METHOD FOR OPERATING A DRIVER ASSISTANCE SYSTEM OF A MOTOR VEHICLE AND A MOTOR VEHICLE WITH AN ELECTRONIC COMPUTING DEVICE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for operating a driver assistance system of a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle with an electronic computing device.

[0002] Driver assistance functions of a vehicle's driver assistance system, which are only active when a gear is engaged, require a signal to detect whether a gear is engaged or not (neutral). Vehicles with manual transmissions do not have a clear indicator of the gear selector lever's position. Therefore, it is not always clear whether the vehicle is rolling or moving forward. This can lead to a situation where the driver intentionally starts moving, but the driver assistance system assumes that a gear is engaged, even though one is. In this case, the driver assistance function might be deactivated, even though the driver needs its support. Conversely, a faulty detection can also occur.In this situation, the vehicle can start rolling from a standstill, and the driver assistance system may detect that a gear is engaged. This can lead to the driver assistance function being activated incorrectly.

[0003] From DE 697 22 974 T2, a manually shifted motor vehicle transmission system is known which has a means for detecting a transmission neutral condition and a means for determining a forward target gear stage. Based on the rotational speeds of an input shaft and an output shaft, a logic is used to determine whether a gear is engaged or whether the transmission is in neutral.

[0004] Furthermore, DE 102011 007 641 A1 discloses a motor vehicle with a manual gear selector lever, a manual transmission, and a clutch between the manual transmission and the drive motor, which is operated by the driver via a clutch pedal. In this system, a control unit can determine the shift position and recognize the transmission state "gear engaged".

[0005] Furthermore, generic patent DE 10 2005 024 617 A1 discloses a method for operating a driver assistance system in which wheel speed information and clutch pedal position information are received. If the clutch pedal position information represents an engaged state, the gear ratio is determined using a measured engine speed. This gear ratio, in turn, is used to operate the driver assistance system.

[0006] Furthermore, EP 1 726 502 A2 discloses a method for determining the gear ratio of a motor vehicle. In this method, a first rotational speed value representing the rotational speed of at least one wheel of the motor vehicle and a second rotational speed value representing the rotational speed of an engine of the motor vehicle are recorded. In addition, a value representing the clutch state is recorded. The gear ratio is determined as a function of the recorded rotational speed values ​​when the value representing the clutch state indicates the engaged state.

[0007] Furthermore, a gear position determination device is known from EP 1 930 631 A2. This device determines whether a neutral gear is engaged in a transmission when a gear, estimated based on a ratio between engine speed and vehicle speed, changes without engaging and disengaging the clutch.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a method for operating a driver assistance system of a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle with an electronic computing device, by means of which a setting of a transmission of the motor vehicle can be determined particularly easily and depending on this a driver assistance system can be operated particularly advantageously.

[0009] This problem is solved according to the invention by a method for operating a driver assistance system of a motor vehicle and by a motor vehicle with an electronic computing device having the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments with expedient further developments of the invention are specified in the respective dependent claims and in the following description.

[0010] A first aspect of the invention relates to a method for operating a driver assistance system of a motor vehicle, in which at least one wheel speed information, characterizing the wheel speed of at least one wheel of the motor vehicle, is received by means of an electronic computing device from a rotation detection device connected to the at least one wheel. This means that the respective wheel speed of at least one wheel of the motor vehicle is determined by means of the rotation detection device and provided to the electronic computing device as the respective wheel speed information. Using the wheel speed information, it can be determined whether the motor vehicle is moving or stationary. Thus, a driving state of the motor vehicle, characterizing its movement, can be determined.

[0011] Furthermore, the electronic computer checks whether the vehicle is stationary or not. If the vehicle is stationary, it checks whether wheel ticks are occurring. If the next check, which can be performed at a later time than the previous one, indicates that wheel ticks are occurring, the system determines, based on the clutch pedal position or a change in clutch pedal position, whether the clutch pedal is continuously in the up or down position during a change in wheel speed or a change in driving condition from the vehicle's standstill until the wheel ticks occur. In either of these cases, it is determined that the transmission is in neutral.If a change in clutch pedal position from the bottom position to the top position is detected during the change in wheel ticks, it is checked whether the engine speed rises above a threshold value within a certain time window.

