Operation of adaptive cruise control for motorized vehicles with high beam assist.

Abstract

The present invention provides methods and apparatus suitable for improving upon conventional technologies, as well as interval control that enables improved illumination around motorized vehicles. [Solution] A method for operating adaptive cruise control 56 for a motor vehicle 50 equipped with high beam assist 57 is: The high beam assist 57 includes detecting high beam information 60, which includes interval information 61 characterizing the distance s between the motorized vehicle 50 and the preceding vehicle 40, based on the high beam information 60 including the interval information 61, determining the minimum target distance d between the motorized vehicle 50 and the preceding vehicle 40, and outputting a control signal 65 to operate the adaptive cruise control 56 while maintaining the minimum target distance d.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for operating an adaptive cruise control for a motor vehicle equipped with a high beam assist. The present disclosure also relates to a computer program and / or a computer-readable medium, a data processing device, an adaptive cruise control for a motor vehicle equipped with a high beam assist, and a motor vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Such an adaptive cruise control (ACC) and such a high beam assist are driving assistance systems and are themselves known from the prior art. Here, the adaptive cruise control is provided to maintain the distance between a motor vehicle (the host vehicle) and a preceding vehicle. At this time, the automatic increase and / or decrease of the distance is performed depending on the speed of the motor vehicle via a factor.

[0003] The high beam assist is provided, for example, for switching to the low beam, i.e., for operating the low beam and deactivating the high beam, and / or for switching to the high beam, i.e., for operating the high beam. In addition, the high beam assist can be configured to irradiate a predetermined range around the preceding vehicle and / or to remain unirradiated during following travel behind the preceding vehicle or a target object.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses an external light control system for a motorized vehicle. The external light control system for a motorized vehicle, particularly a headlight system, has electronic control equipment for specifying and adjusting a predetermined light intensity and / or specifying and adjusting a predetermined horizontal and / or vertical swivel angle of a headlight that can swivel over a predetermined angular range, wherein the control equipment is configured so that the light intensity and / or swivel angle can be set variably depending on the distance between the motorized vehicle and preceding and / or following vehicles.

[0005] Patent Document 2 relates to a method for adjusting the light emission of at least one headlight of a vehicle. The method includes the step of determining whether an external vehicle is obscured or not by at least one obstruction as seen from the vehicle. The method also includes the step of changing the light emission from an initial characteristic to a desired characteristic if the external vehicle is not obscured for a longer than a specified waiting time.

[0006] Patent Document 3 relates to a method for controlling a vehicle's headlight system, in which preceding and oncoming traffic participants are detected ahead in the direction of travel, and the light distribution generated by the headlight system has an illumination range smaller than the distance to the detected preceding traffic participant in the direction of the detected preceding traffic participant, and the illumination range is controlled to switch back and forth between a first illumination state with enhanced illumination of the adjacent lane and a second illumination state with less illumination of the adjacent lane, depending on the detection of another traffic participant in the direction of the adjacent lane, and the switching between the two illumination states is delayed with respect to the illumination range in the direction of the adjacent lane, depending on the detection rate of another, in particular, oncoming traffic participants, and possibly depending on the temporal change in the steering angle of the vehicle. The method is characterized by detecting whether the vehicle is traveling on a multi-lane road, and if a multi-lane road is detected, switching to the second illumination state for the adjacent lane.

[0007] However, when adaptive cruise control is active and the gap is relatively short, the automatic high beams may be deactivated to avoid dazzling the driver of the vehicle ahead. Adaptive cruise control may select a gap that is too close for high beam assist, potentially causing the adaptive high beams to be completely deactivated when longitudinal control is active.

