DE102018004573A1 - Method for informing a driver of a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for informing a driver of a vehicle (1).
According to the invention, the driver is informed of a respective other vehicle (2) approaching from behind and / or of a respective slowly preceding other vehicle (2) by determining a speed (v) of the respective other vehicle (2) and by means of at least one of the drivers Display unit (3) of the vehicle (1) is displayed.

Description

The invention relates to a method for informing a driver of a vehicle according to the features of the preamble of claim 1.

From the prior art, as in the DE 10 2010 045 154 A1 A method for informing a driver of a motor vehicle about a danger located in a rear surrounding area of the motor vehicle is known. In this method, a danger variable characterizing the danger source relative to the motor vehicle is detected by means of a sensor device. A time span amount indicative of a period of time between an actual time and an arrival time at which the danger source is expected to arrive at the motor vehicle is determined depending on the danger quantity, and an output quantity characterizing the time period becomes issued the driver of the motor vehicle.

The invention is based on the object to provide a comparison with the prior art improved method for informing a driver of a vehicle.

The object is achieved by a method for informing a driver of a vehicle having the features of claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

In a method according to the invention for informing a driver of a vehicle, the driver is informed about a respective other vehicle approaching from behind and / or on a respective slow, d. H. slower than the vehicle informed other vehicle ahead by determining a speed of the respective other vehicle and displayed to the driver by means of at least one display unit of the vehicle.

By means of the method according to the invention, a risk of collision of the vehicle with other vehicles, which have a different relative speed and therefore approach the vehicle or to which the vehicle approaches, can be avoided. In particular, it is avoided by the method according to the invention that the driver underestimates the speed of an approaching other vehicle or overestimates the speed of a slowly preceding other vehicle. As a result, hazardous traffic situations can arise, in particular in overtaking maneuvers, for example on motorways or country roads, which can be avoided by the method according to the invention. Advantageously, the method makes it possible to support the recognition of the speed by the driver with an interpretation by the vehicle. Furthermore, a traffic flow improvement is achieved by the method according to the invention, since an accidental braking of other vehicles is avoided.

For example, the method is part of an advanced assistance system that informs the driver of fast-approaching vehicles or slow-moving vehicles, as described. The instructions are given, for example, in addition to the displayed speed, by colored symbols, in particular danger symbols, which are displayed to the driver by means of the at least one display unit. The display unit may be, for example, an interior mirror unit, an exterior mirror unit, a head-up display, a combination instrument or a so-called head unit of the vehicle, d. H. a central display unit. The display of such a warning can also take place, for example, via a, in particular intelligent, ambient light by indicating colors and / or a light intensity and / or light frequency on a respective vehicle side concerned to the approaching other vehicle. Informing the driver can also take place, for example, by means of a plurality of display units of the vehicle.

Advantageously, for this purpose sensors, i. H. by means of a vehicle sensor system of the vehicle, a space in front of and / or behind the vehicle monitored and based on a differential speed, a distance and a relevance (in particular with respect to a traffic lane) of the detected other vehicles and a separate route is information on the status, for example a lane change is possible, scarce or dangerous, spent on the at least one display unit. In one possible embodiment, the information is displayed as an augmented image in the form of at least one real image of a vehicle with a supplementary colored danger symbol and the respective speed.

The representation, ie in particular the above-described display on the display unit, advantageously takes place permanently. A, in particular additional, warning, for example analog blind angle assistant, advantageously only in case of danger, for example, an intended lane change, detected by setting a turn signal, ie by activating a direction indicator of the vehicle, especially if this lane change due to a respective other vehicle can not be safely carried out.

Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings.

• 1 schematisch eine Verkehrssituation und entsprechende Informationen über diese Verkehrssituation auf einer Anzeigeeinheit eines Fahrzeugs,
• 2 schematisch eine weitere Verkehrssituation und entsprechende Informationen auf der Anzeigeeinheit,
• 3 schematisch eine weitere Verkehrssituation und entsprechende Informationen auf der Anzeigeeinheit,
• 4 schematisch eine weitere Darstellung von Verkehrssituationsinformationen auf der Anzeigeeinheit,
• 5 schematisch das Fahrzeug mit einer Mehrzahl von Anzeigeeinheit zur Anzeige von Informationen, und
• 6 schematisch eine Vorrichtung zur Durchführung eines Verfahrens zum Informieren eines Fahrers eines Fahrzeugs.

