A method for operating an assistance system of an at least in part automated motor vehicle, a computer program product

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating an assistance system (12) of an at least in part automated motor vehicle (10), comprising the steps of: providing at least one module (14) of the assistance system to be activated by an electronic computing device (18) of the assistance system; capturing a current situation (20) of the motor vehicle by a capturing device (16) of the assistance system; providing a user profile (22) for a usage of the assistance system by a user of the motor vehicle by the electronic computing device; and selecting a working mode of the module or an energy saving mode of the module depending on the current situation and the user profile. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a computer program product, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, as well as to an assistance system.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of automobiles. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for operating an assistance system of an at least in part automated motor vehicle according to the 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 assistance system. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0002] Automated driving functions require multiple modules that run, such as sensors, perception, fusion, prediction, path planning and more. To check availability and to allow immediate engaging by driver request, the system needs to run continuously in open loop, which involves all modules before the actual actuation. This continuous power consumption comes with huge energy demands. Even worth, in electric vehicles the function drains driving range without being used by the customer. This is wasteful for times when the system is not used but still running in the background. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is an object of the invention to provide a method, a corresponding computer program product, a corresponding non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, as well as a corresponding assistance system, by which energy of the assistance system can be saved.

[0004] This object is solved by a method, a corresponding computer program product, a corresponding non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, as well a corresponding assistance system.

[0005] One aspect of the invention relates to a method for operating an assistance system of an at least in part operated motor vehicle. At least one module of the assistance system is provided to be activated by an electronic computing device of the assistance system. A current situation of the motor vehicle is captured by a capturing device of the assistance system. A user profile for a usage of the assistance system by a user of the motor vehicle is provided by the electronic computing device. A working mode is selected of the at least one module or an energy saving mode of the at least one module is selected depending on the current situation and the user profile.

[0006] Therefore, reduced power consumption by implementing low power mode if the assistance system is not active is provided. Therefore, a range for electric motor vehicles is added. Furthermore, a predictive engaging likelihood ensures that the assistance system is available most of the time if requested. The energy saving minimizes a startup time in a case of false prediction.

[0007] In particular, not only sensors may be deactivated, but there are further stages in which individual software modules are excluded from the execution graph. As an example, only parts of the perception stack could be run to monitor the ODD (Operational Design Domain). Another example, the software module for trajectory prediction could only be run when the system is asked to engage. In another example, the system is designed redundantly on two separate hardware modules. One would be enough to monitor the ODD, the other one could be on standby.

[0008] According to the embodiment a usage likelihood for the usage is determined as the user profile and depending on the usage likelihood the mode is selected.

[0009] In another embodiment depending on a start-up time of the at least one module and the usage likelihood the mode is selected.

[0010] In another embodiment an operational design domain of the assistance system is taken into consideration for selecting the mode of the at least one module.

[0011] In another embodiment depending on the current position of the motor vehicle the operation design domain is determined.

[0012] In particular, the method 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 proceeding aspect.

[0013] A still further aspect of the invention relates to a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising at least a computer program product according to the preceding aspect.

[0014] Another aspect of the invention relates to an assistance system for an at least in part automated motor vehicle, comprising at least one module, one capturing device, and one electronic computing device, wherein the assistance system is configured for performing a method according to the preceding aspect. In particular, the method is performed by the assistance system.

[0015] Furthermore, the invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least the assistance system according to the preceding aspect. In particular, the motor vehicle is at least in part automated.

[0016] Advantageous embodiments of the method are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the computer program product, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, the assistance system, as well as the motor vehicle. The assistance system as well as the motor vehicle therefore comprises means for performing the method.

[0017] In the present disclosure, a computing unit may for example be understood as a data processing device with processing circuitry. A computing unit can therefore perform computing operations in order to process data. The computing operations may also include indexed accesses to a data structure, for example a look-up table, LUT.

[0018] In particular, a 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.

[0019] A computing unit may also comprise one or more hardware and / or software interfaces and / or one or more memory units. Therein, 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 according to an embodiment of a motor vehicle comprising an embodiment of an assistance 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. The motor vehicle 10 is at least in part automated. Therefore, the motor vehicle 10 comprises an assistance system 12. The assistance system 12 comprises at least one module 14, one capturing device 16 and one electronic computing device 18.

[0031] According to an embodiment at least the one module 14 of the assistance system 12 to be activated by the electronic computing device 18 is provided. A current situation of the motor vehicle 10 is captured by the capturing device 16. A user profile 22 for a usage of the assistance system 12 by a user of the motor vehicle 10 is provided by the electronic computing device 18. A working mode of the at least one module 14 or an energy saving mode of the at least one module 14 is selected depending on the current situation 20 and the user profile 22.

[0032] In particular, a usage likelihood for the usage is determined as the user profile 22 and depending on the usage likelihood the mode is selected. Furthermore, depending on a start-up time of the at least one module 14 and the usage likelihood the mode is selected. Furthermore, an operational design domain of the assistance system 12 is taken into consideration for selecting the mode of the at least one module 14. Furthermore, depending on a current position P of the motor vehicle 10 the operational design domain is determined.

[0033] In particular, to implement a low power consumption profile that includes only modules 14 to monitor the operational design domain, for example map module and GNSS positioning module. This runs if the system is not active. An engaging likelihood is predicted based on the usage profile 22 of the user of the motor vehicle 10. For example, a general usage rate, day time and a route may be used for predicting the likelihood. Based on an availability, in particular only in areas that are part of the operational design domain, for example where a map is available the modes can be selected.

[0034] An energy saving mode realizes fast start-up by keeping the module 14 with slow start-up running or start them up already at smaller threshold of predicted engaging likelihood, for example the GNSS positioning module.

[0035] Fig. 2 shows a schematic flow chart according to an embodiment of the method. In particular, Fig. 2 shows an example of the incremental start-up mode. The state transitions are predicted based on the criteria described above.

[0036] In a first step S1 only modules 14 with a slow start-up are held in an energy saving mode. In a second step S2 a static operational design domain monitoring is provided. Therefore, for example maps and localization modules are used. In a third step S3 a dynamic operational design domain monitoring is provided. For example a perception and fusion modules are activated. In a fourth step S4 the actuation of the module 14 is provided, in particular, planning and control of the actuation is provided. signs motor vehicle assistance system module capturing device electronic computing device current situation user profile position steps of the method

Claims

1. A method for operating an assistance system (12) of an at least in part automated motor vehicle (10), comprising the steps of:- providing at least one module (14) of the assistance system (12) to be activated by an electronic computing device (18) of the assistance system (12);- capturing a current situation (20) of the motor vehicle (10) by a capturing device (16) of the assistance system (12);- providing a user profile (22) for a usage of the assistance system (12) by a user of the motor vehicle (10) by the electronic computing device (18); and- selecting a working mode of the at least one module (14) or an energy saving mode of the at least one module (14) depending on the current situation (20) and the user profile (22).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in thata usage likelihood for the usage is determined as the user profile (22) and depending on the usage likelihood the mode is selected.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in thatdepending on a start-up time of the at least one module (14) and the usage likelihood the mode is selected.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in thatan operational design domain of the assistance system (12) is taken into consideration for selecting the mode of the at least one module (14).

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in thatdepending on a current position (P) of the motor vehicle (10) the operational design domain is determined.

6. A computer program product comprising program code means for performing a method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising at least the computer program product according to claim 6.

8. An assistance system (12) for an at least in part automated motor vehicle (10), comprising at least one module (14), one capturing device (16), and one electronic computing device (18), wherein the assistance system (12) is configured for performing a method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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