Method for operating a vehicle and corresponding assistance system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for operating a vehicle (100), wherein, when a potential danger (106) for the vehicle (100) is detected, at least one safe solution (108) for reducing the potential danger (106) is proposed to a driver (104) of the vehicle (100), wherein the solution (108) is carried out automatically by the vehicle (100) in response to a confirmation (110) of the driver (104).

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a method for operating a vehicle, a corresponding assistance system, and a corresponding computer program product. State of the art

[0002] A vehicle may be equipped with safety systems that intervene automatically when a dangerous situation is detected. For example, an imminent collision may be detected and braking may be applied to prevent the collision or at least reduce its severity.

[0003] For the safety system to intervene, an actual dangerous situation must exist. Disclosure of the invention

[0004] Against this background, the approach presented here provides a method for operating a vehicle, a corresponding assistance system, and a corresponding computer program product according to the independent claims. Advantageous further developments and improvements of the approach presented here emerge from the description and are described in the dependent claims. Advantages of the invention

[0005] The approach presented here detects the potential danger of a situation before it actually occurs for the vehicle. Then, at least one appropriate solution for reducing the potential danger is determined and proposed to the vehicle's driver. If the driver accepts the proposal, the solution is implemented without further action on the part of the driver.

[0006] The approach presented here can at least proactively reduce the probability of a dangerous situation occurring. This reduces the likelihood that the vehicle's safety systems will have to intervene. Should the vehicle nevertheless encounter a specific dangerous situation, the safety systems will continue to intervene automatically.

[0007] A method for operating a vehicle is presented, wherein, when a potential danger for the vehicle is detected, at least one safe solution for reducing the potential danger is proposed to a driver of the vehicle, wherein the solution is carried out automatically by the vehicle in response to a confirmation from the driver.

[0008] Ideas for embodiments of the present invention may be considered, among other things, to be based on the thoughts and findings described below.

[0009] A vehicle may be potentially dangerous if a situation and / or the behavior of a road user has the potential to become dangerous, but is not yet. For example, a vehicle may be transporting an inadequately secured load that could be lost if certain circumstances arise. Likewise, a vehicle may have a partially detached component that could become completely detached, for example, if it experiences a strong shock. As a further example, a road user may attract attention through unsafe and / or risky driving. Even unsafe and / or risky driving alone does not constitute an acute danger. However, if an unexpected event occurs to which the road user reacts incorrectly, the unsafe and / or risky driving can lead to an acute hazard.

[0010] The hazard potential can be identified by evaluating sensor data from the vehicle, other vehicles and / or infrastructure facilities.

[0011] The hazard potential can be identified, for example, by searching for patterns of known hazard potentials. The hazard potential can also be identified centrally at a higher-level location and sent to the vehicle as information.

[0012] A safe solution to reduce the hazard potential can, for example, increase the distance from the vehicle causing the hazard. This can be achieved by changing lanes, changing route, overtaking, or falling back.

[0013] The safe solution can be implemented fully automatically by an assistance system in the vehicle after the driver, as the controlling authority, has confirmed that the safe solution can be implemented.

[0014] The road user responsible for the collision may also be the driver of the vehicle itself. In this case, the distance to the vulnerable road user can be increased to reduce the potential danger, for example, by reducing the vehicle's speed or taking a break.

[0015] At least two safe solutions to reduce the hazard potential can be proposed for selection. A selected solution can be implemented in response to the confirmation. The hazard potential can be reduced through various measures. For example, the vehicle can either overtake, fall back, or take a different route. The driver, as the controlling entity, has the choice and assumes responsibility for making that choice.

[0016] Using a sequence of selected solutions, a preferred solution for the driver can be learned for related hazards. The preferred solution for a detected related hazard can then be suggested in priority. Related hazards can, for example, each originate from a vehicle in front. The vehicle in front may, for example, be driving unsafely, there is a possibility that an object will become detached from the vehicle, or the vehicle may become immobile. If, for example, the driver frequently selects overtaking as the safe solution, the overtaking option can be presented as the first item on a list of options.

