DE102011089938B4 - Method for assisting in the management of a vehicle and assistance system for carrying out the method - Google Patents

Abstract

A method to support the driving of a vehicle, in which vehicle data, data from the vehicle's surroundings as well as additional accident blackspots and accident statistics are stored, reproduced and processed by the vehicle driver and information for the vehicle driver and / or depending on the vehicle, environmental and additional input data Control information is generated and output to the vehicle, characterized in that the vehicle data, the data from the surroundings of the vehicle and the additional input data reflecting the individual performance of the vehicle driver are sent wirelessly to an assistance system not belonging to the vehicle in the form of a separate mobile device transmitted and processed in this and that the information generated is at least partially transmitted wirelessly to the vehicle.

Description

The invention relates to a method for assisting in the guidance of a vehicle, in which vehicle data, data from the environment of the vehicle as well as additional input data that represents an individual performance of the vehicle driver and processed in dependence of the vehicle, environment and the additional input data information for the Driver and / or control information is generated and output to the vehicle.

The invention also relates to an assistance system comprising a control and computation unit, a first interface connected to an arrangement for vehicle analysis and control for information exchange with the vehicle, and an arrangement for displaying information.

Driver Assistance Systems FAS (FAS) are electronic auxiliary devices in motor vehicles to assist the driver in certain driving situations. The use of such systems is often to increase the ride comfort or safety for the driver and all others involved in road traffic.

Such driver assistance systems detect various parameters of the vehicle and, in the event of predetermined constellations, intervene partially autonomously or autonomously in systems of the motor vehicle. Alternatively or also connected to the intervention is a signaling of the current state of the vehicle.

Thus, for example, when an unstable state of the vehicle when driving through a curve through an electronic stability system ESP by targeted braking individual wheels skidding of the vehicle can be prevented. Parallel to this, the intervention of the driver assistance system is signaled to the driver.

Thus, driver assistance systems assist the driver in critical situations and make a significant contribution to reducing the number of fatalities and serious injuries in traffic.

Electronic stability systems (ESP), distance control (ACC), lane departure warning or brake assistance systems are just a few of the modern systems whose standard distribution continues to increase. Current developments even go so far as to assume a short-term autonomous vehicle guidance for special cases such as heart attack or fainting.

Individual mobility into old age is a basic need of our society. However, the age-related decline in performance also increases the traffic risk. The individual driver is usually not aware of this creeping-in process itself, so that he does not perceive critical situations, or only very late, and then can not initiate the necessary countermeasures. The increased number of accident participants in this age group clearly indicates this effect. With the rising life expectancy is expected to increase further.

All previous driver assistance systems have in common is the focus on the particular situation without taking into account the individual performance of the driver. As a result, the potential of the systems can usually not be exhausted or the interventions are perceived as too extensive. Furthermore, it is often not possible for cost reasons to develop standard assistance functions for niche applications.

From the DE 100 42 367 A1 and the DE 101 26 224 A1 Systems are known for determining physiological measured values of drivers for determining the ability to drive or characterizing the condition of the vehicle driver. Although such systems can be used to warn, for example, of tiredness or other states influencing the ability to drive, an assistance coordinated with the respective driver is not possible.

From the US Pat. No. 7,565,230 B2 a method according to the preamble of claim 1 is known. Disclosed is the application for assessing and improving the performance of a vehicle driver, wherein vehicle data is processed and used to generate and output information for the driver and / or control information to the vehicle. Herein, for example, vehicle operating data is processed by sensors disposed in the vehicle, which may be, for example, engine operating parameters, vehicle speed, transmission and wheel speeds, vehicle acceleration in three axes, and others.

From the GB 2 388 694 A Another method according to the preamble of claim 1 is known. Among other things, it reveals a medical surveillance of a motorist in which the pulse and respiratory rate, CO2 levels and O2 saturation in the blood are also monitored.

Thus, the object of the invention is a method for assisting in the vehicle guidance and an assistance system for carrying out specify the method with which an individual adaptation of the assistance system to the respective driver is possible.

According to the invention, the object is achieved in terms of the method in that the data is transmitted wirelessly to an external assistance system, which is not associated with the vehicle, and processed therein, and that the generated information is transmitted, at least partially, wirelessly to the vehicle.

