DE102018200821A1 - Assistance system for a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an assistance system (10) for a vehicle (1) for providing an emergency assistance assistance function, comprising:
an execution device (13) for executing the emergency stop assist function with at least one of a plurality of activation stages (100),
a driver inactivity automatic detection detection device (12) for activating the emergency assistance function with a first stage selection (110) of the activation stages (100),
a triggering device (11) for monitoring an operating element (20) of an electric parking brake of the vehicle (1) in order to activate the emergency stop assist function with a second step selection (120) of the activation stages (100) during a manual actuation of the operating element (20) is different from the first stage selection (110).

Description

The present invention relates to an assistance system for a vehicle for providing an emergency assistance function. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for providing the emergency stop assist function.

It is known from the prior art that an emergency stop assist function can be automatically activated when a driver inactivity is detected. The emergency assistance function serves to bring the vehicle safely and / or autonomously to a standstill without the involvement of the driver. However, it is often a disadvantage that another occupant, such as a passenger, may not optimally act on the emergency assist function.

From the DE 10 2016 203 020 A1 such as DE 10 2016 203 021 A1 generic assistance systems are known.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to at least partially overcome the disadvantages described above. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to propose an improved way of performing an emergency assist function.

The above object is achieved by an assistance system with the features of claim 1 and by a method having the features of claim 6. Further features and details of the invention will become apparent from the respective dependent claims, the description and the drawings. In this case, features and details that are described in connection with the assistance system according to the invention, of course, also in connection with the inventive method, and in each case vice versa, so that with respect to the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention is always reciprocal reference or can be.

• - eine Ausführungsvorrichtung, um die Nothalteassistenzfunktion mit zumindest einer von mehreren Aktivierungsstufen auszuführen,
• - eine Detektionsvorrichtung zur automatischen Detektion einer Fahrerinaktivität, um die Nothalteassistenzfunktion mit einer ersten Stufenauswahl der Aktivierungsstufen zu aktivieren, sodass vorzugsweise die Ausführungsvorrichtung die Nothalteassistenzfunktion mit der ersten Stufenauswahl der Aktivierungsstufen gemäß einer automatischen Aktivierungsart ausführt,
• - eine Auslösevorrichtung zur Überwachung eines Bedienelements einer elektrischen Parkbremse (d. h. Feststellbremse) des Fahrzeuges, um bei einer manuellen Betätigung des Bedienelements durch einen Insassen des Fahrzeuges die Nothalteassistenzfunktion mit einer zweiten Stufenauswahl der Aktivierungsstufen zu aktivieren, welche sich von der ersten Stufenauswahl unterscheidet, sodass vorzugsweise die Ausführungsvorrichtung die Nothalteassistenzfunktion mit der zweiten Stufenauswahl der Aktivierungsstufen gemäß einer manuellen Aktivierungsart ausführt.

The object is achieved in particular by an assistance system for a vehicle, preferably for a motor vehicle and / or passenger vehicle, the assistance system serving to provide an emergency assistance function. It is provided here that the assistance system can have the following devices:

• an execution device for executing the emergency stop assist function with at least one of a plurality of activation stages,
• a driver inactivity automatic detection detection device for activating the emergency assistance function with a first stage selection of the activation stages so that preferably the execution apparatus executes the emergency assistance function with the first stage selection of the activation stages according to an automatic activation mode;
• a triggering device for monitoring an operating element of an electric parking brake (ie parking brake) of the vehicle, in order to activate the emergency stop assistance function with a second step selection of the activation steps, which differs from the first step selection, so that preferably by manual actuation of the operating element by an occupant of the vehicle the execution device executes the emergency stop assist function with the second stage selection of the activation stages according to a manual activation mode.

By using the manual operation to activate the emergency assistance function, the advantage can be achieved that in the presence of a passenger or in the presence of the driver's ability to act, the emergency stop of the vehicle can be initiated at an early stage. Given the enormous risk posed by an uncontrolled journey, this can save valuable time for triggering the Emergency Stop Assistant. For manual operation while a one-step and simple action may be provided, for. B. pulling the control. This is already known to the driver and passenger that it performs a deceleration, and thus intuitive to use. For further improvement, a label on a labeling element on the control element or adjacent thereto may be provided. The different step selection allows an optimal adaptation to the activation type, d. H. manually by the control or automatically by the detection of driver inactivity. Thus, the adaptability of the assistance system can be improved to z. B. to perform a faster Nothaltung in a manual activation.

