METHOD FOR OPERATING VEHICLE OBJECT CAPTURE SYSTEM, ... AND VEHICLE

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of operating an object capture system (9) for a vehicle (1), comprising: - recognizing whether the door (7) of said vehicle (1) is in a closed or open position; - when the door (7) is in the closed position, implementing an occupant recognition mode of the object capture system (9) by orienting at least one radar sensor (10, 11) of the vehicle (1) arranged on the door (7) so that its capture range (10a, 11a) faces the seat (4, 5) in the passenger compartment (3) of the vehicle (1) adjacent to the door (7), and detecting whether an occupant (8) is occupying the seat (4, 5) by the radar sensor (10, 11); - when the door (7) is in the open position, executing a movement space capture mode of the object capture system (9) in which at least one of the radar sensors (10, 11) of the vehicle (1) arranged on the door (7) is orientated so that its capture range (10a, 11a) faces the movement space (16) of the door between the inner surface (7a) of the door (7) and the body (2) of the vehicle (1), and detecting whether an object is present in the movement space (16) by the radar sensor (10, 11); The present invention relates to a method for providing the same.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One aspect of the invention relates to a method of operating an object capture system for a vehicle. A further aspect of the invention relates to an electronic object capture system. A further aspect of the invention relates to a motor vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] It is known from the prior art that radar sensors can be installed on the body of a vehicle on the outside of the doors, which allow the radar sensors to capture people inside the vehicle as well as in the external environment when the doors are closed. In this regard, reference can be made to document US 2022 / 0111856 A1. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a method for realizing multifunctional object acquisition by radar sensors in a vehicle.

[0004] This object is achieved by a method, an electronic object capture system, and a motor vehicle according to the independent claims.

[0005] An aspect of the present invention is a method of operating an object capture system for a vehicle, comprising: - recognizing whether the doors of said vehicle are in a closed or an open position; - when the door is in the closed position, implementing an occupant recognition mode of the object capture system by orienting at least one radar sensor of the vehicle arranged in the door so that its capture range faces the seat in the passenger compartment of the vehicle adjacent to the door, and detecting whether the seat is occupied by an occupant by the radar sensor; - when the door is in the open position, executing a movement space capture mode of the object capture system, orienting at least one of the radar sensors of the vehicle arranged on the door so that its capture range faces the movement space of the door between the inner surface of the door and the body of the vehicle, and detecting whether an object is present in the movement space by the radar sensor; The present invention relates to a method for providing the same.

[0006] This method thus facilitates the implementation of different acquisition modes in which different ranges and / or objects can be acquired by at least one identical radar sensor. The specific location of the at least one radar sensor on the vehicle's door allows the radar sensor to be installed in a compact, space-saving manner while still being associated with a movable door. This already results in a very advantageous situation: first, it is entirely simple to implement very distinct modes, namely, the occupant recognition mode on the one hand and the movement space acquisition mode on the other, with respect to the ranges to be locally and precisely acquired. This is because the radar sensor itself during door movement and the specific position of the door as defined in the above-mentioned method already facilitate automatically orienting its acquisition range in the intended direction or adjusting it accordingly. In this regard, it is particularly advantageous that, in the movement space acquisition mode, the radar sensor can monitor the movement space formed between the inner surface of the door and an entrance area of ​​the vehicle body that can be closed by the door. This mode therefore particularly advantageously facilitates the early recognition of objects located in or entering this movement space. This prevents the door from hitting any object in this movement space while closing. Similarly, such object in this movement space will not hit the door while closing, resulting in damage to the door. It is also highly advantageous that the radar sensor's location on the door creates different large movement spaces in different opening positions of the door. These movement spaces can also be comprehensively captured by the radar sensor, which moves virtually along with the door, because the capture range is automatically adjusted to comprehensively capture these movement spaces.

