Method for proactively changing the configuration of a speed control system of a vehicle, computing device for a speed control system, computer-readable (storage) medium and a speed control system for a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for proactively changing the configuration of a speed control system of a vehicle as a result of a repeatedly detected behaviour pattern of a driver of the vehicle, said method comprising activating the speed control system of the vehicle, wherein the speed control system controls a vehicle speed to a target speed. In addition, the method comprises receiving traffic sign data describing a maximum permitted speed on a route travelled by the vehicle. In addition, the method according to the invention comprises adopting the maximum permissible speed as the target speed for the speed control system. Finally, the method comprises detecting a target speed correction, wherein the target speed correction is used to describe a change in the target speed by the driver of the vehicle. A behavioural pattern of the driver is detected, wherein the behavioural pattern describes the change in the target speed as a result of adopting the maximum permitted speed as the target speed. In addition, a proactive configuration change suggestion is issued to the driver if the behaviour pattern is detected repeatedly. By accepting the proactive configuration change proposal, the target speed will deviate from the maximum permitted speed by a speed offset in future when the maximum permitted speed is adopted as the target speed.

Description

[0001] Method for proactively changing the configuration of a cruise control system of a vehicle, computing device for a cruise control system, computer-readable (storage) medium and a cruise control system for a vehicle

[0002] The present invention relates to a method for proactively changing the configuration of a vehicle's cruise control system as a result of a repeatedly detected behavior pattern of a vehicle driver. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a computing device for a vehicle's cruise control system for implementing such a method. Finally, the present invention relates to a computer-readable (storage) medium and a cruise control system for a vehicle.

[0003] Cruise control systems, especially Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), are among the most widely used driver assistance systems in vehicles. Such cruise control systems regulate the vehicle's speed to a predefined target speed. Additionally, the target speed can be adjusted to maintain the distance to a vehicle ahead. Modern cruise control systems also feature traffic sign recognition. This allows the cruise control systems to detect the maximum permitted speed and adopt the maximum permitted speed as the new target speed, either automatically and / or after confirmation by the driver.

[0004] A speed offset function has contributed significantly to the acceptance of such cruise control systems with traffic sign recognition. This speed offset function allows the specification of a speed tolerance value, or a speed offset, which is added to the maximum permitted speed. For example, if a speed offset of 5 km / h is set, the new target speed is always the maximum permitted speed plus 5 km / h.

[0005] Document DE 102012 211 967 A1 describes a vehicle with a cruise control system that generally sets a set speed currently specified by the driver as the target speed, and with a speed limitation system that generally prevents the vehicle from exceeding a currently specified maximum speed. A connecting device is provided between the cruise control system and the speed limitation system such that the maximum speed of the speed limitation system can be adopted as the target speed for the cruise control system instead of the set speed.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a solution as to how a driver of a vehicle having a cruise control system and traffic sign recognition can be assisted in operating the cruise control system.

[0007] This object is achieved according to the invention by a method, by a computing device, by a computer-readable (storage) medium, and by a cruise control system having the features according to the independent claims. Advantageous developments of the present invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0008] A method according to the invention for proactively changing the configuration of a cruise control system of a vehicle as a result of a repeatedly detected behavior pattern of a driver of the vehicle comprises activating the cruise control system of the vehicle, wherein the cruise control system regulates a vehicle speed to a target speed. The method additionally comprises receiving traffic sign data describing a permitted maximum speed on a route traveled by the vehicle. Furthermore, the method according to the invention comprises adopting the permitted maximum speed as the target speed for the cruise control system. Finally, the method comprises detecting a target speed correction, wherein the target speed correction describes a change in the target speed by the driver of the vehicle.In this process, a behavior pattern of the driver is recognized, whereby the behavior pattern describes the change in the target speed as a result of adopting the permissible maximum speed as the target speed.

[0009] Additionally, a proactive configuration change suggestion is issued to the driver if the behavior pattern is repeatedly detected. Accepting the proactive configuration change suggestion will cause the target speed to deviate from the permitted maximum speed by a speed offset when adopting the permitted maximum speed as the target speed.