The control element can be arranged to be actuatable primarily for the activation of the electric parking brake (also: electric parking brake) in the interior of the vehicle, wherein the actuation z. B. by moving in a first direction (eg., A pulling), which may already cause a deceleration of the vehicle during normal driving (hereinafter: parking brake deceleration). The manual activation of Nothalteassistenzfunktion can z. B. be done by the operating element operated for a predefined period of time, ie z. B. pulled in the first direction or pressed in the opposite direction. In this case, a corresponding warning message during the operation of the upcoming activation inform the occupants of the vehicle. Only after expiration of the predefined time duration and thereby If necessary, the manual activation of the emergency stop assist function can be carried out if necessary. In other words, a temporal debouncing of the operating element can be provided. The manual activation can then have the consequence that, in parallel with the parking brake deceleration, a further braking of the vehicle takes place until the vehicle is at a standstill. A so-called Eskalationsverlauf the Nothalteassistenzfunktion can be changed in the manual activation compared to the automatic activation to the effect that the escalation levels are shortened, ie z. B. the second stage selection instead of the first stage selection is done.

• - eine erste Aktivierungsstufe, welche z. B. eine Initiierung einer Warnung (wie eine Textmeldung oder ein Symbol oder Piktogramm an der Instrumententafel) an den Fahrer umfasst,
• - eine zweite Aktivierungsstufe, welche z. B. die Initiierung wenigstens einer Weckaktion umfasst, z. B. Bremsrucke (intermittierendes Bremsen) oder Gurtrucke (intermittierendes Aktivieren der Gurtstraffer), um den Fahrer aufzuwecken,
• - eine dritte Aktivierungsstufe, welche z. B. die Ausgabe eines Warnsignals für das Halten initiiert, z. B. eine akustische Warnmeldung und/oder eine Umfeldwarnung, und/oder eine Abschaltfunktion initiiert, z. B. zum Abschalten des Infotainmentsystems und/oder einer Innenbeleuchtung des Fahrzeuges, und/oder eine Entriegelungsfunktion initiiert, z. B. zur Entriegelung der Türen des Fahrzeuges, und/oder eine Notruffunktion initiiert, z. B. auch zum Aussenden von Positionsdaten des Fahrzeuges.

The first and / or second stage selection may comprise a selection of the subsequent activation stages, wherein the at least one selected activation stage is then executed (in the case of several possibly also in the indicated order) for executing the emergency stop assistance function:

• - A first activation level, which z. B. initiating a warning (such as a text message or a symbol or pictogram on the instrument panel) to the driver,
• - A second activation stage, which z. B. includes the initiation of at least one wake-up action, z. B. Brake (intermittent braking) or Gurtrucke (intermittent activation of the belt tensioners) to wake the driver,
• - A third activation level, which z. B. initiates the issuance of a warning signal for holding, z. As an audible warning and / or environmental warning, and / or initiates a shutdown, z. B. for switching off the infotainment system and / or interior lighting of the vehicle, and / or initiates a release function, z. B. for unlocking the doors of the vehicle, and / or initiated an emergency call function, z. B. also for sending position data of the vehicle.

Advantageously, in the first stage selection, first the first, then the second and then the third activation stage can be performed, and in the second stage selection, first the second and then the third or immediately the third activation stage are executed. The emergency assistance function, and in particular the third activation stage, in particular performs a deceleration of the vehicle to a standstill, in particular with simultaneous evaluation of the environment and / or traffic. In this case, if necessary, the vehicle can also be driven autonomously on a shoulder or on the roadside and stopped there. It may also be automatically decided by the assistance system, if a stop on the shoulder or on the current roadway is safer to possibly remain on the current lane for the stopping maneuver. Optionally, it can be provided, at least in the second stage selection, that this decision can also be made manually, for B. by a passenger, is affected.

Furthermore, it is conceivable that an output initiating device is provided to initiate a warning message for an occupant of the vehicle according to a first activation stage. In this case, the execution device can be designed to execute the first activation stage according to the first stage selection, and to skip the first activation stage according to the second stage selection, and if necessary to execute the second activation stage directly. In this way, a time saving is possible because the first activation level may not be necessary in the manual activation.

It may also be possible for a wake-up initiating device to be provided in order to initiate at least one wake-up action on the vehicle, preferably to initiate braking jerks and / or belt jerks in the vehicle according to a second activation stage. Preferably, the execution device may be configured to execute the second activation stage according to the first stage selection and / or according to the second stage selection. This provides the advantage that the driver can possibly be woken up to take over the vehicle control.

