DE102014203138A1 - Driver assistance system for a motor vehicle and method for assisting a motor vehicle driver - Google Patents

Abstract

A driver assistance system (3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 14, 17, 21) for a motor vehicle comprises a plurality of sensors (12, 13, 15, 19, 20, 23), an electronic control unit (2, 9, 11, 15 , 18) and an information output unit (3, 4, 4a, 5, 22, 28). Furthermore, a switching unit (21, 27) is provided, by which the driver assistance system (3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 14, 17, 21) between a first, so-called normal operating mode and a second, so-called Operation mode is switchable, - is done in the low light operating mode, a control of the driver assistance system (3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 14, 17, 21) such that by means of the sensors (12, 13, 15, 19, 20, 23 ) generated sensor data specific driver assistance information are generated, which are suitable to assist a driver of the motor vehicle in bad weather and / or poor visibility regarding his driving task and - the specific driver assistance information by the information output unit (3, 4, 4a , 5, 22, 28) can be output.

Description

The invention relates to a driver assistance system for a motor vehicle and a correspondingly equipped motor vehicle. In particular, the invention relates to such a driver assistance system that assists the driver of the motor vehicle in bad weather conditions when driving the motor vehicle.

Under poor weather and / or visibility conditions such as heavy rainfall, snowfall or fog and even in poor visibility conditions, such as at night or in a tunnel, the driving of a motor vehicle despite various, in the meantime very sophisticated technical equipment such. Xenon or LED headlamps still significantly more difficult compared to leading in good weather or visibility conditions.

In the DE 10 2011 121 627 A1 a method for electronically controlled display of a driving scene of a vehicle on the windshield in low visibility conditions by means of a so-called head-up display has been described. For this purpose, various sensors such as a camera, a lidar, a Global Positioning System (GPS) sensor and other, for the operation of the vehicle representative data determining sensors such as speed sensors and Radschlupfsensoren be provided with which relevant driving information is formed by the Head-Up Display will be displayed.

In the US 2005/0259033 A1 An information system for motor vehicle drivers is also described in which driving conditions relating to weather, road conditions and traffic conditions are detected by means of suitable sensors such as cameras, ultrasonic sensors, speed sensors, wheel slip sensors, etc. Display data is generated from the measured data and displayed via a head-up display, which can assist the driver in his driving task. For example, the traffic situation in which other vehicles or even obstacles on the roadway relative to the vehicle can be displayed graphically.

In the DE 10 2007 050 375 A1 It has been proposed to use weather data and in particular weather forecast data in a vehicle, for example in its navigation system, for a weather-dependent output of route information such as the arrival time.

The contents of the above publications may also be relevant to the present invention and are therefore hereby incorporated by reference into the present specification.

It is an object of the invention to make a contribution to the fact that a driver can safely lead a motor vehicle even under relatively poor weather conditions and / or visibility conditions.

This object is achieved by the invention specified in the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are indicated in the dependent claims.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a driver assistance system for a motor vehicle is provided which comprises a plurality of sensors, an electronic control unit and an information output unit. Furthermore, a switching unit is provided, by means of which the driver assistance system can be switched over between a first, so-called normal operating mode and a second, so-called low-light operating mode. In the low-light operating mode, the driver assistance system is controlled in such a way that specific driver assistance information is generated by sensor data generated by the sensors, which are suitable for supporting a driver of the motor vehicle with regard to his driving task in bad weather and / or poor visibility. The specific driver assistance information can be output by the information output unit.

In a method according to the invention, which corresponds to the driver assistance system and is executed, in particular, by corresponding means in this, an assistance of a motor vehicle driver is carried out in poor weather and / or visibility conditions by means of a driver assistance system. With the driver assistance system environmental parameters are detected by means of several sensors and processed in an electronic control unit. Information of the control unit is output by means of an information output unit. In the presence of poor weather and / or visibility conditions, the driver assistance system is switched by means of a switching unit between a first, so-called normal operating mode and a second, so-called low-light operating mode. In the low-light operating mode, the driver assistance system is controlled in such a way that specific driver assistance information is generated by sensor data generated by the sensors, which are suitable for supporting a driver of the motor vehicle with regard to his driving task in bad weather and / or poor visibility. The specific driver assistance information is output by the information output unit.

• – derart starken Regen oder Schneefall, dass die Scheibenwischer nicht mehr in der Lage sind, die Scheibe ausreichend von Wasser bzw. Schnee freizuhalten um eine ausreichende Durchsicht zu ermöglichen und/oder
• – derart starken Nebel, dass die Sichtweite so stark eingeschränkt ist, dass der Fahrbahnverlauf nicht mehr sicher erkannt werden kann.

With the invention, the driver of the motor vehicle can be advantageously supported in poor weather or visibility conditions for guiding the motor vehicle. Such bad weather or visibility conditions may include in particular:

• - Such heavy rain or snowfall that the windshield wipers are no longer able to keep the disc sufficiently free of water or snow to allow sufficient visibility and / or
• - such heavy fog that the visibility is so severely limited that the road course can no longer be reliably detected.

Poor visibility conditions can also prevail, for example, weather-independent at night or when passing through a particularly poorly lit tunnel.

• – der vorausliegende Fahrbahnverlauf ist unklar, insbesondere hinsichtlich Richtung, Fahrbahnbreite, Abbiegungen, Fahrbahnbegrenzungen usw.
• – Gefahr eines möglichen Abkommens von der Fahrbahn, Übersehen relevanter Verkehrszeichen usw.
• – die Bewegungen anderer Verkehrsteilnehmer sind unklar, beispielsweise von Gegenverkehr, Querverkehr, vorausstehenden Fahrzeugen, von hinten kommenden Fahrzeugen usw.
• – die Fahrfähigkeit ist unklar, beispielsweise bei Schnee aufgrund vorausliegende Schneehöhe, Fahrbahngriffigkeit usw.

