Method for automatically deactivating an emergency stop assistance function

Abstract

One aspect of the invention relates to a method for automatically deactivating an emergency stop assistance function implemented on a vehicle (200), the function having been activated following the detection of an inability of a driver to drive the vehicle (200), the activation of the emergency stop assistance function having caused the vehicle (200) to decelerate until it stops and then the vehicle (200) to be kept stopped, the method (100) comprising the following steps, once the vehicle (200) is kept stopped: - Detecting (103) the presence of the driver on a driver's seat of the vehicle (200); - If the driver is detected as absent from the driver's seat of the vehicle (200), after a predefined duration (∆t) following the detection (103) of the absence of the driver from the driver's seat of the vehicle (200), a step (104) of automatically deactivating the emergency stop assistance function.

Description

DESCRIPTION TITLE: Method for automatically deactivating an emergency stop assistance function TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The technical field of the invention is that of safety functions in vehicles, and more particularly that of emergency stopping functions in vehicles.

[0002] The present invention relates to a method for disabling an emergency braking assistance function, and in particular to a method for automatically disabling an emergency braking assistance function implemented on a vehicle. The invention also relates to a vehicle and a computer program for implementing the method. TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The emergency stop assist function or Risk Mitigation Function (RMF) is a feature that allows the driver, in the event of hands being released from the steering wheel, drowsiness or distraction for a certain period of time, to automatically stop the vehicle in its lane after a certain number of alerts and over a period that can extend over more than 30 seconds.

[0004] This function is specifically designed to make the vehicle safe if the driver experiences, for example, a medical emergency.

[0005] The vehicle is then kept stationary until the function is deactivated.

[0006] The current problem with this function is that, to avoid any involuntary resumption of control by the driver which would endanger them, deactivating the function requires several actions, for example having hands on the steering wheel and the accelerator pedal pressed, or a strong action, for example a maximum depress of the accelerator pedal, the actions to be implemented being different depending on the vehicle manufacturer.

[0007] Therefore, if a rescuer or anyone else outside the vehicle needs to intervene to remove the driver who is unwell, it can be difficult to understand how to deactivate the function to be able to move the vehicle, resulting in additional time to clear the road once the driver exited the vehicle, and therefore a risk to the person attempting to clear the road and to other road users.

[0008] Therefore, there is a need for a process to simplify the deactivation of an emergency stop assistance function, preventing any unintentional resumption of control by the driver. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The invention offers a solution to the problems mentioned above, by allowing the automatic deactivation of an emergency stop assistance function without endangering the vehicle driver.

[0010] A first aspect of the invention relates to a method for automatically deactivating an emergency stop assistance function implemented on a vehicle, the emergency stop assistance function having been activated following the detection of an inability of a driver to drive the vehicle, the activation of the emergency stop assistance function having caused the vehicle to slow down until it came to a stop and then to remain stopped, the method comprising the following steps, once the vehicle has been held stopped: Detection of the presence of the driver in the driver's seat of the vehicle; If the driver is detected as absent from the driver's seat of the vehicle, after a predefined period following the detection of the driver's absence from the driver's seat of the vehicle, an automatic deactivation step of the emergency stop assist function will occur.

[0011] Thanks to this invention, the emergency stop assist function is automatically deactivated if no one is detected in the driver's seat for a certain period, and therefore only if the driver has been removed from the vehicle, for example, by a rescuer. The time delay between the detection of the driver's absence and the deactivation of the function prevents false detections that would deactivate the function while the driver is still in the vehicle and unable to drive.

[0012] In addition to the characteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraph, the method according to the invention may have one or more additional characteristics from the following, considered individually or according to all technically possible combinations.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the detection step is carried out using a weight sensor located in the driver's seat of the vehicle.

[0014] Thus, the detection of the absence of the driver is carried out using a sensor already present in the majority of vehicles and classically used to issue an alert if the person in the seat does not have their seatbelt fastened or to trigger or not certain airbags present in the vehicle.

[0015] According to an embodiment compatible with the previous embodiment, the automatic deactivation step of the emergency stop assistance function is only carried out if a condition of non-takeover by the driver is met.

[0016] According to a sub-variant embodiment of the previous embodiment, the condition of non-takeover is met if a driver's door of the vehicle is open and / or if no action on an accelerator pedal of the vehicle is detected.

[0017] According to an embodiment compatible with previous embodiments, the method according to the invention includes a step of deactivating the emergency stop assistance function if a condition for driver resumption of control is met.