Preferably, it can be provided within the scope of the invention that a function initiation device is provided to initiate safety-relevant functions of the vehicle accompanying a holding of the vehicle according to a third activation stage, wherein the execution apparatus is preferably designed according to the first stage selection and / or according to FIG second stage selection to execute the third activation stage. The safety-relevant functions are z. As an environmental warning (such as the activation of a hazard warning lights), an emergency call and / or the like.

It may be possible that at least one or all of the described devices of the assistance system according to the invention, such as the function initiation device and / or the triggering device and / or the detection device and / or the execution device and / or the Ausgabeinitiierungsvorrichtung and / or the Weckinitiierungsvorrichtung, each as a separate Devices are formed or as part of a common device, and / or are each designed as a computer-implemented device, for. B. as part of a computer program.

It is also optionally conceivable that the triggering device is designed to provide a time debouncing of the operating element. For this If a predetermined period of time is to be waited during a movement and / or a holding of the operating element in an actuating position, the activation of the emergency stop assist function in the manual activation mode takes place only after the time duration and continuing continuous movement and / or continuous holding. The operating position is z. B. a position of the control element, which is achieved by pulling and / or pressing the control.

• - Überwachen eines Fahrers des Fahrzeuges, z. B. durch eine Erfassung eines Innenraums des Fahrzeuges mittels einer Kamera und/oder durch eine Lenkrad-Sensorik, um bei einer Detektion einer Fahrerinaktivität die Nothalteassistenzfunktion in einer automatischen Aktivierungsart zu aktivieren,
• - Überwachen eines Bedienelements einer elektrischen Parkbremse des Fahrzeuges, z. B. durch Bewegungs- und/oder Positionssensoren am Bedienelement, um bei einer Erfassung einer manuellen Betätigung des Bedienelements die Nothalteassistenzfunktion in einer manuellen Aktivierungsart zu aktivieren,
• - Ausführen der Nothalteassistenzfunktion mit einer Auswahl wenigstens einer von mehreren Aktivierungsstufen, wobei die Auswahl in Abhängigkeit von der Aktivierungsart erfolgt, insbesondere unterschiedlich (d. h. mit unterschiedlichen Aktivierungsstufen, erfolgt.

Likewise provided by the invention is a method for providing an emergency stop assistance function in a vehicle. It is provided here that the following steps are carried out, preferably one after the other:

• - Monitoring a driver of the vehicle, z. B. by detecting an interior of the vehicle by means of a camera and / or by a steering wheel sensor system to activate the emergency stop assist function in an automatic activation mode upon detection of driver inactivity,
• - Monitoring an operating element of an electric parking brake of the vehicle, z. B. by motion and / or position sensors on the control element to activate the Nothalteassistenzfunktion in a manual activation type upon detection of a manual operation of the control element,
• Executing the emergency assist assistance function with a selection of at least one of a plurality of activation stages, wherein the selection is effected as a function of the activation mode, in particular differently (ie with different activation stages).

In other words, the selection for the manual and automatic activation type can be made differently. Thus, the inventive method brings the same advantages as they have been described in detail with respect to an inventive assistance system. In addition, in the method according to the invention an assistance system according to the invention can be operated to provide the emergency stopping assistance function.

The emergency stop assist function may, for. B. are then activated in an automatic activation type, so in particular be carried out according to a first stage selection when over a defined period of time (eg., A few seconds to minutes) the driver's activity is detected. In this way, false tripping can be avoided. The activation of the emergency assistance function can cause the vehicle to decelerate to a complete stop, thus preventing the vehicle from traveling in an uncontrolled manner and possibly at a high speed during an emergency.

It may further be possible for a first stage selection to comprise at least one first and second activation stage, which are carried out successively in the automatic activation mode, wherein the first of these activation stages is preferably skipped in the manual activation mode. This can be achieved a significant time savings for activation.

According to a further advantage, it can be provided that, upon activation in the automatic activation mode, a warning is first initiated for the driver according to a first activation stage, in particular in order to request the driver to take over the control of the vehicle, and / or brake and / or belt jerk be initiated. This can have the advantage that the driver may still be woken up to take over the control of the vehicle. In this case, the emergency stop assistance function can be deactivated again if, for example, the driver's activity is detected. Furthermore, advantageously after the initiation of this warning and / or the brake and / or belt jerk, a second activation stage can be executed only after a predefined period of further driver inactivity, with the second activation stage preferably being executed immediately upon activation in the manual activation mode.

