DE102009021283A1 - Device for assisting vehicle driver during observation to operation mode according to driving instruction, has unit to deliver information obtained from environment data to driver and traffic lane change reference information to lane - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has an information unit delivering information obtained from environment data to a vehicle driver. The device uses data representing a driving instruction and determines whether a lane change of a momentary traffic lane (2) driven on by a vehicle (1) is on a target traffic lane (12) according to the driving instruction. The information unit optically and/or acoustically delivers traffic lane change reference information to the traffic lane. The device determines whether a time span is present on the momentary lane, based on a lane boundary (9) of the momentary lane. An independent claim is also included for a method for assisting a driver during observation to an operation mode according to a driving instruction.

Description

The Invention is in the field of said assistance systems for Drivers (hereafter generalized only for the sake of simplicity also referred to as a driver), the support the driver in the leadership of the vehicle serve and determine the information from the environment of the vehicle, evaluate and display.

The The invention relates to an apparatus and a method of assistance a driver, the environmental data of the vehicle detected and which has a hint unit, from the environmental data issued hints for the driver.

Such a device and such a method go from the German patent application DE 10 2005 008 265 A1 out. This is aimed at the planning of the driving behavior of a road vehicle on the basis of environmental information, with which both in normal driving conditions as well as in dangerous situations in a dynamically changing traffic environment an accident-avoiding vehicle guidance is to be enabled or supported.

After DE 10 2005 008 265 A1 data is acquired from the environment of the vehicle with respect to the infrastructure and the traffic situation, and control parameters for controlling the driving behavior of the road vehicle are generated on the basis of the environmental data determined by sensors.

The derived control parameters are divided into two categories, where the one category contains those control parameters, which are respectable in a dangerous situation and the second category contains those parameters that are in a dangerous situation are irrelevant, ie in dangerous situations without serious hazards the road user exceptionally disregarded can be. Find in the groups of control parameters information about the presence and / or the Location of adjacent lanes as well as information about the Dynamics of being on a lane next to, in front of or behind the lane Vehicle moving vehicle or object.

For an accident-avoiding vehicle guidance become automatic Reactions of the vehicle, such as a deceleration or Dodge in a dangerous situation, proposed or to the driver be using appropriate means instructions or instructions for given an independent action. The goal is thus one automated avoidance of accidents, for example by avoiding an existing overtaking lane.

With ever increasing traffic must be available Infrastructure capacities, especially several in one Driving direction existing parallel lanes, optimally utilized become. This can be helped by a driving style that is particularly conscientious Driving regulations and traffic regulations regarding the use of the Lanes followed.

It is therefore an object of the present invention, an apparatus and a method of assisting a vehicle driver indicate compliance with a regulatory requirement or legally compliant driving style promotes and thereby to Improvement of the traffic flow contributes and safety increased in traffic.

These Task is according to the invention in terms of Device by a device having the features of the claim 1 and with regard to the method by a method with the features of claim 6 solved.

Accordingly provided in a device of the type mentioned that the device uses data that has a driving requirement to follow represent that the device determines if a Lane change of the vehicle used by the moment lane possible on a fahrgebotsgemäße target lane is, and that the hint unit in this case, a lane change recommendation on the Fahrgebotsgemäße spits out.

During the journey, a detection device can obtain information or data from the surroundings of the vehicle. There is a check of the obtained environmental data to the effect whether an appropriate according to the driving command adjacent target lane exists and, if so, whether a lane change to this target lane is possible. The device may contain information about the current driving requirement in the region. Driving requirement is the specification of the page to be selected in the case of several existing parallel lanes of the same direction of travel. In Germany, this would be the commandment to drive on the right side, which is therefore also referred to as Rechtsfahrgebot. A lane change recommendation is only made if a lane change is possible and would be in compliance with the applicable driving requirement. For example, a driver who drives on a German multi-lane highway in one of the left lanes, after detection and examination of the environmental information - if possible - recommended to switch to the adjacent right lane, if no other road users in hazardous proximity and no Obstacle located on this lane. This will help to ensure compliance with the applicable driving regulations and improve traffic flow and road safety.

Further Details, aspects and advantages of the invention are the subject matter the dependent claims, the drawings and their respective Description.

Especially environment information about the infrastructure, for example, about the presence of an adjacent lane, and the traffic, such as the presence of another road user next to the vehicle on an adjacent lane, from a detection device won. For this purpose, the detection device can be at least one sensor which can be used, for example, as a radar, camera, ultrasound or Lidarsensor can be executed. advantageously, Such sensors can be outside the vehicle be provided or sensors may be used, as part of an existing driver assistance facility already installed.

