A method for positioning a warning sign for a motor vehicle on a road by a warning system, a computer program product, a non-transitory computer-readable

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for positioning an warning sign (18) for a motor vehicle (10) on a road (26) by a warning system (12) of the at least in part autonomous motor vehicle (10), comprisin

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of automobiles. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for positioning a warning sign for a motor vehicle on a road by an warning system of the at least in part autonomous motor vehicle according to depending claim 1. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a corresponding computer program product, a corresponding non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, as well as to a corresponding warning system. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0002] When a motor vehicle needs to stop on the highway, by law it is required to place a warning sign, in particular as the warning triangle, at a certain, scenario-specific distance from the motor vehicle. In most situations, the drivers place the triangle at a very last distance which is unsafe to other road users. In the case of autonomous vehicles, when the vehicle hands over the control to the driver and if they do not respond in time, the motor vehicle pulls up to the side. The driver might be sleeping or facing a warning, they are not able to place a warning triangle when the motor vehicle is stopped. Therefore, there is a need in the art to provide an autonomous mechanism to position a warning sign, in particular a warning triangle, to comply with the regulations. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide a method, a corresponding computer program product, a corresponding non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, as well as a corresponding warning system, by which an autonomous positioning of a warning sign of the motor vehicle can be realized.

[0004] This object is solved by a method, a corresponding computer program product, a corresponding non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, as well as a corresponding warning system according to the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are presented in the dependent claims.

[0005] One aspect of the invention relates to a method for positioning a warning sign for a motor vehicle on a road by a warning system of the at least in part autonomous motor vehicle. A critical situation of the motor vehicle is determined by an electronic computing device of the warning system. A type of the road is determined, where the motor vehicle is travelling on, by the electronic computing device. A stop position on the road of the motor vehicle is determined by the electronic computing device. A distance where the warning sign has to be positioned relative to the stop position is determined depending on the determined type of road by the electronic computing device. The warning sign is dropped by a dropping device of the warning system depending on the determined stop position and the determined distance such, that the warning sign has the determined distance to the stopped vehicle.

[0006] Therefore, an autonomous way for positioning the warning sign is provided. In particular, the warning system detects the type of scenario and estimates the distance at which the warning sign, for example a warning triangle, is to be placed. The parameters can be road type, speed limit, and blind curves. When the situation arises, the objective is to position the warning sign automatically on the ground. A mechanism, in particular the dropping device, located for example at the trunk / underbody drops the warning sign that can be for example an inflatable pyramid structure or triangle. The warning sign in particular meets the regulation after being placed for example being upright and visible for other road users. In particular, the warning sign is dropped while the motor vehicle is in motion and after dropping, the motor vehicle needs to be stop earliest after reaching the minimal required distance.

[0007] In particular, this invention ensures the compliance with regulations. Furthermore, it ensures that the other road users are warned in an event when the motor vehicle pulls to the side. Furthermore, the driver does not have to get down on the road to place the warning triangle. This may be a dangerous situation as a driver-side door opens towards the traffic. Furthermore, the warning sign is robust to wind and ensures it stays in place.

[0008] According to an embodiment the warning sign is provided as a pyramid-shaped sign.

[0009] In another embodiment the warning sign is provided in a storage room of a trunk of the motor vehicle.

[0010] In another embodiment the warning sign is stored in an uninflated state.

[0011] According to another embodiment the warning sign is inflated during the dropping of the warning sign.

[0012] In another embodiment the critical situation is determined depending on an emergency of a person inside of the motor vehicle and / or an emergency of the motor vehicle.

[0013] In particular, the method is a computer-implemented method. Therefore, another aspect of the invention relates to a computer program product comprising program code means for performing a method according to the preceding aspect.

[0014] A still further aspect of the invention relates to a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising at least the computer program product according to the preceding aspect.

[0015] A still further aspect of the invention relates to a warning system for positioning an warning sign for a motor vehicle on a road, comprising at least one electronic computing device and one dropping device, wherein the warning system is configured for performing a method according to the preceding aspect. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least the warning system according to the preceding aspect.