With the invention it was recognized that in such situations, even at low driving speeds there are objective and subjective safety deficits. These include, for example:

• - The underlying road course is unclear, especially in terms of direction, lane width, turns, lane boundaries, etc.
• - danger of a possible agreement from the roadway, overlooking relevant traffic signs, etc.
• - The movements of other road users are unclear, for example, oncoming traffic, cross traffic, preceding vehicles, vehicles coming from behind, etc.
• - The ability to drive is unclear, for example, in the case of snow due to the snow depth ahead, road grip, etc.

According to the invention, it has been recognized that it is a great help for the vehicle driver in poor weather or visibility conditions to be provided with driving-relevant and in particular driving-safety-relevant information, so-called driving assistance information, by a driver assistance system. It was especially recognized that even a relatively small amount of provided driver assistance information has a disproportionately large supporting effect for the driver.

According to a second aspect of the invention, which may be considered together or independently of the aforementioned first aspect of the invention, at least one flanking assistance system is activated in poor weather and / or visibility conditions by means of a driver assistance system in a motor vehicle. In particular, a plurality of flanking assistance systems are activated at the same time, wherein the activation takes place jointly or coupled to the plurality of flanking assistance systems by means of a single switching device.

The activation of the flanking assistance systems and / or the bad light operating mode can in particular be effected by actuation of a single switch and preferably by manual actuation. The type and / or number of the flanking assistance systems activated in the bad weather conditions and / or their control parameters can be configurable. The configuration can be done in particular vehicle-specific and / or driver-individual. Corresponding profiles with control data of the configuration can be permanently stored and / or editable in the driver assistance system. The term "flanking assistance system" is to be understood very comprehensively in the context of the invention. As flanking assistance systems are basically all known for vehicles and in particular in a particular vehicle existing assistance systems for drivers into consideration. It may include sensors, actuators and / or in particular electronic control components. A flanking assistance system may in particular comprise an infrared (IR) camera, an ultrasound sensor, a lidar and / or an acceleration sensor. A flanking assistance system can also include a lighting system, for example a headlight system with dipped beam or high beam, a fog light and / or a rear fog lamp. It may also include a lane departure warning system, a distance warning system, front and / or rear park distance control (PDC), an obstacle warning system, a Night Vision System, an especially cruise control (Automatic Cruise Control) , ACC), an emergency stop system, a navigation system, a speed and / or no-overturn indication and / or a telematics system. It can also include a head-up display with, in particular, a visual display option for driver assistance information that covers a large area of the windshield and / or other windows of the motor vehicle. In particular, the road course, for example by means of virtual lane boundaries and / or illustrated crash barriers, as well as turn-off arrows from the navigation system can be output on such a display. The information may also represent traffic situations, such as Road signs, other vehicles or obstacles. Information of the flanking assistance system can basically be issued to the driver visually, acoustically and / or haptically. A flanking assistance system may also include a hands-free system, in particular for a telephone system, and / or an infotainment system.

• – mindestens einem Nahinfrarotsystem, das beispielsweise auch für Nachtsicht-Assistenzsysteme geeignet bzw. von solchen bekannt ist,
• – einem Ultraschaltsystem, wobei dieses gegenüber PDC-Systemen insbesondere eine erweiterte Reichweite aufweisen kann, beispielsweise eine Reichweite von 10 Metern, 50 Metern, 100 Metern oder darüber.
• – eine Radarsensorik, wobei diese insbesondere einen gegenüber einem ACC-System einen erhöhten Winkelbereich aufweisen kann, beispielsweise einen Bereich von bis zu 45 Grad, 60 Grad, 90 Grad, 120 Grad, 150 Grad oder 180 Grad. Auch ein 360-Grad Rundsichtradar ist möglich.

According to the second aspect of the invention, it has been found, in particular, that the sole use for a weather-related visual assistance of video sensors is hardly suitable and in contrast a combination of suitable sensor systems is advantageous, in particular a combination of

• At least one near-infrared system, which is also suitable or known for night-vision assistance systems, for example,
• An ultrasound system, which may have, in particular, an extended range compared to PDC systems, for example a range of 10 meters, 50 meters, 100 meters or more.
• A radar sensor system, which may in particular have an increased angle range compared to an ACC system, for example a range of up to 45 degrees, 60 degrees, 90 degrees, 120 degrees, 150 degrees or 180 degrees. A 360-degree panorama radar is also possible.

The respective sensor systems can be used alternately by different driver assistance systems, where they are operated for the respective uses, in particular with correspondingly different control parameters.

• – Einschalten und/oder schlechtwetterspezifisches Einstellen eines Lichtsystems des Fahrzeugs wie z.B. Nebel- und/oder Führungslicht, Rundum-Licht, Warnblinklicht, Stroboskop-Modus an LEDs,
• – Einschalten und/oder schlechtwetterspezifisches Einstellen eines weiteren Fahrerassistenzsystems wie z.B. Nachtsicht-Assistent, Kurvenassistent, Geschwindigkeitslimit-Anzeige (Speed Limit Indicator, SLI), Abstands-Warnsystem, ACC-System, Frontalaufprall-Warnsystem (Frontal Colllission Warning, FCW), passive Sicherheitssysteme wie präventiver Fußgängerschutz (pFGS), Notbremsassistent (iBrake), Glatteiswarner, Seitenwind-Korrektursystem, Objektinformation, Sichtweitenwarnung,
• – Einschalten und/oder schlechtwetterspezifisches Einstellen eines Navigationssystems,
• – Einschalten und/oder schlechtwetterspezifisches Einstellen von weiteren Fahrzeugsystemen wie z.B. Sensoren und/oder Anzeigesystemen, beispielsweise durch Einschalten einer Schlechtsichtmodus-Anzeigeleuchte.

