DE102015214761A1 - Apparatus and method for assisting a guide of a means of locomotion - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a means of locomotion, a device and a method for supporting a driver of a means of locomotion (10), hereinafter referred to as "driver" or "vehicle (10)". The method comprises the steps of: determining a situation-related information, and displaying the information on an edge display (1) located in the driver's field of vision.

Description

State of the art

The present invention relates to a means of locomotion, a device and a method for supporting a driver of a means of locomotion. In particular, the present invention relates to improvements in the integration of mobile wireless user terminals for driver assistance.

Driver assistance systems give guides (hereinafter referred to as "drivers") of means of locomotion (hereinafter referred to as "vehicle") indications of optimized operation and guidance of the vehicle. As an example, navigation systems are called, which allow an automatic route guidance by commands. From racing or rally sport, the display of an ideal line or the characteristics of a route ahead are also known regardless of turn options.

Smartphones are known from the field of consumer electronics, which in addition to a main display have a so-called "edge display" on which additional information can be displayed. An example of this is the "Samsung Note Edge".

Of the Article "Free smartphone as head-up display in the car", www.pcwelt.de discloses the ability to arrange a substantially horizontally oriented display of a smartphone or tablet on the dashboard to mimic by its mirror image in the windshield, the operation of a classic head-up display.

Based on the aforementioned prior art, it is an object of the present invention to improve the assistance of a guide of a means of locomotion. It is another object of the present invention to provide further applications for mobile user terminals.

Disclosure of the invention

The above objects are achieved by a method of assisting a driver of a vehicle ("vehicle"). In a first step, a driving situation-related information is determined. The driving-related information can be understood as supporting the decision-making of the driver in guiding the vehicle. In particular, proposals for changes of direction and information, which are usually displayed in an instrument cluster (neglecting the time) can be understood as driving-related information. Subsequently, the information is displayed on a field of view of the driver's edge display. The edge display is characterized in that it has a significantly greater longitudinal extent in relation to a direction of extension extending transversely thereto. In this way, a large number of instructions can be output to the driver without restricting his primary field of view on the surrounding traffic. In particular, in the event that the main display is assigned to the edge display, it is possible to prevent screen contents displayed on the main display from distracting the driver from the traffic situation.

The dependent claims show preferred developments of the invention.

For example, the driving-related information may include navigation information, which may consist, for example, of optical outputs or voice commands relating to an upcoming maneuver. Alternatively or additionally, a deviation from an ideal line can be displayed, for which purpose, for example, a contact-analogue display can be produced which indicates to the user an immediate indication regarding a current position of the ideal line and / or a current distance of the vehicle position from an ideal line. In the context of the present invention, "contact analog" is understood to mean that the information displayed on the edge display has a predefined perspective reference to that point in the surroundings of the vehicle to which it also relates in terms of content. Alternatively or additionally, the driving-related information can be displayed in the manner of a sight-and-grain arrangement. Here, two separate elements for displaying an actual position and a desired position are provided. At least one of these elements can be displayed on the edge display, while the other element is also displayed either on the edge display and alternatively or additionally on a main display, which is assigned to the edge display. Alternatively or additionally, the driving-related information may represent a physical parameter for the driving situation. Examples include a current speed of the vehicle, its acceleration, an engine speed, a shift recommendation (eg for efficient locomotion), a black ice warning, a recommendation to participate in a green wave and other vehicle operating instructions and suggestions for comfortable and safe, efficient and time-saving locomotion ,