To an advantageous embodiment of the invention determines the device based on the road boundary of the currently used by the vehicle Momentanfahrspur, whether a fahrgebotsgemäße finish lane is available. Is the road boundary on one side of the instantaneous lane z. B. a solid line, the device can recognize that there is no lane on this side or a legally compliant lane change is not possible. A uniformly interrupted / dashed road boundary shows, however, that there is an adjacent lane. The Detecting the type of road boundary, for example, with Help at least one camera sensor and the use of image processing methods respectively.

To a further advantageous embodiment of the invention takes place a lane change recommendation only after the vehicle during a certain period of time on the same instantaneous lane and a lane change was recognized as possible. So the driver is recommended only then, the lane for compliance to change the driving order if he has a certain Time lapse is left on a lane while the adjacent, lying in the direction of the driving direction lane is free. This is beneficial because it avoids the recommendation to the lane change is displayed rashly, although the driver z. B. only for a short time dodged on a fast lane.

A advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the Note unit the lane change recommendation optically and / or acoustically outputs. An optical display is preferably in the field of vision of the driver, For example, provided in the fitting area. It is also conceivable the display with other displays, such as a navigation device, to combine. An acoustic display offers the advantage that the driver does not visually in case of a lane change recommendation is distracted and does not take his eyes off the traffic got to. Furthermore, a combination of visually perceptible and acoustic hints conceivable.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides a manual Input option for data before, the one to be observed Represent driving requirement. Driving instructions are in different Regions of the world regulated differently. Besides, it is conceivable that existing rules, for example by Changes are subject. Is a vehicle from a Land in which a legal driving obligation applies, transferred to a country, in which a left-hand drive is valid, this can have a Input function are considered to the device. change The information in the driver assistance device becomes valid Driving command, for example, by a manual input or a radio signal can other sensors are activated to detect the other driving bid page and the remaining sensors are turned off.

The inventive method of support a driver when complying with the rules of driving Driving mode provides that environmental data of the vehicle determined that will be resorted to data that one representing to be considered driving requirement that determined Whether a lane change from that used by the vehicle Momentanfahrspur on a fahrgebotsgemäße target lane is possible and that in this case to the driver a lane change recommendation on the fahrgebotsgemäße Lane is issued.

One significant advantage of the method assists in supporting the driver compliance with the applicable driving regulations and the resulting better utilization of multiple lanes in one direction of travel and improving traffic flow overall.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention is determined on the basis of the execution of the lane boundary of the currently used by the vehicle instantaneous lane, if a fahrgebotsgemäße target lane is present. If the road boundary on one side of the instantaneous lane z. B. a solid line, it is detected in the process that there is no lane available on this page or a legally compliant lane change is not possible. A uniformly interrupted / dashed road boundary, on the other hand, shows that there is an adjacent traffic lane. For example, this information may be acquired using a sensory measurement system.

To a further advantageous embodiment of the invention Procedure, a lane change recommendation is issued only when it is determined that the vehicle is for a particular Time is located on the same instantaneous lane and a lane change was recognized as possible. So the driver is only then recommended to change the lane to comply with the driving requirement when passing over a certain amount of time has remained on a lane while the adjacent, lying in the direction of the driving direction lane is free. This is beneficial because it avoids the recommendation to the lane change is displayed rashly, although the driver z. B. only for a short time dodged on a fast lane.

A advantageous embodiment of the invention Procedure provides that the lane change recommendation optically and / or is emitted acoustically. An optical display takes place preferably in the field of vision of the driver, for example in the dashboard area of the vehicle. An acoustic display offers the advantage that the driver does not visually in case of a lane change recommendation is distracted and does not take his eyes off the traffic got to. Furthermore, a combination of visually perceptible and acoustic hints conceivable.

embodiments The invention will be explained below with reference to a drawing. In the drawing show:

1 A traffic situation of a vehicle equipped with a device according to the invention,

2 the vehicle after 1 in detailed view and

3 a flow diagram of the method according to the invention.

In 1 is schematically a vehicle 1 represented, which is currently a middle lane 2 (Also referred to as Momentanfahrspur) a three-lane carriageway. The vehicle 1 has a detection device 3 to obtain environmental data or environmental information. The detection device comprises two radar sensors 4 . 5 that by means of electromagnetic waves 6 Monitor the environment of the vehicle and so can detect whether objects and / or other road users or vehicles in the environment are present. There are also camera sensors 7 . 8th provided, with the right camera sensor 7 Images of the area of a lane marking 9 on the right side and the camera sensor 8th accordingly from the left side.

