words, the term "operating the vehicle in a partially automated driving mode" is thus understood to mean operating the vehicle with a degree of automation according to SAE level 2.A first aspect of the invention relates to a method for increasing an attention level of a driver of a vehicle, which is operated in a partially automated driving mode using a first parameter set. The method comprises detecting a traffic situation, wherein the traffic situation describes a road course and / or a further road user. In addition, the method comprises determining a second parameter set for the partially automated driving mode, wherein the second parameter set is determined as a function of the traffic situation. Finally, the method also comprises operating the vehicle in the partially automated driving mode using the second parameter set.The method can be carried out, for example, by means of a computing device. The computing device can be designed, for example, as at least one electronic control unit of the vehicle, which comprises one or more programmable processors. In addition, the computing device can have a computer-readable storage medium on which a computer program is stored. In order to carry out corresponding method steps, such as, for example, the determination of the second parameter set for the semi-automated driving mode, the computer program can be executed on the computing device.The method is based on the knowledge that the situational perception of the driver can be influenced by a change in the driving dynamics. This fact can thus be used to increase the attention of the driver in certain situations. For example, by increasing the transverse acceleration, the driver's attention can be drawn to a route profile lying ahead of him. This can be advantageous in particular when the driver increasingly familiarizes to a driving assistance system or the partially automated driving mode and possibly improperly weighs in safety or does not correspondingly conform to his responsibility for monitoring the system.The method can therefore increase the attention of the driver. In this case, a traffic situation can first be detected. The traffic situation can be detected, for example, using surroundings sensors of the vehicle and / or on the basis of (highly accurate) map data and / or using Car2X communication. Examples of possible surroundings sensors are radar, lidar and ultrasonic sensors and cameras. A description of a traffic situation can comprise, for example, a road course and / or a further road user.Based on the description of the traffic situation, the second parameter set can now be determined. The second parameter set can differ from the first parameter set. The first and the second parameter set can describe driving dynamics parameters of the partially automated driving mode. Examples of driving dynamics parameters which can be described using the first or the second parameter set are a permissible maximum lateral acceleration, a minimum distance to other road users or the further road user, a permissible maximum speed, a braking torque profile or the like.The second parameter set can now be used to operate the partially automated driving mode with the second parameter set. For example, driving dynamics parameters can be selected specifically for the respective traffic situation, which increase the attention of the driver. The increase of the attention can thus be realized in particular in a targeted manner and individually adapted to the respective traffic situationAn advantageous embodiment provides that the first parameter set and the second parameter set describe at least one driving dynamics parameter of a transverse guidance of the vehicle, and the first and the second parameter set are determined as a function of the road profile.In this case, it can also be provided that the driving dynamics parameter of the lateral guidance of the vehicle describes an admissible lateral acceleration limit value and / or an admissible yaw rate limit value for the partially automated driving mode.It can also be advantageous if the first parameter set and the second parameter set describe at least one driving dynamics parameter of a longitudinal guidance of the vehicle and the first and the second parameter set are determined as a function of the further road user. If the first parameter set and the second parameter set comprise at least one driving dynamics parameter of a longitudinal guidance, then the distance to the further road user can be changed, for example, depending on the traffic situation. Optionally, the time and / or the strength of a possible braking can also be adapted to avoid a rear-end collision. Overall, therefore, the attention of the driver can be increased by situation by means of the at least one driving dynamics parameter of the longitudinal guidance.A development of the method provides that the driving dynamics parameter of the longitudinal guidance of the vehicle describes a permissible minimum distance to the further road user and / or describes a permissible minimum collision time for the partially automated driving mode. This aspect is based on the finding that drivers react sensitively, in particular to the distance and a permissible minimum collision time from a vehicle driving ahead, that is to say, for example, the further road user, even when the attention level is lowered. As a result, the driver's attention can abruptly increase.It may also be advantageous if the driving dynamics parameter of the longitudinal guidance of the vehicle describes a maximum acceleration for the partially automated driving mode. This aspect is based on the finding that the driver perceives an sluggish system behavior, for example as a result of a low acceleration of the vehicle after a slowly preceding road user has scoking out, even at a lowered attention level, the attention of the driver increases, since he overrides the system with the accelerator pedal in this situation. In other words, an attention level of the driver can thus be increased by the driver briefly overriding the system.Finally, it can also be provided that the operation of the vehicle in the partially automated driving mode is carried out using the second parameter set additionally as a function of a random generator. In general, it may be advantageous if the driver faces situations from time to time in which he does not entirely familiar with the partially automated driving mode. This makes it possible to preventively prevent the driver from falling into an careless state or from looking away from the road for a long time. In order that the driver is not always faced with such situations at the same time intervals and thus the impression of a variation intended by the driving mode, which may not require the driver's attention at all, does not arise, the operation of the partially automated driving mode can be carried out using the second parameter set as a function of the random generator.For example, a uniformly distributed random number between one and one hundred can thus be generated by means of the random generator every 15 seconds. If the number is higher than a predetermined threshold value, for example 95, the semi-automated driving mode can actually be operated using the second parameter set, or the method for increasing the attention level of the driver can be carried out. In the example just mentioned, the partially automated driving mode with the second parameter set would thus be operated once on average in 5 minutes.A further aspect of the invention relates to a computing device for a vehicle, which is configured to execute a method according to the invention and the advantageous embodiments thereof. The computing device can be designed, for example, as an electronic control unit which comprises one or more programmable processors.A further aspect of the invention relates to a computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to execute a method according to the invention and the advantageous embodiments thereof.Finally, a further aspect of the invention also relates to a computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computing device, cause the latter to execute a method according to the invention and the advantageous embodiments thereof.The preferred embodiments presented with reference to the method according to the invention and the advantages thereof correspondingly apply to the computing device according to the invention and to the computer-readable storage medium according to the invention. Furthermore, the preferred embodiments presented with reference to the method according to the invention and the advantages thereof also apply to the computer program according to the invention.Further features of the invention are evident from the claims, the figures and the description of the figures. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, and the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures, can be used not only in the respectively specified combination but also in other combinations or alone without departing from the scope of the invention.The invention will now be explained in more detail on the basis of preferred exemplary embodiments and with reference to the appended drawings. The following are shown: FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a vehicle, comprising a computing device which is configured to execute a method for increasing an attention level, and FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of an increase in an attention level, wherein the first and the second parameter set describe a driving dynamics parameter of a transverse and a longitudinal guidance of the vehicle.In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals.FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a vehicle 1 comprising a computing device 2 which is configured to carry out a method for increasing an attention level of a driver of the vehicle 1. The vehicle 1 is operated in a partially automated driving mode 7 using a first parameter set. The operation of the vehicle 1 in the partially automated driving mode 7 can be carried out by a central control unit 8 of the vehicle 1.In the method for increasing an attention level, a traffic situation 4 located in front of the vehicle 1, which describes a road course 5 and / or a further road user 6, can be detected with the aid of the computing device 2 of the vehicle 1 on the basis of environmental data of a surroundings sensor 3. Subsequently, a second parameter set for the partially automated driving mode 7 can be determined with the aid of the computing device 2, wherein the second parameter set is determined as a function of the traffic situation 4. The second parameter set can then be transmitted from the computing device 2 to the central control unit 8. Finally, the vehicle 1 can be operated in the partially automated driving mode 7 using the second parameter set.The computer-readable storage medium 9, as part of the computing device 2, can comprise a computer program which comprises instructions which, when the computer device 2 executes the program, cause the latter to carry out the method.FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of an increase in an attention level, wherein the first and the second parameter set describe a driving dynamics parameter of a transverse and a longitudinal guidance of the vehicle. FIG. 2 outlines a trajectory T 1 and a trajectory T 2 which describes a lane change of the vehicle 1 in order to avoid a further road user 6 and to pass the latter. The trajectory T 1 describes the future path of the vehicle 1 when the vehicle 1 is operated in the partially automated driving mode 7 using the first parameter set.In order to increase the attention level of the driver of the vehicle 1, a second parameter set can now be determined, wherein the driving dynamics parameters differ from the first parameter set. In the example from FIG. 2, a permissible maximum lateral acceleration for the trajectory planning is increased in the partially automated driving mode 7 and at the same time a minimum distance to the further road user 6 is reduced. As a result, when the vehicle 1 is operated in the partially automated driving mode 7 using the second parameter set, the lane change can be carried out at a later point in time and more smoothly. This delayed time and the more jerky execution of the lane change are represented in FIG. 2 by the trajectory T 2 (implicitly). As a result, the comfort for the driver may decrease. This allows the driver to be paid attention to the roadway. In other words, the attention level of the driver can be increased.References included in the specificationThis list of documents cited by the applicant has been produced in an automated manner and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent application or utility model application. The DPMA does not take any adhesion for any faults or omissions.Patent Literature citedDE 10 2012 216 888 A1