[0016] A computing unit / electronic computing device may in particular be understood as a data processing device, which comprises processing circuitry. The computing unit can therefore in particular process data to perform computing operations. This may also include operations to perform indexed accesses to a data structure, for example a look-up table, LUT.

[0017] In particular, the computing unit may include one or more computers, one or more microcontrollers, and / or one or more integrated circuits, for example, one or more application-specific integrated circuits, ASIC, one or more field-programmable gate arrays, FPGA, and / or one or more systems on a chip, SoC. The computing unit may also include one or more processors, for example one or more microprocessors, one or more central processing units, CPU, one or more graphics processing units, GPU, and / or one or more signal processors, in particular one or more digital signal processors, DSP. The computing unit may also include a physical or a virtual cluster of computers or other of said units.

[0018] In various embodiments, the computing unit includes one or more hardware and / or software interfaces and / or one or more memory units.

[0019] A memory unit may be implemented as a volatile data memory, for example a dynamic random access memory, DRAM, or a static random access memory, SRAM, or as a non-volatile data memory, for example a read-only memory, ROM, a programmable read-only memory, PROM, an erasable programmable read-only memory, EPROM, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, EEPROM, a flash memory or flash EEPROM, a ferroelectric random access memory, FRAM, a magnetoresistive random access memory, MRAM, or a phase-change random access memory, PCRAM.

[0020] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention derive from the following description of preferred embodiments as well as from the drawings. The features and feature combinations previously mentioned in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned in the following description of the figures and / or shown in the figures alone can be employed not only in the respectively indicated combination but also in any other combination or taken alone without leaving the scope of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments and together with the description, serve to explain the disclosed principles. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system and / or methods in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described below, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0022] The drawings show in:

[0023] Fig. 1 a schematic side view of an embodiment of a motor vehicle comprising an embodiment of a warning system; and

[0024] Fig. 2 a schematic flow chart according to an embodiment of the method.

[0025] In the figures the same elements or elements having the same function are indicated by the same reference signs. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] In the present document, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration". Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

[0027] While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawing and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure.

[0028] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion so that a setup, device or method that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus preceded by “comprises” or “comprise” does not or do not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or method.

[0029] In the following detailed description of the embodiment of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawing that forms part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration a specific embodiment in which the disclosure may be practiced. This embodiment is described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0030] Fig. 1 shows a schematic side view according to an embodiment of a motor vehicle 10 comprising at least one warning system 12. The motor vehicle 10 is at least in part autonomous. Alternatively, the motor vehicle 10 can be fully autonomous.

[0031] The warning system 12 comprises at least one electronic computing device 14 and one dropping device 16. Furthermore, the warning system 12 comprises at least one warning sign 18. For example, the dropping device 16 as well as the warning sign 18 may be arranged in a trunk 20 of the motor vehicle 10.

[0032] Furthermore, it is shown, that in Fig. 1 the warning sign 18 already has been dropped of the motor vehicle 10. In particular, a determined distance 22 between the motor vehicle 10 and the warning sign 18 is provided.

[0033] Furthermore, Fig. 1 shows, that the warning sign 18 is in particular a pyramidshaped sign. Furthermore, it is shown, that the warning sign 18 may be stored in a storage 24 of the trunk 20 and / or the dropping device 16. In particular, the warning sign 18 is stored in an uninflated state. In particular, the warning sign 18 is inflated during the dropping of the warning sign 18.

[0034] Fig. 2 shows a schematic flow chart according to an embodiment of the method. In particular Fig. 2 shows the method for positioning the warning sign 18 for the motor vehicle 10 on a road 26 (Fig. 1) the motor vehicle 10 is travelling on. In a first step S1 a critical situation of the motor vehicle 10 is determined by the electronic computing device 14. Ina second step S2 a type of the road 26, the motor vehicle 10 is travelling on, is determined by the electronic computing device 14. A stop position P on the road 26 of the motor vehicle 10 is determined by the electronic computing device 14 in a third step S3. In a fourth step S4 the distance 22 where the warning sign 18 has to be positioned relative to the stop position P is determined depending on the determined type of the road 26 by the electronic computing device 14. In a fifth step S5 the warning sign 18 is dropped by the dropping device 16 depending on the determined stop position P and the determined distance 22 such, that the warning sign 18 has the determined distance 22 to the stopped motor vehicle 10.

