IMPROVED AUTOMATIC DISTANCE CONTROL

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a veto unit for an ACC device of a motor vehicle, a system comprising a veto unit and an ACC device, a motor vehicle, a method and a corresponding computer program.

[0002] ACC devices that regulate based on a control object, for example, a road user traveling ahead, are known in the state of the art. A target distance and a target speed and / or target acceleration are determined, with which the driver's own vehicle follows the control object. If the road user traveling ahead stops at a traffic light, for example, the driver's own vehicle also brakes and maintains the distance to the vehicle in front. If the control object moves forward and an active driver action is detected, for example, the accelerator pedal, resume button, hands on the capacitive steering wheel, etc., the driver's own vehicle also moves forward again, preferably to the preset set speed. Simple regulation based on the road user traveling ahead occurs.

[0003] The published patent application DE 10 2017 004 741 A1 relates to a control arrangement for setting a target distance between two vehicles, the control arrangement comprising: a distance control system with a distance control device for setting a first target distance between a host vehicle and a vehicle in front as a function of a sensor signal received from a sensor system by requesting a first host vehicle target acceleration, a communication system for wirelessly transmitting and receiving an environmental data signal containing environmental information, and an assistance control device for determining a second target distance between the host vehicle and the vehicle in front and a second host vehicle target acceleration for setting the second target distance, each as a function of the environmental information.The distance control system is provided with an ACC interface, wherein a first interface signal can be transmitted to the distance control system via the ACC interface. The first interface signal is generated depending on the surrounding information, and the second target distance determined by the assistance control device can be adjusted by the distance control system, taking the first interface signal into account. The disadvantage of this is that only the control range of the ACC system is extended. Further improvement of the ACC system is not possible.

[0004] The published patent application DE 10 2015 208 432 A1 relates to a driver assistance system for initiating a vehicle's start-up process. The driver assistance system has a detection unit and a control unit. The detection unit is designed to detect a traffic light signal in the vehicle's surroundings and to provide information about a traffic light system's state. The detection unit is designed to detect an object in the vehicle's surroundings in order to provide information about the object. The control unit is designed to initiate the vehicle's start-up process based on the information about the traffic light system's state and the information about the object. A disadvantage here is that a second positive signal, namely a green traffic light, must be detected to initiate a start-up process. Actively preventing a start-up process is not possible with the disclosed teaching.

[0005] US Patent Application Publication No. 2005 / 187697 A1 discloses a tracking control system for performing tracking control by determining a target vehicle being tracked by the current vehicle. The tracking system detects objects traveling ahead of the current vehicle and designates one of them as the target vehicle to be tracked.

[0006] The published patent application US 2015 / 100 189 A1 relates to a vehicle system that is designed to warn the driver to slow down when approaching a traffic sign or red light. If the warning is ignored, the vehicle intervenes to stop the vehicle to avoid a collision with a vehicle ahead or running the red light.

[0007] The invention is based on the object of creating a way to improve the starting process using an ACC device and, in particular, to increase the safety of the starting process. The aim is to create a robust and reliable way to improve an ACC device.

[0008] This task is solved by a veto unit for an ACC device of a motor vehicle, with: an input interface for receiving input data with information about an environment of the motor vehicle; an analysis unit that is designed to analyze the input data; an output interface for transmitting a veto, wherein the analysis unit is designed to determine, based on the input data, whether another road user used by the ACC device as a control object is rejected as a control object for the ACC device and to generate a veto if the other road user is rejected as a control object for the ACC device, wherein the veto is set up so that the ACC device that has received the veto rejects the other road user as a control object; and the output interface is designed to transmit the veto if the analysis unit determines that the other road user is rejected as a control object for the ACC device.

[0009] The above object is further achieved by a system comprising a veto unit, in particular a veto unit as defined above, and an ACC device, wherein the ACC device is designed to reject another road user as a control object for the ACC device in response to a veto of the veto unit.

[0010] The above object is also achieved by a motor vehicle with a system according to the preceding claim and preferably a sensor in the form a front camera for capturing camera data; an interior microphone for capturing interior noise; and / or an exterior microphone for capturing exterior noise; and / or a Car2Car and / or Car2X communication interface for establishing communication between the motor vehicle and another motor vehicle and / or an infrastructure.