Showing:

• 1 schematically a traffic situation and corresponding information about this traffic situation on a display unit of a vehicle,
• 2 schematically another traffic situation and corresponding information on the display unit,
• 3 schematically another traffic situation and corresponding information on the display unit,
• 4 1 is a schematic representation of another traffic situation information on the display unit;
• 5 schematically the vehicle with a plurality of display unit for displaying information, and
• 6 schematically an apparatus for performing a method for informing a driver of a vehicle.

Corresponding parts are provided in all figures with the same reference numerals.

Based on 1 to 3 Hereinafter, a method of informing a driver of a vehicle will be described 1 described in which the driver via a respective approach from behind another vehicle 2 , especially in the 1 to 3 shown, and / or on a respective slow, ie slower than the vehicle 1 , preceding vehicle 2 being informed by a speed v of the respective other vehicle 2 determined and the driver by means of at least one display unit 3 of the vehicle 1 is shown. To illustrate this, is in the 1 to 3 each represented the traffic situation in which the vehicle 1 located, and the display unit 3 , by means of which the driver is informed.

The speed v other vehicles 2 to judge correctly is often difficult. Especially at night driving is the speed v from behind approaching other vehicles 2 difficult to assess by looking into an interior mirror and exterior mirror. A faulty assessment can lead to dangerous traffic situations. For example, the driver shuns, ie performs a lane change, because he is the speed v the approaching and overtaking other vehicle 2 underestimated. This is avoided by the method described herein, by speed, as already described above v of the respective other vehicle 2 determined and displayed to the driver. Ie. It will be a, in particular rated, speedometer for other vehicles 2 , Especially for approaching from behind other vehicles 2 , in the at least one display unit 3 integrated. As a result, dangerous overtaking maneuvers or an indication of overtaking maneuvers by too late detection of a rapidly approaching other vehicle 2 be avoided, which in particular an unnecessary braking of these approaching other vehicles 2 and thus a disturbance of a traffic flow can be avoided.

The other vehicles 2 , especially the approaching from behind other vehicles 2 ie, a backward traffic, but advantageously also slower preceding vehicles 2 , are by means of sensors of the vehicle 1 , ie by means of a corresponding vehicle sensor system, for example by means of radar 4 , in particular short-range radar and / or long-range radar, and / or Lidar 5 and / or one or more cameras 6 and / or ultrasound 7 , watched and it becomes a speed v of the respective other vehicle 2 , in particular one on a lane to the left of its own lane and / or on its own lane approaching from behind another vehicle 2 , determined and evaluated. A speed difference between your own vehicle 1 and a respective relevant other vehicle 2 , In particular, from behind approaching another vehicle 2 , is determined and evaluated. The speed v of the relevant other vehicle 2 is displayed to the driver. At a high speed difference and in particular at a dangerous Ausscheren the own vehicle 1 will the speed v of the respective other vehicle 2 represented correspondingly differentiated, for example by means of a colored icon, and goes, for example, as a stepped warning concept in a blind spot assistant on, for example, also acoustically warns and / or outputs active Lenkengrifft.

Alternatively or in addition to the vehicle sensors, the speed v of the respective other vehicle 2 For example, via a so-called C2C communication, also referred to as V2V communication, and / or C2X communication can be determined, ie by a vehicle-to-vehicle communication 8th of the vehicle 1 with the respective other vehicle 2 and / or by communicating with one or more other devices, such as infrastructures or one with the vehicles 1 . 2 connected central server 9 ,

The evaluation of the speed difference takes place, for example, on the basis of different parameters, for example based on an airspeed and / or a planned route guidance and / or map data and / or settings of a speed and / or distance control system of the own vehicle 1 and / or the airspeed if the other vehicle 2 your own vehicle 1 has approximated and / or speed v of the other vehicle 2 and / or a distance of the other vehicle 2 to your own vehicle 1 and / or a time until the approach of the other vehicle 2 to your own vehicle 1 and / or one, in particular during acceleration, predicted speed v of the other vehicle 2 if it's your own vehicle 1 will have approximated.