[0012] Upon determining that the vehicle is not stationary, it is determined whether the vehicle is rolling backwards and the reversing lights are deactivated. If it is determined that the vehicle is not rolling backwards and the reversing lights are not deactivated, it is checked whether the clutch pedal is in the depressed position, thus setting the transmission to neutral. If the clutch pedal is not in the depressed position, it is checked whether the engine speed rises above the threshold within the specified time window. If it is determined that the engine speed does not rise, it is determined that the transmission is in neutral. If it is determined that the engine speed does rise, it is determined that a gear is engaged in the transmission.

[0013] Upon determining that the vehicle is not stationary, is rolling backwards, and that the reversing lights are deactivated, the system checks whether the clutch pedal position changes from the bottom to the top position after the vehicle is detected rolling backwards. If the system determines that the clutch pedal position does not change, it determines that the transmission is in neutral. If the system determines that the clutch pedal position does change, it checks whether the vehicle changes direction as a result of the clutch pedal position change.

[0014] If it is determined that the direction of the motor vehicle is changing, it is determined that the gear is engaged in the transmission, and if it is determined that the direction change is due to a change in the clutch pedal position, it is determined that the transmission is in neutral.

[0015] The vehicle's driver assistance system is operated depending on the comparison.

[0016] Accordingly, the electronic processing unit determines whether the vehicle is rolling backwards and whether the reversing lights are activated. Furthermore, the electronic processing unit receives at least one clutch pedal position signal, which characterizes the position of the vehicle's clutch pedal, from a position detection device. In other words, the position detection device detects the position of the vehicle's clutch pedal and provides the clutch pedal position information to the electronic processing unit based on this detected position.Upon receiving at least one wheel speed information and at least one clutch pedal position information, the electronic computing unit determines whether the vehicle's transmission is in gear or neutral. This comparison is based on whether the electronic computing unit has determined that the vehicle is rolling backwards and the reversing lights are deactivated, or that the vehicle is not rolling backwards and the reversing lights are activated, and takes into account any changes in wheel speed. The electronic computing unit then operates the vehicle's driver assistance system based on this comparison.Using at least one wheel speed information and at least one clutch pedal position information, it is particularly easy, for example, to determine via control logic whether the vehicle's transmission is in neutral or in gear. As a result of determining whether the transmission is in gear or in neutral, the driver assistance system can be operated particularly effectively, since, for example, the driver receives different support from the system when the transmission is in gear than when it is in neutral.

[0017] In this context, it has proven advantageous if, by means of the electronic computing device, a driver assistance function of the driver assistance system is activated when the selected gear is determined and deactivated when neutral is determined. For example, a first driver assistance function of the driver assistance system is activated when the selected gear is determined and deactivated when neutral is determined, while a second driver assistance function, different from the first, is deactivated when the selected gear is determined and activated when neutral is determined.This allows the driver of the motor vehicle to be advantageously supported by the first driver assistance function when driving the vehicle using the selected gear, while the driver is supported by the second driver assistance function when the transmission is in neutral. This enables the driver assistance system to operate depending on the driver's decision to engage a gear or select neutral.

[0018] In a further embodiment of the invention, it has proven advantageous if the at least one wheel speed information characterizes the respective wheel speed of all wheels of the motor vehicle. This means that all speeds of the respective wheels of the motor vehicle are determined by means of the rotational speed detection device and provided to the electronic computing unit as the at least one wheel speed information. This makes it possible to determine, based on the at least one wheel speed information, whether the entire motor vehicle is stationary or moving. Furthermore, an erroneous assessment of the vehicle's driving state can be avoided, at least substantially, since not just one wheel of the motor vehicle, but all wheels of the motor vehicle are included in the determination of the vehicle's driving state with respect to their respective speeds.If only the rotational speed of one wheel of the motor vehicle were recorded, the driving condition of the motor vehicle could be incorrectly determined, for example due to the wheel being suspended in the air, so that it can rotate freely even though the motor vehicle is not moving.