By means of a control signal output by the driver assistance system when the bad-light operating mode is activated, at least one of the following actions may be advantageously carried out:

• Switching on and / or bad weather-specific setting of a light system of the vehicle such as fog and / or guide light, all-round light, hazard warning light, stroboscopic mode on LEDs,
• - Switching on and / or bad weather-specific setting of another driver assistance system such as night vision assistant, cornering assistance, Speed Limit Indicator (SLI), distance warning system, ACC system, frontal collision warning system (FCW), passive safety systems such as preventive pedestrian protection (pFGS), emergency brake assistant (iBrake), ice detector, side wind correction system, object information, visibility warning,
• Switching on and / or bad weather-specific setting of a navigation system,
• - Switching on and / or bad weather-specific setting of other vehicle systems such as sensors and / or display systems, for example by switching on a bad light mode indicator light.

According to a third aspect of the invention, which can be seen together or independently of the first two aspects of the invention, is provided for representing driver assistance information in a driver assistance system that the number and / or the type of the driver of a motor vehicle within a given time and in particular simultaneously issued information under bad weather and / or visibility conditions relative to the corresponding number and / or type of information output to the driver of a motor vehicle under normal weather and / or visibility conditions by means of a driver assistance system is variable or different. The type of representation as such can each be different. The number and / or type of information displayed may in particular be reduced, simplified and / or schematized under the poorer weather and / or visibility conditions. For this purpose, a corresponding low-light operating state and a corresponding normal operating state of the driver assistance system can be provided, in particular according to the first aspect of the invention.

In particular, it can be provided that in the normal operating mode, a predetermined first maximum number of driving assistance information is output and in the low light operating mode, a predetermined second maximum amount of driving assistance information can be output, the second number is smaller than the first number. The respective numbers and / or types of displayed information can be stored permanently in the driver assistance system and in particular be changeable by the driver and / or a specialist workshop.

It can also be provided that after activation of the bad-light operating mode, a check is completely or partially automated, which driver assistance systems and / or display functions are currently activated in the vehicle and targeted control takes place in such a way that the driver deactivates rather distracting systems and / or displays become. In particular, it may be considered which systems in the current driving state and / or in the current weather and / or vehicle environment conditions are redundant or dispensable without endangering the driving safety.

Thus, according to the third aspect of the invention, an information management in the driver assistance system can be carried out such that the type and / or the number of output information and / or the manner of their presentation adapted to the particular weather and / or visibility conditions, and in particular are optimized so that the driver for the respective weather and / or visual situation optimal selection of a variety of available provided by sensors, controls and / or flanking assistance systems information is presented. This can on the one hand be avoided that the driver is distracted from the information. On the other hand, he can thus valuable or helpful by him in his specific driving situation receive useful assistance information. Overall, the driver can concentrate better on his driving task. The type of graphical representation can be made in the low-light operating state, for example, compared to the graphical representation in the normal operating state brighter, darker, higher contrast, lower contrast and / or in a different color scheme. The type of acoustic representation or output of information in the low light operating state, for example against the acoustic representation in the normal operating state louder, quieter and / or in each case with respect to its frequency tuning, eg by amplified bass, done differently.

Furthermore, according to the third aspect of the invention, it has been recognized that it is advantageous for a driver under bad weather conditions to provide only a selective selection of relatively few provided driver assistance information against a large number of displayed information, and in particular in optical, be displayed haptic and / or acoustic manner, because it is then easier for the driver, on the one hand - as far as the conditions permit - to focus on the traffic and on the other hand, the driver assistance system selectively provided information perceived and this in his driving task to take into account. A distraction of the driver by providing too much provided driver assistance information, in particular in each case one of the above types of display, can be counteracted.

The differentiation of the type of information output can, for example, via flanking assistance systems as such. For example, provision may be made for information from flanking assistance systems, which include distance sensors and / or cameras for monitoring the surroundings of the motor vehicle, to be output in the low-light operating mode while entertainment information is not output. A group of driver assistance information acquired by vehicle sensors and displayed in the normal operating state but not displayed in the low-light operating mode may in particular include information on the current fuel consumption, the service requirements of the vehicle and / or a trip-meter counter. It may also be provided that certain predetermined information that is displayed in the bad-light operating mode are emphasized or amplified compared with other displayed information, for example magnified or brighter than other information and / or highlighted in color. For example, such information may be smoother warnings or wet warnings. Highlighting of the information can take place in the low-light operating mode, in particular in a different manner than in the normal operating mode, e.g. louder, bigger and / or in a different color.

With the invention it was recognized that under unfavorable weather and / or visibility conditions, a corresponding driver assistance system can both contribute to increasing driving safety and also to facilitating driver guidance of the vehicle. As a result, in particular a fast fatigue of the driver under adverse weather or visibility conditions can be prevented. Consequently, with a driver assistance system according to the invention, poor visibility conditions can be compensated in such a way that the driver can guide the vehicle objectively and subjectively more safely and with less fatigue.

With the invention can also be advantageously achieved that the driver becomes aware of the difficulty of the weather, visibility and / or driving situation and he focuses his concentration accordingly well on his driving task. Therefore, with the invention of the driver assistance systems sometimes latent outgoing danger can be counteracted that the driver thinks in high security, although the driving conditions are so critical that the automatic driving safety systems have already reached their limits. On the other hand, the driver can advantageously see with the invention that his vehicle or the corresponding flanking driver assistance systems optimally adapt to this situation of poor weather or visibility. By appropriately activated driver assistance systems can be achieved in particular that the driver can see better and further and he can better recognize objects. In addition, he or his vehicle can be better recognized or seen by other road users.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the switching unit comprises a manually operated switch. With this switch and in particular switching button can be achieved that the driver of the motor vehicle with a touch of a button needs in his individual current driving and weather situation and adapted to his individual perception receives targeted support from the driver assistance system. Further advantageously, the driver can achieve this with a single manual push of a button, that in his support a variety of flanking assistance systems, which may include sensors, actuators, controls, controls and / or displays of the vehicle, jointly and in particular at the same time to the bad weather or Be adapted to bad-eye situation. Furthermore, a predetermined and in particular preconfigurable selection of activated first flanking assistance systems and / or disabled by second flanking assistance systems. For example, with the invention in bad weather or visibility conditions, the hands-free system and / or a telephone function, such as an automatic call acceptance, be disabled and / or the volume of an infotainment system parameter-controlled to a certain, in particular relatively low value can be set. Thus, with the invention, a parameterization of the respective flanking assistance systems optimized with regard to the weather and / or visibility conditions can take place. For example, threshold values in an emergency stop system can be adapted accordingly, ie changed in the bad weather or bad-light operating state compared to the normal operating state.

