DE102018108348A1 - Method and system for warning a driver of a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle communication method for communicating with a driver (20) of an ego vehicle (10), the ego vehicle (10) having a vehicle environment monitoring system for monitoring the environment of the ego vehicle (10), and wherein An ego vehicle (10) having a locking system with a key for locking or opening the ego vehicle (10), wherein the vehicle environment monitoring system is configured to detect an approaching object (26) and detect an approaching or removing key, and wherein the vehicle environment monitoring system and the key are configured to communicate with each other
a) the vehicle environment monitoring system monitors the environment of the ego vehicle (10) such that
a1) the vehicle environment monitoring system monitors whether the key is approaching or away from the ego vehicle; and
a2) the vehicle surroundings monitoring system monitors whether an object is approaching the ego vehicle (10), wherein
b) contacting the vehicle environment monitoring system with the key if an object is approaching the ego vehicle (10) and if the key is approaching or away from the ego vehicle (10), and
c) the key issues a warning to the driver (20) in response to the contact of the vehicle environment monitoring system.

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle communication method and a vehicle communication system for warning a driver of a vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and system for alerting a driver who is going to or away from the vehicle while another vehicle is approaching.

It is known that present vehicles have multiple sensors for sensing the environment to avoid critical situations during driving. However, such sensors may also be used when the vehicle is stationary and the driver is outside the vehicle.

US 2015/0035685 A1 describes a system for alerting a user having a first device for communication between vehicle and pedestrian. The first device may be operable by a pedestrian. The system further includes a driver-operable vehicle having a second vehicle-pedestrian communication device. The system is configured to issue a warning to the driver and / or pedestrian via the first device and / or the second device.

DE 10 2010 027 952 A1 describes a method comprising detecting an environment of a stationary vehicle for testing an object approaching the stationary vehicle. The nature of the approaching object is analyzed, determining an expected trajectory over which the object approaches the stationary vehicle. If a collision of the object with the stationary vehicle is expected, a warning is issued to the object. In addition, an independent claim is included for a device for warning approaching objects to avoid a collision of the object with a stationary vehicle.

However, such methods still provide room for improvement, particularly with regard to warning a driver of a vehicle when he is outside the vehicle.

The present invention is therefore based on the object to overcome at least one disadvantage of the prior art. It is a particular object of the present invention to provide a solution that allows reliable warning of a driver of a vehicle when the driver is outside the vehicle.

This object is at least partially solved by a method having the features of independent claim 1. This object is further at least partially solved by a system having the features of independent claim 6. This object is further achieved at least in part by a vehicle having the features of the independent one Claim 10. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the subclaims, in the further description and in the figures, wherein the described embodiments, alone or in any combination of the respective embodiments, may indicate a feature of the present invention, unless this is clearly excluded.

• a) das Fahrzeugumgebungsüberwachungssystem die Umgebung des Ego-Fahrzeugs derart überwacht, dass
• a1) das Fahrzeugumgebungsüberwachungssystem überwacht, ob sich der Schlüssel dem Egofahrzeug nähert oder davon entfernt, und
• a2) das Fahrzeugumgebungsüberwachungssystem überwacht, ob sich ein Objekt dem Ego-Fahrzeug nähert, wobei
• b) das Fahrzeugumgebungsüberwachungssystem mit dem Schlüssel Kontakt aufnimmt, falls sich ein Objekt dem Ego-Fahrzeug nähert und falls der Schlüssel sich dem Ego-Fahrzeug nähert oder sich davon entfernt, und
• c) der Schlüssel in Antwort auf den Kontakt des Umgebungsüberwachungssystems eine Warnung an den Fahrer ausgibt.

In particular, the present invention provides a vehicle communication method for communicating with a driver of an ego vehicle, the ego vehicle having a vehicle environment monitoring system for monitoring the environment of the ego vehicle, and the vehicle having a locking system with a key for locking or opening the vehicle Ego vehicle, wherein the vehicle environment monitoring system is configured to detect an approaching object and to detect the approaching or removing key, and wherein the vehicle environment monitoring system and the key are configured to communicate with each other

• a) the vehicle environment monitoring system monitors the environment of the ego vehicle such that
• a1) the vehicle surroundings monitoring system monitors whether the key is approaching or away from the ego vehicle, and
• a2) the vehicle surroundings monitoring system monitors whether an object is approaching the ego vehicle, wherein
• b) contacting the vehicle environment monitoring system with the key if an object is approaching the ego vehicle and if the key is approaching or away from the ego vehicle, and
• c) the key issues a warning to the driver in response to the contact of the environmental monitoring system.