[0008] This may lead to a reduction and / or improvement in ambient illumination and may have safety implications. This may result in a negative driving experience, decreased sense of security, and / or increased stress, particularly for drivers of vehicles evaluating the safety of additional lighting provided by high beam assist. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] German Patent Application Publication No. 102011007181 [Patent Document 2] German Patent Application Publication No. 102014221883 [Patent Document 3] German Patent No. 102009061874 Specification [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0010] Against the backdrop of the prior art, the object of this disclosure is to provide methods and apparatus suitable for improving the prior art and improving at least the above-described aspects of the prior art. In particular, the object of this disclosure is to provide spacing control that enables improved illumination around a motorized vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The above issues are resolved by the features of the independent claims. The dependent claims are intended to develop and shape the present disclosure.

[0012] According to this, the above problem is solved by a method for operating adaptive cruise control for a motorized vehicle equipped with high beam assist, which, in one aspect of the present disclosure, detects high beam information relating to the automated high beam function of high beam assist, wherein the high beam information includes interval information, the interval information characterizes the interval between the motorized vehicle and a preceding vehicle, and the interval represents a threshold for activating and / or deactivating the high beam function of high beam assist; determines a minimum target interval between the motorized vehicle and a preceding vehicle based on the high beam information including the interval information; and outputs a control signal for operating the adaptive cruise control while maintaining the minimum target interval.

[0013] It is recognized that the distance between a motorized vehicle and the vehicle ahead can be critical in deactivating the high beam function. In other words, it is proposed that the minimum distance limit in the longitudinal control of a motorized vehicle by adaptive cruise control be applied when the high beam function is activated or when adaptive high beam assist is activated.

[0014] For this reason, important interval information is detected for limiting the target interval defined by the adaptive cruise control. Therefore, the target interval is either replaced by a minimum target interval that is larger than the target interval, or limited or restricted downward by that minimum interval. This makes it possible to ensure that the distance between the motorized vehicle and the preceding vehicle does not fall below the threshold for activation and / or deactivation of the high beam assist's high beam function. This makes it possible to keep the high beam function and / or high beam assist activated.

[0015] Interval control allows for the possibility of continuous operation of the high beam function and / or high beam assist. This makes it possible to provide improved illumination around the motorized vehicle even when adaptive cruise control is activated.

[0016] Optionally, interval information characterizes the interval and interval buffer. The interval buffer allows for determining the minimum target interval further away from the threshold for activation and / or deactivation of the high beam assist's high beam function. This makes it possible to keep the high beam function and / or high beam assist activated even when the interval fluctuates near the threshold.

[0017] Optionally, the high beam information includes a status indicator characterizing the high beam assist and / or high beam function. In this case, the high beam assist and / or high beam function does not need to be always activated. If the high beam assist and / or high beam function is inactive, this can be identified based on the status indicator, and control to the target interval is possible. Otherwise, if the high beam assist and / or high beam function is inactive, this can be identified based on the status indicator, and control to the minimum target interval is possible.

[0018] Optionally, the minimum target interval is greater than the target interval defined by adaptive cruise control without considering high beam assist and / or high beam function. It is recognized that adaptive cruise control defines a target interval that is, for example, speed-dependent. If the minimum target interval is greater than the target interval, it is possible to reliably avoid falling below the threshold for activation and / or deactivation of the high beam assist's high beam function.

[0019] Optionally, the minimum target interval is determined so that the high beam assist can perform illumination around the preceding vehicle. At this time, it is recognized that the high beam can partially and / or partially illuminate around the preceding vehicle. This may depend heavily on the information known by the high beam assist and that characterizes the illumination. The ability to illuminate around the preceding vehicle may, in particular, depend on the distance between the motorized vehicle and the preceding vehicle. This can be taken into consideration when determining the target interval.

[0020] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a computer program and / or computer-readable medium is provided. The computer program and / or computer-readable medium includes commands that cause a data processing device to perform the method and / or steps thereof when the data processing device executes a program or command by the data processing device. Optionally, the computer program and / or computer-readable medium includes commands that cause a data processing device to perform the method steps described herein, in a favorable manner or as optionally described, when the data processing device executes a program or command by the data processing device, in order to obtain the relevant technical effects.