A flanking assistance system does not necessarily have to be fixedly mounted in the motor vehicle, but may e.g. also via a vehicle interface such as e.g. a Bluetooth interface or a WLAN interface with one or more vehicle controls. For example, a flanking assistance system may also be a smart phone, which is connected via an appropriate interface with an infotainment system of the vehicle. The flanking assistance system can also be the interface as such or comprise these.

The switch or switching knob can be executed completely or partially mechanically, but it can also be predominantly software engineering, for example in the form of a graphical button on a display, in particular on a so-called touch screen executed. For this purpose, further input means such as e.g. a keyboard, a mouse, a scroll wheel, a rotary pushbutton such as the BMW iDrive controller or the like may be provided. The switch is in particular part of a human-machine interface (HMI). It can also have elements of voice recognition, so that the driver can switch the driver assistance system from the normal operating state to the low-light operating state and possibly from there back to the normal operating state by entering a voice command.

Control parameters of the low-light driver assistance system for processing and / or output of signals can be individually programmable by the driver and, in particular, groups of control parameters can be permanently stored as profiles and retrievable. The programming and / or storage of the corresponding parameter values can be carried out in suitable vehicle controls and in particular in controls of display units. In this case, for example, perspective and / or scale in the presentation of navigation information can be set.

In a further advantageous exemplary embodiment of the invention, data is provided by at least one further data source for forming the specific driver assistance information, in particular from a navigation system and / or from a data source external of the vehicle. The external data source may be, for example, another motor vehicle, from which data is received, for example, via car-2-car communication technology. They can also be provided by a data server, for example a server of a weather service available over the Internet, and / or by a back-end computer which is directly connected to it via a mobile-radio-based telematics system of the motor vehicle and which is commissioned by the vehicle manufacturer or by one of them Service provider is operated. Wireless communication technologies such as Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) according to one of IEEE 802.11x technology standards are basically suitable for the transmission of data.

Information, in particular detection signals which are emitted via car-2-car communication technology from approaching and in particular from oncoming vehicles, can be received and used for fully or partially automatic activation and / or adjustment of the driver assistance system. Bad weather conditions and concomitant low speeds of the vehicles favor the respective signal evaluation. The communication between the vehicles may be bidirectional, and even approaching vehicles may be given a warning of poor weather or visibility when the driver assistance system is in the low light mode.

• – ein Informationsausgabesystem,
• – ein Navigationssystem,
• – mindestens einen Fahrzeugsensor, der Fahrzeugdaten erfasst, wie z.B. einen Geschwindigkeitssensor oder einen Radschlupfsensor,
• – mindestens einen Umfeldsensor, der Fahrzeug-Umfelddaten erfasst, wie z.B. einen Ultraschallsensor, eine Kamera, ein Radar, ein Lidar, einen Feuchtesensor und/oder
• – eine Datenschnittstelle für eine Kommunikation zu einer fahrzeugexternen Einheit.

The driver assistance system may further advantageously include:

• An information output system,
• - a navigation system,
• At least one vehicle sensor detecting vehicle data, such as a speed sensor or a wheel slip sensor,
• - At least one environment sensor that detects vehicle environment data, such as an ultrasonic sensor, a camera, a radar, a lidar, a humidity sensor and / or
• A data interface for communication with an off-board unit.

In particular, a camera for acquiring infrared (IR) data or images is suitable as a camera, although it may also be advantageous to use an optionally additional optical camera.

By means of sensor data fusion, all relevant individual information about possible fixed and mobile obstacles in the direct vehicle environment can be summarized. A navigation system with precise positioning and digital road map enables the representation of the vehicle position on the road and the lane course. If possible, a suitable alternative route can be recommended by means of the navigation system in order to avoid an area with bad weather and / or visibility conditions.

For graphic output of the information of the driver assistance system, a plurality of graphic information output units may be provided in the motor vehicle, e.g. a central console (so-called head unit), in which, among other things, for example, the navigation map is displayed and / or a so-called instrument cluster in which, for example, engine speed and speed are displayed and / or a head-up display, on the selected information such as eg Speed and navigation arrows are projected on the windshield or in its area. The individual information of the driver assistance system can in each case be displayed on only one and / or in parallel on several of the display systems.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, which may be considered together or independently of the first three aspects of the invention, it is provided that a driver assistance system automatically determines a safe location for the motor vehicle under poor weather and / or visibility conditions for the motor vehicle.

The term "safe location" in the present case comprises a traffic-technical objective for the motor vehicle and / or subjectively safe for the driver location of the motor vehicle. With the invention can thus be detected at which location the vehicle can be brought to a safe state. In order to determine a safe location, in particular at least one position determination sensor for the current position of the motor vehicle and / or a navigation system is used. Furthermore, environment sensors of the motor vehicle and in particular sensors of the type described above, for example an IR camera and / or at least one ultrasonic sensor, may be provided or used. This can be checked in particular whether there are obstacles in the vehicle environment. Furthermore, vehicle data such as its dimensions and weights and possibly other characteristic data such as load, type of cargo, etc. may be taken into account for determining the safe location. If a corresponding safe location, in particular a parking space suitable for parking, is determined, then the corresponding data, in particular geographical data are output, for example in the form of position data and / or distance and / or direction information. The data can then be at least partially displayed and / or used to move the motor vehicle completely or partially automatically to the safe location. These can be used per se known control and / or regulatory systems of motor vehicles with corresponding sensors and actuators, in particular those that allow a wholly or partially automatic longitudinal guidance and / or lateral guidance of the vehicle or those on the drive, the brakes and / or the steering of the motor vehicle act.