Such a method allows improved safety of the ego vehicle driver, particularly as he approaches the ego vehicle or when he moves away from the ego vehicle, as will be explained in more detail below.

In detail, the described method relates to a vehicle communication method for communicating with a driver of an ego vehicle. In other words, the described method relates to a method in which the ego vehicle, and thus the vehicle associated with the driver and configured to execute the method, communicates with the driver of the vehicle. In particular, the goal of communication between the vehicle and the driver is to warn the driver when a critical situation can occur.

With respect to the ego vehicle, it is or has a vehicle environment monitoring (SMS) system. Such a system is known in the art and configured to monitor the environment of the ego vehicle. Therefore, the vehicle surroundings monitoring system has one or more sensors arranged on the ego vehicle so as to be able to detect the surroundings of the ego vehicle. For example, the one or more sensors may be selected from the group consisting of radar sensors, lidar sensors, ultrasonic sensors, cameras, etc.

The vehicle surroundings monitoring system may further include and / or be connected to a control unit in addition to the sensors, the control unit being capable of using the data provided by the sensors to generate corresponding information as described in more detail below to trigger contact with the driver via a key, as described below.

The vehicle environment monitoring system is thus able to monitor the entire environment around the ego vehicle or at least a portion thereof. The system is therefore able to detect and further detect the position and speed of objects, in particular vehicles, such as cars, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, or even pedestrians, etc., using the sensors described above whether such objects are approaching or removing. In addition, it is possible to determine the type of objects, i. whether the detected object is a car, a truck, a motorcycle, a bicycle, a pedestrian, etc. Therefore, the environmental monitoring system may give a complete or at least a suitable overview of the ego vehicle and the traffic around the ego vehicle.

In addition to the vehicle environment monitoring system, the ego vehicle has a locking system with a key for locking or opening the ego vehicle. In this regard, as is well known in the art, a locking system is provided which, for example, acts on the doors to allow or prevent access to the ego vehicle. The locking system has a key for controlling the locking system. In this context, a key according to the present invention is to be understood in particular to mean any device which is capable of controlling the locking system and thus capable of locking or unlocking a door of the ego vehicle. The key may generally be a mechanical key or a contactless key, without the present invention being limited thereto.

It is further contemplated that the vehicle environment monitoring system is capable of communicating with the key. In this regard, it may be contemplated that the vehicle environment monitoring system includes or is connected to a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting data and a receiver for wirelessly receiving data. Similarly, it can be provided that the key has or is connected to a transmitter for wireless transmission of data and a receiver for wireless reception of data. This enables the provision of wireless data communication between the vehicle environment monitoring system and the key.

As stated above, the locking system is not strictly limited. For example, the key may be a conventional mechanical key with a respective receiver and transmitter. However, it may be preferred that the locking system is a keyless entry system. Such systems are known and readily available, and they provide the synergistic effect of providing control of the locking system, and thus e.g. It is also possible to open or close the doors of a vehicle and, in addition, to easily establish a data connection to the vehicle environment monitoring system.

In this regard, a keyless entry system may enable unlocking of the vehicle without the need for a physical key. This technology makes it possible to detect the presence of the wireless key module from a distance, thus providing the 2D position of the key around the vehicle. In general, the key and its position are detected several meters around the ego vehicle and the vehicle can be unlocked or locked by touching the door handle when the key is in a defined area.

With regard to a keyless entry system, it is thus known that by providing an ego vehicle that can be equipped with such a keyless entry system, this provides the position of the key with respect to the ego vehicle. This system provides bidirectional communication between the key and the vehicle, and more particularly the interlocking system referred to as the Digital Key Receiver (DKR). Thus, according to the invention, it is easily possible to use wireless data communication between the key and the vehicle environment monitoring system.

In view of the above, it will be apparent that the vehicle surroundings monitoring system is configured to detect an approaching vehicle and detect an approaching or removing key.