[0021] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a data processing device for a motorized vehicle is provided. The data processing device is configured to perform the method according to the present disclosure. Optionally, the data processing device is configured to perform the method steps described and / or realize the features of the method, either advantageously or optionally, to obtain the relevant technical effects.

[0022] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an adaptive cruise control for a motor vehicle with high beam assist is provided, including a data processing apparatus according to the present disclosure. The adaptive cruise control and / or the data processing apparatus are configured to execute a method according to the present disclosure. Optionally, the adaptive cruise control and / or the data processing apparatus are configured to execute the method steps described as advantageous or optionally for obtaining related technical effects, and / or to realize the features of the method.

[0023] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a motor vehicle is provided, including an adaptive cruise control and high beam assist according to the present disclosure. Optionally, the data processing apparatus, the adaptive cruise control and / or the motor vehicle are configured to execute the method steps described as advantageous or optionally for obtaining related technical effects, and / or to realize the features of the method.

[0024] Embodiments will be described below in connection with the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 schematically shows a motor vehicle having an adaptive cruise control according to one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 schematically shows a flowchart of a method according to one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 schematically shows a computer program and / or a computer-readable medium according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0026] FIG. 1 schematically shows a motor vehicle 50 having an adaptive cruise control 56 according to one aspect of the present disclosure. In addition, FIG. 1 shows a preceding vehicle 40.

[0027] The motorized vehicle 50 is a land vehicle. The motorized vehicle 50 is, for example, a passenger car. The preceding vehicle 40 is another motorized vehicle positioned in front of and / or traveling in a travel lane (not shown) ahead of the motorized vehicle 50. In the direction of travel of the motorized vehicle 50, the preceding vehicle 40 is positioned at a distance s from the motorized vehicle 50.

[0028] The motorized vehicle 50 is configured to perform autonomous driving and / or automated driving functions. For this purpose, the motorized vehicle 50 is equipped with adaptive cruise control 56 and high beam assist 57. In the illustrated example shown in Figure 1, the adaptive cruise control 56 includes a data processing device 51. The adaptive cruise control 56 may also include, for example, a sensor for detecting interval s and / or another component (not shown) which is an interface to the sensor for detecting interval s.

[0029] The adaptive cruise control 56 is configured to control the interval s to a target interval d' and / or a minimum target interval d. Here, the target interval d' is the interval s defined by the adaptive cruise control 56 between the motorized vehicle 50 and the preceding vehicle 40, and this interval may depend, for example, on the speed of the motorized vehicle 50.

[0030] The high beam assist 57 is configured to perform an automated high beam function 58, which may include automated switching to high beams and / or low beams, and / or is configured to illuminate all or part of the area around the motorized vehicle 50 and / or the preceding vehicle 40.

[0031] The data processing device 51, the adaptive cruise control 56, or the motorized vehicle 50 is configured to perform the method 100 described in relation to Figure 2.

[0032] For this purpose, the data processing device 51 shown in Figure 1 is configured to detect high beam information 60 relating to the automated high beam function 58 of the high beam assist 57. For this purpose, the high beam information 60 can be provided, for example, from the high beam assist 57 in a vehicle bus, particularly a CAN bus, and can be read by the data processing device 51.

[0033] The high beam information 60 includes interval information 61. The interval information 61 characterizes the interval s between the motorized vehicle 50 and the preceding vehicle 40, and the interval s in the interval information 61 represents a threshold for activating and / or deactivating the high beam function 58 of the high beam assist 57. Therefore, the interval s transmitted to the data processing device 51 by the interval information 61 represents the interval s defined by the high beam assist 57, and if it exceeds this interval s, the high beam function 58 and / or the high beam assist 57 are activated, and / or if it falls below this interval s, the high beam function 58 and / or the high beam assist 57 are deactivated. The interval information 61 characterizes the interval s and the interval buffer. In order to prevent changes in the state of the high beam function 58 and / or the high beam assist 57 during interval fluctuations and / or interval changes, the interval buffer may be positive and can be added to the interval s transmitted to the data processing device 51 by the interval information 61.