The driving situation-related information can, for example, within a Wireless communication terminal are detected, which also includes the edge display. The sensor diversity of current smartphones and other wireless communication terminals is a cost-effective and independent supplement to the vehicle sensors and therefore provides a particularly comprehensive information base to assist the driver. Increasingly, other so-called "smart devices" (eg Smart Watch, Smart Clothes, etc.) are coming onto the market, which enable a corresponding supplement to the information situation. Alternatively or additionally, the driving-related information can be obtained from the moving vehicle itself. For example, on modern bus systems corresponding information is available, which can be transmitted via a data interface between the vehicle and the wireless communication terminal. This interface can be designed wired and / or wireless. Alternatively or additionally, the driving-situation-related information can be received by a traffic infrastructure device (eg a traffic signal system, a traffic control system, or the like). In particular, green shaft recommendations and maximum speeds to be maintained can also be displayed on the edge display as driving-situation-related information. Alternatively or additionally, the driving-related information may also be received by other vehicles in order to maximize the information base. Such communication between vehicles is commonly referred to as car-2-car communication. The driving-situation-related information thus obtained can be combined with one another and / or made plausible to one another before being displayed or output using the edge display.

The communication of the driving situation-related data can take place in the form of a Bluetooth signal and / or in the form of a WLAN signal and / or as near field communication (NFC). All other and especially future communication standards may be used alternatively or additionally (if appropriate).

The presentation of the driving situation-related data may include the display of a destination device whose elements are at least partially arranged on the edge display. An additional element may be displayed on a main display associated with the edge display, wherein both the edge display and the main display may be arranged in a common housing of a wireless communication terminal. An alternative or additional element of the aiming device may be included in a mirror image of the main display in a windshield of the vehicle. In other words, the main display can be used to display a component of the target device, depending on the mode of operation, the representation on the main display itself and / or the representation in the form of the mirror image in cooperation with the element of the target device on the edge display the driving-related information for the driver represents. This can be dependent on a driver's perspective, which depends, for example, on a position of the driver's eyes and / or head and can be sensed accordingly. In particular, in the event that it is in the driving-related information to an ideal line or a deviation from the ideal line to a warning with respect to an environment object o.ä. act, the representation in the form of a contact-analogous hint can be made to facilitate the assignment of the driver to the driving situation.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is proposed a device for assisting a driver of a vehicle ("vehicle") having a bracket and a wireless communication terminal (eg, a smartphone, a tablet, or the like) , The holder serves to define the wireless communication terminal within the vehicle. The wireless communication terminal itself has at least one evaluation unit (eg a programmable processor), a main display for the main interaction with the user (eg on the basis of touching typing and wiping gestures) and an edge display whose surface normal is not parallel to the surface normal on the Main display is oriented. The mount may allow for reversible attachment in the vehicle and alternatively or additionally to the wireless communication terminal. In particular, the holder is adapted to support the wireless communication terminal in such a manner oriented to the driver that the main display is arranged substantially parallel to the direction of view of the driver. In other words, the surface normal on the main display is substantially vertically oriented. Alternatively, the holder may arrange the main display substantially perpendicular to the driver's line of sight, whereby the edge display is arranged to extend substantially horizontally. In this way, the driver can choose a particular arrangement of the wireless communication terminal according to the driving situation and according to his personal preferences. For example, in a parked state, a movie can be viewed on the vertical main display, while in a driving state, the area occupied by the wireless communication terminal of the user's field of view is reduced by a horizontally oriented main display.

Preferably, the holder is configured such that it is the wireless communication terminal holds away from the edge display. In other words, the edge display is not covered by the holder. For this purpose, form-fitting elements can be arranged next to the edge display and / or at other edges of the wireless communication terminal. Alternatively or additionally, adhesive elements may fix the back of the wireless communication terminal in the holder.

For flexible positioning of the wireless communication terminal, the holder may be configured to guide a substantially continuous pivotal movement from a substantially horizontal main display position to a substantially vertical main display position. A fixing element can thus support the wireless communication terminal in any desired position in the means of locomotion.