Thus, a method can be realized with the following steps. In this regard, it should be noted that the steps described can be performed strictly in the order described. According to the invention, however, it is not excluded that the order of the following steps can be changed.

In step a), the vehicle environment monitoring system monitors the environment of the ego vehicle. Therefore, as discussed above, the one or more sensors of the vehicle environment monitoring system detect the environment for objects that are present in the environment and, in particular, move. In this regard, the entire environment may be detected, or more specifically an area with a limited distance from the ego vehicle and thus within a so-called detection distance.

In particular, with regard to the monitoring of the environment, this step is carried out in such a way that mainly two different steps are carried out.

In detail, and corresponding to step a1), the vehicle surroundings monitoring system monitors whether the key is approaching or being removed from the ego vehicle. This can be done without problems as described above, for example by using the keyless entry system, which system has a data connection with the vehicle environment monitoring system. Thus, the vehicle surroundings monitoring system may have the respective parts capable of communicating with the key, such as the digital key receiver described above, or the vehicle surroundings monitoring system may be in data communication with the respective parts capable of communicating with the key as with the digital keyfob as described above. As is known for keyless entry systems, therefore, the vehicle environment monitoring system may detect whether the key is within a detection distance to the ego vehicle and, thus, whether the key is approaching or leaving.

Therefore, it may be provided that the vehicle surroundings monitoring system is configured such that the direction of the key and its speed can be determined when the key moves away from the vehicle or approaches the vehicle. This can be realized, for example, by using at least two receivers which receive the key-transmitted signal, as is well known in the art. This makes it possible to detect the relative position of the key to the ego vehicle and the speed of the key.

Further, and in step a2), the vehicle surroundings monitoring system monitors whether an object is approaching the ego vehicle. In this regard, and as stated above, the entire environment around the ego vehicle, or at least a portion thereof, is monitored for approaching objects. In particular, it is monitored whether objects such as vehicles, e.g. Cars, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, or even pedestrians approach the ego vehicle. Apart from that, the type of objects can be detected, i. whether the detected object is a vehicle, what type of vehicle it is, or a pedestrian, etc. The environmental monitoring system may therefore provide a complete or at least a suitable analysis of the environment of the ego vehicle and thus of the traffic around the ego vehicle To run. Therefore, corresponding predictions are possible, as described in detail below.

According to step b), it is further provided that the vehicle surroundings monitoring system makes contact with the key if a vehicle approaches the ego vehicle and if the key approaches or leaves. In this regard, the key can be contacted by the digital keyfob as described above. Specifically, if the key moves away from or is approaching the ego vehicle and, in addition, another object, such as, for example, a vehicle, is approaching the ego vehicle, the vehicle environment monitoring system contacts the key.

Especially this situation can lead to a critical conflict, as the position of the key strongly correlated with the position of a driver of the ego vehicle. In other words, the position of the key is substantially the same as the position of the driver because it is assumed that the driver is carrying the key. Thus, if the key approaches or gets away from the ego vehicle, and if another object, such as a vehicle, approaches the ego vehicle, the ego vehicle driver may conflict with the other object what could be a dangerous situation for the driver. Furthermore, this situation may be critical to further traffic. For example, a vehicle may be forced to emergency braking or to an obstacle avoidance maneuver to avoid collision with the driver, which may also be a critical situation. In particular, the situations described above may occur because many drivers are inattentive as they approach or leave their vehicle, such as when crossing the road. For example, when approaching the ego vehicle, drivers often pay more attention to their mobile phone or their bags than to traffic.

In order to avoid such critical situations, it is further provided according to step c) that the key issues a warning to the driver in response to the contact of the environmental monitoring system. Therefore, the driver of the ego vehicle immediately becomes aware of a potentially dangerous situation and can therefore take steps to avoid this situation. In any case, the driver will pay more attention to traffic, which improves his safety situation.

Even if the driver is fully alert, the driver may not be able to see an approaching object, such as a vehicle, because it is in a blind spot with respect to the driver. However, since the ego vehicle has a position other than the key and thus the driver, the object may be within the scope of the ego vehicle. Therefore, the driver can be warned about objects which he could not see or notice if no warning was issued. Thus, this situation also provides a significant improvement in security.