[0010] The method is therefore used to change the configuration of the cruise control system as a result of a repeatedly recorded driver behavior pattern. For example, if it is determined that after adopting the maximum permissible speed as the target speed for the cruise control system, the driver always corrects the target speed, for example, increasing it by 5 km / h, the driver can be suggested that such a change be taken into account in the future. This is particularly advantageous if the driver is unaware of the cruise control system's speed offset function. It is also advantageous if the driver cannot find the corresponding setting in the cruise control system. In other words, the speed offset is recognized as a driver request and permanently adopted.The speed offset can represent a fixed speed value (e.g., 5 km / h, 10 km / h, 15 km / h). However, the speed offset can also represent a percentage of the maximum permitted speed (e.g., 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%). The speed offset can also vary depending on the maximum permitted speed. For example, with a maximum permitted speed of 30 km / h, the speed offset can be 5 km / h, whereas with a maximum permitted speed of 130 km / h, the speed offset can be 20 km / h.

[0011] The method can be carried out, for example, using a computing device. The computing device can be embodied, for example, as at least one electronic control unit of the vehicle, which comprises one or more programmable processors. Furthermore, the computing device can have a computer-readable (storage) medium on which a computer program is stored. To carry out corresponding method steps, such as recognizing the driver's behavior pattern, the computer program can be executed on the computing device. The computing device can be part of the cruise control system.

[0012] The vehicle's cruise control system can be any assistance system that controls at least the longitudinal guidance of the vehicle. In particular, the cruise control system can be a so-called Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) system. However, it is also conceivable that the cruise control system is part of an automated driving function. The automated driving function can be automated driving with any degree of automation. Examples of automation levels include assisted, partially automated, conditionally automated, highly automated, and fully automated driving. The five automation levels mentioned above correspond to SAE Levels 1 to 5 of the SAE J3016 standard (SAE - Society of Automotive Engineering) as of April 30, 2021.

[0013] The traffic sign data describing the maximum permitted speed on a route currently being traveled and / or to be traveled in the future by the vehicle can be provided, for example, by a camera. Such a camera can, for example, be configured to capture and recognize / classify traffic signs in the vehicle's surroundings. However, it is also conceivable that the traffic sign data is provided, for example, by a navigation system or, more generally, by map data.

[0014] The maximum permissible speed specified by the traffic sign data can then be adopted as the target speed for the cruise control system. This can be done, for example, as a result of a driver input. For example, it is conceivable that the driver of the vehicle is shown the maximum permissible speed and then presses a SET button, for example. However, the maximum permissible speed can also be adopted as the target speed for the cruise control system without any input from the driver, thus automatically.

[0015] The following example illustrates the recording of the target speed correction. If the driver of a vehicle is driving with the cruise control system activated, which regulates the vehicle speed to, for example, 70 km / h as the target speed, and passes a traffic sign specifying a maximum permitted speed of, for example, 50 km / h, the maximum permitted speed of 50 km / h can be adopted as the target speed for the cruise control system (instead of 70 km / h). There can be many reasons for correcting the maximum permitted speed as the target speed. For example, it often happens that strictly adhering to the maximum permitted speed impedes traffic flow and / or the vehicle thus becomes an obstacle to traffic flow.Another reason may be that the vehicle driver is aware of a leading speedometer and therefore does not want to directly adopt the permitted maximum speed as the target speed for the cruise control system. A leading speedometer is a speedometer that displays a vehicle speed that is slightly higher than the vehicle's actual speed. Regardless of the reasons mentioned above, the driver can increase the target speed, which was set to 50 km / h due to the permitted maximum speed, to, for example, 55 km / h. In other words, the vehicle driver adds a speed offset of 5 km / h. Adding the speed offset can correspond to detecting the target speed correction.

[0016] The driver's behavior pattern—that is, the change in the target speed as a result of adopting the maximum permissible speed as the target speed—can be detected. For example, it can be detected by using a counter to count the occurrences of this sequence. If this driver behavior pattern is repeatedly detected, a proactive suggestion for changing the cruise control system's configuration can be presented to the driver.