[0034] The high beam information 60 includes a status indicator 62 that characterizes the high beam assist 57 and / or the high beam function 58. The status indicator 62 can indicate whether the high beam assist 57 and / or the high beam function 58 are activated and / or not activated. Optionally, the status indicator 62 can indicate, for example, the operating mode and / or operating parameters for illuminating the surroundings when the high beam assist 57 and / or the high beam function 58 are activated.

[0035] The data processing device 51 is configured to determine the minimum target interval d between the motorized vehicle 50 and the preceding vehicle 40 based on high beam information 60, which includes interval information 61. Therefore, when determining the minimum target interval d, information transmitted from the high beam assist 57, i.e., interval information 61, and optionally an interval buffer are taken into consideration, while the target interval d' is determined based solely on the adaptive cruise control 56 or without considering the high beam assist 57. The minimum target interval d is greater than the target interval d' defined by the adaptive cruise control 56 without considering the high beam assist 57 and / or the high beam function 58. The minimum target interval d is determined so that the high beam assist 57 can perform ambient illumination of the preceding vehicle 40. For this purpose, the high beam information 60 may include information characterizing the operating mode and / or operating parameters for ambient illumination in particular.

[0036] The data processing device 51 is configured to output a control signal 65 that operates the adaptive cruise control 56 while maintaining the minimum target interval d. Therefore, the control signal 65 causes the adaptive cruise control 56 to receive the minimum target interval d as a control variable and / or to control the interval s while considering the minimum target interval d as a lower limit.

[0037] In other embodiments (not shown), the motorized vehicle 50 may have other structures. For example, the adaptive cruise control 56 and / or high beam assist 57 may be formed as software modules included in the data processing device 51.

[0038] Figure 2 schematically shows a flowchart of method 100 according to one aspect of the present disclosure. Method 100 according to Figure 2 is a method 100 for operating an adaptive cruise control 56 for a motorized vehicle 50 equipped with a high beam assist 57. Such a motorized vehicle 50 and such an adaptive cruise control 56 are described in relation to Figure 1. Figure 2 is described in relation to Figure 1.

[0039] Method 100 according to Figure 2 comprises: detecting high beam information 60 relating to an automated high beam function 58 of a high beam assist 57, wherein the high beam information 60 includes interval information 61, the interval information 61 characterizing the interval between a motorized vehicle 50 and a preceding vehicle 40, the interval representing a threshold for activating and / or deactivating the high beam function 58 of the high beam assist 57, and detecting the high beam information 60.

[0040] The interval information 61 characterizes the interval and the interval buffer.

[0041] The high beam information 60 includes a status indicator 62 that characterizes the high beam assist 57 and / or the high beam function 58.

[0042] Method 100 includes: determining the minimum target interval d between a motorized vehicle 50 and a preceding vehicle 40 based on high beam information 60 including interval information 61 120.

[0043] The minimum target interval d is greater than the target interval d' defined by the adaptive cruise control 56 without considering the high beam assist 57 and / or the high beam function 58.

[0044] The minimum target interval d is determined so that the high beam assist 57 can perform illumination around the preceding vehicle 40.

[0045] Method 100 comprises: outputting a control signal 65 to operate the adaptive cruise control 56 while maintaining a minimum target interval d 130.

[0046] At this point, a person skilled in the art will recognize that Method 100 as shown in Figure 2 can be performed in an order different from that shown. In particular, the steps of Method 100 can be rearranged, moved, repeated, and / or performed simultaneously.

[0047] In other words, method 100 can be implemented as follows: During active driving assistance by adaptive cruise control 56 and high beam assist 57, the minimum target interval d is restricted downward. This is done so that, within the functional range of high beam assist 57, the lower limit of the interval s that allows the high beam function 58 to be performed is set, for example, depending on speed. At this time, a minimum interval to the preceding vehicle 40 is required to illuminate the area around the preceding vehicle. This minimum interval is the minimum target interval d, optionally taking into account an interval buffer.