[0019] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the electronic computing device receives a first wheel speed information, which characterizes the wheel speed of at least one wheel of the motor vehicle at a first time point in time, and receives at least a second wheel speed information, which characterizes the wheel speed of at least one wheel of the motor vehicle at a second time point different from the first time point in time. This means that the electronic computing device can determine the driving state of the motor vehicle at the first time point in time based on the first wheel speed information, and the driving state of the motor vehicle at the second time point in time based on the second wheel speed information. This enables the determination of a change in the driving state of the motor vehicle between the first time point in time and the second time point in time.For example, the driver assistance system can be operated by means of the electronic computing device depending on the change in the driving state of the vehicle.

[0020] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the electronic computing device receives a first clutch pedal position information, which characterizes the position of the vehicle's clutch pedal at a first time point in time, and receives at least a second clutch pedal position information, which characterizes the position of the vehicle's clutch pedal at a second time point different from the first. In other words, the electronic computing device receives both the first clutch pedal position information and the second clutch pedal position information, with each clutch pedal position information characterizing the position of the vehicle's clutch pedal at different times in time.This makes it possible for the electronic computing unit to determine a change in clutch pedal position between the first and second points in time. For example, the driver assistance system can be operated depending on the change in clutch pedal position between the first and second points in time. Specifically, the driver assistance system can be operated both depending on a change in wheel speed information and thus the change in the driving state, and depending on the change in clutch pedal position between the respective points in time, where the first point in time corresponds to the first point in time of the first wheel speed information and the second point in time corresponds to the second point in time of the second clutch pedal position information.

[0021] In a further embodiment of the invention, the electronic computing unit receives at least one directional signal from a motion sensor of the motor vehicle. This at least one directional signal characterizes the direction of movement of the motor vehicle, so that the electronic computing unit incorporates this at least one directional signal into its calculations. In other words, the motion sensor detects the direction of movement of the motor vehicle and provides it to the electronic computing unit as directional information. The electronic computing unit then operates the driver assistance system based on this directional information. For example, the directional information can indicate whether the motor vehicle is moving forward or backward.Furthermore, the electronic computing device can receive initial directional information characterizing the vehicle's direction of travel at a first point in time, and at least a second directional information characterizing the vehicle's direction of travel at a second point in time different from the first. This allows for the determination of any change in the vehicle's direction of travel between the first and second points in time. This change in direction between the first and second points in time can then be included in the comparison, and the driver assistance system can subsequently be operated based on this comparison.

[0022] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that at least one engine speed information, which characterizes the rotational speed of a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine, is received by an engine speed detection device by means of the electronic computing device, and that the at least one engine speed information is included in the comparison by means of the electronic computing device. For example, a first engine speed information, which characterizes the rotational speed of the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine at a first time point in time, and a second engine speed information, which characterizes the rotational speed of the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine at a second time point in time different from the first time point in time, can be received by means of the electronic computing device.The engine speed sensor detects the current crankshaft speed of the internal combustion engine at each moment and provides this information to the electronic control unit. Based on the first and second engine speed readings, the electronic control unit calculates the change in engine speed corresponding to the change in crankshaft speed between these two points in time. The driver assistance system can then be operated based on this change in engine speed. For example, the electronic control unit can detect an increase or decrease in crankshaft speed between the first and second points in time and, based on this, determine the selected gear or neutral position of the transmission via the control logic.

[0023] A second aspect of the invention relates to a motor vehicle with an electronic computing device which is equipped to carry out a method as has already been described in connection with the method according to the invention.

[0024] The invention also includes further developments and advantages of the motor vehicle according to the invention, which exhibit features already described in connection with the further developments and advantages of the method according to the invention. For this reason, the corresponding further developments and advantages of the motor vehicle according to the invention are not described again here.

