DE102012008856A1 - Method for signaling information with respect to speed of motor car to driver, involves generating signal such that driver receives information with respect to deviation of actual-speed from reference-speed - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves determining a reference-speed for a motor car (S1-1) based on actual speed limit and actual predetermined traffic condition, and determining an actual-speed (S1-2) of the motor car. The reference-speed is compared (S2) with the actual-speed. A signal e.g. optical or acoustical signal, observable by a driver of the motor car is generated (S3) with respect to the speed of the motor car such that the driver receives information with respect to deviation of the actual-speed from the reference-speed and with respect to measure of the deviation through the signal. An independent claim is also included for a driver assistance system provided for implementing the method for signaling information with respect to speed of the motor car to the driver.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for peripheral speed feedback of a vehicle to a driver. The present invention also relates to a driver assistance system which is set up to carry out the method according to the invention.

From the DE 100 21 101 A1 a display device is known in a vehicle, wherein in the display device, a plurality of information can be displayed, and wherein the driver information display is illuminated by different colored light sources. The different colored light sources can be controlled by a control unit in such a way that at least one travel parameter of the vehicle can be detected and evaluated by the control unit and that a brightness of the differently colored light sources can be changed by the control unit as a function of the driving parameter.

And from the DE 60 2005 003 391 T2 a display device for a dashboard is known, which is to be mounted in a motor vehicle, wherein the display device is adapted to display information relating to a status of the motor vehicle, and wherein when a predetermined physical parameter under at least one physical parameter, the Status of the motor vehicle is within a predetermined range, an alarm by at least either a change in the display luminance and / or a change in the displayed color is effected. According to this document, a predetermined physical parameter may be a speed of the motor vehicle, a rotational speed of an engine, a remaining fuel amount, a remaining battery power, a water temperature or a vehicle distance.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and vehicle improved over the known methods and devices.

This object is achieved by the method according to claim 1 and the driver assistance system according to claim 8.

According to the invention, a method is proposed for signaling information relating to the speed of a vehicle to a driver, in which a setpoint speed for the vehicle is determined, an actual speed of the vehicle is determined, the setpoint speed compared with the actual speed and a signal perceptible to the driver with respect to the speed of the vehicle is generated, such that the driver receives by the signal information relating to a deviation of the actual speed from the target speed and with respect to the extent of the deviation receives.

By means of the method according to the invention, the driver advantageously receives feedback about how adapted the current speed (actual speed) of his vehicle is compared to the setpoint speed. Since, in a deviation of the actual speed from the target speed, this feedback not only includes information about the deviation per se, but also information with respect to the extent of the deviation, the driver is easily put into a position that To change the speed of his vehicle so that it at least approaches the target speed.

According to a first advantageous development of the invention, the driver also receives information relating to the direction of the deviation from the signal. As a result, the driver no longer has to rely on his own assessment as to whether the actual speed of the vehicle is above or below the desired speed, but instead receives objective information about it.

• – einer aktuell geltenden Geschwindigkeitsbegrenzung,
• – einer aktuell gegebenen Verkehrssituation,
• – einem dem Fahrzeug vorausliegenden Straßenverlauf,
• – einer dem Fahrzeug vorausliegenden Gefahrenstelle und/oder -situation, und/oder
• – einer aktuell gegebenen Wetterbedingung.

According to a second advantageous development of the invention, the determination of the desired speed is automatic and based on

• - a currently applicable speed limit,
• - a current traffic situation,
• A road ahead of the vehicle,
• A danger spot and / or situation ahead of the vehicle, and / or
• - a currently given weather condition.

It is also advantageous if the determination of the actual speed, the definition of the setpoint speed and the determination of a match or deviation between the actual speed and the setpoint speed are carried out continuously. According to the present invention, the signal may advantageously be an optically, haptically and / or audibly perceptible signal. Also, the signal may be continuously generated and varied depending on the magnitude and direction of the deviation of the actual speed from the target speed.

Advantageous examples of the signal are a depending on the size and direction of the deviation of the actual speed of the target speed changing lighting of a speedometer and / or a correspondingly changing vibration of an accelerator pedal.

The present invention also includes a driver assistance system that is set up to carry out the method according to the invention.