The procedure for assisting the vehicle driver provides data on the individual performance of the vehicle driver as further input information. Also data from the environment of the vehicle such as obstacles in front of, behind or next to the vehicle and information about a lane course, recorded by a camera located in the vehicle, can be made available to the method. By the possibility of entering the individual performance and / or the desired assistance by the assistance system, an individual adjustment of support to the individual driver can be ensured.

In one refinement of the method, it is provided that the additional input data representing an individual performance of the vehicle driver are a heart rate, a skin conductance, ECG data, brain waves or a CO ₂ partial pressure.

By appropriate sensors physiological parameters can be measured and considered according to the method. In addition to these specified parameters, other parameters can be used as well as input data such as age, height, gender or weight of the driver.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by the control unit having a second interface connected to a first sensor arrangement for transmitting physiological parameters of the vehicle driver and a third interface connected to further sensor arrangements for recording information relating to the vehicle environment, wherein at least one interface is connected to a transmitting and receiving device for wireless data transmission of data to the device connected to this interface.

In accordance with the object of the invention, a personal assistance system adapted to the individual needs of the vehicle driver and / or for typical situations is provided which can operate independently of the driver assistance systems present in a vehicle. The personal assistance system is wired or wirelessly connected to components of the vehicle via several interfaces. These assemblies include an arrangement for vehicle analysis and control, first sensors that can accommodate physiological parameters of the driver and second and other sensors that record data from the environment of the motor vehicle.

Special consideration is given to the individual performance of the vehicle driver. This can be specified even by the driver. For this purpose, for example, an input unit connected to the assistance system is provided. This input unit can also be part of the assistance system itself.

By means of a wireless transmission of information between the assistance system and the external units, an individual adaptation of the personal assistance system to a changing environment can take place, for example, when changing over to another vehicle. External units represent here the sensor units, the display unit and the arrangement for vehicle analysis and control.

In another embodiment, the performance can be determined by first sensors independently of the driver. These sensors detect physiological parameters of the driver such as the heart rate, the skin conductance, ECG data, brain waves or the CO2 partial pressure. The latter can for example be used to monitor a hyperventilation syndrome.

In critical situations in which the assistance system is to assist the driver, a warning adapted to the performance of the driver is then issued.

In addition to the adaptation to the performance, the assistance system can be adapted to the degree of support desired by the driver. For this purpose, the input unit connected to the assistance system can be used again.

In one embodiment of the invention it is provided that the control and processing unit is connected via a fourth interface with a display unit for outputting visual information.

Thus, information for the driver can be displayed, whereby an acoustic notification of the driver can be realized by the method. Are conceivable here both a beep and a voice output. The presentation of the information can be done in addition to the representation in a display unit of the assistance system itself also in parallel in an external display unit, which is designed by means of signal lamps, an LCD or LED display or head-up display.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment. In the accompanying drawings shows

1 an arrangement of an assistance system according to the invention and

2 a coupling of the assistance system with an external database.

The 1 shows one from a control and processing unit 2 and an arrangement for vehicle analysis and control 3 existing assistance system 1 , To display the information of the control and processing unit 2 this is with an arrangement for display 7 connected. To capture physiological data of the driver is the control and processing unit 2 via an interface with the first sensor arrangement 4 connected. In addition to these measured data, further data characterizing the individual performance of the driver can be obtained with the control and computing unit 2 input unit connected input. These data may include age, weight, gender but also a personal assessment of the ability to drive in categories such as very good, good or bad. The control and computing unit 2 is via further interfaces with the second sensor arrangement 5 for measuring environmental data of the vehicle such as an obstacle, which may also represent a pedestrian, and with the further sensor arrangement 6 connected. This can realize, for example, by means of a built-in camera on the vehicle tracking detection.

The process can be implemented on a specially developed device with associated software. As a basis for the realization of appropriate hardware but also offer modern smartphones or netbooks. These usually have basic sensor equipment, such as GPS and accelerometers. By coupling with additional modules, such as an environment sensor 5 and or 6 The basic device can be individually extended and adapted via a wired or wireless communication interface such as BlueTooth, WLAN and others.

Thus, the invention provides a method which can use data provided by a vehicle or additional sensor arrangements as input data, independent of the vehicle hardware, for example, in a mobile separate device, mobile phone or laptop is running and information generated by the processing of the data for optical or acoustic output brings. In addition, a transfer of data, for example, to the arrangement for vehicle analysis and control 3 possible to intervene in the vehicle control. Thus, for example, the recognition of a dangerous situation of an imminent collision with a cyclist in addition to a warning tone could also generate a command for the vehicle control to actuate the brake.