[0025] An embodiment of the invention is described below. The following is shown: Fig. 1 shows a first part of a first non-inventive method scheme for determining whether, in a motor vehicle initially at rest, the driver has selected a gear or neutral in the transmission of the motor vehicle; Fig. 2 shows a second part of the first method scheme by means of which, for a moving motor vehicle, it can be determined whether the transmission of the motor vehicle is in gear or neutral; and Fig. 3 shows a method scheme related to the method described in the Fig. 1 and 2 The first procedure shown is different, the second procedure is for determining whether the motor vehicle's transmission is in gear or neutral.

[0026] In the figures, functionally identical elements are each provided with the same reference symbols.

[0027] In the Fig. 1 and 2 The respective parts V11 and V12 of a first alternative procedure scheme are shown and in Fig. 3A second procedure scheme, V2, is shown, each designed to support an electronic computing unit of a motor vehicle in determining whether a gear or neutral is engaged in the vehicle's transmission. The respective procedure schemes are implemented using control logic within the electronic computing unit to operate a driver assistance system of the vehicle depending on the gear or neutral position selected in the transmission.

[0028] The electronic computer of the motor vehicle receives at least one wheel speed signal, characterizing the wheel speed of at least one wheel of the motor vehicle, from a rotation detection device connected to that wheel. This at least one wheel speed signal can characterize the respective wheel speed of all wheels of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, the electronic computer receives at least one clutch pedal position signal, characterizing the position of a clutch pedal of the motor vehicle, from a position detection device. This clutch pedal position signal characterizes whether the clutch pedal is in the up position, the down position, or a slipping position.The clutch pedal's up position indicates that a clutch connected to the pedal is engaged to select the gear or neutral position in the transmission. The clutch pedal's down position indicates that the clutch is disengaged, while the slip position represents an intermediate position where the clutch is neither fully engaged nor fully disengaged, and power transmission occurs within the clutch with some clutch slippage. The position sensing device can detect the up, down, and slip positions of the clutch pedal and provide the corresponding clutch pedal position information to the electronic control unit.The electronic computing unit then compares at least one wheel speed information with at least one clutch pedal position information to determine the selected gear or neutral position of the vehicle's transmission. The vehicle's driver assistance system is then operated based on this comparison. To determine whether the vehicle is starting from a standstill due to a selected gear or rolling from a neutral position, the clutch pedal position and an evaluation of the wheel speed information characterizing the respective wheel speeds of the vehicle's wheels are used. A distinction must be made here between whether the vehicle is stationary or moving.

[0029] The comparison is performed using the electronic computing device, based on one of the procedure schemes described in the figures. The procedure schemes shown in the figures will be discussed in more detail later.

[0030] Using the electronic computing unit, a driver assistance function of the driver assistance system can be activated when the selected gear is determined and deactivated when neutral is determined, depending on the comparison. For the comparison, a change in wheel speed, a change in driving conditions, a change in clutch pedal position, a change in direction, and / or a change in engine speed can also be included. These changes are understood to mean a change in a respective operating parameter from a first point in time compared to a second point in time that differs from the first.The respective operating parameters describe a wheel speed of at least one wheel of the motor vehicle, or at least a position of a clutch pedal of the motor vehicle, or at least a direction of movement of the motor vehicle, or at least a speed of a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine of the motor vehicle.

[0031] In Fig. 1The first part, V11, is shown, which assumes the vehicle is stationary. This means that the control logic, by which the electronic computing unit determines the selected gear or neutral position of the vehicle's transmission, starts with the first part, V11, of the first procedure diagram, provided the vehicle is assumed to be stationary. In the first procedure step, 10, it is checked whether the vehicle is stationary. For example, if directional information is provided to the electronic computing unit by a motion sensor in the vehicle, and this directional information characterizes a stationary vehicle, then the electronic computing unit determines that the vehicle is stationary.If the standstill is detected by the electronic computing device, the control logic follows a logic arrow labeled J for "yes" to a second process step 11 or to a sixth process step 15.