The present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Showing:

1 : a schematic flow diagram for the method according to the invention;

2 : a schematic representation of an example of a signal representation according to the invention

The illustrations in the figures are purely schematic and not to scale. Within the figures, the same or similar elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

The embodiments explained below represent preferred embodiments of the present invention. Of course, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

As in 1 1, in the method according to the invention, a setpoint speed for the vehicle is determined in a first step S1-1, and an actual speed of the vehicle is determined in a second step S1-2. The time sequence of steps S1-1 and S1-2 is arbitrary; The steps S1-1 and S1-2 can thus take place in any order one behind the other and also simultaneously. Since, as explained below, there is a temporal relationship between the set target speed and the determined actual speed, it should only be ensured that the time interval between steps S1-1 and S1-2 depends on the given driving or traffic situation is not too large.

If the target speed for the vehicle has been determined and the actual speed of the vehicle has been determined, a comparison of the setpoint speed with the actual speed takes place in step S2.

Depending on the result of the comparison in step S2, a signal perceptible to the driver with respect to the speed of the vehicle is generated in step S3. The signal is designed such that the driver receives information about a deviation of the actual speed from the desired speed as well as with respect to the extent of the deviation by the signal.

Here, for example, a signal can be generated if a positive or negative deviation of the actual speed is given by the target speed. For example, the signal may be a haptic feedback in the gas pedal, which gives feedback to the driver with increasing deviation from actual speed to desired speed with increased intensity (strength, frequency). In this way, the driver not only receives information that there is a deviation between the actual and desired speed of his vehicle, but also information about the extent of the deviation.

Similarly, for example, the brightness, color and / or blinking frequency of an optical display may be varied depending on a deviation between actual and desired speeds of a vehicle and the extent of the deviation. Also, an acoustic signal, for example in the form of a signal tone is conceivable, the signal tone may have differences in pitch, volume and / or interruptions, for example, depending on the extent of the deviation from the actual to target speed of the vehicle.

According to the invention, a perceivable signal for a driver can of course also be generated, provided that a match between the actual and target speed of the vehicle is detected, so a deviation between the actual and target speed is determined by substantially zero. For example, an optical display can be lit in a match between actual and desired speed in a predeterminable color or shine in a predeterminable color. This color, as soon as there is no more agreement between actual and target speed, for example, in their brightness and / or in their frequency (color) can be changed, the brightness and / or in their frequency (color) depending on the extent the deviation between actual and target speed can be varied.

Or, for example, a beep may be generated as a continuous tone if the actual speed and the set speed match. And once there is no more agreement between actual and target speed, the frequency (pitch) of this beep can be varied, and / or the beep can be output as an intermittent signal, the frequency (pitch) and / or timing of the Beeps depending on the extent of the deviation between actual and target speed can be varied.

The present invention also encompasses the embodiment of the method in which, in the case of a match between the actual speed and the set speed of the vehicle, no signal perceptible to the driver is generated, but only if a deviation between the actual speed and the setpoint speed is detected. For example, the above-mentioned haptic feedback in the accelerator pedal can be generated only at a detected deviation from actual to target speed; or a signal tone is generated only in the event of a deviation from the actual speed to the setpoint speed; and / or it is generated only for a deviation from the actual to the target speed, a signal optically recognizable for a driver.

The question of the extent to which the actual speed deviates from the setpoint speed and to what extent this changes the signal perceptible to the driver or which signal is generated can be assessed differently depending on the driving situation. Thus, for example, in a relatively uncritical traffic situation (eg free travel on a country lane or motorway), a deviation of the actual speed from the target speed of 20% can still be judged as a relatively small deviation, resulting in the generation of a signal leads that the driver signals only a relatively small deviation. A deviation of the same order of magnitude can be assessed as a large deviation relevant to the safety in a more critical driving situation (eg danger spot ahead, stop-and-go traffic) and thus result in the generation / alteration of a signal (s) , which draws a driver's attention to a large deviation between actual and set speed.

It is particularly preferred if the driver receives by the signal not only information relating to a deviation of the actual speed from the target speed and with respect to the extent of the deviation, but also with respect to the direction of the deviation (ie which order of magnitude too fast, in which order of magnitude too slow).