Preferably, the holder may be configured to support the wireless communication terminal in the driver's primary field of view. For example, the holder may be configured to support the wireless communication terminal on the dashboard or in the area of the instrument cluster of the means of locomotion. Preferably, the main display can in this case be arranged in such a way to the windshield of the vehicle, that a mirror image of the main display in the primary field of vision of the driver is generated as a superposition of traffic (in the manner of a head-up display). For this purpose, it may be advantageous to introduce a double reflection-avoiding film in the windshield of the vehicle or to apply to the surface of the windshield. In particular, in the event that the driving-related information includes a target device, the increased distance between the edge display and the mirror image of the main display can allow a very precise bearing.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer program product (e.g., a data memory) having stored thereon instructions enabling a programmable processor to perform the steps of a method according to the first aspect of the invention. The computer program product can be designed as a CD, DVD, Blueray disc, flash memory, hard disk, RAM / ROM, cache, etc.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a signal sequence representing information enabling a programmable processor to perform the steps of a method according to the first aspect of the invention. In this way, the information technology provision of the instructions in the case under protection is provided that the storage means required for this purpose are outside the scope of the appended claims.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a means of transportation is proposed, which is designed, for example, as a car, van, truck, motorcycle, aircraft and / or watercraft. The means of locomotion comprises a device according to the second aspect of the invention. In this case, the device can be provided in particular for the driver of the means of locomotion, by means of which he is informed during the guidance of the means of locomotion by the driving situation-related information about the condition and the steps required for the successful continuation of the journey. The features, combinations of features and the advantages resulting therefrom of the second, third, fourth and fifth aspects of the invention correspond to those embodied in connection with the method according to the invention so that reference is made to the above statements to avoid repetition.

In addition to the above-mentioned applications, the present invention can be used in motorsport. Conceivable here are both operations in the training phase (driver training) and during the actual competitions.

The aspects according to the invention also have great relevance for heavy commercial vehicles, since the integration of head-up display systems (HUD systems) is particularly difficult and hitherto unsuccessful. This is due to the upright in this vehicle class substantially upright windshield and extremely small space in front of the driver's workplace. In contrast to the motorsport-related solutions, classic navigation aids are considered as driving-related information in commercial vehicles. In addition, use of the edge display as a maneuvering aid is particularly advantageous in commercial vehicles. Distance and parking assistance systems expand the aforementioned applications.

In general, e.g. decreasing distances to an obstacle can be illustrated by either increasing or decreasing visual fill of the edge display. Further driver assistance information can be generated based on the signals from ultrasound or radar-based data to video images of vehicle-based outdoor cameras and displayed on the edge display.

In addition, there is the possibility of wirelessly transmitting sensor information in the vicinity of the vehicles located in the ego vehicle to the device according to the invention and, in particular, incorporating technically complex vehicles for expanding the data-technological information base. For example, distance information can be measured during the parking process of another vehicle and displayed to the driver of the ego vehicle on the edge display. This enables a group or manufacturer-controlled distribution of information, which can greatly facilitate the daily driving experience. The "transfer" of the information obtained (by the technically superior vehicle equipped) is not limited to a single vehicle. Rather, information obtained by a single vehicle may be provided to a variety of other vehicles or mobile wireless communication terminals.

Moreover, the use of the edge display can be particularly advantageous in the motorcycle sector (motorcycle, trike, quad), since in this vehicle class naturally even less space for additional displays is available so that navigation information and other driving situation specific information can be conveyed by edge displays handheld user terminals ,

Brief description of the drawings

Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

1 an overview in the prior art known manifestations of an edge display;

2 a perspective view of an inventively designed means of travel with an embodiment of a device according to the invention;

3 a simplified technical drawing of an embodiment of a device according to the invention;

4 a perspective view of an embodiment of a device according to the invention;

5 a front view and a side view of an embodiment of a device according to the invention;

6 Examples of graphical elements for the representation of driving situation specific information on an edge display; and

7 a flow chart illustrating steps of an embodiment of a method for assisting a guide of a means of locomotion.

Embodiments of the invention

1 shows in the sub-figures a) to e) screenshots in the prior art known manifestations of an edge display 1 (Subfigure f)) of a smartphone 20 (Subfigure g). In subfigure a) a ruler is displayed. In sub-figure b) a stop-clock is displayed. In subfigure c) a timer is displayed. In subfigure d) functional elements of a flashlight are shown. In subfigure e) functional elements of a dictation function are displayed. However, the screenshots shown have no relation to driving situations of a vehicle in which the smartphone 20 could be used.