[0032] In the second process step 11, once a standstill has been detected, it is checked whether the clutch pedal is in the down position. If the electronic control unit receives clutch pedal position information from the position detection unit indicating that the clutch pedal is in the down position, the control logic follows the logic arrow labeled J for "yes" to a third process step 12. In this step, it is checked whether the clutch pedal leaves the down position, thus indicating a change in clutch pedal position. If a change in the down position is detected, the control logic follows the logic arrow labeled J to a fourth process step 13. In this fourth process step 13, it is checked whether a defined number of required wheel ticks with respect to a predetermined wheel speed are reached first, or whether the clutch pedal is in the up position first.If the defined number of required wheel ticks with respect to the predetermined wheel speed is reached before the clutch pedal is in the up position, the control logic follows the logic arrow labeled J, and the electronic computing unit determines that the vehicle is moving and gear G is engaged. If, in the fourth process step 13, it is determined that a defined number of required wheel ticks was not reached between leaving the down position and reaching the up position of the clutch pedal (number of wheel ticks = False), the control logic follows the logic arrow labeled N for "no," and the electronic computing unit determines that no gear is engaged and therefore neutral (L) is selected in the transmission.

[0033] If, in the second process step 11, it is determined that the clutch pedal has not reached its bottom position, the control logic follows the logic arrow marked N for "no" to the fifth process step 14. If, in the third process step 12, it is determined that the clutch pedal does not leave its bottom position, the control logic follows the logic arrow marked N for "no" and also arrives at the fifth process step 14. In the fifth process step 14, it is checked whether wheel ticks are occurring, and thus whether at least one wheel of the vehicle, characterized by the wheel speed information, has a wheel speed greater than 0. If the electronic computing unit determines that no wheel ticks are occurring, the control logic follows the logic arrow marked N for "no" to the first process step 10.If the control logic determines that wheel ticks are occurring, the control logic follows the logic arrow marked J for "yes" and the electronic computing device determines that no gear, but rather neutral L, is set in the transmission.

[0034] If the control logic determines in the first process step 10 that the vehicle is stationary, it can follow the logic arrow marked "J" for "yes" to the sixth process step 15 instead of the second process step 11. In the sixth process step 15, it is checked whether the clutch pedal has reached its top position. If the clutch pedal has not reached its top position, the control logic follows the logic arrow marked "N" for "no" to the fifth process step 14. If the electronic computer determines that the clutch pedal has reached its top position, the control logic follows the logic arrow marked "J" for "yes" to the seventh process step 16, which checks whether wheel ticks are occurring. If the electronic computer determines that no wheel ticks are occurring, the control logic follows the logic arrow marked "N" for "no" to the first process step 10.If, in the seventh process step 16, it is determined that wheel clicks are occurring, the control logic follows the logic arrow marked J for "yes," and the electronic computing unit determines that the transmission is in neutral (L) and not in gear. If the electronic computing unit determines that the transmission is in neutral and the vehicle's motion sensor detects movement, the control logic follows the logic arrow to the second part of the first process scheme V12. Alternatively or additionally, after the first process step 10, the control logic can follow a logic arrow (not shown) to the second part V12 of the first process scheme, provided the electronic computing unit determines that the vehicle is not stationary.

[0035] If the electronic computer determines that the vehicle is not stationary, the control logic follows the second part V12 of the first procedure. The second part V12 of the first procedure begins with an eighth procedure step 20, which checks whether the vehicle is rolling backward and whether the vehicle's reversing lights are switched off. If the electronic computer determines that the vehicle is rolling backward and the reversing lights are switched off, the control logic follows the logic arrow marked J for "yes" to a ninth procedure step 21, which checks whether the clutch pedal is in the slip position.If the electronic control unit determines that the clutch pedal is not in the slip position, the control logic follows the logic arrow marked N for "no" and determines that the vehicle is moving backwards in a rolling motion and therefore the transmission is in neutral (L). If the electronic control unit determines that the clutch pedal is in the slip position, the control logic follows the logic arrow marked J for "yes" to a tenth process step 22, in which it is checked whether the vehicle is changing direction and is now moving forward. If the electronic control unit determines that the direction of movement is not changing, the control logic follows the logic arrow marked N for "no" and the electronic control unit determines that the transmission is in neutral (L).If, however, the electronic computing device determines that a change in the direction of movement has occurred, the control logic follows the logic arrow marked J for "yes" and the electronic computing device determines that the motor vehicle starts moving and thus gear G is engaged in the transmission.

