Method and device for operating a vehicle with multiple exterior doors for separating a passenger area inside the vehicle from an exterior environment of the vehicle

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method and a device for operating a vehicle having a plurality of exterior doors for separating a passenger area within the vehicle from an external environment of the vehicle. The method comprises: detecting an object located within a closing area of ​​an exterior door of the plurality of exterior doors, wherein the object located within the closing area prevents the exterior door from closing.

[0002] In situations where an object (e.g., a piece of luggage or a person) prevents (particularly blocks) the closing of a vehicle's exterior door, but the vehicle should have already departed, the driver often makes an announcement to address this obstruction. This announcement is broadcast, using known methods and devices, on all loudspeakers of the vehicle's public address system.

[0003] DE 10 2014 113 567 A1 describes a door system for a public transport vehicle with at least one door opening and a door closing the door opening. A sensor unit scans a passenger compartment in the area of ​​the door opening without contact. away. The door system has a communication element for context-based communication with passengers based on measurement results from the sensor unit.

[0004] Against this background, the object of the invention is to accelerate the operation of a vehicle, in particular to achieve scheduled operation when the vehicle departs.

[0005] This object is achieved by a method of the type mentioned at the outset, which comprises: issuing an information message indicating the obstruction, which is perceptible by a person staying within a door surrounding area of ​​the outer door if the object is located within the closing area during a planned departure of the vehicle.

[0006] The invention, which is defined by the features of the independent patent claims, is based on the realization that announcements by the vehicle driver that are output via all of the vehicle's loudspeakers often fall on deaf ears. One reason for this is that a person standing near a blocked exterior door does not feel directly addressed by a general announcement output via all of the loudspeakers. The invention solves this problem by providing a selective address that is perceptible to a person standing within the area surrounding the blocked exterior door. As a result, a person who is able to clear the blockage of the exterior door feels directly addressed. This increases the willingness to clear the blockage of the exterior door.

[0007] This speeds up the vehicle's departure time. Overall, this contributes to the vehicle's scheduled operation and can at least partially prevent delays.

[0008] The terms "obstruct," "hinder," and "block" are used synonymously within the context of the present invention. Those skilled in the art preferably understand the term "separating" to mean that when the exterior door is closed, people have no access to the vehicle and cannot exit the vehicle.

[0009] The person skilled in the art will preferably understand the term "external environment" as an area outside the vehicle, for example a platform area.

[0010] The object is, for example, a piece of luggage that is within the closing area of ​​the outer door and prevents the outer door from closing.

[0011] The person is, for example, a passenger.

[0012] For example, the exterior door is a sliding door with two door leaves. The exterior door closes when the two door leaves move toward each other. In this example, the closing zone is the spatial area between the door leaves into which the door leaves move when closing.

[0013] The wording that "the object located within the closing area prevents the external door from closing" is preferably to be understood in such a way that the fact that the object is located within the closing area can be used to conclude that closing is prevented.

[0014] The warning message can contain specific information that alerts the person to the presence of the obstruction. The specific information can be in the form of text and / or speech. The specific information can include a request to the person to remove the object or to refrain from obstructing the closing of the exterior door. Alternatively or additionally, the warning message can be implemented as an abstract signal.

[0015] The planned departure is preferably a departure of the vehicle from a stop. The stop is, for example, a stop intended for passenger boarding and disembarkation.

[0016] The expert understands the term "planned departure" preferably to mean that the departure of the vehicle according to the timetable is imminent or should have already taken place.

[0017] A person skilled in the art will understand the wording that the advisory message "is perceptible by a person located within the door surrounding area of ​​the outer door" to mean that the advisory message is issued exclusively within the door surrounding area of ​​that outer door of the plurality of outer doors whose closing is impeded or blocked. In other words: no advisory message is issued in the door surrounding areas of other outer doors of the vehicle where the obstruction does not exist. An exception is preferably an outer door that is located opposite the outer door whose closing is impeded. This is because the opposing outer doors share a common and at least overlapping door surrounding area. The term "opposite" is understood by a person skilled in the art to mean that it is located on the opposite longitudinal side of the vehicle.