[0011] The above object is finally achieved by a method for generating a veto for an ACC device of a motor vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle as defined above, comprising the steps: Receiving input data with information about an environment of the motor vehicle; analyzing the input data; determining whether another road user used by the ACC device as a control object is rejected as a control object for the ACC device; generating a veto if the other road user is rejected as a control object for the ACC device, wherein the veto is configured so that the ACC device receiving the veto rejects the other road user as a control object; and transmitting the veto to the ACC device.

[0012] A veto unit can provide a technically simple way to improve an ACC device and, in particular, to increase its robustness against misjudgments. An ACC device only functions if it can regulate for a road user ahead. The veto unit can advantageously support this process and determine whether the road user ahead is suitable as a control object. In this respect, the functionality of the ACC device is not impaired. Incorrectly regulating for an unsuitable road user carries a high risk of accidents. The disclosed teaching can sustainably improve road safety. In particular, the veto unit is also suitable as a retrofit solution. It goes without saying that the veto unit can also be integrated from the outset. Preferably, the veto unit can access already installed sensors. This allows the creation of a cost-effective veto unit.In particular, it is also conceivable that the functionality of the veto unit can be represented in an existing module by appropriate reprogramming.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the veto unit is designed for installation in a motor vehicle and is preferably part of an on-board computer, the ACC device and / or a navigation system, wherein the motor vehicle is particularly preferably an at least partially assisted driving motor vehicle. This allows the veto unit to be advantageously integrated into a motor vehicle. The veto unit can preferably access the motor vehicle infrastructure, such as sensor data and / or communication interfaces. In particular, the veto unit can determine a driver's request based on navigation data and / or a steering angle and generate a veto if it is detected that the control object is not continuing to drive in accordance with the driver's request.For example, a road user in front can be rejected as a control object if it has been detected that the road user in front is turning, whereas it has been determined from the navigation data and / or a steering angle that the driver intends to continue straight ahead.

[0014] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the input data comprises communication data for Car2Car and / or Car2X communication, wherein the analysis unit is configured to generate the veto if the communication data conveys that the additional road user is unsuitable as a control object, in particular if the communication data includes information regarding a red traffic light and / or an emergency vehicle in operation in front of the motor vehicle. This makes it technically easy to determine whether the preceding road user is suitable as a control object. The veto unit can technically easily receive information that reliably reflects the suitability of the preceding road user as a control object.

[0015] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the input data comprises sensor data from a sensor in the form of a camera, in particular a front camera and / or a microphone, wherein the analysis unit is designed to generate the veto if a red traffic light and / or an emergency vehicle in operation in front of the motor vehicle can be detected in the sensor data. This enables the veto unit to determine, independently of the infrastructure outside the vehicle's own vehicle, whether the road user ahead is suitable as a control object. The range of functions can be expanded. In particular, road users with less modern equipment and / or classic, i.e. non-Car2X-capable, traffic infrastructure can also be analyzed by the veto unit. It goes without saying that not only traffic lights but also traffic signs can be taken into account by the veto unit after sign recognition.Furthermore, sign recognition can also be integrated into the veto unit.

[0016] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the analysis unit is designed to detect in the sensor data a signal light, in particular in the form of a blue light, of an emergency vehicle in use and / or an acoustic signal generator, in particular in the form of a siren, of an emergency vehicle in use. This allows reliable detection of an emergency vehicle in use. In particular, two indicators of an operation can be determined. A sensor failure can be compensated for. Furthermore, it may happen that a siren has not been activated; in this case, the blue light alone can be used to determine that the emergency vehicle is in use.

[0017] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the output interface is configured to transmit a control command to an output unit, wherein the control command triggers the output of a notification to a vehicle occupant. The notification contains information that another road user is being rejected as a control object for the ACC device. This provides a technically simple way to warn the driver of the motor vehicle that they should take control of their vehicle themselves. Safety is further increased.

[0018] Further preferred embodiments of the invention emerge from the remaining features mentioned in the subclaims.

[0019] The various embodiments of the invention mentioned in this application can be advantageously combined with one another, unless otherwise stated in the individual case.