[0048] The high beam assist 57 is only usable at speeds above, for example, 50 km / h for a motorized vehicle 50, and the high beams do not operate at lower speeds. When the driver is driving at a speed higher than the above speed with the active driving assistance of the adaptive cruise control 56 and the high beam assist 57, a minimum target interval d is calculated. Based on the second intervals stored behind each interval level and possibly further adaptive factors, the minimum target interval d to be set is calculated in meters as standard. If this minimum target interval is lower than the target interval d' determined by the adaptive cruise control 56, the previously calculated minimum target interval d is used as the interval target instead of target interval d'. In this case, this minimum interval is obtained mainly based on the deflection angle of the adaptive headlights and the current speed. Availability is always calculated by the adaptive headlight calculation unit and can be transmitted to the longitudinal control unit so that the actual minimum interval is provided.

[0049] Figure 3 schematically shows a computer program and / or computer-readable medium 200 according to one aspect of the present disclosure. The computer program and / or computer-readable medium 200 includes a command 201 which, when the data processing device 51 executes the program or command 201, causes the data processing device to execute the steps of method 100 shown in Figure 2 and / or method 100 shown in Figure 2.

[0050] Command 201 may exist as program code in any code or any language, particularly as program code in a code suitable for controlling and / or monitoring the motor vehicle 50, its high beam assist 57 and / or adaptive cruise control 56. The computer program and / or computer-readable medium 200 may be any digital data storage device, such as a USB stick, hard disk, CD-ROM, SD card, or SSD card, or may include any such digital data storage device. The computer program does not necessarily have to be stored on such a computer-readable storage medium, and may be available externally via the internet or the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 40 Leading vehicle 50 Motorized vehicles 51 Data Processing Devices 56 Adaptive Cruise Control 57 High Beam Assist 58. Automated high beam function 60 High Beam Information 61 Interval Information 62 Status Indicators 65 Control signals 100 ways 110 Detect 120. To make a decision Output 130 200 Computer programs and / or computer-readable media 201 Command d Minimum target interval d' Target interval s interval

Claims

1. A method (100) for operating adaptive cruise control (56) for a motor vehicle (50) equipped with high beam assist (57), wherein the method (100) Detecting high beam information (60) relating to the automated high beam function (58) of the high beam assist (57), wherein the high beam information (60) includes interval information (61), the interval information (61) characterizes the interval (s) between the motorized vehicle (50) and the preceding vehicle (40), and the interval (s) represents a threshold for activating and / or deactivating the high beam function (58) of the high beam assist (57), (110) Based on the high beam information (60) including the interval information (61), the minimum target interval (d) between the motorized vehicle (50) and the preceding vehicle (40) is determined (120), and Outputting a control signal (65) to operate the adaptive cruise control (56) while maintaining the minimum target interval (d) (130) A method (100) characterized by having the following.

2. The method according to claim 1 (100), characterized in that the interval information (61) characterizes the interval (s) and the interval buffer.

3. The method according to 1 or 2 (100), characterized in that the high beam information (60) includes a state indicator (62) that characterizes the high beam assist (57) and / or the high beam function (58).

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 (100), characterized in that the minimum target interval (d) is greater than the target interval (d') defined by the adaptive cruise control (56) without considering the high beam assist (57) and / or the high beam function (58).

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 (100), characterized in that the minimum target interval (d) is determined so that the high beam assist (57) can perform illumination around the preceding vehicle (40).

6. A computer program and / or a computer-readable medium (200) characterized in that, when a data processing device (51) executes a program or command (201), the data processing device includes a command (201) that causes the data processing device to execute the steps of the method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and / or the method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A data processing device (51) for a motorized vehicle (50), characterized in that the data processing device (51) is configured to perform the method (100) described in any one of claims 1 to 5.

8. Adaptive cruise control (56) for a motorized vehicle (50) equipped with a high beam assist (57), including the data processing device (51) described in claim 7.

9. A motorized vehicle (50) comprising the adaptive cruise control (56) and high beam assist (57) according to claim 8.

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