[0018] The term "door surrounding area" is preferably understood as an area surrounding the outer door, both inside and outside the vehicle. Preferably, the door surrounding area is a few meters from the outer door. For example, inside the vehicle, the door surrounding area includes an entry area that can be separated from a passenger lounge area (with seating) by lockable interior doors. Outside the vehicle, the door surrounding area includes, for example, a portion of the platform within a radius of a few meters.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the vehicle is a passenger transport vehicle, preferably a rail-bound passenger transport vehicle. The method according to the invention is particularly useful for passenger transport vehicles, and especially for rail-bound passenger transport vehicles, since the operation of vehicles of this type is significantly disrupted by a delayed departure. Delayed departures impact the travel schedule of a large number of passengers. Furthermore, delayed departures can affect the travel schedule of other vehicles on the route network.

[0020] The track-bound passenger transport vehicle is preferably a rail vehicle, further preferably a multiple unit.

[0021] According to a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the detection is carried out by means of a detection device which comprises a light barrier device for detecting the object and / or a detection device for optically detecting the object.

[0022] The detection device comprises, for example, a detection unit configured to receive and evaluate the signal generated by the light barrier device and / or camera device. The generated signal is transmitted to the detection unit, for example, via a vehicle's communication network. The vehicle's communication network is preferably an Ethernet network.

[0023] The detection device preferably comprises a camera device for optically detecting the object.

[0024] According to a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the object is formed by the person. The warning message is output in such a way that the warning message is perceptible to the person. In other words: the person himself is the object located within the locking area and preventing the outer door from closing. The warning message alerts the person that he or she is preventing the door from closing.

[0025] For example, the person is a passenger who unconsciously prevents the door from closing. In this case, the passenger will gratefully accept the warning message, and a positive response from the passenger is to be expected.

[0026] Alternatively, the person could be a passenger who deliberately prevents the door from closing to allow another passenger to board the vehicle before departure. In such cases, the warning message should preferably be particularly friendly and, if possible, humorous.

[0027] Particularly in situations where the person themselves prevents the outside door from closing, the method according to the invention increases the willingness to remove the blockage of the outside door. If the person does not remove the blockage of the outside door, they will experience social ostracism from other passengers in the vehicle who have also noticed the warning message.

[0028] In a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the information message is output acoustically by means of a loudspeaker device, displayed graphically by means of a display device and / or output as an optical signal by means of a signaling device.

[0029] The loudspeaker device, display device and / or signaling device is preferably arranged within the door surrounding area.

[0030] The loudspeaker device preferably comprises a loudspeaker arranged on a door lintel, a door threshold, a door edge, and / or a door frame. Further preferably, the loudspeaker is embedded in the door lintel, the door threshold, the door edge, and / or the door frame.

[0031] The display device preferably presents the information message in the form of a character. For example, a sad smiley face (as a possible embodiment of an emoticon or emoji) is displayed as the information message. Alternatively, a fantasy creature from a fantasy world generally familiar to the passenger (e.g., a Pokemon ®< ) is displayed.

[0032] According to a preferred development, the display device comprises a passenger information system display. In this way, a passenger information system, which is usually available, is expediently used to output the information message.

[0033] According to a further preferred development, the signaling device comprises a light element arranged within the door's surrounding area and emitting the warning message as a light signal. The output of a light signal represents a particularly simple and intuitively understandable type of warning message.

[0034] The lighting element is preferably a light-emitting diode element, more preferably a light-emitting diode strip. Alternatively or additionally, the lighting element is a spotlight. Alternatively or additionally, the lighting element is a flashlight.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the luminous element is arranged on a door lintel, a door threshold, a door edge, and / or a door frame. The luminous element is preferably embedded in the door lintel, the door threshold, the door edge, and / or the door frame. This has the advantage that the luminous signal is clearly assigned to the external door whose closing is prevented by the object. In a situation where the person themselves is the object, the person feels directly addressed by the luminous signal.

[0036] In a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the output of the information message is triggered by a vehicle driver and / or a control device.