[0020] Car-to-car communication (Car2Car, C2C, or vehicle2vehicle - V2V) refers to the exchange of information and data between motor vehicles to alert the driver to critical and dangerous situations at an early stage. Car2Car is a special case of Car2X (also known as V2X), which refers to communication between vehicles and their surroundings (including other road users and, in particular, the infrastructure).

[0021] Adaptive cruise control, or ACC, is a speed control system in motor vehicles that uses the distance to a vehicle ahead as an additional feedback and control variable. Adaptive cruise control is a type of driver assistance system. In the international automotive industry, the English term Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) has become established. The system is also known as automatic distance control (ADR), although other names may also be used, as car manufacturers like to give their systems individual names to better distinguish them. The system is often part of a radar-based emergency braking assistant, and some cars are equipped with a stop-and-go function.

[0022] The invention is explained below in exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show: Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a veto unit according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a system according to the invention with a veto unit and an ACC device; Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of a situation in road traffic; Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of another situation in road traffic; and Figure 5 schematically shows the steps of a method according to the invention.

[0023] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a veto unit 10 for a motor vehicle's ACC device (not shown). The veto unit 10 comprises an input interface 12, an analysis unit 14, and an output interface 16.

[0024] The input interface 12 is designed to receive input data containing information about the environment of the motor vehicle. The input data can include sensor data from one or more sensors of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, the input data can also include communication data, for example, from a Car2X or Car2car communication.

[0025] The analysis unit 14 is designed to analyze the input data and, based on the input data, to determine whether another road user is rejected as a control object for the ACC device, and to generate a veto if the other road user is rejected as a control object for the ACC device. For example, sensor data can be used to determine whether a traffic rule, such as a red traffic light or a traffic sign, prohibits directly approaching and following the road user in front. Furthermore, communication data can be used to determine whether a traffic light has turned red or whether the vehicle in front is an emergency vehicle in use. In all of these cases, the vehicle in front is preferably unsuitable as a control object, and the analysis unit 14 generates a veto.

[0026] The output interface 16 is configured to transmit a veto if the analysis unit 14 determines that the additional road user is rejected as a control object for the ACC device. The ACC device can receive the veto and reject the preceding vehicle as a control object.

[0027] It is understood that the input interface 12 and the output interface 16 can be combined into a single interface. It is further understood that the interfaces 12, 16 can be configured as either wireless or wired. In particular, the interfaces can also be configured as software interfaces.

[0028] Figure 2 shows schematically a system 18 according to the invention with a veto unit 10, a sensor 20 and an ACC device 22.

[0029] It is understood that the sensor 20 can communicate directly with the veto unit 10. Furthermore, it can also be provided that the veto unit 10 accesses a sensor 20 of the motor vehicle. In particular, it is conceivable that the veto unit 10 receives sensor data from a sensor 20, which is also used by the ACC device 22 for control. The ACC device 22 is in the Figure 2 presented in a highly simplified manner.

[0030] The sensor 20 may, for example, comprise a camera, in particular a front camera and / or a microphone, in particular an external microphone.

[0031] It is understood that the system 18 may additionally or alternatively comprise a communication interface for Car2X or Car2Car communication.

[0032] Particularly preferably, the system 18 shown is part of an on-board computer, a navigation system, and / or another module installed in the motor vehicle. This allows the costs and space requirements of such a system 18 to be kept low.

[0033] In Figure 3 A road traffic situation is shown schematically. A first motor vehicle 24 is equipped with a system 18 according to the invention. For reasons of clarity, a detailed illustration of the system 18 has been omitted.

[0034] The ACC device 22 of the first motor vehicle 24 adjusts to another road user, namely a second motor vehicle 26 traveling ahead. Between the first motor vehicle 24 and the second motor vehicle 26 is a traffic light 28, which, in the example shown, is red. Whether the second motor vehicle 26 ignored the red light 28 or the traffic light 28 just turned red is irrelevant.