In particular, the safe location may be determined to be within a given radius of the current location of the motor vehicle. The safe location may also be determined to be within a predetermined maximum travel distance from the current location of the motor vehicle. It can also be determined according to which it can be reached within a given maximum travel time from the current location of the motor vehicle. Navigation data is used to determine the route and the travel time. For this purpose, a navigation system of the motor vehicle and / or a navigation system connectable to the control of the vehicle can be used. It is also possible to take into account a respective maximum speed on the route and / or in the respective driving mode (manually, fully or partially automated).

In the context of the invention, for example, the safe location located closest to the current position of the motor vehicle can be determined and / or several safe locations located within the respective limits.

In the case of an automatic calculation of the estimated travel time to the safe location, the current weather situation can be taken into account on the basis of weather data. The values for the radius, the maximum travel distance and the maximum travel time which are respectively predetermined for the route calculation can be stored or permanently stored in the driver assistance system and, in particular, can be processed by the driver and / or by a specialist workshop.

The secure location can be determined, in particular, by a service center which is connected to the vehicle via a wireless connection, for example via a mobile radio connection. In this case, on the one hand, a data connection can be provided, via which the current position of the motor vehicle, if necessary, further vehicle data can be transmitted to a computer of the service center, for example a back-end server, and via which Position data of the safe location of the service center to the vehicle and in particular to a navigation system of the vehicle is transferable. On the other hand, a voice connection can be made via the mobile radio connection, via which the driver can speak, for example, with a person in the service center. In this case, for example, the service person can discuss on the basis of her present at the headquarters further information such as general news, severe weather warnings, etc. with the driver, which safe place should be best controlled by the motor vehicle.

In the context of the invention, it is also possible, with activated low-light operating state of the driver assistance system carrying a particularly bad weather conditions bearing advance solution of systems of passive safety in the event of an unavoidable collision, especially in collisions on the side or rear.

The fourth aspect of the invention can be used advantageously in particular when the weather and / or visibility conditions are so bad that further travel should no longer take place. This may for example be the case when there is such a strong snowstorm, the visibility is less than 5 m, the road is completely covered with snow and the course of the road due to snow drifts is also almost no longer recognizable. In such a situation, road users occasionally bring their vehicle to a sudden halt, without knowing whether it is permissible to stop under normal circumstances and / or if standing by her vehicle endangers other road users who do not interrupt their journey. The vehicle is then in a so-called unsafe condition. In order to avoid endangerment of all road users by the uncertain state, it is possible by means of the fourth aspect of the invention, the vehicle from the uncertain state in a automatically recognizable by one or more systems secure state to move. This can be done in particular by slow and in particular stepwise movement of the motor vehicle. An at least partially automated movement is advantageous.

In the following, further embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to figures. Show it:

1 Driver assistance systems of a motor vehicle,

2 and 3 Graphical displays of a driver assistance system and

4 A functional structure diagram.

In 1 is a control system 1 illustrated for a motor vehicle, which may be provided in whole or in part in a motor vehicle and a central control 2 and a plurality of data-technically and / or control-technically connected units. The respective units comprise in particular electronic components, microprocessors, computer programs that run on microprocessors and / or are stored in or implemented in suitable firmware components, interfaces to bus systems, etc. The control system 1 comprises as human-machine interfaces (HMI) a first, central, display and control unit 3 in the form of a so-called head unit, a second display and control unit 4 in the form of a so-called combination instrument with an associated display 4a , Furthermore, a multiplicity of driver assistance systems are provided, which are described in more detail below and suitable data connections 26 between controllers such as a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus and / or a Media Oriented Systems Transport (MOST) bus. The systems mentioned, and in particular a driver assistance system, can be integrated in a control unit or distributed over several control units. Also data connections can exist directly between different systems, so that data does not necessarily have the central control 2 need to be replaced. In the 1 Therefore, the illustration shown is only to be understood schematically and by way of example only.

• – ein Parkassistenzsystem 10 für Einparkvorgänge, das eine Steuerung 11 und damit verbundene Ultraschallsensoren 12 sowie eine Rückfahrkamera 13 umfasst,
• – ein Nachtsichtsystem 14 umfassend eine Steuerung 15 und eine IR-Kamera 16, deren Bildsignale von der Steuerung 15 an die Steuereinheit 9 der Head Unit weitergeleitet werden. Die Steuerung 15 verarbeitet zu dem die Bildsignale derart, dass Gefahren wie beispielsweise auf der Fahrbahn befindliches Wild erkannt werden und kann direkt Signale an einen Aktor 16a wie beispielsweise eine helle Lichtquelle ausgeben,
• – ein abstandsgesteuertes Geschwindigkeitsregelsystem (ACC), das eine Steuerung 19, ein Radar 19 und eine nach vorne gerichtete Kamera 20 aufweist.
• – einen Schlechtwetter- und/oder Schlechtsichtassistenten 21, der mittels eines elektromechanischen Schalters 27, einem so genannten „Schlechtwetter-Button“, jeweils manuell aktivierbar und deaktivierbar ist,
• – weitere, nachfolgend beschriebene Systeme wie z.B. ein Navigationssystem 7.

