Procedures for assisting a driver of a vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method (100) for assisting a driver of a vehicle (10), comprising the steps of: determining (101) environmental information of the vehicle's surroundings (10), determining (102) the position and / or movement of the vehicle (10) based on the environmental information, recognizing (103) possible driving maneuvers by means of the position and / or movement of the vehicle (10), determining (104) the probability of each recognized driving maneuver, whether the recognized driving maneuver is a driving maneuver intended by the driver, and outputting (106) information about the driving maneuver with the highest probability to the driver and / or automatically executing the driving maneuver with the highest probability.

Description

State of the art

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for assisting a driver of a vehicle and to a vehicle with such a method.

[0002] Currently, a multitude of driver assistance systems exist to support the driver. These systems are designed for various driving situations and scenarios. At present, the driver must manually select and activate or deactivate the appropriate system for each driving situation. This is cumbersome and interrupts the driver's flow of driving. The continuous increase in driver assistance systems supporting the driver in diverse situations raises the need for driver support in managing this multitude of systems. Disclosure of the invention

[0003] The inventive method for supporting a driver of a vehicle with the features of claim 1 has the advantage over known methods in that it provides specific assistance by suggesting a driver assistance system or a driving situation to the driver, thus preventing any interruption of the driving flow due to the selection of a driver assistance system. This reduces the driver's distraction from the current driving situation. Furthermore, it allows for a smooth transition between different driver assistance systems while driving.

[0004] According to the invention, this is achieved by the method for assisting a driver of a vehicle comprising the following steps: The first step involves gathering environmental information about the vehicle's surroundings. The second step involves determining the vehicle's position and / or movement based on this environmental information. The third step involves recognizing possible driving maneuvers using the vehicle's position and / or movement. The fourth step involves determining the probability of each recognized driving maneuver and whether it is one intended by the driver. The fifth step involves providing the driver with information about the most probable driving maneuver and / or automatically executing that maneuver.

[0005] In other words, the method uses environmental information to determine which driving maneuver is most likely to be performed by the driver and to output the driving maneuvers to the driver and / or to automatically execute the driving maneuver with the highest probability.

[0006] The dependent claims describe preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0007] Preferably, the method comprises the following steps. A sixth step involves identifying the driver assistance system most likely to be used in the driving maneuver. A seventh step involves suggesting the use of the identified driver assistance system to the driver and / or activating the most likely driver assistance system. An advantage of this embodiment is that not only a specific driving maneuver, but also a corresponding driver assistance system is suggested to the driver. This makes it easier for the driver to select the appropriate driver assistance system for the given driving situation and thus reduces the driver's distraction from the traffic situation.

[0008] Preferably, the recognition of driving maneuvers is achieved using a fixed classification and / or a machine learning method, in particular artificial intelligence methods. An advantage of this embodiment is the reliable recognition and reliable assignment of a driving maneuver to the driving maneuver actually performed by the driver.

[0009] Particularly preferred for recognizing driving maneuvers are stored information about previous driving situations and the suggested driving maneuvers confirmed or rejected by the driver, whereby the driving situation includes the vehicle's position, speed, and surrounding objects. Preferably, stored information about which driving maneuver was performed by the driver in which situation is considered for recognizing driving maneuvers, with previously unknown driving maneuvers being added to the stored information. Preferably, stored information about which driver assistance system was activated or deactivated by the driver in which situation is considered for recognizing driving maneuvers. Stored information about how the driver overruled selected driving maneuvers is also considered. Particularly preferred is the consideration of all the aforementioned stored information.One advantage of these embodiments is that the driver's previous behavior regarding the driving situation and / or the suggestions made by the system is stored and taken into account when selecting the driving maneuver to be recognized. This increases the probability of recognizing a driving maneuver performed or desired by the driver.

[0010] Preferably, the above-mentioned stored information is stored on an internal storage medium in the vehicle. An advantage of this embodiment can be that the method is independent of external influences, since the method does not rely on a connection to any other external device to incorporate the stored information.

[0011] Alternatively or additionally, the above-mentioned stored information is stored on an external storage medium located outside the vehicle. An advantage of this embodiment is that it can accommodate further information, particularly information originating from other vehicles. Specifically, the external storage medium is configured so that multiple vehicles can store and / or retrieve information from it. In particular, the information stored on the external storage medium includes the driving trajectories of other vehicles in the vicinity that also access the external storage medium. Thus, the vehicle and / or other vehicles in the vicinity store their own driving trajectories on the external storage medium, specifically on a map within the external storage medium.The vehicle can access the driving trajectories of other vehicles in its vicinity via the external storage medium and take them into account when recognizing driving maneuvers. An advantage of this design can be that complex driving maneuvers in complex traffic situations are more easily categorized and the complex maneuvers are more readily recognizable.