[0035] In particular, the warning sign 18 is placed / stored in a predefined location inside the trunk 20. The driving system of the motor vehicle 10 oversees a potential failure, a breakdown, or a situation as the critical situation where it can no longer continue driving autonomously and initiates the warning sign drop off. For example, current level 2 autonomous motor vehicles 10 initiate driver hand-off or hand-over as it relies on the driver to take control when necessary. Although, a higher level of SAE a motor vehicle 10 can not rely on the driver to take control when necessary. This is when the warning sign 18 is automatically deployed.

[0036] The actual drop off of the warning sign 18 from the motor vehicle 10 can happen in various ways, for example it can be dropped from a cutout made inside the trunk 20, that is mechanically controlled by the motor vehicle 10 or the warning sign 18 can be pushed through the trunk 20 using a mechanical lever / arm.

[0037] The warning system 12 ensures that the process meets all the regulations. For example, the pyramid structure of the warning sign 18 ensures that the warning sign 18 is always upright. The shape of the sign ensures an upright position regardless of how the warning sign 18 is dropped. This is similar to how a side of a dice always faces up no matter how the dice is thrown.

[0038] The warning system 12 uses the existing autonomous odometry system to measure the distance 22 between the drop off location and the stop position P to ensure there is enough distance 22 to meet the regulations. Furthermore, the warning sign 18 is visible as the warning sign 18 may still contain reflectors 28 used in the normal warning signs 18.

[0039] Furthermore, the driving system of the motor vehicle 10 may have an odometry system in place. This odometry system can be based on visuals, sensors, GPS or plain RPM reading of the engine. The motor vehicle 10 may easily keep track of the differential distance 22 at each time stamp. The motor vehicle 10 may calculate the distance 22 from the drop location and the stop position P using the above-mentioned odometry system or a similar system and ensure it meets the regulations.

[0040] Currently level 2 systems hand off to a driver when the motor vehicle 10 detects a scenario that is out of its capabilities or encounters a situation that requires human judgement, in particular the critical situation. A hardware failure, empty charge / fuel can be some situations that are out of the vehicle control. These situations can be considered as triggers for the warning sign 18 to be dropped. Reference signs 10 Motor vehicle 12 Warning system 14 Electronic computing device 16 Dropping device 18 Warning sign 20 Trunk 22 Distance 24 Storage 26 Road 28 Reflector P Stop position S1 to S5 Steps of the method

Claims

1. A method for positioning an warning sign (18) for a motor vehicle (10) on a road (26) by a warning system (12) of the at least in part autonomous motor vehicle (10), comprising the steps of:- determining a critical situation of the motor vehicle (10) by an electronic computing device (14) of the warning system (12); (S1)- determining a type of the road (26) the motor vehicle (10) is travelling on by the electronic computing device (14); (S2)- determining a stop position (P) on the road (26) of the motor vehicle (10) by the electronic computing device (14); (S3)- determining a distance (22) where the warning sign (18) has to be positioned relative to the stop position (P) depending on the determined type of road (26) by the electronic computing device (14); (S4) and- dropping the warning sign (18) by a dropping device (16) of the warning system (12) depending on the determined stop position (P) and the determined distance (22) such, that the warning sign (18) has the determined distance (22) to the stopped motor vehicle (10).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe warning sign (18) is provided as a pyramid shaped sign.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in thatthe warning sign (18) is provided in storage (24) of a trunk (20) of the motor vehicle (10).

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in thatthe warning sign (18) is stored in an uninflated state.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in thatthe warning sign (18) is inflated during the dropping of the warning sign (18).

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in thatthe critical situation is determined depending on an emergency of a person inside of the motor vehicle (10) and / or on an emergency of the motor vehicle (10).

7. A computer program product comprising program code means for performing a method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising at least the computer program product according to claim 7.

9. A warning system (12) for positioning a warning sign (18) for a motor vehicle (10) on a road (26), comprising at least one electronic computing device (14) and one dropping device (16), wherein the warning system (12) is configured for performing a method according to any one claims 1 to 6.

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