[0018] According to an embodiment compatible with the previous embodiments, the process according to the invention comprises the following steps: Detection of a driver's inability to drive the vehicle; Activation of an emergency stop assistance function implemented on the vehicle, resulting in the implementation of the following steps: At least one driver alert step; In the absence of implementation of a condition for the driver to regain control during the alert phase, a phase of slowing the vehicle down until it comes to a stop; A step to keep the vehicle stationary.

[0019] According to a sub-embodiment of any one of the two preceding embodiments, the condition for regaining control depends on a change in position of the brake pedal and / or the accelerator pedal, and / or a torque action on the steering wheel, and / or the detection of hands on the steering wheel and / or the activation of a cancel button.

[0020] According to a sub-embodiment of the previous embodiment compatible with the previous embodiment, the method according to the invention comprises a first warning stage and a second warning stage, an audible and / or visual signal being emitted during the first warning stage and the second warning stage, and at least one vehicle speed or trajectory control function being implemented, and / or the brakes being activated, during the second warning stage.

[0021] A second aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle comprising means for implementing the process according to the invention.

[0022] A third aspect of the invention relates to a computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, lead the computer to implement the steps of the process according to the invention.

[0023] The invention and its various applications will be better understood by reading the following description and examining the accompanying figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0024] The figures are presented for illustrative purposes only and are in no way limiting to the invention. Figure 1 is a synoptic diagram illustrating the sequence of steps of a process according to the invention. Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a vehicle on which the process according to the invention is applied, as a function of time. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Unless otherwise specified, the same element appearing on different figures has a unique reference.

[0026] The invention relates to a method for deactivating an emergency stop assistance function, or Risk Mitigation Function (RMF), implemented on a vehicle, the deactivation being automatic, i.e., not requiring intervention from a driver of the vehicle.

[0027] In general, the emergency stop assist function is deactivated if a takeover condition is implemented by the driver.

[0028] A condition for regaining control is, for example, a change in position of the brake pedal and / or accelerator pedal, and / or a torque action on the steering wheel, and / or the detection of hands on the steering wheel and / or the activation of a cancel button.

[0029] The sequence of steps in process 100 is illustrated in Figure 1 and their effects on vehicle 200 as a function of time are illustrated in Figure 2.

[0030] The emergency stop assistance function is activated following the detection of an inability of the driver to drive the vehicle 200 and results in the implementation of several steps including a step of slowing down the vehicle 200 until it comes to a stop followed by a step of holding the vehicle 200 at a standstill.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the method 100 according to the invention comprises a first step 101 of detecting an inability of the driver to drive the vehicle 200, for example following a medical emergency of the driver, a second step 102 of activating the emergency stop assistance function implemented on the vehicle 200 and the steps 1021, 1022, 1023, 1024 implemented following the activation of the emergency stop assistance function.

[0032] The driver's inability to operate vehicle 200 is detected, for example, if their hands are released from the steering wheel, or if driver drowsiness or distraction is detected for a certain period of time. The detection of driver drowsiness or distraction is, for example... achieved using a camera and artificial intelligence trained to identify certain signs in the driver, for example eyes closed, from images acquired by the camera.

[0033] In figure 2, the detection of the driver's incapacity is carried out at time tO.

[0034] The emergency stop assist function is activated automatically.

[0035] In Figure 2, the activation of the emergency stop assistance function is carried out at time t1.

[0036] According to an alternative embodiment, at least one driver warning step 1021, 1022 is implemented following activation of the emergency stop assist function.

[0037] The 1021, 1022 alert step consists, for example, of emitting an audible and / or visual signal to the driver and / or implementing at least one vehicle speed or trajectory control function 200 and / or activating the brakes.

[0038] The emission of a visual signal consists, for example, of displaying a message on a screen of vehicle 200, the message being, for example, "Emergency stop Take back control".

[0039] The speed control function is, for example, a speed regulation function.

[0040] The trajectory control function is, for example, a lane-keeping assistance function.

[0041] According to one embodiment, a first alert stage 1021 and a second alert stage 1022 are implemented following the activation of the emergency stop assistance function.

[0042] In Figure 2, the first step 1021 is implemented between times t1 and t2 and the second step 1022 is implemented between times t2 and t3.

[0043] The first alert step 1021 consists, for example, of implementing the speed regulation function and the lane keeping assist function, and the second alert step 1022 consists, for example, of implementing the function of speed regulation, lane keeping assist function and activation of the brakes in the form of jerks.

[0044] If the driver does not implement a takeover condition during the alert step(s) 1021, 1022, a slowdown step 1023 of vehicle 200 is carried out.

[0045] Step 1023 of the deceleration procedure consists of slowing down vehicle 200 until vehicle 200 comes to a stop, by applying a deceleration instruction to vehicle 200.