[0017] For example, if this driver behavior pattern can be repeatedly recognized, it can be assumed that the vehicle driver is unaware that a speed offset can be permanently configured in the settings. By issuing the proactive configuration change suggestion, the vehicle driver can be made aware of the function. In addition, the corresponding configuration change can be made directly. This can support the vehicle driver in operating or adjusting the cruise control system settings. The proactive configuration change suggestion is particularly intuitive for the driver and also takes the driver's behavior into account.

[0018] By accepting the proactive configuration change proposal, a speed offset can be permanently set. If the maximum permissible speed is adopted as the target speed for the cruise control system in the future, a speed offset will be added to the maximum permissible speed. In other words, the target speed will deviate from the maximum permissible speed by a speed offset. The speed offset can have either a positive or a negative sign. A negative sign can mean a reduction in the target speed.

[0019] It can be advantageous if the recognition of the behavior pattern requires that the change in the target speed occurs within a predetermined time interval as a result of adopting the permissible maximum speed as the target speed. In other words, it is advantageous if the change in the target speed as a result of adopting the permissible maximum speed can be (temporally) assigned to the event of adopting the permissible maximum speed. This can ensure that the behavior pattern is reliably recognized. For example, such a predetermined time interval can be 3 seconds, 5 seconds, or the like. Changes in the target speed that do not occur within the predetermined time interval after adopting the permissible maximum speed are thus not assigned to the behavior pattern.This ensures that changes in the target speed, which may have a cause other than adopting the maximum permissible speed as the target speed, are not taken into account.

[0020] Furthermore, it can be advantageous if the recognition of the behavior pattern requires that the change in the target speed describes a specific speed value. In other words, the behavior pattern can be a specific change in the target speed. For example, it is conceivable that the driver of the vehicle, as a result of adopting the maximum permitted speed as the target speed, always increases the target speed by 5 km / h or the specified speed value. However, if the driver of the vehicle only increases the target speed by 3 km / h on a different occasion, this pattern is not assigned to the behavior pattern.

[0021] It can be particularly advantageous if the speed offset by which the target speed deviates from the permitted maximum speed in the future is equal to the specified speed value. This allows for individual responses to the driver's behavior pattern. The proactive configuration change suggestion can generally be a suggestion with various speed offsets. However, if the change in the target speed always equals the specified speed value, the driver's request—for example, to always add 5 km / h to the permitted maximum speed as the new target speed—can be addressed individually.

[0022] A further embodiment of the method according to the invention provides that the target speed is increased by means of the target speed correction. In other words, it is advantageous if the speed offset is always positive. This ensures that the vehicle does not inadvertently become a traffic obstruction. However, it can also be advantageous if the target speed is reduced by means of the target speed correction. Some drivers have an increased need for safety, so that the target speed may be reduced if necessary, particularly at high permissible speed limits. In this context, the permissible speed limit, which is described by the traffic sign data, can also be taken into account when recognizing the driver's behavior pattern.If the vehicle driver consistently reduces the target speed by 10 km / h after adopting a permissible maximum speed of, say, 130 km / h, this specific behavior pattern can be recognized. This allows the driver's safety needs to be addressed individually and intuitively.

[0023] In other words, the maximum speed limit can also be explicitly taken into account in the behavior pattern. The speed offset of the proactive configuration change suggestion can therefore only be added if the maximum speed limit detected using the traffic sign data corresponds to the maximum speed limit of the corresponding behavior pattern.

[0024] Finally, it is also advantageous if the proactive configuration change suggestion is only issued when the behavior pattern is repeatedly detected at least a predetermined minimum number of times. For example, the predetermined minimum number can be 2, 3, 4, 5, or more. Thus, if the behavior pattern is repeatedly detected three times, for example, the proactive configuration change suggestion is issued. This ensures that the driver's behavior pattern is a pattern in the true sense of the word.

[0025] A computing device according to the invention for a vehicle is configured to activate a cruise control system of the vehicle, wherein the cruise control system regulates a vehicle speed to a target speed. The computing device is also configured to receive traffic sign data describing a permissible maximum speed on a route traveled by the vehicle. Furthermore, the computing device is configured to adopt the permissible maximum speed as the target speed for the cruise control system and to detect a target speed correction, wherein the target speed correction describes a change in the target speed by the driver of the vehicle.The computing device is configured to recognize a driver behavior pattern, wherein the behavior pattern describes the change in the target speed as a result of adopting the maximum permissible speed as the target speed, and to output a proactive configuration change suggestion if the behavior pattern is repeatedly detected. Finally, the computing device is configured to detect acceptance of the proactive configuration change suggestion, as a result of which, when adopting the maximum permissible speed as the target speed, the target speed will deviate from the maximum permissible speed by a speed offset in the future. The computing device can be configured, for example, as an electronic control unit comprising one or more programmable processors.

