A method for warning a user of a motor vehicle of a high beam event by an assistance system, a computer program product, a non-transitory computer

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for warning a user 28 of a motor vehicle 10 of a high beam event 26 by an assistance system 12 of the motor vehicle. Comprising the steps of detecting the high beam e

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of auto mobiles. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for warning a user of a motor vehicle of a high beam event by an assistance system of the motor vehicle. 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] From the state of the art it is known, that a user of a motor vehicle may be blinded by a high beam of another motor vehicle in its surroundings. In particular, for example, if the lights of the other motor vehicles are adjusted to high or for example the other motor vehicle is driving over a hill, the user may be blinded. This may cause that the user may not see other objects during the driving operation. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide a method, a computer program product, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, as well as an assistance system, by which a user may be warned about a high beam event.

[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 assistance 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 warning a user of a motor vehicle of a high beam event by an assistance system of the motor vehicle. The high beam event is detected by a detection device of the assistance system. The user is warned of the detected high beam event by a warning device of the assistance system. An at least in part automated maneuver of the motor vehicle is initiated depending on the high beam event by a maneuvering device of the assistance system.

[0006] Therefore, the user may be warned about the high beam event as well as an automated maneuver in order to end the high beam event may be initiated. This may raise the safety in traffic.

[0007] In particular, the method may prevent the loss of life and material due to temporary blindness caused by high beam.

[0008] Therefore, in order to prevent a high beam event, which may result from temporary blindness due to high beam from a driver coming from the opposite direction the method provides to detect the high beam event, to warn the user by for example a so called driver caution system, once the high beam is detected, and actively maneuvering using in particular autonomous features of the motor vehicle, until the driver has regained the ability to see properly.

[0009] The high beam event can be caused by another motor vehicle, which comes towards the motor vehicle. Furthermore, the high beam event can be caused by another motor vehicle behind the motor vehicle, for example the high beam can mirrored in a mirror device of the motor vehicle.

[0010] According to an embodiment the high beam event is detected by at least one diode as the detection device.

[0011] In another embodiment a current viewing direction of the user is taken into consideration for detecting the high beam event.

[0012] In another embodiment a blindness value for the user is determined by the detection device.

[0013] In another embodiment a machine learning algorithm is used for determining the blindness value. The blindness value may in particular defined as a period the person is going through temporary blindness.

[0014] In another embodiment an audio speaker as the warning device is used for warning the user.

[0015] In another embodiment the motor vehicle is maneuvered such, that the high beam event is ended. In particular the motor vehicle is maneuvered autonomously being aware of nearby environment, not causing any accidents.

[0016] In particular, the present invention 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.

[0017] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising at least the computer program product according to the preceding aspect.

[0018] Furthermore, the present invention relates to an assistance system for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one detection device, one warning device, and one maneuvering 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.

[0019] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least the assistance system. The motor vehicle may be in particular at least in part automated.

[0020] 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 comprise means for performing the method.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] In various embodiments, the computing unit includes one or more hardware and / or software interfaces and / or one or more memory units.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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

[0026] 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.

[0027] The drawings show in:

[0028] Fig. 1 schematic top view according to an embodiment of a motor vehicle comprising an embodiment of an assistance system; and

[0029] Fig. 2 a schematic flow chart according to an embodiment of the method.

[0030] In the figures the same elements or elements having the same function are indicated by the same reference signs. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] Fig. 1 shows a schematic top view according to an embodiment of a motor vehicle 10. The motor vehicle 10 comprises an assistance system 12. The motor vehicle 10 is configured for being maneuvered a least in part automatically. Therefore, the motor vehicle 10 / the assistance system 12 may comprise a maneuvering device 14. Furthermore, the assistance system 12 comprises at least one detection device 16 as well as a warning device 18. Furthermore, the assistance system 12 may comprise at least one electronic computing device 20.

[0036] In particular Fig. 1 shows, that another motor vehicle 22 in surroundings 24 may approach to the motor vehicle 10. In particular, the further motor vehicle 22 generates a high beam event 26, which may blind a user 28 of the motor vehicle 10. The high beam event can be caused by the further motor vehicle 22, which comes towards the motor vehicle 10. Furthermore, the high beam event can be caused by another motor vehicle behind the motor vehicle 10, for example the high beam can mirrored in a mirror device of the motor vehicle.