[0037] The driver preferably receives detection information indicating that an object is located within the closing area in such a way that the door cannot be closed.

[0038] The detection information is preferably generated by the detection device. The detection information is preferably displayed to the driver via a display in the driver's cab. Upon receiving the detection information, the driver can respond by triggering the output of the warning message. For this purpose, the driver's cab preferably has an actuating element that serves to trigger the warning message.

[0039] Furthermore, the driver can preferably make an announcement and thus determine the content of the warning message himself. This allows the driver to address the driver directly.

[0040] The detection information generated by the detection device is preferably transmitted to the control device via the vehicle's communications network. Upon receipt of the detection information, the control device can trigger the output of the notification message.

[0041] The control device is preferably a central vehicle control device. Alternatively or additionally, the control device comprises a door control device.

[0042] According to a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, interaction with the person takes place on the basis of information generated by artificial intelligence.

[0043] Preferably, at least one microphone is arranged in the door's surrounding area, by means of which the person's spoken utterances can be recorded and transmitted as an audio signal to the artificial intelligence. The artificial intelligence can conduct its interaction, for example, through voice output via a loudspeaker device arranged within the door's surrounding area.

[0044] The use of artificial intelligence enables flexible interaction with the person. Preferably, the artificial intelligence interacts with the person to ensure that the person refrains from blocking the outside door or removes it.

[0045] Another advantage of using artificial intelligence is that the driver or train attendant is relieved of the need to interact with the person.

[0046] The method according to the invention is further characterized by: outputting an interaction message perceivable by the person depending on a reaction of the person to the notification message.

[0047] The interaction notification is preferably triggered by artificial intelligence.

[0048] According to a preferred development of the method according to the invention, the interaction message represents a positive feedback if the person has removed the object from the locking area following the output of the notification message.

[0049] In a situation where the person is the object, the interaction message represents positive feedback if the person has removed himself from the closure area.

[0050] A further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention is characterized by: detecting the object by means of a detection device and displaying the detected object by means of a display device of a driver's cab of the vehicle and / or by means of a display device which is arranged within the door surrounding area and is perceptible by the person.

[0051] The detection device is preferably the detection device of the recognition device described above.

[0052] The advantage of displaying the detected object using a display device in the driver's cab is that it provides the driver with improved information to decide on the next course of action, such as triggering an alert. In a situation where the driver recognizes from the display that an unconscious person is lying within the closing area of ​​the exterior door, it is conceivable, for example, that the driver triggers an emergency call instead of triggering an alert.

[0053] The display of the detected object by means of a display device that is arranged within the door surrounding area and is perceptible by the person is advantageous because the person becomes aware that he or she has been identified as the cause of the blocking of the external door.

[0054] The invention further relates to a device for operating a vehicle having a plurality of exterior doors for separating a passenger area inside the vehicle from an external environment of the vehicle. The device comprises a detection device configured to detect an object located within a closing area of ​​one of the plurality of exterior doors, wherein the object located within the closing area prevents the exterior door from closing. The device further comprises an output device configured to output an indication message indicating the obstruction, which is perceptible by a person located within a door surrounding area of ​​the exterior door, if the object is located within the closing area during a planned departure of the vehicle.

[0055] The invention further relates to a track-bound vehicle with a device of the type described above.

[0056] For advantages, embodiments and details of the features of the device according to the invention and of the track-bound vehicle according to the invention, reference can be made to the above description of the corresponding features of the method according to the invention.

[0057] Embodiments of the invention are explained with reference to the drawings. They show: Figure 1 schematically shows the structure of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the device according to the invention, Figure 2 a sectional plan view of the Figure 1shown vehicle, Figure 3 is a schematic flow diagram of an embodiment of the method according to the invention, Figures 4 and 5 are a view of a display surface of the display device according to a second embodiment of the method according to the invention, and Figure 6 is a perspective view of a door lintel of an exterior door according to a third embodiment of the method according to the invention.

[0058] Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of a vehicle 1 which is designed as a rail vehicle for transporting passengers. Figure 2 shows a plan view of the vehicle 1 as a sectional view II-II. The vehicle 1 has several exterior doors 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 as well as further exterior doors not shown, which, when closed, create a separation between a passenger area 13 within the vehicle 1 and an external environment 15 of the vehicle 1.