[0007] Thus, the at least one radar sensor is used in two different operating modes, i.e., the at least one radar sensor is oriented differently depending on the door position along with its detection range, so as to monitor a very defined area inside the vehicle interior on the one hand, and a very defined area between the inner surface of the open door and the access area to the body that can be closed by said door on the other hand, thereby again providing a very advantageous trap detection and trap prevention system operating on the basis of a radar sensor.

[0008] In an embodiment, the radar sensor is a microwave radar sensor, which therefore operates on the basis of microwave radiation, and in particular may be an imaging microwave radar sensor.

[0009] Radar sensor technology can achieve highly accurate object recognition, which not only improves detection accuracy but also allows for better recognition of the object type and / or movement state (static or dynamic).

[0010] In particular, such radar sensors can detect the above-mentioned very specific areas to be checked, namely, on the one hand, the passenger compartment adjacent to the door when the door is closed, and, on the other hand, the very clearly defined movement space of the door when the door is opened.

[0011] In an embodiment, the radar sensor is configured with only a single antenna. The radar sensor can be switched between transmitting and receiving operation. The same antenna is used for both operating modes. This configuration allows the radar sensor to be implemented very compactly. In particular, when installing in a door, only a rational implementation and space-saving design are achieved. Such a radar sensor is highly advantageous, especially for short-range detection. Thus, in particular, the radar sensor has a detection range of less than 2 m, in particular 20 cm to 200 cm.

[0012] In an embodiment, the position of the door is captured by at least one sensor of the object capture system, which is different from a radar sensor, so that the position of the door, specifically the closed door position and the open door position, can be accurately captured.

[0013] In an embodiment, in the travel space capture mode, if an object is captured in the travel space, the automatic closing of the door can be at least slowed down, particularly stopped. Therefore, in an advantageous embodiment, the vehicle door can also be at least partially automatically closed. This is advantageous, especially when the door is very wide open. In this regard, the occupant does not have to reach far to reach the outwardly pivoted door so that they can pull it closed. This is particularly advantageous for elderly or physically disabled people. Therefore, if the vehicle has an electronic closing system that can automatically move the vehicle door from an open state toward an at least partially closed or locked position, this is very advantageous because it can prevent an object from being caught between the door and the body in the travel space and / or damage to the door due to a collision with an object present in the travel space.

[0014] In an embodiment, in the travel space capture mode, if an approaching target is captured by at least one radar sensor, the automatic opening of the door can be at least slowed down, in particular stopped. When the sensor is directed toward the travel space, the sensor looks ahead of the travel space. This allows approaching objects, such as cars or bicycles, to be detected. This can prevent accidents during door opening.

[0015] In an embodiment, in the movement space capture mode, when an object is captured or an approaching object is detected in the movement space, a visual and / or acoustic evidence signal is generated and output by the object capture system. In particular, at least one of the evidence signals is also output by an output unit of the object capture system. Such evidence signals are useful for enabling a vehicle occupant to manually respond if necessary.

[0016] In an embodiment, the occupant recognition mode checks whether the vehicle is stationary (vehicle stopped, vehicle stopped) and / or locked. A stationary vehicle is considered, in particular, to have its drive unit switched off. However, a stationary vehicle can also be considered stationary even if its drive unit is activated. A locked vehicle is considered, in particular, to have access to the vehicle interior closed. Due to the fact that stationary and / or locked vehicle placement occurs, particularly in stationary vehicle situations, the occupant recognition mode is particularly advantageous in such situations because it can be particularly recognized when an occupant, such as a child, is still in the vehicle. Such an embodiment facilitates the recognition of an occupant who is inadvertently trapped in a stationary and / or locked vehicle. For example, trapped children as well as animals can be recognized. A corresponding evidence signal can then be generated and output. For example, this evidence signal can also be an acoustic and / or visual evidence signal.