[0046] In Figure 2, the deceleration step 1023 is implemented between times t3 and t4 and the vehicle 200 goes from a non-zero speed to a zero speed.

[0047] The deceleration setpoint is, for example, between 0 and 1 m / s 2

[0048] A step 1024 of holding vehicle 200 in place is carried out once vehicle 200 has stopped.

[0049] An audible and / or visual signal may also be emitted during the 1024 standstill step.

[0050] The emission of a visual signal consists, for example, of displaying a message on a screen of vehicle 200, the message being, for example, "Emergency stop carried out".

[0051] In Figure 2, the 1024 standstill step is implemented between times t4 and t6.

[0052] According to another embodiment, the process 100 according to the invention begins with a third step 103 on a vehicle 200 held at a standstill by the emergency stop assistance function implemented on the vehicle 200.

[0053] The third step 103 consists of detecting the presence of the driver in a driver's seat of vehicle 200.

[0054] Such detection is for example carried out using a weight sensor 201 located in the driver's seat of the vehicle 200.

[0055] In Figure 2, the weight sensor 201 is represented by a solid circle when the driver is detected as present in the driver's seat and by an empty circle when the driver is detected as absent from the driver's seat.

[0056] In Figure 2, the third step 103 is carried out between times t4 and t5, with t5 corresponding to the first time the driver is detected as absent from the driver's seat of vehicle 200. The driver was therefore removed from vehicle 200 at a time immediately preceding time t5.

[0057] A fourth step 104 of process 100 is implemented if the driver is detected as absent from the driver's seat of vehicle 200 and after a predefined duration At following the detection of the driver's absence from the driver's seat of vehicle 200.

[0058] The duration At is, for example, 2 seconds.

[0059] The fourth step 104 is to automatically deactivate the emergency stop assist function.

[0060] In figure 2, the fourth step 104 is carried out at time t6 separated from time t5 by the predefined duration At.

[0061] Once the emergency stop assist function is deactivated, the 200 vehicle is no longer held stationary and is ready to move off again.

[0062] According to one embodiment, the fourth step 104 is only carried out if a condition of non-takeover by the driver is met.

[0063] The condition of non-takeover is for example met if a driver's door of vehicle 200, that is to say the front door of vehicle 200 located on the driver's side, is open and / or if no action on an accelerator pedal of vehicle 200 is detected.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. A method (100) for automatically deactivating an emergency stop assist function implemented on a vehicle (200), the emergency stop assist function having been activated following the detection of an inability of a driver to drive the vehicle (200), the activation of the emergency stop assist function having caused the vehicle (200) to slow down until it came to a stop and then to remain stopped, the method (100) being characterized in that it comprises the following steps, once the vehicle (200) has been held stopped: - Detection (103) of the presence of the driver in a driver's seat of the vehicle (200); - If the driver is detected as absent from the driver's seat of the vehicle (200), after a predefined duration (At) following the detection (103) of the absence of the driver from the driver's seat of the vehicle (200), a step (104) of automatic deactivation of the emergency stop assist function.

2. Method (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the detection step (103) is carried out using a weight sensor (201) located in the driver's seat of the vehicle (200).

3. Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step (104) of automatic deactivation of the emergency stop assist function is only carried out if a condition of non-takeover by the driver is met.

4. Method (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the condition of non-re-taking is met if a driver's door of the vehicle (200) is open and / or if no action on an accelerator pedal of the vehicle (200) is detected.

5. Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a step of deactivating the emergency stop assist function if a condition of driver resumption of control is met.

6. A method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps: - Detection (101) of an inability of the driver to drive the vehicle (200); - Activation (102) of an emergency stop assistance function implemented on the vehicle (200), resulting in the implementation of the following steps: o At least one step (1021, 1022) of alerting the driver; o In the absence of implementation of a condition for the driver to take back control during the (1021, 1022) alert step, a step (1023) of slowing the vehicle down until it comes to a stop; o A step (1024) of holding the vehicle at a stop.

7. Method (100) according to any one of claims 5 or 6, wherein the condition for regaining control depends on a variation in the position of the brake pedal and / or the accelerator pedal, and / or on a torque action on the steering wheel, and / or on the detection of hands on the steering wheel and / or on the activation of a cancel button.

8. Method (100) according to any one of claims 6 or 7, comprising a first warning stage (1021) and a second warning stage (1022), an audible and / or visual signal being emitted during the first warning stage (1021) and the second warning stage (1022), and at least one vehicle speed or trajectory control function being implemented, and / or the brakes being activated, during the second warning stage (1022).

9. Vehicle (200) comprising means for implementing the method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. A computer program is a product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to put into operation works the steps of the process (100) according to any one of the claims 1 to 8.

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