It is advantageous, moreover, if in the context of the invention, the activation in the manual activation only takes place when a pressing or pulling the control element is detected and / or a termination of the operation of the control element is detected, preferably already before the completion of the operation a deceleration of the vehicle takes place. This deceleration z. B. by the park brake deceleration, and can increase the safety in holding maneuver on. The control element may optionally actuate the activation of the parking brake as a primary function and the activation of the emergency assistance function as a secondary function, wherein the secondary function may be activated only while driving, unlike the primary function.

Preferably, it may be provided that the activation (the emergency assistance function) in the manual activation only takes place when a pressing of the operating element is detected, wherein optionally the pressing is assigned exclusively to the activation of Nothalteassistenzfunktion the vehicle. Pressing is understood to mean in particular the movement in a direction of movement (opposite to pulling), in particular in the direction of the vehicle floor.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Assistenzsystems,
• 2 eine schematische Darstellung zur Visualisierung eines erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description in which, with reference to the drawings, embodiments of the invention are described in detail. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description may each be essential to the invention individually or in any desired combination. Show it:

• 1 a schematic representation of an assistance system according to the invention,
• 2 a schematic representation of the visualization of a method according to the invention.

1 shows an inventive assistance system 10 for a vehicle 1 to provide an emergency assist function. The assistance system 10 can be part of an electronics of the vehicle 1 be, and accordingly have at least one control device for performing the steps of a method according to the invention. Further it may be possible that the assistance system 10 with at least one other component of the vehicle 1 is connected, such. B. with sensors (cameras, distance sensors and the like), a brake system, a system for controlling belt tensioners, an output system (such as the instrument panel or the center console) and / or the like.

The assistance system 10 comprises at least one embodiment device 13 to the emergency stop assist function with at least one of several activation stages 100 perform. At these activation levels 100 each may be one or more functions and / or procedures performed for the emergency assist function. It may be possible that the execution device 13 an execution arrangement (with at least one microcontroller or processor or the like) around the at least one or all of the activation stages 100 perform.

It is possible that the emergency stop assist function can be carried out in different ways, ie with different sequences of these functions and / or procedures. So can certain activation levels 100 only be associated with an automatic activation (ie, an automatic activation mode) of the emergency assistance function, and accordingly be waived in a manual release (ie, a manual activation mode) of the emergency assistance function. This is particularly related to the fact that the automatic activation is performed due to an automated detection of driver inactivity, which may require that a misdetection is excluded. For this purpose, a first activation stage 101 be provided to latency to the actual emergency stop. On the other hand, it may not be necessary to exclude this misdetection in the case of manual triggering since a deliberate action, for B. the passenger, preceded. Optionally, it may be provided that another activation stage (eg, an adapted first activation stage or directly a second activation stage) is performed instead to detect misoperation by the passenger.

For example. can the assistance system 10 a detection device 12 for the automatic detection of driver inactivity to the emergency stop assistance function with a first stage selection 110 the activation levels 100 to activate. So that a misdetection can be excluded, this includes first stage selection 110 possibly a first activation level 101 to B. issue a request and / or warning and / or wake-up signal for the driver.

In addition, a triggering device can also be used 11 for monitoring a control element 20 an electric parking brake of the vehicle 1 in the assistance system according to the invention 10 be provided to a manual operation of the operating element 20 the emergency stop assist function with a second stage selection 120 the activation levels 100 to activate, which differs from the first stage selection 110 different. Here can be dispensed with an exclusion of misdetection, since there is already a conscious activation. It is assumed in this case that an emergency situation z. B. was detected by the passenger and thus actually exists. This can possibly be dispensed with the output of the request and / or warning and / or wake-up signal. On the other hand, optionally a different kind of warning message or the like can be issued instead, for. B. to detect a malfunction. Also, it may be possible, despite the manual operation, to wake the driver by a wake-up action and / or the output of the wake-up signal, such as by strap-pull.

Both the detection device 12 as well as the triggering device 11 may be separate components (such as control units or the like) or in the embodiment 13 be integrated, that may be provided by the same execution arrangement. In other words, the devices of the assistance system 10 also form a common component or device, or alternatively each be designed as separate devices.