In view of the above, the described method substantially improves safety for drivers who are moving away from or approaching their vehicle. This is accomplished by comparatively simple methods using peripheral devices, many of which are present in current vehicles, thereby exploiting significant synergistic effects.

In this regard, the described method uses a combination of two technologies to control the approach phase or the driver's distance phase to / from his vehicle, i. the ego vehicle. By combining the existing sensors on the vehicle with the ability to know the position of the driver when approaching the vehicle or distance from the vehicle, it is possible to detect dangerous situations. The wireless connectivity between the key and the vehicle allows for the transmission of alerts from the vehicle environment monitoring system to the key, which can be translated into a warning to the driver to protect the driver.

In particular, with regard to the key of the locking system, and thus in particular the keyless entry system, the key is able to lock or unlock the vehicle without any physical contact. This feature is called Digital Key Transmitter (DKT). Such a digital key transmitter is well known and enjoys increasing popularity due to its high level of comfort over a mechanical key.

Further, in accordance with the present invention, an apparatus incorporating the aforementioned key has capabilities to transmit a message to the key owner. In other words, at least one warning device can be part of the key. This can be realized by vibrations, light, audio signals or otherwise and can be referred to as Key Host Element (KHD). For example, as stated above, this device may be part of a conventional mechanical key or it may be contactless.

Further, it may be contemplated that the locking system, such as the keyless entry system, and the vehicle environment monitoring system together form a vehicle communication system that may be used to warn a driver, as described above and below.

It may also be preferred that step a2) is triggered if it is detected in step a1) that the key is approaching the ego vehicle or is away from the ego vehicle. It is therefore provided that the vehicle surroundings monitoring system is active, apart from a driving situation, even when the key and thus the driver of the vehicle Ego vehicle may approach the ego vehicle or "wake up" from the ego vehicle when the key or digital key transmitter is detected within the detection distance, ie the activation area. This allows for energy savings since it is not necessary to permanently detect approaching objects. This may be preferred in particular when the key approaches the vehicle, since during the time in which the ego vehicle is not being used and thus the driver and the key are not in the vicinity of the ego vehicle, the ego Vehicle is in a standby mode, saving energy.

It may be further preferred that the vehicle environment monitoring system predicts whether a critical situation exists between the object and the key, and that step b) is executed if it is determined that a critical situation occurs between the object and the key. According to this embodiment, it is provided that a warning is issued to the driver only when the situation for the key and thus in particular for the driver is potentially critical. In other words, when talking about a critical situation for the key, it is always considered within the meaning of the present invention that a critical situation for the key is comparable or interchangeable with a critical situation for the driver of the ego vehicle. In other words, a critical situation for the key can be understood as a potential collision of the driver carrying the key with the object. If a warning is issued in the event that a critical situation is likely, this will allow the driver to pay more attention to the warning because he knows that no or only a very limited number of erroneous warnings will be issued, and therefore will really pay attention to each warning must become.

In terms of predicting whether a critical situation between the key and thus a driver of the ego vehicle and the detected object, such as a vehicle, is likely, there are generally a variety of ways to predict a critical situation.

However, it may be preferable that the prediction of whether a critical situation occurs between the object such as the vehicle and the key and thus between the object and the driver of the ego vehicle based on a predicted trajectory and speed of the object and the predicted trajectory and speed of the key and thus the driver is executed. In this regard, it may be provided that the vehicle environment monitoring system operates and calculates in real time so that the prediction is always based on actual data, which makes the method particularly effective and reliable.

With respect to the predicted trajectory of the object, it may be calculated based on the type of object and based on the environment. For example, in the case that the object is a vehicle, it can be predicted that the vehicle is traveling on only one road. Furthermore, it can be taken into account on which lane the vehicle drives and possibly at what speed the vehicle is traveling. If the vehicle is a bus, bus stops can be considered. If the object is a pedestrian, it can be predicted that the pedestrian is only on footpaths. However, since the vehicle environment monitoring system operates in real time as described above, any deviation from the prediction can be directly accounted for and a changed prediction made. In terms of speed, this parameter can be easily measured. In addition, of course, there are a variety of other parameters that can be considered to predict the trajectory of the object.