In 1 various driver assistance systems are shown:

• - a parking assistance system 10 for parking operations, a control 11 and associated ultrasonic sensors 12 as well as a reversing camera 13 includes,
• - a night vision system 14 comprising a controller 15 and an IR camera 16 whose image signals from the controller 15 to the control unit 9 forwarded to the head unit. The control 15 Processes to the image signals such that dangers such as on the roadway wild are detected and can directly send signals to an actuator 16a such as spending a bright light source,
• - a distance-controlled speed control system (ACC) that controls 19 , a radar 19 and a front-facing camera 20 having.
• - a bad weather and / or bad light assistant 21 that by means of an electromechanical switch 27 , a so-called "bad weather button", each manually activated and deactivated,
• - Other systems described below, such as a navigation system 7 ,

The illustrated driver assistance systems may of course comprise further components, sensors and / or actuators. In particular, they can use control components, data, sensors and / or actuators of other driver assistance systems and, in each case, as a flanking driver assistance system for the bad weather and / or low-light assistants 21 Act. Such a combination of driver assistance systems or system components can also be referred to as a driver assistance system, in particular as a higher-level driver assistance system.

In the central display and control unit 3 a number of subunits are integrated. In particular, an LCD display 5 and a head-up display 22 for the output of information and a rotary / push-wheel 6 intended for input of operating commands. Furthermore, the navigation system 7 , a telematics system 8th and a public address system 28 intended for the output of acoustic information. With the navigation system 7 the respective current position of the motor vehicle can be satellite-based, for example, determined by the Global Positioning System (GPS) and possibly by means of a navigation system 7 stored card a nearest safe place to be determined, where a safe state of the motor vehicle is possible. It is advantageous for this purpose if the positioning accuracy is as high as possible and, for example, more accurate than 20 meters or even more accurate than 10 meters, 5 meters or 1 meter.

The telematics system 8th In particular, at least one suitable wireless communication interface, such as eg a mobile radio unit, a WLAN unit and / or a unit for a direct connection to other vehicles located nearby, may have a so-called car-2-car connection unit. The central display and control unit 3 also has a control unit 9 on, with which their processes are controlled. Especially in this control unit 9 , in a control unit of the instrument cluster 4 and / or in the central control 2 control programs or corresponding computer program components are stored and are possibly processed there, which belong to one or more of the driver assistance systems.

The bad weather and / or low-light assistant 21 can optionally be activated manually, for example by the driver. But it can also be activated automatically, for example when using one or more sensors such as one of the ultrasonic sensors 12 , the IR camera 15 , one of the optical cameras 13 . 20 , a rain sensor 23 and / or a wheel slip sensor 29 It is recognized that weather and / or visibility conditions are extremely bad and in particular the road is optically no longer sufficiently recognizable. The detection can also be done by means of the telematics unit 8th respectively. In particular, it is program-controlled on the basis of suitable processing of the respective sensor or communication data.

When activating the bad weather and / or bad light assistant 21 the bad light operating mode is automatically activated, ie there is a control of the bad weather and / or bad light assistant 21 and / or other driver assistance systems such that specific driver assistance information is generated by means of sensor data generated by the sensors, which are suitable to support a driver of the motor vehicle in bad weather and / or poor visibility regarding his driving task. The specific driver assistance information is provided by an information output unit such as the LCD display 5 and / or the head-up display 22 the head unit 3 and / or the display 4a of the instrument cluster 4 output. In addition, one or more components of the vehicle lighting units 24 be activated as the driving light. Also other actors 15 of the vehicle can be controlled in any suitable manner, for example, to automatically move the vehicle to a safe location.

In 2a is a display device 30 represented on the display in a normal operating state of the or the driver assistance systems of the motor vehicle various information on driver assistance. The display device 30 For example, the LCD display previously shown 4a of the instrument cluster 4 his or one of the other aforementioned display devices. In the example shown will be in the left part 31 the display device 30 Information presented by a driver assistance system, the traffic information, here a no-passing indication 32 and a speed limit indicator 33 , for which currently operated route provides. In a middle, upper part 34 the display device 30 Navigation information is output, here an arrow symbol, after which you should turn left at the next intersection. In the middle lower part 35 Current data such as time, speed and remaining route are displayed. In the right part 36 the display device 30 Further status information is displayed, namely a symbol 37 the current reception strength of a mobile connection and a symbol 38 with service information to the vehicle.

In 2 B is a modified version of the ad 2a shown, which is used in the low light operating mode when the bad weather and / or low light assistant 21 is activated, for example after the driver of the motor vehicle due to extreme Weather conditions and associated poor visibility the bad weather button 27 pressed. This is in addition to the low-light driver assistance system 21 activates at least one further, flanking driver assistance system of the vehicle. As part of the corresponding modified display then significantly fewer symbols on the display device 30 shown as in normal operating condition. It will be in the left and right areas 31 . 36 the display device 30 no icons are displayed. In the middle upper area 34 the navigation icon is still displayed, but at the bottom 35 only the vehicle speed displayed, but no longer the remaining driving distance, etc. Due to this reduced amount of displayed information, the driver of the vehicle under the poor weather or visibility conditions can focus much better on his driving task and the information essential to him, namely speed and to be taken Driving direction better on the display device 30 detect.

In order to activate the bad light operating state, it is also possible to provide an acoustic command input. For this purpose, if appropriate, a corresponding acoustic device of the vehicle, which includes a microphone, for example a hands-free system can be used. In a control of the vehicle can then also be provided a voice recognition device and / or a semantic database with which corresponding input keywords such. "View", "weather", "bad", "help", "assistant", "mode", "turn on", "activate" including semantic modifications are stored and after their detection, in particular in a combination such. "Turn on bad weather assistant", either directly or immediately or after a voice dialogue between the vehicle control and the driver and / or further outputs and / or inputs via an HMI the bad weather operating mode is started.

In the 3a is again the display device 30 shown, wherein essentially the same information is displayed as in 2a , In contrast to this, with the present display, there is another symbol 39 is displayed, with which the driver is automatically signaled that it was recognized on the basis of sensor signals or other information that so bad weather conditions prevail that the activation of the bad weather and / or bad light assistant 21 makes sense to support him in his driving task. On the basis of this display, the driver can decide whether he or she wants to use the bad weather and / or bad-eye assistant manually 21 activated. The symbol 39 can assume two or more states, for example in the form of white or black coloring, or in the three colors red, yellow and green, each of the colors having a certain degree of danger or a degree of recommendation for activating the bad-weather and / or bad-eye assistant 21 can represent.