[0017] The preferred solution can be preselected as the selected solution. In response to a driver request for a change, a different solution from the selection can be selected as the selected solution. The preferred solution can already be marked in such a way that the driver only needs to confirm its feasibility. If the driver prefers an alternative safe solution, they can correct the selection and confirm the corrected selection.

[0018] At least one gesture from the driver can be detected to recognize the confirmation, the change request, and / or the selected solution. A gesture can be performed, for example, by the driver's eyes, head, and / or at least one hand. The gesture can, for example, be a glance in the side mirror to select or confirm overtaking. A hand movement representing overtaking can also be detected.

[0019] Alternatively, the confirmation, change request, and / or selection can also be recorded via at least one vehicle control element. Likewise, the confirmation, change request, and / or selection can be made via voice commands.

[0020] Information about the potential hazard can be sent to at least one involved road user. One involved road user can be in the vicinity of the vehicle. The involved road user can be the cause of the potential hazard. The cause can potentially avert the potential hazard using the information. The involved road user can also be another road user who may not be able to recognize the potential hazard themselves and can be warned by the information.

[0021] Information about the confirmed solution can be sent to at least one involved road user. The involved road user can be the person responsible for the potential hazard, who is warned by the information about the impending implementation of the selected or confirmed solution. The involved road user can also be another road user, who is warned by the information about the impending implementation of the selected or confirmed solution and can react proactively.

[0022] A warning can also be provided to the driver if the potential danger originates from the driver. For example, if the driver is driving dangerously, is fatigued, and / or distracted, the warning can at least partially avert the potential danger.

[0023] The method is preferably computer-implemented and can be implemented, for example, in software or hardware or in a mixed form of software and hardware, for example in an assistance system.

[0024] The approach presented here also creates an assistance system, wherein the assistance system is designed to carry out, control or implement the steps of a variant of the method presented here in corresponding facilities.

[0025] The assistance system can be an electrical device with at least one computing unit for processing signals or data, at least one storage unit for storing signals or data, and at least one interface and / or a communication interface for reading in or outputting data embedded in a communication protocol. The computing unit can be, for example, a signal processor, a so-called system ASIC, or a microcontroller for processing sensor signals and outputting data signals depending on the sensor signals. The storage unit can be, for example, a flash memory, an EPROM, or a magnetic storage unit. The storage unit can also be outside the vehicle, for example, in the cloud.The interface can be configured as a sensor interface for reading sensor signals from a sensor and / or as an actuator interface for outputting data signals and / or control signals to an actuator. The communication interface can be configured to read or output data wirelessly and / or via a wired connection. The interfaces can also be software modules, which are present, for example, on a microcontroller alongside other software modules.

[0026] Also advantageous is a computer program product or computer program with program code that can be stored on a machine-readable carrier or storage medium such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk memory, an optical memory or a cloud storage and is used to carry out, implement and / or control the steps of the method according to one of the embodiments described above, in particular when the program product or program is executed on a computer, in a control unit or a device.

[0027] It should be noted that some of the possible features and advantages of the invention are described herein with reference to different embodiments. A person skilled in the art will recognize that the features of the control device and the method can be combined, adapted, or exchanged as appropriate to achieve further embodiments of the invention. Short description of the drawing

[0028] Embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein neither the drawings nor the description are to be interpreted as limiting the invention. Fig. 1 shows a representation of a vehicle with an assistance system according to an embodiment.

[0029] The figure is merely schematic and not to scale. Like reference numerals denote like or equivalent features. Embodiments of the invention

[0030] Fig.1 shows a representation of a vehicle 100 with an assistance system 102 according to one exemplary embodiment. The assistance system 102 is configured to propose at least one safe solution 108 for reducing the potential danger 106 to a driver 104 of the vehicle 100 in response to a detected potential danger 106 and to execute it automatically in response to a confirmation 110 from the driver 104.