[0012] Preferably, information about parking functions previously selected by the driver, the driver's configuration of the parking function, and simultaneously recorded environmental features are stored. The parking function, its associated configuration, and the environmental features are linked and stored as information about the driving maneuver. The environmental features primarily include the vehicle's GPS position. This GPS position can be acquired independently by the vehicle and / or received and / or queried from an external device. Specifically, the environmental features include the vehicle's localization information, which is determined using data from a camera, radar, and / or lidar.One advantage of this design may be that parking and / or exiting maneuvers of the vehicle are better recognized and executed according to the driver's wishes.

[0013] Vehicle localization information includes the vehicle's distance to surrounding objects and / or its orientation relative to its environment. Specifically, the driver selects and configures the parking function via a display unit and a control unit. An advantage of this design is that the driver can actively predefine a preferred parking function or assistance system and a preferred parking position for one or more parking situations. This makes it possible, particularly in recurring parking situations, to automatically display the driver's preferred parking function and its corresponding configuration upon detection of the situation. This increases driver comfort.

[0014] Preferably, the stored environmental features are compared with currently detected environmental features to detect driving maneuvers. In particular, all of the environmental features listed above are taken into account when detecting the driving maneuver. An advantage of this embodiment can be that the reliability of detecting current driving maneuvers increases.

[0015] The method particularly favors the recording of additional driving maneuvers performed by the driver in various driving situations, maneuvers that were previously unknown to the system. These additional maneuvers are taken into account during maneuver recognition. The system considers these maneuvers when selecting the maneuver to be recognized and displays the corresponding information to the driver. An advantage of this embodiment is that the system can learn and store additional driving maneuvers beyond those already known. This allows the method to adapt to situations involving new driving maneuvers.

[0016] Furthermore, the invention comprises a vehicle comprising a control unit according to one of the aforementioned embodiments, sensors for environmental perception, output devices configured to output information to the driver and to receive input from the driver, and assistance systems configured to support the driver in various driving situations. The control unit is connected to the sensors, the output devices, and the assistance system for signal exchange.

[0017] Furthermore, the invention comprises a computer program configured to perform a method according to one of the preceding embodiments. The invention also comprises a machine-readable storage medium on which a computer program according to the preceding embodiment is stored. Brief description of the drawings

[0018] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a vehicle comprising a control unit according to a first embodiment of the invention, and Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a method according to the first embodiment of the invention. Embodiments of the invention

[0019] Preferably, all identical elements, units and / or assemblies in all figures have the same reference symbols.

[0020] Fig. Figure 1 shows a vehicle 10 with a control unit 30 according to a first embodiment. The vehicle 10 has sensors 40, 50 for detecting its surroundings 20. The vehicle 10 has output devices, a screen and a speaker, which are configured to output information to the driver and to receive input from the driver. The vehicle 10 has driver assistance systems which are configured to support the driver in various driving situations. The control unit 30 is connected to the sensors 40, 50, the output devices, and the driver assistance system for signal exchange.

[0021] Fig.Figure 2 shows a method 100 according to the first embodiment of the invention. The method 100 for supporting the driver of the vehicle 10 comprises the following steps. A first step 101 comprises determining environmental information about the vehicle 10's surroundings. A second step 102 comprises determining the position and / or movement of the vehicle 10 based on the environmental information. A third step 103 comprises recognizing possible driving maneuvers using the position and / or movement of the vehicle 10. A fourth step 104 comprises determining the probabilities of the recognized driving maneuvers, specifically whether the recognized driving maneuvers correspond to a driving maneuver intended by the driver. A fifth step 105 comprises outputting information about the driving maneuver with the highest probability to the driver and / or automatically executing the driving maneuver with the highest probability.

[0022] The information regarding the most probable driving maneuver is displayed visually, specifically showing the direction of travel and distance. Additionally, the information is also displayed audibly as an instruction. Furthermore, the information is conveyed by applying a steering torque to the vehicle's steering wheel. This steering torque corresponds to the execution of the most probable driving maneuver. Executing the most probable driving maneuver involves automated lateral and / or longitudinal control of the vehicle. Before executing the most probable driving maneuver, the system requests and / or receives authorization from the driver.

[0023] The recognition of driving maneuvers (103) is performed using a fixed classification. Alternatively, the recognition of driving maneuvers (103) can be performed using machine learning methods, particularly AI. The following stored information is considered for the recognition of driving maneuvers (103). This includes stored information about previous driving situations and the suggested driving maneuvers confirmed or rejected by the driver. The driving situation encompasses the vehicle's position, speed, and surrounding objects. The stored information also includes which driving maneuver was performed by the driver in which situation, with previously unknown driving maneuvers being added to the stored information. Furthermore, the stored information includes which driver assistance system was activated or deactivated by the driver in which situation.The stored information includes details about how the driver overruled selected driving maneuvers. The recognition of driving maneuvers includes a calculation of possible driving vectors for the vehicle.