[0017] In an embodiment, an observation mode of the object capture system may be easily activated when the vehicle is stationary and / or locked. In a particular embodiment, this observation mode may be activated when an occupant is recognized in the vehicle. Based on this observation mode, the occupant of the vehicle may then be further observed. In such an embodiment, a corresponding evidence signal does not need to be generated immediately. Therefore, the immediate generation of unnecessary evidence signals may be avoided. This is because an occupant may intentionally remain in the vehicle cabin of a stationary and / or locked vehicle. For example, an occupant may rest in a parking lot. Even if an occupant in the vehicle sleeps, for example, to spend the night, this is possible without unnecessary evidence signals being generated.

[0018] Preferably, in the observation mode, the occupant is captured by at least one interior camera of the vehicle. Such capture can be discontinuous or continuous. Thus, the occupant is observed in situations where it is generally assumed that the occupant is not in the vehicle, particularly when the vehicle is stationary and / or locked, but the occupant is present in the vehicle, particularly when the occupant is accommodated. In such situations, it is advantageous to be able to assess the occupant's condition, preferably in particular their health condition. In particular, cameras are well suited for this due to their imaging capabilities. This facilitates a very comprehensive and accurate analysis of the occupant, particularly with regard to their condition.

[0019] In particular, the condition, particularly the health condition, of the occupant can be assessed by the assessment unit of the object capture system at least depending on the information from at least one interior camera. For example, in this regard, the occupant's facial expression, complexion, posture, and / or other biometric information can be captured and evaluated. For example, an additional camera, such as an infrared camera, can also be envisioned for this purpose. Temperature and / or humidity sensors can be present in the passenger space of the vehicle, thereby allowing corresponding parameters to be captured and evaluated. In particular, parameters characterizing the occupant's own condition and / or parameters characterizing the vehicle's interior and / or parameters characterizing the vehicle's ambient environment can thereby produce a better assessment of the occupant's condition. In particular, for example, at relatively high temperatures and / or high air humidity, the health condition of the occupant in the passenger compartment may become more dangerous or more quickly dangerous than at normal temperatures and / or normal air humidity. The same can also be true for very low temperatures, in which case even dangerous or undesirable health conditions can be detected more quickly.

[0020] In an embodiment, in the observation mode, the occupant is captured by at least one of the radar sensors. A vital function of the occupant is determined based on the captured information. Therefore, the radar sensor can detect, for example, breathing and heart rate, which are examples of vital functions.

[0021] In one embodiment, a radar sensor is arranged behind the door lining. The radar sensor is oriented with its detection range facing the lining, i.e., facing away from the door exterior cladding. This arrangement allows the radar sensor to be installed compactly and invisibly in the door itself. This orientation offers particular advantages, in particular, in that the different modes mentioned above, i.e., the occupant detection mode and the movement space detection mode, can be implemented in a highly accurate manner. The arrangement of the radar sensor behind the lining and in a fixed position on the door also ensures that the detection range of the radar sensor is highly accurately oriented with respect to the seat adjacent to the door, even when the door is closed. This position also ensures that the detection range of the radar sensor always covers the resulting movement space, regardless of whether it is large or small (depending on the door opening width or pivot angle), even at various opening angles of the pivotally mounted door.

[0022] In an embodiment, a first radar sensor is arranged behind the interior lining of the door and is oriented with its detection range toward the lining. In an embodiment, a separate second radar sensor of the object capture system is arranged behind the interior lining of the door and is oriented with its detection range toward the lining. The two radar sensors are arranged separately and spaced apart from each other on the door. The concept of providing two radar sensors further improves the two modes in terms of increased detection accuracy, since in this respect it also makes it easier to detect passengers of different sizes seated in the seat with the two radar sensors. In this way, for example, a radar sensor with a detection range can detect the seating area of ​​the seat, while the other radar sensor is oriented toward the seatback area. Furthermore, providing radar sensors in this manner even in the movement space capture mode makes it easier to target and detect objects at different positions in the movement space. Also, in this way, multiple such objects at different points in the travel space along the height and depth of the vehicle can be detected more easily and accurately.