The triggering device 11 can be the monitoring of the control element 20 z. B. thereby cause the assistance system 10 an electrical connection to a brake system or the like of the vehicle 1 having. About this connection then an electrical trip can be detected when an occupant of the vehicle 1 the operating element 20 emotional. It is possible that the operating element 20 is designed as a switch or button or the like, and can be brought into at least one movement course. A first course of motion is, for example, by pulling the operating element 20 from a starting position of the operating element 20 causes what then z. B. to activate the electronic parking brake of the vehicle 1 is being used. This has the advantage that the passenger is already aware of the braking function and therefore this course of motion can also be used intuitively to trigger the emergency stop assistance function. It is also possibly provided that from the initial position, alternatively or additionally, pressing the operating element 20 is possible. This pressing can z. B. are assigned to the emergency stop assist function, and detected accordingly.

If such a manual operation is detected, the triggering device 11 the emergency stop assist function with the second stage selection 120 the activation levels 100 activate. In contrast, in the case of automatic detection of driver inactivity, the activation of the emergency stop assistance function takes place with the first stage selection 110 the activation levels 100 , These are different stage selections, for example, includes the first stage selection 110 at least one additional or different activation stage 100 compared to the second stage selection 120 ,

Below are some possible activation levels 100 described in more detail. Only a few of the activation levels 100 can also do this for the second stage selection 120 be provided, ie, it may be possible that on the manual operation by means of the control element 20 to perform the emergency assist function only some of these activation stages 100 according to the second stage selection 120 be executed.

For example. can be an output initiation device 14 be provided according to a first activation level 101 a warning message for an occupant of the vehicle 1 to initiate. To enable this with automatic activation, the execution device 13 be configured to, according to the first stage selection 110 the first activation level 101 perform. Further, if necessary, according to the second stage selection 120 the first activation level 101 be skipped, so do not run. This process is also in 2 to visualize the method of the invention illustrated.

According to 1 Further, a Weckinitiierungsvorrichtung 15 be provided to initiate at least one wake-up, preferably to Bremsrucke and / or Gurtrucke of the vehicle 1 initiate. This wakeup action may be a second activation level 102 be assigned to wake up the driver or to actively alert the activation of the emergency stop assist. Such a function may possibly only be provided for the automatic activation type or also for the manual activation type. Accordingly, the execution device 13 be configured to, according to the first stage selection 110 and optionally also according to the second stage selection 120 the second activation level 102 perform.

Furthermore, a function initiation device may also be provided 16 be provided to safety-related functions of the vehicle 1 accompanying to a holding of the vehicle 1 according to a third activation stage 103 to initiate, the execution device 13 is designed to, according to the first stage selection 110 and according to the second stage selection 120 the third activation level 103 perform. This is the third activation level 103 possibly around the core of Nothalteassistenzfunktion, which is a safe braking of the vehicle 1 initiated to a standstill and / or initiate activation of the hazard warning lights and / or discontinuation of an emergency call or the like.

Furthermore, it may be possible that the triggering device 11 to do so, a temporal debouncing of the operating element 20 provide. The temporal debounce serves z. For example, an incorrect operation of the control 20 excluded. It can therefore wait for the detection of pulling or pressing a predefined period of time. If the operation is terminated within this period of time, this can be considered as incorrect operation. Only when after the period of time, the operation stops and / or stopped, this can be as a manual operation of the control 20 be recorded.

It may be possible in accordance with a method according to the invention that initially monitoring of a driver of the vehicle 1 while driving to activate the Nothalteassistenzfunktion in the automatic activation mode in a detection of driver inactivity. On a driver's activity z. B. out that the driver does not move the steering wheel over a certain period of time. Also, if necessary, a camera shot of the driver can be evaluated. Furthermore, monitoring of the operating element 20 the electric parking brake of the vehicle 1 be performed while driving to detect a manual actuation of the operating element 20 activate the emergency stop assistance function in the manual activation mode. This is z. B. meaningful, so that the passenger manual Nothalteassistenzfunktion without waiting for the automatic detection of driver inactivity. Then, the emergency stop assist function may be with a selection of at least one of a plurality of activation stages 100 be executed, wherein the selection is carried out depending on the activation. For example, a first step selection 110 at least a first and second activation stage 101 . 102 which are carried out successively in the automatic activation mode, wherein in the manual activation mode, the first of this activation stage 100 can be skipped. Also, upon activation in the automatic activation mode, first according to a first activation stage 101 a warning for the driver to be initiated, in particular to the driver to take over the control of the vehicle 1 to request, and / or initiate braking and / or Gurtrucke, in particular to wake the driver. After this initiation (the warning and / or the brake and / or Gurtrucke) may possibly only after a predefined period of further driver inactivity a second activation level 102 if necessary, when activated in the manual activation mode, the second activation stage 102 is executed immediately. This is in particular based 2 clarified. In addition, the activation in the manual activation can advantageously be done only when pulling the operating element 20 is detected and / or a termination of the operation of the operating element 20 is detected, preferably before the completion of the operation by the parking brake functionality, a deceleration of the vehicle 1 he follows.