[0024] Information about previously selected parking functions, the driver's selected parking function configuration, and simultaneously recorded environmental features is stored. The parking function, its associated configuration, and the environmental features are linked and stored as information about the driving maneuver. The environmental features include the vehicle's GPS position (10). This GPS position can be acquired independently by the vehicle (10) and / or received and / or queried from an external device. The environmental features also include the vehicle's (10) localization information, which is determined using data from a camera (50) and a lidar.

[0025] The vehicle's localization information includes the vehicle's distance to surrounding objects and / or its orientation relative to its surroundings. The driver selects and configures the parking function via a display and control unit. Thus, the system defines predefined and preferred parking functions, or preferred assistance systems, and a preferred parking position for one or more parking situations. These preferred driver inputs are assigned the highest probability of fulfilling the driver's wishes in the recognition of driving maneuvers, given the same parking situation. To recognize driving maneuvers, the stored environmental features are compared with currently detected environmental features. All of the environmental features listed above are taken into account when recognizing the driving maneuver.

[0026] The system records additional driving maneuvers performed by the driver in various driving situations, which were previously unknown to the system. These additional maneuvers are taken into account in the maneuver recognition process. The driver's additional maneuvers are considered when selecting the maneuver to be recognized and are displayed to the driver accordingly.

Claims

[1] Method (100) to assist a driver of a vehicle (10) comprising the steps: - Determining (101) environmental information of a vehicle environment of the vehicle (10), - Determining (102) the position (10) of the vehicle and / or movement (10) based on the environmental information, - Recognizing (103) possible driving maneuvers by means of the position and / or movement of the vehicle (10), - Determine (104) a respective probability of the detected driving maneuvers, whether the detected driving maneuver is a driving maneuver intended by the driver, and - Output (106) information about the driving maneuver with the highest probability to the driver and / or automated execution of the driving maneuver with the highest probability. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by the steps: - Determine (103b) a driver assistance system which is most likely to be associated with the driving maneuver, and - Issuing (106) a suggestion to the driver to use the identified driver assistance system and / or activating the identified driver assistance system with the highest probability. [3] Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that fixed classification and / or machine learning methods, in particular AI, are used to detect (103) the driving maneuvers. [4] Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the following stored information is taken into account for the recognition (103) of the driving maneuvers: - stored information about previous driving situations and the suggested driving maneuvers confirmed or rejected by the driver, wherein the driving situation includes the positions, speeds and surrounding objects of the vehicle (10) in the vehicle environment, and / or - stored information about parking functions previously specified by the driver, the configuration of the parking function specified by the driver, and simultaneously recorded environmental features, wherein the parking function, the configuration associated with the parking function and the environmental features are linked together and stored as information about the driving maneuver, and / or - stored information about which driving maneuver was performed by the driver in which situation, whereby previously unknown driving maneuvers are added to the stored information, and / or - stored information about which driver assistance system was activated or deactivated by the driver in which situation and / or, - stored information about how the driver overruled selected driving maneuvers, - where this information is stored on an internal storage medium in the vehicle and / or can be retrieved from an external storage medium. [5] Method (100) according to claim 4, characterized by , that to detect the driving maneuvers (103) the stored environmental features are compared with currently detected environmental features. [6] Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized by , that - additional driving maneuvers of the driver in various driving situations are recorded, - the additional driving maneuvers are taken into account in the detection (103) of driving maneuvers, and - the additional driving maneuvers of the driver can be output (106). [7] Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that - the detection (103) of driving maneuvers, a calculation of possible driving vectors for the vehicle (10) has. [8] Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the output (106) of the information about the driving maneuver is most likely to: - visually, in particular by displaying the direction of travel and distance and / or the travel vectors, and / or - acoustically, especially by means of instructions, and / or - is designed as a steering torque applied to a steering wheel, wherein the current steering torque of the vehicle (10) performs the proposed driving maneuver with the highest probability. [9] Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the execution of the driving maneuver most likely involves automated lateral control and / or automated longitudinal control of the vehicle, - where the automated lateral control and / or the automated longitudinal control is most likely to execute the proposed driving maneuver, and - whereby, prior to execution, the driver preferably receives approval for automated lateral and / or longitudinal control. [10] Control unit (30) which is configured to perform a method according to any of the preceding claims. [11] vehicle (10) - a control unit (30) according to claim 10, - Sensors (40, 50) for environmental perception, - Output devices, in particular screens and speakers, and - Assistance system designed to support the driver in various driving situations, - wherein the control unit is connected for signal exchange with the sensors (40, 50) and with the output devices and the assistance system. [12] Computer program which is configured to execute a method according to any one of claims 1 to 9. [13] Machine-readable storage medium on which a computer program according to claim 12 is stored.

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