[0035] The system 18 detects the red traffic light 28 using the sensor 20, which is designed as a front camera. The veto unit 10 then generates a veto, since the second motor vehicle 26 traveling ahead is no longer suitable as a control object for the ACC device 22. Controlling the second motor vehicle 26 would result in the first motor vehicle 24 going through the red traffic light 28. The veto rejects the second motor vehicle 26 as a control object, so that the driver of the first motor vehicle 24 preferably takes control of the first motor vehicle 24 and brakes the first motor vehicle 24. It is understood that a warning can also be issued to the driver. For example, a warning tone can be emitted or a written and / or audible message such as "Traffic light red, no control to the vehicle traveling ahead possible - please take control."

[0036] Additionally or alternatively, the traffic light 28 is equipped with a Car2X communication interface 30 and can actively transmit the status "traffic light red" or the like via the Car2X communication interface 30. The first motor vehicle 24 also has a Car2X communication interface 30 and can receive the status transmitted by the traffic light 28. In this way, the system 18 can reliably determine that the traffic light 28 has switched to red. Consequently, a veto can also be generated in this case, and, as already described above, the second motor vehicle 26 can be rejected as a control object.

[0037] It is understood that a veto can be generated based solely on the sensor data or on the status transmitted via Car2X communication. It is also understood that a combination of sensor data and the status transmitted via Car2X communication is also possible.

[0038] In Figure 4 A further situation in road traffic is shown schematically. A first motor vehicle 24 is equipped with a system 18 according to the invention. In contrast to the system shown in Figure 3 In the situation shown, there is no traffic light 28. Furthermore, the second preceding motor vehicle 26 includes an emergency vehicle in use.

[0039] The second motor vehicle 26 traveling ahead is therefore not suitable as a control object for the ACC device 22. The system 18 has several options for determining that the second motor vehicle 26 traveling ahead is not suitable as a control object. It is understood that each of the following options can be used individually or in combination.

[0040] In the example shown, the emergency vehicle is equipped with a Car2Car communication interface 32 and can actively transmit the status "in operation" or the like via this Car2Car communication interface 32. The system 18 is configured to receive the status or at least information regarding the status, since the first motor vehicle 24 is also equipped with a Car2Car communication interface 32. Based on the status, the system 18 can generate a veto because the emergency vehicle is not suitable as a control object for the ACC device 22.

[0041] The emergency vehicle is equipped with a signal light 34, which, in the example shown, illuminates to indicate that the emergency vehicle is actively engaged in an operation. Examples of such signal lights 34 include the blue lights of a police vehicle, ambulance, emergency medical vehicle, or fire engine. It is understood that other emergency vehicles are also conceivable that include a blue light.

[0042] The first motor vehicle 24 is equipped with a first sensor 20a in the form of an exterior camera, in particular a front camera. The system 18 can determine, based on the sensor data from the front camera, that the signal light 34 is switched on. For example, an image recognition algorithm, as is known in principle in the prior art, can be used for this purpose. If it is detected that the signal light 34 is switched on, the system 18 generates a veto, since the emergency vehicle is not suitable as a control object for the ACC device 22.

[0043] The emergency vehicle is also equipped with an acoustic signal generator 36, in particular a siren, which, in the example shown, emits a warning tone to acoustically indicate that the emergency vehicle is actively engaged in an operation. In particular, emergency vehicles equipped with a blue light can additionally have a siren. The first motor vehicle 24 is equipped with a second sensor 20b in the form of an external microphone. It is understood that detection using an internal microphone is also conceivable.

[0044] The system 18 can determine that the siren is activated based on the sensor data from the external microphone. For example, a tone recognition algorithm, as is generally known in the prior art, can be used for this purpose. In particular, the recurring tone sequence and / or a pitch or the characteristic sound of the siren can be used for detection and analysis. If it is detected that the siren is active, the system 18 generates a veto, since the emergency vehicle is not suitable as a control object for the ACC device 22.

[0045] If the second motor vehicle 26 driving ahead is rejected as a control object, a notification can be sent to the driver of the first motor vehicle 24, as already described above.