[0023] In an embodiment, the capture ranges are oriented at different heights and / or different depths in the vehicle height and longitudinal directions, respectively. Such an offset of the radar sensor can achieve the above-mentioned advantages to a certain extent.

[0024] A further aspect of the present invention relates to an electronic object capture system for a vehicle. The object capture system comprises at least one door of the vehicle. Furthermore, the electronic object capture system comprises at least one radar sensor arranged in a particularly fixed position on the vehicle door. The radar sensor is arranged with its capture range facing away from the outer surface of the door. Furthermore, the electronic object capture system comprises an evaluation unit. The object capture system is configured to perform a method according to the above-mentioned aspect or an advantageous embodiment thereof. In particular, the method is performed by the object capture system.

[0025] In an embodiment, the object capture system includes at least one sensor for capturing the position of the door. Therefore, both the closed position and the open position can be captured very accurately. In a particular embodiment, in the open position, the pivot position can also be captured by the sensor. Therefore, different opening widths of the door can be recognized. This is particularly true with the different sizes of movement spaces mentioned above. Therefore, different positions of objects that may exist in such different sizes of movement spaces again occur. According to the above-described embodiment, accurate detection of objects is achieved with at least one radar sensor in such different positions in different sizes of movement spaces.

[0026] In an embodiment, the electronic object capture system comprises at least two separate radar sensors, which may be located locally on the door as already described above.

[0027] A further aspect of the invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising an electronic object capture system according to the above aspect, or an advantageous embodiment thereof.

[0028] Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to schematic drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a vehicle according to the present invention, having an embodiment of an electronic object capture system according to the present invention, with a portion of the vehicle's passenger compartment shown in FIG. [Figure 2] 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the automobile of FIG. 1 with the automobile door disposed in an open position and a movement space formed between the interior surface of the door and the body of the vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] In the drawings, identical and functionally identical elements are marked with the same reference numbers.

[0031] In FIG. 1 , a motor vehicle 1 is shown in a perspective view. The motor vehicle 1 is in particular a passenger car. The motor vehicle 1 comprises a body 2. Furthermore, the motor vehicle 1 also comprises a passenger compartment 3. Exemplarily, a vehicle seat 4 and a further vehicle seat 5 are shown in the passenger compartment 3 of FIG. 1 . In one example, the vehicle seat 4 may be for a substitute driver. The vehicle seat 5 may be for the driver of the vehicle. In particular, the vehicle seats 4 and 5 are given these names if the motor vehicle 1 is not a fully autonomously operated vehicle and in this respect there is no vehicle operator, and thus no driver, present, and these vehicle seats 4, 5 are generally referred to as front seats.

[0032] The main body 2 comprises an entrance area 6, which is an opening in the main body 2, through which a person, i.e. a user of the vehicle, can enter the passenger compartment 3 and sit in the adjacent vehicle seat 5. This entrance area 6 can be closed by a door 7 of the motor vehicle 1. The door 7 is movably arranged on the main body 2. In particular, the door 7 can pivot accordingly. In FIG. 1, the door 7 is shown in a closed state. In FIG. 1, an occupant 8 seated in the vehicle seat 5 is only symbolically shown.

[0033] In an embodiment, the motor vehicle 1 is equipped with an electronic object tracking system 9. In an embodiment, the electronic object tracking system 9 includes at least one radar sensor. In the illustrated embodiment, the electronic object tracking system 9 includes a first radar sensor 10 and a separate second radar sensor 11. The two radar sensors 10 and 11 are arranged at fixed positions on the door 7. In particular, they are arranged behind an interior lining 12 of the door 7. Here, they are offset in the height direction (y direction) and in the depth direction corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (z direction). The schematically illustrated capture areas 10a and 11a of the radar sensors 10 and 11 face away from the outer surface of the door 7. In particular, the capture areas 10a and 11a face the passenger compartment 3 when the door 7 is closed. In particular, they are oriented such that an occupant 8 in the vehicle seat 5 is detected. In particular, the radar sensor 10 can capture the occupant 8 at least in the area of ​​his or her torso. By means of the radar sensor 11, the occupant 8 can be captured at least in the thigh area.