With regard to the predicted trajectory of the key, it is assumed that the key will only use walkways because the key will move together with a person and thus with a pedestrian. When the key approaches the ego vehicle, of course, the target is placed on the ego vehicle, which greatly simplifies the calculation. If the key moves away, the already traversed path can be taken into account so that the direction of motion can give a strong indication of a predicted trajectory. With regard to speed, an average value or a typical value of pedestrians can be considered, or the speed can also be measured here.

As previously described, if a collision is predicted based on the estimated trajectories, in one embodiment, the digital key receiver will send a signal to the digital key sender to activate the warning mechanism of the key host element. More generally, the vehicle environment monitoring system will inform the key and the key will issue a warning to the driver.

With regard to the issued warning, it may be provided that the warning in step c) comprises the use of at least one of a vibration, light and sound. In particular, these embodiments can be a strong and spend effective warning, which is very likely to be perceived by the driver of the ego vehicle, so that the driver's safety is efficiently improved. Of course, the warning used can be changed depending on the configuration of the key. If the key is designed as an item that can be worn directly on the driver's body, such as a smartband, a vibration or light warning may be preferred. If a conventional mechanical key device is used, a sound signal may be preferred. However, it may also be that only one, several or all of the aforementioned alternatives for warning the driver are used simultaneously, whereby the safety behavior can be further improved.

With regard to further advantages and technical features of the method, reference is made to the system, the vehicle, the figures and the further description.

Further, a vehicle communication system of an ego vehicle for communicating with a driver of the ego vehicle, the vehicle communication system having a vehicle environment monitoring system for monitoring the environment of the ego vehicle, and a locking system having a key for locking or opening the ego vehicle , wherein the vehicle environment monitoring system is configured to detect an approaching object and to detect an approaching or removing key, and wherein the vehicle surroundings monitoring system and the key are configured to communicate with each other, the key further comprising a warning device for issuing a warning to the driver of the ego vehicle, wherein the vehicle communication system comprises a control unit or is connected to a control unit, and wherein the control unit is configured to perform a method, as described above in detail.

Such a vehicle communication system is therefore configured to communicate with a driver of an ego vehicle via the key and thus enables a substantial improvement in the safety of a driver when he or she is from the ego vehicle and thus from the vehicle from which the vehicle communication system Part is, removed or approaching the ego vehicle.

In summary, and as described in detail with reference to the above method, the vehicle communication system is based on comparatively simple features by using peripheral devices, many of which are present in current cars, thereby utilizing substantial synergistic effects.

In this regard, the described vehicle communication system uses a combination of two technologies to control the approach phase or the driver's distance phase to his vehicle, i. the ego vehicle, or to secure from his vehicle. By combining the existing keyless entry system of the vehicle with the ability to know the driver's position as he approaches the vehicle or away from the vehicle, it is made possible by additionally using a vehicle environment monitoring system with the ability to detect approaching vehicles to capture dangerous situations. The wireless connectivity between the key and the ego vehicle allows messages to be transmitted from the vehicle environment monitoring system to the key, which can then be translated by the key into a warning to the driver to protect the driver.

The warning is generated by a warning device that is part of or coupled to the key. In this regard, the warning device has at least one component below a vibration device, a light source and / or a sound source, which enables a particularly effective warning to the driver.

It may also be provided that the key is a stand-alone key or is portable on the body of the driver. In this regard, a stand-alone key, such as a conventional mechanical key or even a key for a keyless entry system, whose primary function is affiliation with the locking system, can be carried into driver's handbags or pockets. This allows the efficient output of alerts. If the key, whose main function is again its affiliation with the locking system, is wearable on the driver's body and is designed, for example, as a band that can be worn on the driver's legs or arms, a particularly efficient warning is enabled. The term "wearable" here means that the key can have direct contact with the body and can be worn under clothing, or it can be worn indirectly on the body and therefore over clothing. However, it may be provided a fastening means for securing the key to the body.

With regard to further advantages and technical features of the system is based on the process, the Vehicle, the figures and the further description referenced.

In addition, a vehicle is described, the vehicle having a vehicle communication system, as described in detail above.