2 shows the interior of a car 10 as a means of transportation, in the windshield 8th a (not shown) foil avoids double reflections, so that the mirror image 2 ' of the main display 2 appears in the manner of a head-up display in the driver's primary field of vision. To generate the mirror image 2 ' is a holder according to the invention comprising a suction cup 4 attached to the windshield, which is a supporting body 5 and a smartphone holder 6 like that in a car 10 set that to the main display 2 essentially horizontally under the windshield 8th is arranged. jaws 7 embrace three edges of the smartphone 20 without edge display for fixing the smartphone 20 in the smartphone holder 6 , There is also a traffic light system 12 as an example of a traffic infrastructure facility and one with a bus system 14 connected antenna 13 shown. wireless signals 15 the traffic light system 12 as well as the antenna 13 enable the presentation of external driving-related information on the edge display 1 ,

3 shows a schematic side view of the in 2 shown device from which the optional positioning of the smartphone 20 according to an arrow P emerges. By a pivoting movement of about 90 ° between the smartphone holder 6 and the support body 5 can the main display 2 or the edge display 1 be swung into the primary field of vision of the driver. With the main display horizontal 2 can an in 2 shown head-up display function in conjunction with the windshield 8th of the car 10 produced while a substantially vertical arrangement of the main display 2 a comfortable position for watching movies, reading e-mails, etc., allows. The latter configuration is in particular for using the smartphone 20 to aim for participation outside of road traffic.

4 shows a perspective view of an embodiment after 3 in a position with vertically aligned main display 2 , The edge display 1 has in this configuration substantially in the direction of the dashboard and is therefore not visible to the user.

5 shows a schematic front view (left) and a schematic side view (right) (see also 3 ) showing a possible mechanical design of the holder. In particular, it can be seen that jaws 7 only those edges of the smartphone 20 engage around form-fitting, which are not facing the driver. This is how the edge display stays 1 in the illustrated configuration completely in the field of vision of the driver.

6 shows symbols which are displayed on an edge display of a device according to the invention for the presentation of driving situation-related information 3 can be used. Part figure a) shows an anchor point 9 above which an indicator 11 reflects the course of a current ideal line. Part figure b) shows the anchor point 9 in the form of a rear sight, while the position of the ideal line through an indicator 11 is displayed in the form of a grain. Sub-figure c) shows an alternative, substantially inverted representation of the driving-related information shown in part a) 3 , Partial figure d) shows two horizontal lines interrupted at the bottom or at the top edge of the edge display as anchor points 9 while between the interruptions a vertically oriented double arrow as an indicator 11 is arranged. Partial figure e) shows a directional statement in the form of a diamond-shaped anchor point 9 , which is supplemented by pointing to the left and to the right arrowheads. As an indicator 11 a right-pointing arrowhead is shown inverted. Part f) shows a direction statement in the form of an anchor point 9 , which through an artificial horizon as an indicator 11 is surrounded. Particularly in the application of the present invention in all-terrain vehicles, this presentation may assist the driver in maneuvering in challenging banking situations. Part g) shows a representation of driving-related information 3 in which a rhombus composed of diamond-shaped elements is shown exploded on the right-hand side in order to symbolize a directional statement. Partial h) shows a directional statement in the form of a teardrop-shaped element.

7 1 is a flowchart illustratively showing an embodiment of a method of assisting a guide of a vehicle. In step 100 a driving situation-related information is determined. In step 200 the driving situation-related information is received in a wireless communication terminal. In step 300 a perspective of the driver is determined on the edge display to step in 400 Finally, to generate a contact-analog representation of the driving-related information, by means of which the driver an emblemized instructions (in the form of a pictogram or icon) is output for driving on an ideal line for the vehicle.