For several other vehicles 2 , especially from the rear approaching other vehicles 2 , be the appropriate information, especially the speed v , for your own vehicle 1 relevant or most relevant other vehicle 2 displayed, in particular based on logic, for example based on the lane of the own vehicle 1 and the other vehicle 2 and / or the highest speed v the other vehicles 2 , The approaching from the other vehicle 2 at the highest speed v becomes earlier at the level of your own vehicle 1 his than the other vehicles 2 at lower speeds v ,

The described informing the driver about the respective other vehicle 2 in particular, displaying its speed v , takes place in particular in compliance with the so-called driver distraction, ie in such a way that the driver is not distracted unnecessarily, and is advantageously displayed in color as a function of a hazard, in particular during an intended overtaking maneuver, for example analogously to a blind spot assistant. For example, this display, in particular the speed is done v of the respective other vehicle 2 , in the color white, if there is no danger, yellow in color, if the distance to the other vehicle 2 is scarce, and in the color red and, for example, additionally flashing when there is danger, ie in particular when a lane change to a collision with the other vehicle 2 or at least to a significant braking of the other vehicle 2 would lead.

The blind spot assistant warns, for example, only acoustically when the driver operates a turn signal, that is activated a turn signal. For the speed indicated in the manner described above v of the other vehicle 2 can be provided, for example, that is already warned without activating the direction indicator corresponding colored and when activating the direction indicator, an additional warning is done, for example, by the flashing display of the speed v and / or by an additional audible warning and / or a steering intervention. By the above-described warning by means of the corresponding color representation of the speed v In particular, an activation of the direction indicator in a dangerous traffic situation, ie at a small distance of approaching quickly from the rear other vehicle 2 , avoided. Even if the lane change is not performed thereafter, even this activation of the direction indicator would cause irritation of a driver of the other vehicle 2 mean that it may already slow down, thus affecting the entire flow of traffic.

The 1 to 3 show an exemplary sequence in a approaching from behind other vehicle 2 , In 1 is the other vehicle 2 not yet visible. Accordingly, in the display unit 3 no speed v another vehicle 2 displayed. For example, by means of a distance symbol 10 which is a distance to other vehicles 2 indicates that a lane change, for example for an overtaking maneuver, is easily possible because no other vehicles 2 are in the way.

In 2 approaches the vehicle 1 another vehicle 2 from the back. By means of the display unit 3 will its speed v displayed. By means of the distance symbol 10 which advantageously also opposite 1 otherwise colored, it will appear that there is another vehicle 2 approaching from behind, that is faster than your own vehicle 1 , And that it has already approached such that a lane change, for example, for an overtaking maneuver, while still possible, but scarce. The driver knows that he has to start the lane change and the overtaking maneuver either immediately and speedily to the other vehicle 2 Do not slow down, or wait until the other vehicle 2 has passed. It also becomes a danger symbol 11 displayed to alert the driver, but for example still in a neutral color, for example in white, and not flashing.

In 3 has the other vehicle 2 already strongly approximated. By means of the display unit 3 will its speed v displayed. The distance symbol 10 now indicates no distance, but shows, in the example shown by an x-shape and advantageously by another color, for example red, that the other vehicle 2 has already approximated such that a lane change, for example, for an overtaking maneuver, in particular due to the small distance and the high relative speed between own vehicle 1 and other vehicle 2 , is dangerous. The driver knows that he can no longer carry out the lane change and the overtaking maneuver, but rather the other vehicle 2 must pass. In addition, the danger symbol 11 displayed, which now flashes to make the driver more aware.

The distance symbol 10 For example, has three bars if no other vehicle 2 is detected, two bars when the lane change is still possible, a bar when there is little time left for the lane change and, for example, an overtaking maneuver, and the x symbol when no lane change is possible.