Thus, for example, the aforementioned haptic signal in the accelerator pedal may have a different frequency (frequency) or sequence when the desired speed is undershot than when the desired speed is exceeded. It is only necessary to ensure that the two frequencies (frequencies) or sequences are clearly distinguishable and assignable to a driver. If the signal is or contains a signal tone, for example, the frequency of the acoustic signal may be lower than the acoustic signal if the nominal speed is exceeded if the nominal speed is undershot. Also, for example, the timing (interrupts) of the beep depending on the extent and direction of the deviation between actual and target speed vary, for example, by the intervals between beeps with increasing below the target speed is getting longer, and at an increasing Exceeding the target speed is getting shorter and shorter. Similarly, for example, a haptic signal can also be varied. And if the signal is (also) visually perceptible, then the visually perceptible signal, for example, may have a different color when the target speed is undershot than when the target speed is exceeded, the color of the signal corresponding to the magnitude of the deviation between the target speed. and actual speed is changed.

2 shows by means of a schematically displayed speed display 1 an example of such an optical feedback.

In this example, 100 km / h is assumed to be the optimum target speed. The feedback of a deviation from the actual speed to the setpoint speed is effected by a color-coded illumination 2 . 3 . 4 the speedometer (speedometer) 1 , A bluish lighting 2 stands for a negative deviation (below the target speed), green 3 for the optimum range (actual speed is essentially the target speed) and a red coloration 4 would signal an exceeding of the set speed. The color change of the lighting 2 . 3 . 4 This can be done continuously (from blue to green, via yellow to red), ie in a smooth transition depending on the amount and direction of the deviation of the actual speed from the target speed.

The advantage of such coding is that it can also be perceived in the peripheral field of vision without the driver having to look directly at the speedometer (tachometer) or turn his eyes away from the road. However, since the eye is sensitive to color changes, the code will attract the driver's attention in the event of a sudden departure and thus a change in color (eg, from green to red in a potential danger situation).

• – eine aktuell geltende Geschwindigkeitsbegrenzung,
• – eine aktuell gegebene Verkehrssituation,
• – eine dem Fahrzeug vorausliegender Straßenverlauf,
• – eine dem Fahrzeug vorausliegende Gefahrenstelle und/oder -situation, und/oder
• – eine aktuell gegebene Wetterbedingung.

The determination of the target speed can be based on various criteria, with an automatic determination is preferred. Possible examples of suitable criteria for determining the target speed are

• - a current speed limit,
• - a current traffic situation,
• A road ahead of the vehicle,
• A danger spot and / or situation ahead of the vehicle, and / or
• - a currently given weather condition.

The data required or used for determining the target speed can be made available by driver assistance systems, vehicle-own or vehicle-external sensors and / or via communication links (eg radio links, mobile radio links). For example, the position and the direction of a vehicle can be determined via a satellite-based position determination, and from the data of an existing navigation system, the speed limit valid for the road currently being traveled (possibly supplemented by information of a "Traffic Message" information service). In a simple case, the speed limit applicable to that road can then be set as the target speed.

In many cases, however, it will be advantageous if additional criteria for determining the target speed are used. Thus, for example, a currently given traffic situation (eg traffic density, distance and relative speed to a vehicle in front, current display of a traffic light system), the course of the road (eg curvatures of curves, non-visible further course of the road, such as unseen hills) dangerous situation (road, construction site, accident site, car-to-car communication), and / or the current weather conditions (fog, wet, snow, smoothness, darkness) make a more specific determination of the target speed sensible or even necessary. Therefore, the various above-mentioned data and / or information may advantageously be used for setting the target speed and, if appropriate, weighted appropriately.

Further, it is advantageous if the determination of the actual speed, the determination of the target speed and the determination of a match or deviation between actual speed and target speed are performed continuously. If the actual speed of a vehicle changes, its deviation from the setpoint speed also changes while the setpoint speed remains constant and, according to the invention, leads to a change / generation of the signal perceptible to the driver. Also, the target speed may require a redefinition within short intervals, for example due to new data regarding the traffic situation, weather conditions, etc.

It is also advantageous if the signal is generated continuously and varied depending on the size and the direction of the deviation of the actual speed from the desired speed. As an example of this again in the 2 shown serve. The color change of the lighting 2 . 3 . 4 This is usually done not only continuously (from blue to green, yellow to red), ie in a smooth transition depending on the amount and direction of the deviation of the actual speed from the target speed, but the speed indicator is also continuously illuminated in color. Thus, the driver receives without interruption information regarding the direction and magnitude of the deviation of the actual speed from the target speed.