[0046] In Figure 5The steps of a method according to the invention for generating a veto for an ACC device 22 of a motor vehicle 24 are shown schematically. In a first step S1, input data with information about the surroundings of the motor vehicle 24 is received. The input data is then analyzed in a second step S2. In a third step S3, it is determined whether another road user is rejected as a control object for the ACC device 22. Then, in a fourth step S4, a veto is generated if the additional road user is rejected as a control object for the ACC device 22. Finally, in a fifth step S5, the veto is transmitted to the ACC device 22. List of reference symbols

[0047] 10 Veto unit 12 Input interface 14 Analysis unit 16 Output interface 18 System 20 Sensor 20a First sensor 20b Second sensor 22 ACC device 24 First motor vehicle 26 Second motor vehicle 28 Traffic light 30 Car2X communication interface 32 Car2Car communication interface 34 Signal light 36 Acoustic signal generator S1 to S5 Process steps

Claims

1. Veto unit (10) for an ACC device (22) of a motor vehicle (24), comprising: - an input interface (12) for receiving input data comprising information on an environment of the motor vehicle (24); - an analysis unit (14) designed to analyze the input data; - an output interface (16) for transmitting a veto, characterized in that: - the analysis unit (14) is designed to determine, based on the input data, whether an additional road user used by the ACC device (22) as a control object is rejected as a control object for the ACC device (22) and to generate a veto if the additional road user is rejected as a control object for the ACC device (22), the veto being configured so that the ACC device (22) receiving the veto rejects the additional road user as a control object; and - the output interface (16) is designed to transmit the veto if the analysis unit (14) determines that the additional road user is rejected as a control object for the ACC device (22).

2. Veto unit (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the veto unit (10) is designed for installation in a motor vehicle (24) and is preferably part of an on-board computer, the ACC device (22) and / or a navigation system, the motor vehicle (24) particularly preferably being an at least partially assisted driving motor vehicle (24).

3. Veto unit (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the input data comprise communication data for Car2Car communication and / or Car2X communication, the analysis unit (14) being designed to generate the veto if in the communication data it is transmitted that the additional road user is unsuitable as a control object, in particular if the communication data comprise information regarding a red traffic light (28) and / or an emergency vehicle in use in front of the motor vehicle (24).

4. Veto unit (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the input data comprise sensor data from a sensor (20, 20a, 20b) in the form of a camera, in particular a front camera and / or a microphone, the analysis unit (14) being designed to generate the veto if a red traffic light (28) and / or an emergency vehicle in use in front of the motor vehicle (24) can be detected in the sensor data.

5. Veto unit (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the analysis unit (14) is designed to detect, in the sensor data, a signal light (34), in particular in the form of a blue light, of an emergency vehicle in use and / or an acoustic signal generator (36), in particular in the form of a siren, of an emergency vehicle in use.

6. Veto unit (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the output interface (16) is designed to transmit a control command to an output unit, the control command causing a notice to be issued to a vehicle occupant, the notice containing information that an additional road user is rejected as a control object for the ACC device (22).

7. System (18) comprising a veto unit (10) according to any of the preceding claims and an ACC device (22), wherein the ACC device (22) is designed to reject an additional road user as a control object for the ACC device (22) in response to a veto of the veto unit (10).

8. Motor vehicle (24) comprising a system (18) according to the preceding claim and preferably a sensor (20, 20a, 20b) in the form of: - a front camera for capturing camera data; - an internal microphone for capturing interior noise; and / or - an external microphone for capturing external noise; and / or - a Car2Car communication interface and / or Car2X communication interface for establishing communication between the motor vehicle (24) and an additional motor vehicle (26) and / or an infrastructure.

9. Method for generating a veto for an ACC device (22) of a motor vehicle (24), in particular a motor vehicle (24) according to the preceding claim, the method comprising the steps: - receiving (S1) input data comprising information on an environment of the motor vehicle (24); - analyzing (S2) the input data; - determining (S3) whether an additional road user used as a control object by the ACC device (22) is rejected as a control object for the ACC device (22); - generating (S4) a veto if the additional road user is rejected as a control object for the ACC device (22), wherein the veto is configured so that the ACC device (22) receiving the veto rejects the additional road user as a control object; and - transmitting (S5) the veto to the ACC device (22).

10. Computer program comprising program code means for carrying out all steps of a method according to the preceding claim when the computer program is executed on a computer or a corresponding computing unit.