[0059] In the Figure 1In the situation shown, the vehicle 1 is at a stop 17. In a method step A, a detection device 19 detects whether an object 20 is located within a closing area 22 of an external door 3 of the plurality of external doors 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the object 20 is a person 21. The detection device 19 has a light barrier device 23, which is connected for data purposes to a computing unit 18 of the detection device 19.

[0060] The closing area 22 of the outer door 3 is a spatial area into which the doors move during the closing movement. The detection device 19 detects that the person 21 is located within the closing area 22 when a light path of a light 24 emitted by the light barrier device 23 (in Figure 1 shown as arrows) is interrupted by person 21.

[0061] In a method step B, a planned departure of vehicle 1 from stop 17 is triggered. The planned departure is triggered, for example, by a driver 25 of vehicle 1 via a driver's cab 27. The triggering of the departure is transmitted as information via a data connection to the computing unit 18 of the detection device 19.

[0062] In a method step C, the detection device 19 detects that the person 21 is still within the closing area 22 despite the planned departure.

[0063] In a method step D, the locking area 22 and the person 21 located within the locking area 22 are optically detected by means of a detection device 53 arranged within a door surrounding area 33, which has a camera unit. The door surrounding area 33 comprises the immediate surroundings of the outer door 3 inside and outside the vehicle 1.

[0064] The detection device 53 generates an image signal, which is transmitted to the driver's cab 27 via a communication network of the vehicle (vehicle network). By means of a display device 55 of the driver's cab 27, an image based on the image signal is displayed in a method step E, which image represents at least the detected closing area 22 and the person 21.

[0065] The image signal is also sent to a display device 57 of the vehicle 1, which is arranged within the door surrounding area 33. An image based on the image signal is output via the display device 57. The displayed image is perceptible to the person 21. This makes the person aware that they have been identified as the person 21 preventing the door from closing.

[0066] When the vehicle driver 25 perceives the image output by the display device 55, he decides whether to trigger an information message 28 in a method step F. The information message 28 indicates that the closing of the exterior door 3 is prevented or blocked. The information message 28 is then output in a method step G.

[0067] The advisory message 28 is in the Figure 2 In the embodiment shown, the warning message 28 is acoustically output by means of a loudspeaker 43. The loudspeaker 43 is arranged within the door surrounding area 33. The acoustically output warning message 28 is perceptible by the person 21.

[0068] A loudspeaker 44, 45, 46, 47, or 48 for outputting an advisory message is also arranged within the respective door surrounding area 34, 35, 36, 37, or 38 of the outer door 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8. According to the invention, however, the advisory message 28 is output exclusively by the loudspeaker 43, which is arranged within the door surrounding area 33. If necessary, the advisory message is additionally output via the loudspeaker 48, which is arranged in the door surrounding area 38 of the opposite outer door 38.

[0069] What is essential to the invention is the selective addressing of the person 21, who prevents the closing of the outer door 3, in contrast to known solutions in which an announcement is made via all loudspeakers of the vehicle 1.

[0070] If the person 21 reacts to the perceived notification message 28 by moving away from the locking area 22 and releasing it, the detection device 19 detects in a method step H that the closing of the external door 3 is no longer impeded. In this case, in a method step J, an interaction message 31 is output via the loudspeaker 43, which is perceived by the person 21 as positive feedback regarding the release.

[0071] Upon release of the closing area 22, the outer door 3 is closed in a process step K.

[0072] In one embodiment, the detection device 53 can be part of the recognition device 19. For example, the detection device 53 is designed as a stereo camera that generates an image signal, on the basis of which the recognition device 19 detects whether the person 21 is located within the closed area 22.

[0073] According to a second exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention, the notification message 128 is output by means of the display device 57 shown in Figure 2. According to the exemplary embodiment, the display device 57 is a display of a passenger information system of the vehicle 1.