In the 3b an indicator is displayed after activating the bad weather and / or bad light assistant 21 can be done. The bad weather symbol 39 is colored and indicates the status of the activation. In addition, in the right area 36 the display device 30 an information is displayed, which gives the driver an indication that when driving straight ahead at a distance of 500 m, a secure stop at a gas station is possible. The navigation arrow in the middle area 34 is shown weaker than the normal view, here with broken lines, for example, to signal that there is an alternative route recommendation for a secure stop.

• – Ein Kurvenassistent (Curve Assistant), wobei in dessen Steuerung der Kurvenverlauf mit einbezogen werden kann,
• – Ein Tempolimitassistent (SLI), wobei gewisse Informationen bei der Ausgabe hervorgehoben werden, beispielsweise die Informationen „Bei Nässe“ oder „Bei Nebel“,
• – ein Abstandswarner, wobei dessen Abstandsinformationen angepasst werden können,
• – ein ACC, wobei dessen Soll-Abstandswert angepasst werden kann,
• – ein Kollisionswarnungssystem (FCW), dessen Parameter angepasst werden können, so dass beispielsweise frühzeitiger eine Warnung ausgegeben wird,
• – ein präventives Fußgängerschutzsystem (pFGS), dessen Parameter angepasst werden können, so dass beispielsweise frühzeitiger eine Schutzmaßnahme eingeleitet wird,
• – ein Notbremsassistent (iBrake), dessen Parameter und insbesondere Schwellwerte angepasst werden können.

In 4 are partly already described above functions and other functions in an overview. The function F1 activates the bad weather and / or bad light assistant, for example, manually via the bad weather button. This function activation is visibly displayed to the driver in a setup, for example by a warning light. Furthermore, this automatically activates one or more of the following functions F2 to F8. Function F2 checks the visibility, turning on the rear fog lamp if necessary. In a corresponding function F3, light functions are adjusted at the front of the vehicle, for example by switching on a guide light, all-round lights or a light-strobo effect on LEDs. In function F4, further driver assistance systems are activated and / or adapted as follows, as far as they are provided in the vehicle:

• - A curve assistant, in whose control the curve can be included,
• - A Speed Limit Assistant (SLI) highlighting certain information in the output, such as the information "When wet" or "In fog",
• A distance warning, the distance information of which can be adapted,
• An ACC whose nominal distance value can be adjusted,
• - A Collision Warning System (FCW) whose parameters are adjusted so that, for example, a warning is issued earlier,
• - a preventive pedestrian protection system (pFGS), the parameters of which can be adjusted so that, for example, a protective measure is taken earlier,
• - An emergency brake assistant (iBrake) whose parameters and in particular thresholds can be adjusted.

Function F5 activates and / or adapts a navigation device. In this case, for example, the scale when displaying maps can be changed. In this case, the perspective and / or position of the vehicle can be displayed on the road. In function F6, black ice parameters are detected by corresponding vehicle sensors and / or other information sources (for example via a telematics system) and, if appropriate, a black ice warning is output as information. Function F7 is provided by a crosswind assistant, optionally outputting a crosswind alert and / or crosswind correction in the vehicle control. With the function F8, object information is detected by the vehicle's own sensor system and, if appropriate, a visibility warning is output in one of the display devices of the vehicle, for example in a freely programmable instrument cluster (FPK).

The described devices and system components are in particular controlled by computer programs and can have further, known per se elements of computers and digital control devices such as a microprocessor, volatile and non-volatile Sp4eicher, interfaces, etc. Therefore, the invention can also be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product which, when loaded and executed on a computer, completely or partially effects a sequence according to the invention.

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 102011121627 A1 [0003]
• US 2005/0259033 A1 [0004]
• DE 102007050375 A1 [0005]

Cited non-patent literature

• IEEE 802.11x technology standards [0032]

Claims (19)