[0037] In particular Fig. 1 shows, that in particular for detecting the high beam event 26 a diode 30 may be used. The diode 30 may be arranged at sight view mirrors 32, as well as at a rear view mirror 34.

[0038] Fig. 2 shows a schematic flow chat according to the embodiment of the method. In particular Fig. 2 shows that in a first step S1 the high beam event 26 is detected by the detection device 16. The user 28 may be warned of the detected high beam event 26 by the warning device 18 in a second step S2. In a third step S3 an at least in part automated maneuver of the motor vehicle 10 may be initiated depending on the high beam event 26 by the maneuvering device 14 of the assistance system 12.

[0039] In particular the high beam event 26 is detected by at least one diode 30 of the detection device 16. Furthermore, a current viewing direction of the user 28 is taking to consideration for detecting the high beam event 26. Furthermore, a blindness value for the user 28 may be determined by the detection device 16. In particular, a machine learning algorithms may be used for determining the blindness value.

[0040] In another embodiment an audio speaker as the warning device 18 may be used for warning the user 28.

[0041] Furthermore, the motor vehicle 10 may be maneuvered such, that the high beam event 26 is ended.

[0042] In particular, Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shows, that in order to detect a high beam event 26 a combination of for example a series of diodes 30 may be used, which are mounted for example the left side mirror, right side mirror, rear view mirror 34, or the front windshield. Furthermore, a machine learning model that predicts the blindness based on the driver monitoring camera video frame may be used. Therefore, this method may introduce a good amount of redundancy and prevent any false positive. In particular, a threshold for bright light, and therefore the high beam event 26 may be calculated by using weather data and time and place data.

[0043] Furthermore, camera data may be used, for example the machine learning model may detect eyes of the driver I user 28 and crop the eyes from the image. A computer vision algorithm that may detect the intensity between two alternative images. The machine learning model may be trained on how a human face react when shown the bright light and it will detect a different behavior.

[0044] The machine learning model detects a period of temporary blindness. To customize the machine learning model for each individual, the user 28 may be asked to perform an activity inside the motor vehicle 10. The user 28 may be asked to move into a darker area, the front camera may be used to make sure the environment settings are correct for activity. The user 28 may be shown a bright light which may simulate the high beam event 26 and immediately there may be shown a sequence of letters and the user 28 may be asked to arrange the 4 letters below it. The front camera may be recording the eyes throughout the test.

[0045] Once the high beam event 26 is triggered, the motor vehicle 10 may start to use speech to let the driver know about immediate objects in the surroundings 24.

[0046] Furthermore, an actively maneuvering using autonomous features of the motor vehicle 10 may be used until the user 28 has regained to ability to see properly. Once the high beam event 26 is triggered, the autonomous mode may be triggered and the motor vehicle 10 may take over the driving procedure. Reference Signs 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 S1-S3 motor vehicle 10 assistance system 12 maneuvering device 14 detection device 16 warning device 18 electronic computing device 20 further motor vehicle 22 surroundings 24 high beam event 26 user 28 diode 30 side mirror 32 rear view mirrors steps oft he method

Claims

1. A method for warning a user (28) of a motor vehicle (10) of a high beam event (26) by an assistance system (12) of the motor vehicle (10), comprising the steps of: - detecting the high beam event (26) by a detection device (16) of the assistance system (12);- warning the user (28) of the detected high beam event (26) by a warning device (18) of the assistance system (12); and- initiating an at least in part automated maneuver of the motor vehicle (10) depending on the high beam event (26) by a maneuvering device (14) of the assistance system (129.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe high beam event (26) is detected by at least one diode (30) as the detection device (16).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in thata current viewing direction of the user (28) is taken into consideration for detecting the high beam event (26).

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in thata blindness value for the user (28) is determined by the detection device (16).

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in thata machine learning algorithm is used for determining the blindness value.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in thatan audio speaker as the warning device (18) is used for warning the user (26).

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in thatthe motor vehicle (10) is maneuvered such, that the high beam event (26) is ended.

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

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

10. An assistance system (12) for a motor vehicle (10), comprising at least one detection device (16), one warning device (18), and one maneuvering device (14), wherein the assistance system (12) is configured for performing a method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.12

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