[0036] If, in the eighth process step 20, it is determined that the vehicle is not rolling backwards, the control logic follows the logic arrow marked N for "no" and the electronic computing unit determines that the vehicle is rolling forwards and therefore neutral (L) is engaged in the transmission. If, subsequently, in an eleventh process step 24, in which it is checked whether the clutch pedal is in the down position, the electronic computing unit determines that the clutch pedal is not in the down position, the control logic follows the logic arrow marked N for "no" and the electronic computing unit determines that neutral (L) is engaged in the transmission.If, in the eleventh process step 24, the electronic computing unit determines that the clutch pedal has reached its lowest position, the control logic follows the logic arrow marked J for "yes" to the twelfth process step 25, which checks whether the engine speed rises above a threshold value within a specific time window and the clutch pedal is in its slip position. If the engine speed does not rise above the threshold value within the specified time window and the clutch pedal is not in its slip position, the control logic follows the logic arrow marked N for "no," and the electronic computing unit determines that the transmission is in neutral (L).If the electronic control unit determines that the engine speed exceeds the threshold within the specified time window and the clutch pedal is in the slip position, the control logic follows the logic arrow labeled J for "yes" and determines that gear G is engaged in the transmission. After determining that gear G is engaged, the control logic can, in a thirteenth step (23), check whether the clutch pedal is in the down position. If the electronic control unit determines that the clutch pedal is not in the down position, the control logic follows the logic arrow labeled N for "no" and determines that gear G is engaged in the transmission.If the electronic computing device determines in the thirteenth process step 23 that the clutch pedal has reached the down position, the control logic follows the logic arrow marked J for "yes" to the twelfth process step 25.

[0037] In the first scenario, if the vehicle is stationary, the electronic control unit can determine this state based on the driving condition and / or wheel speed information. With the clutch pedal in the down position, the driver can select a preferred gear using the gear selector of the mechanical transmission. If the vehicle moves immediately after releasing the clutch pedal, the selected gear is engaged. Additionally, a defined number of wheel clicks (in this case, clicks from all four wheels) is evaluated. Once this number of clicks is reached, the system assumes the vehicle is moving forward. The driver assistance system is then activated by the electronic control unit and can provide support to the driver.When the clutch pedal reaches its top position and fewer than the required defined number of wheel clicks are detected, it can be assumed that gear G is not engaged and that the transmission is in neutral L. All subsequent vehicle movements without moving the clutch pedal or changing its position will occur without a gear engaged. The vehicle is therefore in coasting gear or undergoing a towing operation. The driver assistance system is deactivated in this situation by the electronic control unit.

[0038] In a second scenario, if the vehicle is rolling, the electronic control unit can detect its movement. If the clutch pedal is in the slip position and the vehicle changes direction, gear G is engaged in the transmission. Directional sensors are used to detect the direction of movement. Additionally, an increase in engine speed can also be monitored.

[0039] In particular, the individual procedural steps of the first procedural scheme are at least partially staggered in time and thus occur at different times.