Driver assistance system for a motor vehicle, comprising: - a plurality of sensors ( 12 . 13 . 15 . 19 . 20 . 23 ), - an electronic control unit ( 2 . 9 . 11 . 15 . 18 ) and - an information output unit ( 3 . 4 . 4a . 5 . 22 . 28 ), characterized in that - a switching unit ( 21 . 27 ) is provided by the driver assistance system ( 3 . 4 . 7 . 8th . 10 . 14 . 17 . 21 ) is switchable between a first, so-called normal operating mode and a second, so-called low-light operating mode, - in the low-light operating mode, a control of the driver assistance system ( 3 . 4 . 7 . 8th . 10 . 14 . 17 . 21 ) such that by means of the sensors ( 12 . 13 . 15 . 19 . 20 . 23 ) generated specific driver assistance information that are suitable to assist a driver of the motor vehicle in bad weather and / or poor visibility in terms of its driving task and that - the specific driver assistance information through the information output unit ( 3 . 4 . 4a . 5 . 22 . 28 ) are dispensable. Driver assistance system according to claim 1, characterized in that the switching unit ( 21 . 27 ) is manually operable by the driver and in particular a driver-operated mechanical switch ( 27 ). Driver assistance system, in particular according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in bad weather and / or visibility conditions by means of a driver assistance system ( 3 . 4 . 7 . 8th . 10 . 14 . 17 . 21 ) at least one flanking driver assistance system ( 3 . 4 . 7 . 8th . 10 . 14 . 17 . 21 ) is activated. Driver assistance system according to claim 3, characterized in that a plurality of flanking driver assistance systems ( 3 . 4 . 7 . 8th . 10 . 14 . 17 . 21 ) are coupled in such a way that they can be controlled by means of a single switching device ( 21 . 27 ), in particular by operating a single switch ( 27 ) and preferably activated jointly by manual operation. Driver assistance system for a motor vehicle, in particular according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that for representing driver assistance information, the number and / or the type of information to the driver of the motor vehicle within a predetermined time and in particular simultaneously issued information under bad weather conditions. and / or visibility conditions relative to the corresponding number and / or type of information output to the driver of a motor vehicle under normal weather and / or visibility conditions by means of a driver assistance system ( 3 . 4 . 7 . 8th . 10 . 14 . 17 . 21 ) is changeable. Driver assistance system according to claim 5, characterized in that with the information output unit ( 3 . 4 . 4a . 5 . 22 . 28 ) - in the normal operating mode, a predetermined first maximum number of driving assistance information can be output, - in the low light operating mode, a predetermined second maximum number of driving assistance information can be output and that - the second number is less than the first number. Driver assistance system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the information output unit ( 3 . 4 . 4a . 5 . 22 . 28 ) a visual, haptic and / or acoustic information output unit ( 3 . 4 . 4a . 5 . 22 . 28 ). Driver assistance system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for the formation of the specific driver assistance information from at least one further data source provided data, in particular from a navigation system ( 7 ) and / or from a vehicle-external data source, for example from another motor vehicle, from a data server and / or by means of a telematics system ( 8th ) provided data. Driver assistance system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises: - an information output system, - a navigation system ( 7 ), - at least one vehicle sensor ( 29 ), - at least one environment sensor ( 12 . 13 . 15 . 19 . 20 ), in particular an IR camera ( 15 ), and / or - a data interface ( 8th ) for communication with an off-board unit. Driver assistance system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the low-light operating mode automatically at least one control signal for at least one actuator ( 24 . 25 ), a sensor ( 12 . 15 . 19 . 20 ) and / or a control system ( 3 . 4 . 7 . 8th . 10 . 14 . 17 . 21 ) of the motor vehicle is output, wherein in particular - the actuator is a lighting system ( 24 ), - the sensor has an ultrasonic sensor ( 12 ) or an IR sensor ( 15 ) and / or - the control system has a further driver assistance system ( 3 . 4 . 7 . 8th . 10 . 14 . 17 . 21 ) and / or further functional units of the driver assistance system ( 3 . 4 . 7 . 8th . 10 . 14 . 17 . 21 ), another information Output unit ( 3 . 4 . 4a . 5 . 22 . 28 ) and / or a navigation system ( 7 ). Driver assistance system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that its control parameters for processing and / or output of signals individually programmable by the driver and in particular groups of control parameters are stored as profiles and retrievable.  Driver assistance system for a motor vehicle, in particular according to one of the preceding claims, with the under bad weather and / or visibility conditions for the motor vehicle, a safe location for the motor vehicle is automatically determined. Driver assistance system according to claim 13, characterized in that for detecting the safe location at least one position determination sensor for the motor vehicle and / or a navigation system ( 7 ) is used. Driver assistance system according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that data, in particular geographic data of the safe location are output such that they are at least partially displayable and / or are used to move the motor vehicle completely or partially automatically to the safe location. Motor vehicle comprising a driver assistance system ( 3 . 4 . 7 . 8th . 10 . 14 . 17 . 21 ) according to any one of the preceding claims. Method for assisting a motor vehicle driver in poor weather and / or visibility conditions by means of a driver assistance system ( 3 . 4 . 7 . 8th . 10 . 14 . 17 . 21 ), in which with the driver assistance system ( 3 . 4 . 7 . 8th . 10 . 14 . 17 . 21 ) Environmental parameters by means of several sensors ( 12 . 13 . 15 . 19 . 20 . 23 ) and in an electronic control unit ( 2 . 9 . 11 . 15 . 18 ) and information of the control unit ( 2 . 9 . 11 . 15 . 18 ) by means of an information output unit ( 3 . 4 . 4a . 5 . 22 . 28 ), characterized in that - the driver assistance system ( 3 . 4 . 7 . 8th . 10 . 14 . 17 . 21 ) by means of a switching unit ( 21 . 27 ) is switched between a first, so-called normal operating mode and a second, so-called low-light operating mode, - in the low-light operating mode, a control of the driver assistance system ( 3 . 4 . 7 . 8th . 10 . 14 . 17 . 21 ) such that by means of the sensors ( 12 . 13 . 15 . 19 . 20 . 23 ) generated sensor data is generated, which are suitable to support a driver of the motor vehicle in bad weather and / or poor visibility regarding his driving task and that - the specific driver assistance information through the information output unit ( 3 . 4 . 4a . 5 . 22 . 28 ). Method for assisting a motor vehicle driver in poor weather and / or visibility conditions by means of a driver assistance system ( 3 . 4 . 7 . 8th . 10 . 14 . 17 . 21 ), in particular according to claim 16, characterized in that in bad weather and / or visibility conditions by means of the driver assistance system ( 3 . 4 . 7 . 8th . 10 . 14 . 17 . 21 ) at least one flanking driver assistance system ( 3 . 4 . 7 . 8th . 10 . 14 . 17 . 21 ) is activated. Method for assisting a motor vehicle driver in poor weather and / or visibility conditions by means of a driver assistance system ( 3 . 4 . 7 . 8th . 10 . 14 . 17 . 21 ), in particular according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the number and / or the type of the driver of the motor vehicle within a predetermined time and in particular simultaneously issued driver assistance information under bad weather and / or visibility conditions relative to the corresponding number and / or type of driver assistance information output to the driver of a motor vehicle is different under normal weather and / or visibility conditions. Method for assisting a motor vehicle driver in poor weather and / or visibility conditions by means of a driver assistance system ( 3 . 4 . 7 . 8th . 10 . 14 . 17 . 21 ), in particular according to one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that under bad weather conditions and / or visibility conditions for the motor vehicle, a safe location for the motor vehicle is automatically determined.

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