[0005]

Claims

Method for increasing an attention level of a driver of a vehicle (1) which is operated in a partially automated driving mode (7) using a first parameter set, comprising the steps of: - detecting a traffic situation (4), wherein the traffic situation (4) describes a road profile (5) and / or a further road user (6), - determining a second parameter set for the partially automated driving mode (7), wherein the second parameter set is determined as a function of the traffic situation (4), and - operating the vehicle (1) in the partially automated driving mode (7) using the second parameter set.Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the first parameter set and the second parameter set describe at least one driving dynamics parameter of a transverse guidance of the vehicle (1), and the first and the second parameter set are determined as a function of the road profile (5).Method according to Claim 2, characterized in that the driving dynamics parameter of the lateral guidance of the vehicle (1) describes an admissible lateral acceleration limit value and / or an admissible yaw rate limit value for the semi-automated driving mode (7).Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first parameter set and the second parameter set describe at least one driving dynamics parameter of a longitudinal guidance of the vehicle (1) and the first and the second parameter set are determined as a function of the further road user (6).Method according to Claim 4, characterized in that the driving dynamics parameter of the longitudinal guidance of the vehicle (1) describes a permissible minimum distance to the further road user (6) and / or describes a permissible minimum collision time for the semi-automated driving mode (7).Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operation of the vehicle (1) in the partially automated driving mode (7) is carried out using the second parameter set additionally as a function of a random generator.Computing device (2) for a vehicle (1) which is configured to carry out a method according to one of the preceding claims.A computer readable storage medium (9) comprising instructions which, when executed by a computing device (2), cause the computing device to perform a method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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