DE102017007472A1 - A method of providing information to a driver of a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for providing information to a driver (20) of a motor vehicle (10) in which the information (14, 16) is acoustically provided by sound synthesis to the driver (20). When the information (14, 16) is provided, the sound synthesis takes place in such a way that at least information (14) of the information (14, 16) is continuously enriched acoustically in order to inform the driver (20) of at least one state change.

Description

The invention relates to a method for providing information to a driver of a motor vehicle according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

In known from the prior art motor vehicles, it is known to inform the driver, for example by acoustic signals that a vehicle door is not completely closed while driving. In addition, it is known to warn vehicle occupants acoustically. For example, shows the DE 100 62 655 A1 a safety device for vehicles, which comprises a warning device for outputting an acoustic warning signal to the driver when a road surface temperature measured by a sensor and / or an ambient or air temperature falls below or exceeds a certain value before reaching a critical road section.

Object of the present invention is to provide a method of the type mentioned by which a particularly accurate, acoustic informing the driver of a motor vehicle, without distracting the driver from the traffic.

This object is achieved by a method having the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments with expedient and non-trivial developments of the invention are specified in the remaining claims.

The invention is based on a method for providing information to a driver of a motor vehicle, in which the driver is provided the information acoustically by sound synthesis.

In order to allow a particularly accurate, acoustic informing the driver without distracting the driver from the traffic, it is provided according to the invention that when providing the information, the sound synthesis is such that at least one piece of information is continuously enriched acoustically to the driver about at least one State change to inform. In the case of the acoustic enrichment of the information or the information, a change in volume and additionally or alternatively a tone color change of at least one acoustic signal can take place, whereby advantageously a particularly high information density can be provided to the driver. The acoustic enrichment of the information can be perceived by the driver as a sound change of the at least one acoustic signal, by which the driver can be informed acoustically about the state change, without distracting the driver from the traffic.

For the sound synthesis, the car may include a synthesizer.

Particularly preferably, at least two different pieces of information can be provided by different acoustic signals at the same time by the sound synthesis. This allows an acoustic informing the driver with respect to several state changes, without the driver being distracted from the traffic.

The provision of the information about the sound synthesis at the beginning of the change of state preferably takes place via the acoustic signal in the region of the human hearing threshold. This can prevent the driver from being startled by the acoustic signal.

A change in the tone of the acoustic signal can preferably take place as a function of a course of the change in state over time. In other words, the change in tone, for example, can be particularly fast, even if the course of the state change over time changes very quickly. The driver can then respond in a particularly intuitive manner to the change of state via the acoustic signal.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment and from the drawing (s). The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or in the figures alone can be used not only in the respectively specified combination but also in other combinations or in isolation, without the scope of To leave invention.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung einer Fahrgastzelle, in welcher einem Fahrer eines Kraftwagens durch Klangsynthese Informationen bereitgestellt werden, um den Fahrer über Zustandsänderungen zu informieren; und
• 2 ein qualitatives Diagramm welches eine schematische Zuordnung von Führungsgrößen zu Klangparametern zeigt.

Showing:

• 1 a schematic representation of a passenger compartment, in which a driver of a motor vehicle by sound synthesis information is provided to inform the driver about changes in state; and
• 2 a qualitative diagram showing a schematic assignment of reference variables to sound parameters.

1 shows a schematic representation of a passenger compartment 18 a motor vehicle 10 , In the passenger compartment 18 is a synthesizer 12 arranged, by means of which acoustic information 14 . 16 For one, in the passenger compartment 18 seated driver 20 of the motor vehicle 10 can be provided.

When providing the information 14 . 16 the sound synthesis takes place in such a way that at least one piece of information 14 the information 14 . 16 continuously enriched acoustically around the driver 20 to inform about a state change or several state changes. The information 14 . 16 are doing as respective acoustic signals through the synthesizer 12 sent out. Through the information 14 can the driver 20 For example, be informed about at least a first change of state. Through the information 16 can the driver 20 For example, be informed about at least a second state change.

The synthesizer 12 can the information 14 . 16 in particular emit simultaneously as the respective acoustic signals, so that the driver 20 in an advantageous manner can be informed accordingly simultaneously about several state changes.

About the acoustic information 14 . 16 can an emotionalization of an electric driving operation with the car 10 respectively. In this emotionalization can be on the acoustic information 14 . 16 For example, for a combustion engine operation characteristic acoustic signals for the driver 20 provided, just to give an example.