[0026] A computer-readable (storage) medium according to the invention comprises instructions that, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to activate a cruise control system of the vehicle, wherein the cruise control system regulates a vehicle speed to a desired speed. Furthermore, the computer-readable (storage) medium comprises instructions that, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to receive traffic sign data describing a maximum permissible speed on a route traveled by the vehicle.In addition, the computer-readable (storage) medium comprises instructions which, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to adopt the maximum permissible speed as the target speed for the cruise control system and to detect a target speed correction, wherein the target speed correction describes a change in the target speed by the driver of the vehicle. The computer-readable (storage) medium comprises instructions which, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to recognize a behavior pattern of the driver, wherein the behavior pattern describes the change in the target speed as a result of adopting the maximum permissible speed as the target speed, and to output a proactive configuration change suggestion if the behavior pattern is repeatedly detected.Finally, the computer-readable (storage) medium comprises instructions which, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to detect acceptance of the proactive configuration change proposal. As a result, when the maximum permissible speed is adopted as the target speed, the target speed will deviate from the maximum permissible speed by a speed offset in the future. A cruise control system for a vehicle according to the invention comprises a computing device according to the invention. Furthermore, the cruise control system according to the invention comprises a display device configured to output the proactive configuration change proposal. Finally, the cruise control system according to the invention comprises an input device configured to detect acceptance of the proactive configuration change proposal.

[0027] A further aspect of the invention relates to a computer program comprising instructions that, when executed by a computing device, cause the device to execute a method according to the invention and the advantageous embodiments thereof. Furthermore, the invention relates to a vehicle comprising a cruise control system according to the invention. The vehicle can be designed, in particular, as a passenger car.

[0028] The preferred embodiments presented with reference to the method according to the invention and their advantages apply accordingly to the computing device according to the invention, to the computer-readable (storage) medium according to the invention, and to the cruise control system according to the invention. Furthermore, the preferred embodiments presented with reference to the method according to the invention and their advantages also apply to the computer program according to the invention and to the vehicle according to the invention.

[0029] Further features of the invention emerge from the claims, the figure, and the description of the figures. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figure, can be used not only in the respective combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0030] The invention will now be explained in more detail using preferred embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of the method according to the invention for proactively changing the configuration of a cruise control system of a vehicle as a result of a repeatedly detected behavior pattern of a driver of the vehicle. Figure 1 shows the method steps of the method according to the invention for proactively changing the configuration of a cruise control system of a vehicle as a result of a repeatedly detected behavior pattern of a driver of the vehicle. In step S1, the cruise control system of the vehicle is activated. The cruise control system regulates a vehicle speed to a target speed. In step S2, traffic sign data can be received. The traffic sign data can be provided, for example, by a camera of the vehicle. The camera can be configured to recognize traffic signs or to recognize a permissible maximum speed.However, the traffic sign data can also be provided by a navigation system or, more generally, by a map database. In step S3, the maximum permitted speed is adopted as the target speed for the cruise control system. In step S4, a target speed correction is recorded. The target speed correction can describe a change in the target speed by the vehicle driver.

[0032] For example, in step S2, traffic sign data can be received that describes a maximum permitted speed of 100 km / h. In step S3, the maximum permitted speed of 100 km / h can be adopted as the target speed for the cruise control system. In other words, the cruise control system subsequently regulates the vehicle speed to the adopted maximum permitted speed or to the target speed. In step S3, the driver of the vehicle can, for example, increase the target speed from 100 km / h to 110 km / h. Steps S3 and S4 describe a behavior pattern 1 of the driver. Behavior pattern 1 describes the change in the target speed as a result of adopting the additional maximum speed as the target speed.