[0031] For example, another vehicle in front of vehicle 100 is driving in a zigzag pattern. The zigzag pattern is detected as a potential hazard 106. As a result, the driver 104 is suggested, for example, to increase the distance from the vehicle as a safe solution 108. If the driver 104 confirms this, the assistance system 102 will reduce the speed of the vehicle 100 until the distance is large enough to safely respond to the acute danger posed by the zigzag pattern.

[0032] In one embodiment, the driver 104 is offered a selection 112 of at least two safe solutions 108. For example, overtaking the vehicle is suggested as an alternative safe solution 108. The driver 104 can then decide which safe solution 108 they prefer. If the driver selects one of the safe solutions 108 and confirms its feasibility, the assistance system 102 will control the vehicle 100 and execute the selected solution 108.

[0033] In one embodiment, the assistance system 102 learns a preferred solution 108 of the driver 104 for hazard potentials 106 of a similar nature. For example, if the driver 104 more frequently chooses to overtake rather than increase the distance, overtaking will be offered as a priority for selection 112 in the event of a future hazard potential 106 of this type. For example, overtaking can then be listed first in a list of solutions 108 available for selection 112.

[0034] In one embodiment, the assistance system 102 preselects the preferred solution 108. Then, only the confirmation 110 of the driver 104 is required to execute the preselected solution 108. If the driver 104 then desires a different solution 108 in this specific situation, they can select the other solution by selecting it from the selection 112 and then confirming.

[0035] In one embodiment, information 114 about the safe solution 108 to be implemented is sent to at least one road user affected by the hazard potential 106. This warns the other road user that the vehicle 100 will perform an action and allows them to react to it themselves.

[0036] In one exemplary embodiment, information 114 about the hazard potential 106 is sent to at least one road user affected by the hazard potential 106. For example, a following vehicle is informed that the hazard potential 106 originates from a vehicle ahead. Likewise, the information 114 can be sent to the vehicle from which the hazard potential 106 originates. The driver of the vehicle can then react and at least reduce or eliminate the hazard potential 106.

[0037] In one embodiment, the driver 104 of the vehicle 100 is detected by at least one interior sensor. This can detect, for example, that the driver is tired or distracted, and thus the hazard potential 106 originates from the driver 104 themselves. The detected tiredness or distraction can be communicated to the driver 104, and the suggested safe solution 108 can be, for example, a rest break or a reduction in speed.

[0038] In one embodiment, the interior sensor detects gestures 116 of the driver 104. Confirmation 110 can then be performed by an agreed-upon gesture 116. Likewise, the selected solution 108 can be recognized by gestures 116. A gesture 116 can, for example, be performed with the head and / or the eyes and / or the hands. Alternatively or additionally, confirmation 110 and / or selection 112 can be performed by voice control.

[0039] In the following, possible embodiments of the invention are summarized again or presented with slightly different wording.

[0040] An adaptive collision protection assistant is presented.

[0041] Until now, road users perceived as obstacles by the radar system or distance sensors initiate active deceleration, emergency braking, or detours. A road user must therefore already have become an obstacle for this to be detected by current systems. Since a dangerous situation is only recognized when a collision is imminent, such situations are considered critical for the life and limb of the road users involved.

[0042] The approach presented here uses cloud-based AI and on-vehicle systems to actively warn the driver before a dangerous situation arises. Furthermore, the vehicle can perform autonomous maneuvers to avoid a dangerous situation from occurring.

[0043] Vehicle systems for detecting, recording and analyzing potential hazards include cameras, radar systems, distance sensors, microphones, sensors for evaluating gas mixtures and thermal imaging cameras.