For example, one of the two state changes may be a traffic density change, in other words a change in one, in 2 qualitatively applied traffic density 24 , characterize.

Furthermore, one of the two state changes may characterize a recommendation for a change from an autonomous driving operation to a conventional driving operation. In the autonomous driving the car 10 operated automatically, whereas in conventional driving a control of the motor vehicle 10 by the driver 20 he follows.

Furthermore, one of the two state changes can be a power availability change of a drive motor of the motor vehicle 10 characterize. The driver can change the performance availability 20 be informed as to whether, for example, a maximum power of the drive motor is available, for example, for a boost operation.

In addition, one of the two state changes can be a mental state change of the driver 20 characterize. In the mental state change, for example, a change of a tiredness state or an aggressiveness state of the driver 20 respectively. Accordingly, at least one of the acoustic information 14 . 16 as the driver 20 emitted by the fatigue liberating acoustic signal or as a soothing acoustic signal, to name just a few examples.

Furthermore, one of the two state changes may be a speed change of the motor vehicle 10 characterize.

In addition, one of the two state changes can characterize a driving efficiency change. The driver 20 can thus be informed if, for example, by the current accelerator pedal actuation increased fuel consumption is effected.

Furthermore, one of the two state changes can characterize a road ratio change. For example, a change in a timbre of at least one of the acoustic information 14 . 16 for example, when wet or slippery.

The sound synthesis can be based on oscillators or samples. A preprocessing of the aforementioned control variables characterized by the corresponding state changes, which include, for example, the traffic density change, the power availability change and the mental state change, can be made to make continuous states audible only relatively quietly (for example in the auditory threshold of the human ear) the state changes become more prominent. This can be done, for example, by increasing an amplitude of a partial signal (that is to say one of the acoustic signals), by spatially modulating or expanding a frequency spectrum that was previously narrowly defined by filters. Control variables such as the traffic density change can be based on acoustic parameters, which give a sense of space for the driver 20 influence, act. This can be effected for example by early acoustic sound reflections and acoustic reverberation effects.

Will the efficiency of the driving style of the driver 20 used in the form of the driving efficiency change as a control signal, so driving maneuvers, for example, which support an efficient driving style, so for example, a recuperation when braking or timely coasting before traffic lights or exits, be acoustically highlighted. In a driving program optimized for efficiency, the driver can do so 20 get feedback on the driving style, without having to resort to traffic-distracting visual displays.

2 shows qualitatively and exemplarily the course of a room size 22 (Hall), the course of traffic density 24 and the course of an amplification factor 26 an acoustic signal representing the traffic density change in a common diagram.

In summary, the procedure allows the driver 20 to gain a range of information through acoustic perception. In contrast to classical warning sounds, which depend on a concrete event, continuous states or slowly changing states (in the form of state changes) can also be made audible. In highly automated or even autonomous driving (autonomous driving), the driver can 20 For example, they devote themselves to secondary tasks and only subconsciously continue with the acoustic information 14 . 16 supplied without having to focus on visual displays.

For the continuous states, which can also be referred to as static states, it is possible to count, for example, a consistently high traffic density, for example during the autonomous driving operation. In such continuous states, for example, the associated acoustic signals may be below the hearing threshold of the human ear by the synthesizer 12 be emitted, thereby avoiding the driver 20 is informed by long-lasting, perceptible and therefore perceived as disturbing acoustic signals over correspondingly long-lasting continuous states. The state changes - as opposed to the continuous states - can come to the fore as the respective component of a soundscape and be spatially modulated.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

motor vehicle

12

synthesizer

14

acoustic information

16

acoustic information

18

cabin

20

driver

22

room size

24

traffic density

26

gain

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 10062655 A1 [0002]

Claims (8)

Method for providing information to a driver (20) of a motor vehicle (10), in which the driver (20) provides the information (14, 16) acoustically by sound synthesis, characterized in that when providing the information (14, 16) the sound synthesis is carried out in such a way that at least information (14) of the information (14, 16) is continuously enriched acoustically in order to inform the driver (20) of at least one state change. Method according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the at least one state change characterizes a traffic density change. Method according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the at least one state change characterizes one, a recommendation for a change from an autonomous driving operation to a conventional driving operation. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one state change characterizes a change in power availability of a drive motor of the motor vehicle (10). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one state change characterizes a mental state change of the driver (20). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one state change characterizes a speed change of the motor vehicle (10). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one state change characterizes a driving efficiency change. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one state change characterizes a road ratio change.

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