Similarly, for example, a haptically or audibly perceptible signal could be continuously generated and varied depending on the magnitude and direction of the deviation between the actual and desired speeds.

• – erhält der Fahrer eine, in vorteilhafter Weise kontinuierliche, Rückmeldung darüber, ob er unter Berücksichtigung von beispielsweise bestehenden Beschränkungen, Verkehrssituationen und Straßeneigenschaften mit angepasster Geschwindigkeit unterwegs ist;
• – kann eine Abweichung von der Optimalgeschwindigkeit in Umfang und Ausmaß ohne den Blick von der Straße abwenden zu müssen, von einem Fahrer wahrgenommen werden;
• – kann für den Fahrer ein ständiges Überprüfen der aktuellen Tachogeschwindigkeit ganz überwiegend entfallen, was eine gesteigerte Aufmerksamkeit bzgl. des Verkehrsgeschehens erlaubt;
• – wird das Auge des Fahrers entlastet, da keine wiederholte Akkommodation der Augenlinse zwischen Ferne (Straße) und Nähe (Armaturenbrett) erforderlich ist;
• – kann ein Fahrer durch eine rasche Änderung der Rückmeldung frühzeitig darauf aufmerksam gemacht werden, dass er gegebenenfalls mit einer überhöhten Geschwindigkeit unterwegs ist;
• – wird im Idealfall erreicht, dass der Fahrer seine Geschwindigkeit an die gegebene Fahr- bzw. Verkehrssituation anpasst, bevor durch weitere Assistenzsysteme (z. B. Notbrems-Assistent) aktiv in die Fahrdynamik eingegriffen werden muss.

By the present invention

• The driver receives feedback, which is advantageously continuous, as to whether he is traveling at an adapted speed taking into account, for example, existing restrictions, traffic situations and road characteristics;
• A deviation from the optimal speed can be perceived to the extent and extent without having to look away from the road, by a driver;
• - For the driver, a constant checking of the current tachogenerator speed can be largely eliminated, which allows an increased attention with regard to the traffic;
• - the driver's eye is relieved, since no repeated accommodation of the eye lens between distance (road) and proximity (dashboard) is required;
• - a driver can be made aware in good time by a rapid change in the feedback that he may be traveling at an excessive speed;
• - Is achieved in the ideal case that the driver adapts his speed to the given driving or traffic situation, before further assistance systems (eg Emergency Brake Assist) must actively intervene in the driving dynamics.

The technical devices required for realizing the present invention and their interaction are known to those skilled in the art or can be found out with a few experiments, so that they are not discussed in detail here must become. The same applies to the driver assistance system according to the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

S1-1

Determination of the target speed

S1-2

Determination of the actual speed

S2

Comparison of nominal and actual speed

S3

Generation of signal

1

Speedometer

2

color coded lighting (blue)

3

color coded lighting (green)

4

color coded lighting (red)

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 10021101 A1 [0002]
• DE 602005003391 T2 [0003]

Claims (8)

A method for signaling information relating to the speed of a vehicle to a driver, characterized in that a target speed for the vehicle is determined (S1-1), an actual speed of the vehicle is determined (S1-2), the Is compared with the actual speed (S2), and a perceivable signal to the driver with respect to the speed of the vehicle is generated, such that the driver by the signal information with respect to a deviation of the actual speed of the target speed and with respect to the amount of deviation receives (S3). A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the driver also receives information relating to the direction of the deviation by the signal. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that setting the target speed automatically (S1-1) based on - a currently applicable speed limit, - a current traffic situation, A road ahead of the vehicle, A danger spot and / or situation ahead of the vehicle, and / or - a currently given weather condition he follows. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the determination of the actual speed (S1-2), the determination of the target speed (S1-1) and the determination of a match or deviation between actual speed and target speed ( S2) are carried out continuously. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the signal is an optically, haptically and / or acoustically perceptible signal. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the signal is generated continuously and varied in dependence on the size and the direction of the deviation of the actual speed from the desired speed. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, as the signal, a lighting which changes as a function of the magnitude and direction of the deviation of the actual speed from the set speed ( 2 . 3 . 4 ) a speed indicator ( 1 ) and / or changing vibration of an accelerator pedal is used. Driver assistance system, set up to carry out one of the methods according to one of Claims 1 to 7.

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