Again, the described vehicle uses a combination of two technologies to control the approach phase or the driver's distance phase to or from his vehicle, i. the ego vehicle. By combining the already existing keyless entry system of the vehicle with the ability to know the position of the driver as he approaches or away from the vehicle, and by additionally using a vehicle environment monitoring system with the ability to detect approaching vehicles, it is possible to endure dangerous situations to capture. The wireless connectivity between the key and the ego vehicle allows messages to be transmitted from the vehicle environment monitoring system to the key, which can then be translated into a warning to the driver to protect the driver.

Such a vehicle, which is actually the ego vehicle, is therefore configured to communicate with a driver of the ego vehicle, and enables a substantial improvement in the safety of a driver if he or she is away from the ego vehicle or the ego vehicle approaches.

With regard to further advantages and technical features of the vehicle, reference is made to the method, the system, the figures and the further description.

These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described below. Individual features set forth in the embodiments may, alone or in combination, form an aspect of the present invention. Features of the various embodiments may be transferred from one embodiment to another embodiment.

• 1 zeigt eine schematische Situation, in der das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren ausgeführt werden kann; und
• 2 zeigt ein Blockdiagramm zum Beschreiben einer Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens.
• 1 zeigt eine schematische Situation, in der das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren ausgeführt werden kann.

In the figures:

• 1 shows a schematic situation in which the method according to the invention can be carried out; and
• 2 shows a block diagram for describing an embodiment of the method according to the invention.
• 1 shows a schematic situation in which the inventive method can be performed.

According to 1 is an ego vehicle 10 on a street 12 parked, being in front of the ego vehicle 10 and behind the ego vehicle 10 other vehicles 14 . 16 are located. In other words, the ego vehicle is 10 between the vehicles 14 . 16 parked. Thus, both the ego vehicle 10 as well as the other vehicles 14 . 16 static.

Regarding the ego vehicle 10 it has a vehicle communication system, which in turn includes a vehicle environment monitoring (SMS) system and a locking system. The vehicle environment monitoring system is well known in the art and configured for the environment of the ego vehicle 10 to monitor. Therefore, the vehicle environment monitoring system has one or more sensors 30 up, so on the ego vehicle 10 are arranged that they surround the ego vehicle 10 and thus, among other things, the road 12 can capture. For example, the one or more sensors 30 be selected from the group consisting of radar devices, lidar devices, ultrasonic sensors, cameras, etc.

The vehicle environment monitoring system of the ego vehicle 10 is thus capable of the position and speed of objects 26 such as cars, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians, etc., and also to detect whether such objects approach or leave.

In addition to the vehicle environment monitoring system, the ego vehicle indicates 10 or his vehicle communication system on a locking system with a key for locking or opening the ego vehicle. In this regard, as is well known in the art, a locking system is provided which acts, for example, on the doors to allow or prevent access to the ego vehicle. The locking system has a key for controlling the locking system. In this context, a key in the sense of the present invention is to be understood in particular to mean any device which is able to control the locking system and thus capable of doing so is to lock or unlock a door of the ego vehicle.

With regard to the key or the locking system, it is provided in particular that the locking system is a keyless entry system. Such systems are well known and readily available, and they provide the synergistic effect of providing both control of the locking system and, thus, e.g. Opening or locking the doors of a vehicle are possible, as well as in addition a data connection to the vehicle environment monitoring system can be set up.

A keyless entry system may unlock or lock the ego vehicle 10 without the use of a physical key. This technology allows the presence of the wireless key module to be detected remotely, thus providing the 2D position of the key around the ego vehicle 10 ready. In general, the key is several feet around the ego vehicle 10 detected around so that the vehicle can be unlocked by touching the door handle when the key is within a defined angle.

With respect to a keyless entry system, it is known that by providing an ego vehicle 10 equipped with such a keyless entry system, the system provides the position of the key with respect to the ego vehicle. This system provides bidirectional communication between the key and the ego vehicle 10 and in detail with the locking system, the so-called digital key receiver (Digital Key Receiver, DKR) ready. Thus, according to the present invention, it is easily possible to use wireless data communication between the key and the vehicle environment monitoring system.