[0034] In particular, in this way, when the door 7 is closed according to the representation of FIG. 1, the main orientation direction of the capture areas 10a and 11a points towards the interior of the vehicle compartment 3.

[0035] In particular, these radar sensors 10 and / or 11 are arranged below the window of the door 7 in the height direction.

[0036] Preferably, the object acquisition system 9 also comprises an evaluation unit 13. The evaluation unit 13 may be a control unit. The evaluation unit 13 may be part of the radar sensors 10 and / or 11.

[0037] Furthermore, the electronic object capture system 9 may also include a sensor 14. This sensor 14 allows the position of the door 7 to be captured. In particular, in this regard, the closed position shown in Figure 1 may be captured. Also, the open position of the door 7 shown in Figure 2 may be indicated.

[0038] In an embodiment, the door 7 can be at least partially moved automatically from the open position shown in Figure 2 towards the closed position shown in Figure 2. For this purpose, the motor vehicle 1 can be provided with a door moving device 15.

[0039] It is particularly advantageous for the object capture system 9 to be operable in an occupant recognition mode and in a different movement space capture mode.

[0040] This in turn depends on the position of the door 7.

[0041] In particular, the method of operation of the electronic object capture system 9 involves the following steps: - Recognizing whether the doors 7 of the vehicle 1 are in the closed or open position. -When the door 7 is in the closed position, implementing an occupant recognition mode of the object capture system 9 by orienting at least one radar sensor 10, 11 of the vehicle 1 located on the door 7 so that its capture range 10a, 11a faces the seats 4, 5 in the passenger compartment 3 of the vehicle 1 adjacent to the door 7, and detecting whether an occupant 8 is occupying the seats 4, 5 using the radar sensors 10, 11. - When the door 7 is in the open position, a step of implementing a movement space capture mode of the object capture system 9 in which at least one radar sensor 10, 11 of the vehicle 1 arranged on the door 7 is orientated so that its capture range 10a, 11a faces the movement space 16 of the door 7 between the inner surface 7a of the door 7 and the body 2 of the vehicle 1, and detecting whether an object is present in the movement space 16 using the radar sensors 10, 11.

[0042] 2, it can thus be seen that the door 7 is in the open position, where a movement space 16 exists between the door 7, in particular the inner surface 7a of the door 7, and the entrance area 6.

[0043] In an embodiment, in the movement space capture mode, if an object is captured in this movement space 16 by at least one of the radar sensors 10 and / or 11, the automatic closing of the door 7, which starts from the display of Figure 2, for example, may be at least slowed down, in particular stopped.

[0044] In an embodiment, in the moving space capture mode, the automatic opening of the door 7 may be at least slowed down, in particular stopped, if an approaching object is captured by at least one of the radar sensors 10 and / or 11.

[0045] In the movement space capture mode, it may be assumed that when an object is captured within the movement space 16 or when an approaching object is captured, a visual and / or acoustic evidence signal is generated and output.

[0046] 1 with the door 7 in the closed position, in embodiments it may also be checked whether the vehicle, in particular the automobile 1, is stationary and / or locked. If this is the case and an occupant 8 is recognized, for example on the vehicle seat 5, in embodiments an observation mode of the object capture system 9 may be activated.

[0047] In an embodiment, it may be envisaged that the occupant 8 is captured in an observation mode, for example by at least one internal camera 17 of the motor vehicle 1. It may be envisaged that the state of the occupant 8, in particular his / her health state, is assessed at least depending on the information of the internal camera 17. For this purpose, in particular, an assessment unit 18 of the object capture system 9 may be provided. In this observation mode, it may also be possible to capture the occupant 8 by at least one of the radar sensors 10 and / or 11 and assess the vital functions of the occupant 8 depending on the captured information of the at least one radar sensor 10 and / or 11.