In addition, after being released by the user, the constant activity in a radio network makes it possible to link to an external monitoring system. For example, chargeable services could be offered here. The assistance system can inform a monitoring service about the critical situations of the vehicle and the driver when critical situations occur via the radio network. The monitoring service then has the possibility to intervene externally in the control of the vehicle and to drive the vehicle, for example, to the edge of the road and stop. An alerting of an ambulance service is optionally possible.

New is the focus on the needs and physical performance of a single user and the ability to make individual extensions. According to the invention, in particular the coupling with other sensors, e.g. an environment sensor. The focus of the application is on participation in road traffic. Especially here there are a variety of applications that are not covered by series products. A use in other vehicles such as bus, train, ship or plane is conceivable.

The embodiment shows a way to assist in turning. This may be necessary, for example, for elderly road users who are unsure when turning, especially in the urban environment of a complex intersection with pedestrian and cyclist traffic, which cross the path of the vehicle during green phase.

The first sensor arrangement 4 picks up physiological parameters of the driver, the second sensor arrangement 5 detects the vehicle environment, here, for example, the right side of the vehicle when turning right. The detection area is individually adapted to the task. A warning is now issued when obstacles are on their own track. The warning thresholds are adapted on the basis of the currently determined physiological parameters. At high efficiency, a warning is very late, at low power very early. This can be associated with an increased rate of false warnings, which are certainly accepted to avoid accidents.

Another possibility is the assistance with a lane keeping function. About the other sensor 6 the current traffic lane is determined. Depending on performance, a warning is generated when tracking tolerances are exceeded. Again, an increased false alarm rate is certainly accepted individually, if it results in improved management of the driving situation.

The inclusion of vehicle data increases the quality of the assistance function. However, it can not always be assumed that access to the vehicle electrical system. Therefore, the basic functionality should do without this data or only with data of a coupled additional sensors. For example, it is conceivable to incorporate an additional sensor on the steering wheel for fatigue monitoring, which is included in the analysis of the situation.

By combining it with route planning, the route can be configured in advance. This makes it possible to pre-define danger areas and to adapt the assistance system for this purpose.

In addition to the route planning data, data on accident severity and accident statistics are stored, which are then loaded by the assistance system and included in the support.

Similarly, parameters can be derived from the lane course, such as straightening speeds for cornering and the like.

2 shows the coupling of the control and processing unit 2 of the assistance system 1 with a database for the configuration of a route. This database can be located inside or outside the vehicle.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

assistance system

2

Control and computing unit

3

Arrangement for vehicle analysis and control

4

first sensor arrangement

5

second sensor arrangement

6

further sensor arrangement

7

Arrangement for display

8th

Database

9

Transceiver unit

Claims (4)

Method for assisting in the guidance of a vehicle, in which vehicle data, data from the environment of the vehicle as well as additional accident centers and accident statistics are stored, vehicle drivers reproduced, processed and depending on the vehicle, environment and the additional input data information for the driver and / or Control information is generated and output to the vehicle, characterized in that the vehicle data, the data from the environment of the vehicle and the additional input data representing an individual performance of the driver wirelessly to a non-vehicle assistance system in the form of a mobile separate device be transmitted and processed in this and that the generated information is transmitted at least partially wirelessly to the vehicle. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the additional input data representing an individual performance of the vehicle driver is a heart rate, a skin conductance, ECG data, brain waves or a CO ₂ partial pressure. Assistance system for carrying out the method according to claim 1, with a control and computing unit ( 2 ), a first interface connected to an arrangement for vehicle analysis and control ( 3 ) for an information exchange with the vehicle, and an arrangement for displaying information ( 7 ), characterized in that the control and computing unit ( 2 ) a second interface connected to a first sensor arrangement ( 4 ) for the transmission of physiological parameters of the vehicle driver and a third interface, connected to further sensor arrangements ( 5 . 6 ) for receiving vehicle-related information, wherein at least one interface with a transmitting and receiving device ( 9 ) is connected to the wireless data transmission of data to the device connected to this interface. Assistance system according to claim 3, characterized in that the control and computing unit ( 2 ) via a fourth interface with a display unit ( 7 ) is connected to the output of visual information.

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