[0074] The Figures 4 and 5 each show a schematic view of a display area 61 of the display device 57. As an information message 128, for example, a Figure 4 A sad smiley is displayed. For example, an interaction message 129 is Figure 5 A friendly smiley shown is displayed if the person 21 reacts to the perceived warning message 128 by moving away from the locking area 22 and releasing it.

[0075] Figure 6shows a perspective view of a door lintel 201 of the exterior door 3. A signaling device 203 having a lighting element 204 is embedded in the door lintel 201. In method step G, the lighting element 204 emits a light signal 205 as an information message 228.

Claims

1. Method for operating a vehicle (1), which has a plurality of outer doors (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) for separating a passenger region (13) within the vehicle (1) from an outside surrounding area (15) of the vehicle (1), comprising: - identifying (A) an object (20), which is located within a closing region (22) of an outer door (3) of the plurality of outer doors (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8), wherein the object (20) located within the closing region (22) hinders a closing (K) of the outer door (3), - outputting (G) a notification message (28, 128, 228), which notifies of the hindrance and can be perceived by a person (21) located within a door surrounding region (33) of the outer door (3), if the object (20) is located within the closing region (22) during a planned departure of the vehicle (1), characterised in that the notification message is output exclusively within the door surrounding region of that outer door of the plurality of outer doors for which the closing is hindered or blocked, and - outputting (J) an interaction message (31, 129), which can be perceived by the person (21), as a function of a response of the person (21) to the notification message (28, 128).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the vehicle (1) is a passenger transport vehicle, preferably a rail-bound passenger transport vehicle.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the identification (A) takes place by means of an identification facility (19), which comprises - a light barrier facility (23) for detecting the object (20) and / or - a recording facility (53) for optically recording the object.

4. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the object (20) is formed by the person (21) and the outputting (G) of the notification message (28) takes place in such a manner that the notification message (28) can be perceived by the person (21).

5. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the notification message (28, 128, 228) - is output acoustically by means of a loudspeaker facility (43), - is displayed graphically by means of a display facility (57) and / or - is output as an optical signal (205) by means of a signal facility (203).

6. Method according to claim 5, characterised in that the display facility (57) comprises a display of a passenger information system.

7. Method according to claim 5, characterised in that the signal facility (203) comprises a lighting element (204), which is arranged within the door surrounding region and outputs the notification message (228) as a lighting signal (205).

8. Method according to claim 7, characterised in that the lighting element (204) is arranged on - a door lintel (201), - a door threshold, - a door edge and / or - a door frame, and / or is embedded therein.

9. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the outputting (G) of the notification message (28) is triggered (F) - by a vehicle driver (25) and / or - by a control facility.

10. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that an interaction with the person (21) takes place on the basis of information that is generated by an artificial intelligence.

11. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the interaction message (31, 129) represents a positive feedback, if the person (21) has removed the object (20) from the closing region (22) in response to the output (G) of the notification message (28, 128).

12. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised by recording (D) the object (20) by means of a recording facility (53) and displaying (E) the recorded object (20) - by means of a display facility (55) of a driver's cab (27) of the vehicle (1) and / or - by means of a display facility (57), which is arranged within the door surrounding region (33) and can be perceived by the person (21).

13. Apparatus for operating a vehicle (1), which has a plurality of outer doors (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) for separating a passenger region (13) within the vehicle (1) from an outside surrounding area (15) of the vehicle (1), comprising: an identification facility (19), which is embodied to identify an object (20), wherein the object (20), which is located within the closing region (22), hinders a closing (K) of the outer door (3), an output facility (43, 57, 203), which is embodied to output a notification message (28, 128, 228), which notifies of the hindrance and can be perceived by a person (21) located within a door surrounding region (33) of the outer door (3), if the object (20) is located within the closing region (22) during a planned departure of the vehicle (1), characterised in that the notification message is output exclusively within the door surrounding region of that outer door of the plurality of outer doors for which the closing is hindered or blocked, and the output facility is embodied to output an interaction message (31, 129), which can be perceived by the person (21), as a function of a response of the person (21) to the notification message (28, 128).

14. Rail-bound vehicle with an apparatus according to claim 13.