[0048] In particular, the two radar sensors 10 and 11 given as examples here are microwave radar sensors, and more specifically, they may be imaging microwave radar sensors.

Claims

1. A method of operating an object capture system (9) of a vehicle (1), comprising: - recognizing whether the doors (7) of said vehicle (1) are in a closed or open position; - when the door (7) is in the closed position, implementing an occupant recognition mode of the object capture system (9) by orienting at least one radar sensor (10, 11) of the vehicle (1) arranged on the door (7) so that its capture range (10a, 11a) faces the seat (4, 5) in the passenger compartment (3) of the vehicle (1) adjacent to the door (7), and detecting whether an occupant (8) is occupying the seat (4, 5) by the radar sensor (10, 11); - when the door (7) is in the open position, executing a movement space capture mode of the object capture system (9) in which at least one of the radar sensors (10, 11) of the vehicle (1) arranged on the door (7) is orientated so that its capture range (10a, 11a) faces the movement space (16) of the door (7) between the inner surface (7a) of the door (7) and the body (2) of the vehicle (1), and detecting whether an object is present in the movement space (16) by the radar sensor (10, 11); A method for providing the above.

2. The position of the door (7) is captured by at least one sensor (14) of the object capture system (9). The method of claim 1.

3. In the movement space capture mode, if an object is captured in the movement space (16), the automatic closing of the door (7) can be at least slowed down, in particular stopped. The method according to claim 1 or 2.

4. In the moving space acquisition mode, if an approaching target is acquired by at least one radar sensor 10 and / or 11, the automatic opening of the door (7) can be at least slowed down, in particular stopped. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. In the moving space capture mode, when an object is captured or an approaching object is detected, a visual and / or acoustic evidence signal is generated and output by the object capture system (9). The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. In the occupant recognition mode, it is checked whether the vehicle (1) is stationary and / or locked, and if the vehicle (1) is stationary and / or locked and an occupant (8) is captured on the seat (5), the observation mode of the object capture system (9) is activated. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. In the observation mode, the occupant (8) is captured by at least one of the radar sensors (10, 11), and a vital function of the occupant (8) is determined according to the captured information. The method of claim 6.

8. The radar sensors (10, 11) are arranged behind the lining (12) of the door (7) and are oriented so that their capture ranges (10a, 11a) face the lining (12). The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. a first radar sensor (10) disposed behind the interior lining (12) of the door (7) and oriented such that its capture range (10a) faces the interior lining (12); a second radar sensor (11) disposed behind the lining (12) of the door (7) and oriented so that its capture range (11a) faces the lining (12); The method of claim 8.

10. The capture areas (10a, 11a) are arranged at different height positions and / or different depth positions. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. An electronic object capture system (9) for a vehicle (1), comprising: At least one door (7) of a vehicle (1), At least one of the radar sensors (10, 11) is arranged on the door (7) of the vehicle (1) with its capture range (10a, 11a) facing away from the outer surface of the door (7), and an evaluation unit (13) is provided; The object capture system (9) is configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10. Electronic object capture system (9).

12. The object capture system (9) comprises at least one sensor (14) for capturing the position of the door (7).

12. An electronic object capture system (9) according to claim 11.

13. a first radar sensor (10) disposed behind the interior lining (12) of the door (7) and disposed so that its capture range (10a) faces the interior lining (12); a second radar sensor (11) disposed behind the interior lining (12) of the door (7) and disposed so that its capture range (11a) faces the interior lining (12); In particular, the capture ranges (10a, 11a) of the radar sensors (10, 11) are arranged at different heights and / or different depths. An electronic object capture system (9) according to claim 11 or 12.

14. A motor vehicle (1) comprising an electronic object capture system (9) according to any one of claims 11 to 13.

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