[0044] The cloud-based AI analyzes the data recorded by the vehicle for potential hazards and continuously reports the evaluated hazard assessments, including the recommended driving maneuver, back to the vehicle and other nearby vehicles. The cloud-based AI also processes the results reported back by the vehicle after driving maneuvers have been performed.

[0045] Recognisable potential dangers for other road users include, for example, a road user driving in a zigzag pattern in the immediate vicinity, frequently swerving against the lane markings, not maintaining the minimum distance, violating road traffic regulations with their vehicle (e.g. expired MOT sticker, parts of the vehicle are almost loose and could fly off at any time (exhaust, unsecured load)), violating their duty of care and driving with dirty or covered windows (e.g. layer of snow, heavily fogged windows,...), and / or attracting attention through dangerous driving manoeuvres and thus endangering other road users.

[0046] Further potential hazards that can be identified for other road users include, for example, if a road user in the immediate vicinity notices that their vehicle is overheating, if gases are emitted that indicate an impairment of the driving characteristics or obstruction of the visibility of other road users (e.g. outgassing from the battery, defective particulate filter), and / or if noises are detected that indicate an impairment of the driving characteristics (e.g. rattling components or load).

[0047] Possible system reactions include, for example, warning the driver and offering an appropriate driving maneuver, e.g. changing lanes, increasing the distance, overtaking, and / or a new route.

[0048] Potential hazards that can be identified for the driver include, for example, sensors in the backrest, facial analysis and recognition of typical features of an expression of pain, wailing, and / or when the driver operates foot pedals with reduced pressure, detecting pain such as back pain in the driver, detecting slow reactions in the driver's driving style, for example when the brake pedal is always applied with a delay, turning too late in bends, responding to traffic signs with a delay and / or other driver assistance systems constantly intervening to adapt the driving style, and / or detecting distraction in the driver, for example through noises in the vehicle, operating the infotainment system or navigation system, constantly interrupted looking through the windscreen, or changing the seat or mirror settings.

[0049] Possible system reactions include, for example, alerting the driver and offering an appropriate driving maneuver, such as increasing the distance, taking a rest break, and / or reducing the driving speed.

[0050] Finally, it should be noted that terms such as "comprising," "having," etc., do not exclude other elements or steps, and terms such as "a" or "an" do not exclude a plurality. Reference signs in the claims are not to be considered limiting.

Claims

[1] Method for operating a vehicle (100), wherein at least one safe solution (108) for reducing the danger potential (106) is proposed to a driver (104) of the vehicle (100) when a danger potential (106) for the vehicle (100) is detected, wherein the solution (108) is carried out automatically by the vehicle (100) in response to a confirmation (110) of the driver (104). [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein at least two safe solutions (108) for reducing the risk potential (106) are proposed for selection (112), wherein a selected solution (108) is executed in response to the confirmation (110). [3] Method according to claim 2, in which, using a sequence of selected solutions (108) for related hazard potentials (106), a preferred solution (108) of the driver (104) for the related hazard potentials (106) is learned and the preferred solution (108) is proposed in a prioritized manner for a recognized related hazard potential (106). [4] Method according to claim 3, wherein the preferred solution (108) is preselected as the selected solution (108), wherein in response to a change request of the driver (104) another solution (108) of the selection (112) is selected as the selected solution (108). [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which at least one gesture (116) of the driver (104) is detected in order to recognize the confirmation (110), the change request and / or the selected solution (108). [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which information (114) about the hazard potential (106) is sent to at least one road user involved. [7] Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which information (114) about the confirmed solution (108) is sent to at least one road user involved. [8] Method according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising providing an indication to the driver (104) if the hazard potential (106) emanates from him. [9] Assistance system (102), wherein the assistance system (102) is designed to carry out, implement and / or control the method according to one of the preceding claims in corresponding devices. [10] Computer program product which is designed to instruct a processor, when executing the computer program product, to execute, implement and / or control the method according to one of claims 1 to 8. [11] A machine-readable storage medium on which the computer program product according to claim 10 is stored.

Images