[0040] In Fig. 3Figure 2 shows a process scheme V2 for a control logic according to the invention. In a first query 1, it is checked whether the motor vehicle is stationary. If the electronic computing device determines that the motor vehicle is stationary, the control logic follows the logic arrow marked J for "yes" to a second query 2. In the second query 2, it is checked whether wheel ticks are occurring. If the electronic computing device determines that no wheel ticks are occurring, the control logic follows the logic arrow marked N for "no" back to the first query 1.If, in the second query 2, which can be performed with a time delay compared to the first query 1, the electronic computing unit determines that wheel ticks are occurring, the control logic follows one of the logic arrows labeled J for "yes" depending on the position of the clutch pedal or a change in clutch pedal position. If the electronic computing unit determines that, during a change in wheel speed or a change in driving state from the vehicle being stationary to the occurrence of the wheel ticks, the clutch pedal is continuously in the up position or continuously in the down position, the electronic computing unit determines that the transmission is in neutral (L).If the electronic computing device determines that a clutch pedal position change from the bottom position of the clutch pedal to the top position of the clutch pedal occurred during the change of the wheel ticks, the control logic follows the logic arrow to a fifth query 5, which will be explained in more detail later.

[0041] If the electronic computer determines in the first query 1 that the vehicle is not stationary, the control logic follows the logic arrow marked N for "no" to a third query 3. The third query 3 checks whether the vehicle is rolling backward and whether the reversing lights are deactivated. If the electronic computer determines that the vehicle is rolling backward, the control logic proceeds to a third query 3. does not roll backwards and that Reversing lights not deactivatedIf the clutch pedal is in the down position, the control logic follows the logic arrow marked N for "no" to a sixth query 6, which checks whether the clutch pedal is in the down position. This negation eliminates two further cases. The first case is that the vehicle is rolling forward without a reverse gear engaged. The second case is that the vehicle is rolling backward with a reverse gear engaged. If the electronic processing unit determines that the clutch pedal is in the down position, the control logic follows the logic arrow marked J for "yes," and the electronic processing unit determines that the transmission is in neutral (L).If, however, the electronic control unit determines in the sixth query (6) that the clutch pedal is not in the down position, the control logic follows the logic arrow labeled "N" for "no" to the fifth query (5). The fifth query (5) checks whether the engine speed exceeds the threshold value within the specified time window. If the electronic control unit determines that the engine speed does not exceed the threshold value within the specified time window, the control logic follows the logic arrow labeled "N" for "no" and the electronic control unit determines that the transmission is in neutral (L).If, however, the electronic computing device determines as a result of the fifth query 5 that the engine speed rises above the threshold value in the specified time window, the control logic follows the logic arrow marked J for "yes" and the electronic computing device determines that gear G is engaged in the transmission.

[0042] If the electronic control unit determines in the third query 3 that the vehicle is rolling backward and the reversing lights are deactivated, the control logic follows the logic arrow labeled J for "yes" to a seventh query 7, which checks whether the clutch pedal position has changed from the down position to the up position after the vehicle was detected rolling backward. If the electronic control unit determines that the clutch pedal position has not changed, the control logic follows the logic arrow labeled N for "no" and determines that the transmission is in neutral (L). If, as a result of the seventh query 7, the electronic control unit determines that the clutch pedal position has changed, the control logic follows the logic arrow labeled J for "yes" to a fourth query 4.In the fourth query (4), the system checks whether the change in clutch pedal position results in a change of direction for the vehicle. If the electronic computer determines that the vehicle's direction has changed, the control logic follows the logic arrow labeled "J" for "yes," and the electronic computer determines that gear G is engaged in the transmission. Conversely, if the electronic computer determines that the change in direction resulted from the change in clutch pedal position, the control logic follows the logic arrow labeled "N" for "no," and the electronic computer determines that neutral (L) is engaged in the transmission. The respective queries associated with the second procedure can be performed at least partially with a time delay.