Although the aspects and advantageous embodiments of the invention have been described in detail with reference to the embodiments explained in connection with the accompanying drawings, modifications and combinations of features of the illustrated embodiments are possible for the skilled person, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the scope of protection the appended claims are defined.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

edge display

2

main display

2 '

Mirror image of the main display

3

driving situation-related information

4

suction cup

5

supporting body

6

Smartphone holder

7

jaws

8th

Windshield

9

anchor point

10

car

11

indicator

12

Traffic light signals

13

antenna

14

Bus system

15

wireless signals

20

Smartphone

100-400

steps

P

arrow

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited non-patent literature

• Article "Free smartphone as a head-up display in the car", www.pcwelt.de [0004]

Claims (15)

Method of assisting a guide of a means of locomotion ( 10 ), hereinafter "driver" or "vehicle ( 10 ), Comprising the steps of: - determining ( 100 ) a situation-related information ( 3 ) and - displaying the information ( 3 ) on an edge display in the driver's field of vision ( 1 ). The method of claim 1, wherein the driving-related information ( 3 ) - a navigation information and / or - a deviation from an ideal line and / or - represents a physical characteristic. Method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising - receiving ( 200 ) of the driving-related information ( 3 ) of - a bus system of the vehicle ( 10 ) and / or a mobile user terminal ( 20 ) and / or - a traffic infrastructure facility ( 12 ) and / or - another vehicle. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the driving-related information ( 3 ) via a wireless signal ( 15 ) and / via a wired interface. The method of claim 4, wherein the wireless signal ( 15 ) - a Bluetooth signal and / or - a WLAN signal and / or - near field communication is. Method according to one of the preceding claims further comprising - representing a target device whose elements ( 9 . 11 ) on - the edge display ( 1 ) and - the edge display ( 1 ) associated main display ( 2 ) and / or a mirror image ( 2 ' ) of the main display ( 2 ) in a windshield ( 8th ) of the vehicle ( 10 ) are distributed. Method according to one of the preceding claims further comprising - determining ( 300 ) a perspective of the driver and / or - representing ( 400 ) of contact-analogue driving situation-related information ( 3 ). Device for assisting a driver of a means of locomotion, hereinafter referred to as "driver" or "vehicle", comprising - a holder ( 4 . 5 . 6 . 7 ) and - a wireless communication terminal ( 20 ) with - an evaluation unit, - a main display ( 2 ) and - an edge display ( 1 ) - the holder ( 4 . 5 . 6 . 7 ), the wireless communication terminal in the vehicle ( 10 ) and - the wireless communication terminal ( 20 ) is arranged to carry out a method according to one of the preceding claims. Device according to claim 8, wherein the holder ( 4 . 5 . 6 . 7 ), the wireless communication terminal ( 20 ) oriented to the driver in the vehicle ( 10 ), that - the main display ( 2 ) is arranged substantially parallel to the line of sight of the driver or - the main display ( 2 ) is arranged substantially perpendicular to the line of sight of the driver. Device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the holder ( 4 . 5 . 6 . 7 ), the wireless communication terminal ( 20 ) in the vehicle ( 10 ), that - the main display ( 2 ) a mirror image appearing in the primary field of vision of the driver ( 2 ' ) in a windshield ( 8th ) of the means of locomotion ( 10 ). Device according to one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the holder ( 4 . 5 . 6 . 7 ) is configured such that it supports the wireless communication terminal ( 20 ) away from the edge display ( 1 ) holds. Device according to one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the holder ( 4 . 5 . 6 . 7 ) is arranged, a substantially continuous pivotal movement (P) of the wireless communication terminal ( 20 ) from a position with a substantially horizontal main display ( 2 ) into a position with a substantially vertical main display ( 2 ) respectively.  Computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed on an evaluation unit of a device according to one of claims 8 to 12, cause the evaluation unit to perform the steps of a method according to one of claims 1 to 7.  Signal sequence representing instructions which, when executed on an evaluation unit of a device according to one of claims 8 to 12, cause the evaluation unit to perform the steps of a method according to one of claims 1 to 7.  Means comprising a device according to one of claims 8 to 12.

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