4 shows another possibility of such a display. In this case, the driver is informed by means of a displayed augmented image, for example in the form of at least one real image of another vehicle 2 , for example with a supplementary colored hazard symbol 11 , and the speed v of the other vehicle 2 , In the example shown here are two other vehicles in the real picture 2 and it will be their respective speed v displayed. By means of different colored danger symbols 11 will the speed v of the respective other vehicle 2 highlighted, for example, from 120 km / h yellow and from 150 km / h red. Furthermore, there will be another danger symbol 11 here in the form of an exclamation mark, over the speed v the faster other vehicle 2 shown.

As in 5 shown, the display unit 3 for example, as an interior mirror unit 12 , an exterior mirror unit 13 , a head-up display 14, an instrument cluster 15 or a so-called head unit 16 of the vehicle 1 , ie as a central display. Informing the driver can also be done, for example, by means of several display units 3 of the vehicle 1 respectively. The respective mirror unit 12 . 13 can, for example, as a digital mirror unit 12 . 13 that is, as a digital display, for example connected to a camera unit, or the display unit 3 is in the respective conventional mirror unit 12 . 13 integrated.

In an autonomous or automated, in particular highly automated, driving operation of the vehicle 1 can be provided that a corresponding assistance system, such as a speed and distance control, within the limits of a respective maximum speed allowed the vehicle's own speed 1 for an overtaking maneuver depending on the determined speed v of the other vehicle 2 increased to the approaching from the other vehicle 2 not slow down or even not because of a preceding other vehicle 2 to have to brake.

6 shows a device 17 to carry out the process. The device 17 has the vehicle sensor system, which for example Lidar 5 , Radar 4 , Ultrasound 7 and / or one or more cameras 6 includes. Furthermore, the device 17 a driver assistance system 18 also known as Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS). The device 17 also has the head unit in the example shown 16 ie the central display, the head-up display 14, an interior mirror unit 12 and an outside mirror unit 13 on. An offboard extension may be provided with the vehicle-to-vehicle communication 8th to another vehicle 2 and / or with a communication via a control unit or central unit 19 and the off-board server 9 to another vehicle 2 about which each speed v and position of the other vehicle 2 be transmitted.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

vehicle

2

another vehicle

3

display unit

4

radar

5

lidar

6

camera

7

Ultrasonic

8th

Vehicle-to-vehicle communication

9

server

10

Distance symbol

11

hazard symbol

12

Interior mirror unit

13

Wing mirror unit

14

Head-Up Display

15

instrument cluster

16

Head Unit

17

contraption

18

Driver assistance system

19

Control unit or central unit

v

Speed of the other vehicle

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 patent literature

• DE 102010045154 A1 [0002]

Claims (8)

Method for informing a driver of a vehicle (1), characterized in that the driver is informed about a respective other vehicle approaching from the rear (2) and / or about a respective slowly preceding other vehicle (2) by a speed (v) of the respective other vehicle (2) and displayed to the driver by means of at least one display unit (3) of the vehicle (1). Method according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the informing the driver additionally by means of the at least one display unit (3) displayed color symbols, in particular danger symbols (11), takes place. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a space in front of and / or behind the vehicle (1) is monitored by means of a vehicle sensor system and based on a differential speed and a distance between the vehicle (1) and the respective other vehicle (2). and a relevance of the respective other vehicle (2) and a separate route information to a respective status of the driver by means of the display unit (3) is displayed. Method according to Claim 3 , characterized in that the relevance of the respective other vehicle (2) is dependent on a traffic lane, which travels the respective other vehicle (2). Method according to Claim 3 or 4 , Characterized in that information is displayed as the current status, whether a lane change without risk, time is scarce possible or dangerous. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that informing the driver by means of a displayed augmented image in the form of at least one real image of another vehicle (2) with a supplementary colored danger symbol (11) and the speed (v) of the other vehicle ( 2). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display on the display unit (3) takes place permanently. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an additional warning in case of danger, in particular in a detected by activating a direction indicator lane change, which can not be performed safely due to a respective other vehicle (2).

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