[0043] Overall, the example shows how the invention makes it possible to distinguish between starting and rolling in motor vehicles with a manual transmission. Reference symbol list

[0044] 1. First query 2. Second query 3. Third query 4. Fourth query 5. Fifth query 6. Sixth query 7. Seventh query 10. First process step 11. Second process step 12. Third process step 13. Fourth process step 14. Fifth process step 15. Sixth process step 16. Seventh process step 20. Eighth process step 21. Ninth process step 22. Tenth process step 23. Thirteenth process step 24. Eleventh process step 25. Twelfth process step L Idle GG Walk V11 First part of a first process scheme V12 Second part of the first process scheme V2 Second process scheme

Claims

1. Method for operating a driver assistance system of a motor vehicle, in which, by means of an electronic computing device, - at least one piece of wheel speed information characterizing a wheel speed of at least one wheel of the motor vehicle is received from a rotation detection device connected to the at least one wheel; - it is queried whether the motor vehicle is at a standstill or not, and, if the motor vehicle is at a standstill, - in the next query operation, which can be carried out at a later time than the previous query operation, it is queried whether wheel ticks are occurring, - and if it is determined that wheel ticks are occurring, it is thus identified, depending on the position of the clutch pedal or a change in the position of the clutch pedal, whether the clutch pedal is continuously in the up position or continuously in the down position during a change in wheel speed or a change in driving state from the motor vehicle being at a standstill to the occurrence of wheel ticks, and in these two cases it is determined that neutral is selected in the transmission, and if a change in the position of the clutch pedal from the down position of the clutch pedal to the up position of the clutch pedal is identified during the change in wheel ticks, it is queried whether there is an increase in engine speed above a threshold value in a specific time window, - wherein, upon determining that the motor vehicle is not at a standstill, it is determined whether the motor vehicle is rolling backwards and the reversing light is deactivated, wherein, upon determining that the motor vehicle is not rolling backwards and the reversing light is not deactivated, it is queried whether the clutch pedal is in the down position and thus neutral is selected in the transmission, wherein, if the down position is not set, it is queried whether there is an increase in engine speed above the threshold value in the specific time window, wherein, upon determining that there is no increase in engine speed, it is determined that neutral is selected in the transmission and, upon determining that there is an increase in engine speed, it is determined that a gear is engaged in the transmission, - wherein, upon determining that the motor vehicle is not at a standstill and that the motor vehicle is rolling backwards and the reversing light is deactivated, it is queried whether, after determining that the motor vehicle is rolling backwards, there is a change in the position of the clutch pedal from the down position to the up position, wherein, upon determining that there is no change in the position of the clutch pedal, it is determined that neutral is engaged in the transmission and, upon determining that there is a change in the position of the clutch pedal, it is queried whether, as a result of the change in the position of the clutch pedal, there is a change in direction of the motor vehicle, - wherein, if it is determined that there is a change in direction of the motor vehicle, it is determined that the gear is engaged in the transmission, and if it is determined that there is a change in direction as a result of the change in the position of the clutch pedal, it is determined that neutral is engaged in the transmission; - the driver assistance system of the motor vehicle is operated depending on the comparison.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that, by means of the electronic computing device, depending on the comparison, a driving assistance function of the driver assistance system is activated when the selected gear is determined and deactivated when neutral is determined.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one piece of wheel speed information characterizes the respective wheel speeds of all wheels of the motor vehicle.

4. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, by means of the electronic computing device, a first piece of wheel speed information is received which characterizes the wheel speed of at least one wheel of the motor vehicle at a first point in time, and at least a second piece of wheel speed information is received which characterizes the wheel speed of at least one wheel of the motor vehicle at a second point in time which is different from the first point in time.

5. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, by means of the electronic computing device, a first piece of clutch pedal position information is received which characterizes the position of the clutch pedal of the motor vehicle at a first point in time, and at least a second piece of clutch pedal position information is received which characterizes the position of the clutch pedal of the motor vehicle at a second point in time which is different from the first point in time.

6. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, by means of the electronic computing device, at least one piece of direction information is received from a movement sensor device of the motor vehicle, the at least one piece of direction information characterizing a direction of movement of the motor vehicle.

7. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, by means of the electronic computing device, at least one piece of engine speed information characterizing a speed of a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine is received from an engine speed detection device.

8. Motor vehicle comprising an electronic computing device which is configured to carry out a method according to any of claims 1 to 7.