An activation or deactivation of the sensors is controlled by the fact that the device by a manual input option, for. B. a selector switch 10 ( 2 ), with data 11 which specifies whether it is a region with the applicable right-of-way or left-hand drive bid. In this embodiment, the input of a legal driving requirement was made. That's just the sensors 4 . 7 active to capture environmental information or environmental data on the right and to detect if an adjacent right lane 12 (also called target lane) is present. If a left-hand drive would apply, the left side and thus any adjacent left lane would be accordingly 13 with the help of the sensors 5 . 8th monitored and the sensors 4 . 7 would be inactive (in 1 not shown).

In 2 is the vehicle 1 according to 1 shown in more detail. The information that the sensors 4 and 7 as active parts of a detection device 3 are received by a processing unit 15 prepared and sent to a reference unit 16 transmitted. The processing unit determines from the current speed of the vehicle 1 , the geometric conditions and in particular the vehicle dimensions and the traffic situation on the destination lane 12 whether the driver can be recommended a lane change to the right lane. If yes, the reference unit indicates 16 a positive lane change recommendation 17 in the form of acoustic signals 18 and / or on a display 19 optically. The input device 10 allows as described the ma nual input of parameters, in particular to the applicable or to be observed driving requirement; In addition, it can also enable a presetting of a period of time that the vehicle at least on the same instantaneous track 2 Must have lingered before it to issue the lane change recommendation 17 comes.

In 3 is shown a possible sequence of the method according to the invention. At the beginning the procedure is activated (activation step 21 ), for example, as a permanent activation in the production of the vehicle or for a limited time, for example, by a manual user input. Information from the environment of the vehicle is during the journey, for example by means of a sensory measurement 22 , won and for additional information 23 . 24 , added. So on the one hand information 23 to the current driving requirement, as well as additional information 24 , the the Assessment of the current traffic situation and the existing traffic infrastructure serve, for example, from a navigation device or a time recording device in the subsequent data processing 25 included. Information from a navigation device may be information about the further course of the road, speed information or current traffic information. By way of example, information from a time recording device is to be understood as meaning information about the duration of the vehicle stay on the instantaneous lane.

The data processing 25 is aimed at the decision 26 whether a lane change in the direction of travel is possible. Is the decision positive (procedural alternative 27 ), the driver is in a recommendation step 28 a lane change recommendation is displayed and the procedure is completed (end of procedure 29 ). It can then start recapturing information. Returns the data processing 25 in that a lane change in the driving direction is not possible, the method returns to the starting point (activation step 21 ) back.

1

vehicle

2

lane

3

detector

4

radar sensor

5

radar sensor

6

electromagnetic waves

7

camera sensor

8th

camera sensor

9

lane marker

10

selector

11

dates

12

lane

13

lane

15

processing unit

16

Note unit

17

Lane change recommendation

18

signals

19

display

21

activation step

22

Measurement

23 24

information

25

data processing

26

decision

27

alternative methods

28

Recommended step

29

process end

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - DE 102005008265 A1 [0003, 0004]

Claims (9)

Device for assisting a vehicle driver, - the environmental data of the vehicle ( 1 ) and - which is a reference unit ( 16 ), which outputs information derived from the environmental data for the driver, characterized in that - the device has data ( 11 ), which represent a driving requirement to be observed, that the device determines whether a lane change from that of the vehicle ( 1 ) used instantaneous lane ( 2 ) on a drive-appropriate target lane ( 12 ) is possible, and - that the reference unit ( 16 ) in this case a lane change recommendation ( 17 ) to the driving lane ( 12 ). Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that - the device based on the road boundary ( 9 ) of the vehicle ( 1 ) used instantaneous lane ( 2 ) determines whether an appropriate driving lane ( 12 ) is available. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that - a lane change recommendation ( 17 ) takes place when the vehicle ( 1 ) during a certain period of time on the same instantaneous lane ( 2 ). Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the reference unit ( 16 ) the lane change recommendation ( 17 ) outputs optically and / or acoustically. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by - a manual input possibility ( 10 ) for data ( 11 ), which represent a driving requirement to be observed. Method for assisting a vehicle driver in complying with driving style, - in the vehicle's environmental data ( 1 ), - where data ( 11 ), which must be followed by a 23 . 24 ), in which it is determined whether a lane change from that of the vehicle ( 1 ) used instantaneous lane ( 2 ) on a drive-appropriate target lane ( 12 ) is possible, and - in this case to the driver a lane change recommendation ( 17 ) to the driving lane ( 12 ) is output. Method according to Claim 6, - in which, based on the roadway boundary ( 9 ) of the vehicle ( 1 ) used instantaneous lane ( 2 ), it is determined whether a driving target lane ( 12 ) is available. Method according to Claim 6 or 7, in which a lane change recommendation ( 17 ) is issued only when it is determined that the vehicle ( 1 ) for a certain period of time on the same instantaneous lane ( 2 ) is located. Method according to at least one of claims 6 to 8, - in which the lane change recommendation ( 17 ) is output visually and / or acoustically.