[0033] If behavior pattern 1 is repeatedly detected (indicated by arrow 2), a proactive configuration change suggestion can be issued. The repeated detection of behavior pattern 1 may indicate that the vehicle driver generally desires a speed offset. Such a speed offset can be suggested to the vehicle driver as part of the proactive configuration change suggestion S5.

[0034] It may be advantageous if behavior pattern 1 also includes receiving traffic sign data. This is indicated by T in Figure 1. For example, it may be advantageous if behavior pattern 1 can always be assigned to a maximum speed limit. In other words, it may be helpful if a speed offset is only added for certain maximum speed limits.

Claims

Claims Method for proactive configuration change of a Cruise control system of a vehicle as a result of a repeatedly detected behavior pattern (1, 1') of a driver of the vehicle, comprising the steps: - activating the vehicle's cruise control system, whereby the cruise control system regulates a vehicle speed to a target speed, - Receiving traffic sign data describing a maximum permissible speed on a route travelled by the vehicle, - Adopting the maximum permissible speed as the target speed for the cruise control system, and - detecting a target speed correction, wherein the target speed correction describes a change in the target speed by the driver of the vehicle, characterized in that - a behavior pattern (1, 1') of the driver is recognized, wherein the behavior pattern (1, 1') describes the change in the target speed as a result of adopting the maximum permissible speed as the target speed, - issuing a proactive configuration change suggestion to the driver if the behavior pattern (1 , T) is repeatedly detected, and - By accepting the proactive configuration change proposal, the target speed deviates from the permissible maximum speed by a speed offset when the permissible maximum speed is adopted as the target speed. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the recognition of the behavior pattern (1, 1') requires that the change in the target speed occurs within a predetermined time interval as a result of the permissible maximum speed being adopted as the target speed. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the recognition of the behavior pattern (1, 1') requires that the change in the target speed describes a specific speed value. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that the speed offset by which the target speed deviates from the permissible maximum speed in the future is equal to the specific speed value. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the target speed is increased by means of the target speed correction. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the target speed is reduced by means of the target speed correction.Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the proactive configuration change suggestion is only output when the behavior pattern is repeatedly detected at least a predetermined minimum number of times. A computing device for a vehicle, which is configured to: - to activate a cruise control system of the vehicle, whereby the cruise control system regulates a vehicle speed to a target speed, - to receive traffic sign data describing a maximum permissible speed on a route travelled by the vehicle, - to adopt the maximum permissible speed as the target speed for the cruise control system, and - to record a target speed correction, whereby the target speed correction describes a change in the target speed by the driver of the vehicle, characterized in that the computing device is designed to: - to detect a behavior pattern (1, 1') of the driver, wherein the behavior pattern (1, 1') describes the change in the target speed as a result of adopting the maximum permissible speed as the target speed, - to issue a proactive configuration change proposal if the behavior pattern (1 , 1') is repeatedly detected, and - to record acceptance of the proactive configuration change proposal, as a result of which, if the maximum permissible speed is adopted as the target speed, the target speed will deviate from the maximum permissible speed by a speed offset in the future. Computer-readable (storage) medium, comprising instructions that, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to: - to activate a cruise control system of the vehicle, whereby the cruise control system regulates a vehicle speed to a target speed, - to receive traffic sign data describing a maximum permissible speed on a route travelled by the vehicle, - to adopt the maximum permissible speed as the target speed for the cruise control system, and - to record a target speed correction, wherein the target speed correction describes a change in the target speed by the driver of the vehicle, characterized in that the computer-readable (storage) medium causes the computing device to: - to detect a behavior pattern (1, 1') of the driver, wherein the behavior pattern (1, 1') describes the change in the target speed as a result of adopting the maximum permissible speed as the target speed, - to issue a proactive configuration change proposal if the behavior pattern (1 , 1') is repeatedly detected, and - to record an acceptance of the proactive configuration change proposal, as a result of which, when adopting the maximum permissible speed as the target speed, the target speed deviates from the maximum permitted speed by a certain speed offset in the future. A vehicle control system, comprising: - a computing device according to claim 8, - a display device configured to output the proactive configuration change proposal, and - an input device configured to detect acceptance of the proactive configuration change proposal.

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