The above explanation of the embodiments describes the present invention solely by way of example. Of course, individual features of the embodiments, if technically feasible, can be combined freely with one another, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

vehicle

10

assistance system

11

triggering device

12

detection device

13

execution device

14

Output initiate device

15

Weckinitiierungsvorrichtung

16

Function initiation device

20

operating element

100

activation levels

101

first activation level

102

second activation level

103

third activation level

110

first step selection

120

second stage selection

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 102016203020 A1 [0003]
• DE 102016203021 A1 [0003]

Claims (11)

An assistance system (10) for a vehicle (1) for providing an emergency assist assistance function, comprising: an execution device (13) for executing the emergency stop assist function with at least one of a plurality of activation stages (100), a driver inactivity automatic detection detection device (12) for activating the emergency assistance function with a first stage selection (110) of the activation stages (100), a triggering device (11) for monitoring an operating element (20) of an electric parking brake of the vehicle (1) in order to activate the emergency stop assist function with a second step selection (120) of the activation stages (100) during a manual actuation of the operating element (20) is different from the first stage selection (110). Assistance system (10) after Claim 1 characterized in that an output initiating device (14) is provided to initiate a warning message to an occupant of the vehicle (1) according to a first activation stage (101), wherein the execution device (13) is adapted to operate according to the first stage selection (110 ) to execute the first activation stage (101) and to skip the first activation stage (101) according to the second stage selection (120). Assistance system (10) after Claim 1 or 2 Characterized in that a Weckinitiierungsvorrichtung (15) is provided in order to initiate at least one Weckaktion, preferably brake jerks and / or Gurtrucke the vehicle (1) according to a second activation stage (102), wherein the execution means (13) is adapted to according to the first stage selection (110) and according to the second stage selection (120) to execute the second activation stage (102). Assistance system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a function initiation device (16) is provided to initiate safety-related functions of the vehicle (1) accompanying a holding of the vehicle (1) according to a third activation stage (103) the execution device (13) is designed to execute the third activation stage (103) according to the first stage selection (110) and according to the second stage selection (120). Assistance system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the triggering device (11) is designed to provide a temporal debouncing of the operating element (20). Method for providing an emergency stop assistance function in a vehicle (1), wherein the following steps are carried out: - monitoring a driver of the vehicle (1) in order to activate the emergency stop assistance function in an automatic activation mode upon detection of driver inactivity, Monitoring an operating element (20) of an electric parking brake of the vehicle (1) in order to activate the emergency stop assistance function in a manual activation mode upon detection of a manual actuation of the operating element (20), Performing the emergency stop assist function with a selection of at least one of a plurality of activation stages (100), the selection being made in dependence on the activation mode. Method according to Claim 6 , characterized in that a first stage selection (110) comprises at least one first and second activation stage (101, 102) which are carried out successively in the automatic activation mode, wherein in the manual activation mode the first of these activation stages (100) is skipped. Method according to Claim 6 or 7 , characterized in that upon activation in the automatic activation mode first according to a first activation stage (101) a warning to the driver is initiated, in particular to summon the driver to take over the control of the vehicle (1), and / or brake and Gurtrucke are initiated, in particular to wake the driver, and after initiation after a predefined period of further driver inactivity, a second activation stage (102) is executed, wherein when activated in the manual activation mode, the second activation stage (102) is executed immediately. Method according to one of Claims 6 to 8th , characterized in that the activation in the manual activation only takes place when a pulling of the operating element (20) is detected and / or a termination of the operation of the operating element (20) is detected, preferably before the completion of the operation, a deceleration of the vehicle (1). Method according to one of Claims 6 to 9 , characterized in that the activation in the manual activation mode takes place only when a depression of the operating element (20) is detected, wherein the pressing is assigned exclusively to the activation of the emergency stop assist function in the vehicle (1). Method according to one of Claims 6 to 10 , characterized in that an assistance system (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 5 operated to perform the steps of the process.

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