Furthermore, a key that is capable of being the ego vehicle 10 without unlocking any physical contact called the digital key transmitter (DKT), part of the ego vehicle 10 and a device in which the aforementioned key is integrated. This device has capabilities to transmit a message to the key owner. This device can generate vibrations, light, an audio signal or other type of signal and is called a Key Host Element (KHD). This element may be a conventional car key as we know it today, or it may be worn on the driver's body, such as a smartband.

In view of the above, it will be apparent that the vehicle surroundings monitoring system is configured to be an approaching object 28 such as a vehicle, and detect an approaching or removing key.

This situation is in 1 shown where a key, by the driver 20 is worn, using a trajectory 22 the ego vehicle 10 approaching or using a trajectory 24 from the ego vehicle 10 can remove. Further, an object approaches 26 eg a vehicle on the street 12 using the trajectory 28 , The trajectories 22 . 24 . 28 can be predicted based on the specific conditions.

Therefore, it becomes clear that when the driver 20 one of the trajectories 22 . 24 used and the object 26 or the vehicle the trajectory 28 used, a critical situation can occur. Therefore, it is important to the driver 20 to warn by sending a message to the key, whereupon the key issues a warning.

An embodiment of such a method by an ego vehicle 10 or his vehicle communication system can be executed is in 2 While it should be understood that this embodiment is preferred, the present invention is not limited to this preferred but specific embodiment as apparent from the claims and the further description.

According to 2 it is first detected if a key is approaching. If there is a key and thus the driver 20 of the ego vehicle 10 approaching, the vehicle environment monitoring system exits its standby mode and thus wakes up. Once the vehicle environment monitoring system is active, it is determined if there is an object 26 the ego vehicle 10 approaching, and his trajectory 28 is predicted. Further, the trajectory becomes 22 . 24 the key and thus the driver 20 predicted. Then it is calculated or evaluated whether a collision and thus a potentially dangerous situation will occur. If the answer is NO, the process returns to capturing objects 26 who are the ego vehicle 10 approach and to predict their trajectories 28 , However, when a collision is predicted, a message is transmitted to the key and this emits a warning signal for the safety of the driver 20 to improve.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Ego vehicle

12

Street

14

vehicle

16

vehicle

20

driver

22

trajectory

24

trajectory

26

object

28

trajectory

30

sensor

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

• US 2015/0035685 A1 [0003]
• DE 102010027952 A1 [0004]

Claims (10)

A vehicle communication method for communicating with a driver (20) of an ego vehicle (10), the ego vehicle (10) having a vehicle environment monitoring system for monitoring the environment of the ego vehicle (10), and wherein the ego vehicle (10) includes A locking system having a key for locking or opening the ego vehicle (10), wherein the vehicle surroundings monitoring system is configured to detect an approaching object (26) and capture an approaching or removing key, and wherein the vehicle surroundings monitoring system and the key configured to communicate with each other, wherein a) the vehicle environment monitoring system monitors the environment of the ego vehicle (10) such that a1) the vehicle environment monitoring system monitors whether the key is approaching or away from the ego vehicle; and a2) the vehicle surroundings monitoring system monitors whether an object is approaching the ego vehicle (10), wherein b) contacting the vehicle environment monitoring system with the key if an object is approaching the ego vehicle (10) and if the key is approaching or away from the ego vehicle (10), and c) the key issues a warning to the driver (20) in response to the contact of the vehicle environment monitoring system. Method according to Claim 1 characterized in that step a2) is triggered if it is detected in step a1) that the key is approaching the ego vehicle (10) or is moving away from the ego vehicle (10) (10). Method according to one of Claims 1 or 2 characterized in that the vehicle environment monitoring system predicts whether a critical situation exists between the object (26) and the key, and that step b) is executed if it is determined that a critical situation occurs between the object (26) and the key , Method according to Claim 3 characterized in that the prediction of whether a critical situation occurs between the object (26) and the key is based on a predicted trajectory (28) and velocity of the object (26) and the predicted trajectory (22, 24) and velocity of the object Key is executed. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 4 characterized in that issuing a warning to the driver in step c) comprises using at least one of vibration, light and sound. A vehicle communication system of an ego vehicle (10) for communicating with a driver (20) of the ego vehicle (10), the vehicle communication system comprising a vehicle environment monitoring system for monitoring the environment of the ego vehicle (10) and a locking system having a key for locking or opening the ego vehicle (10), wherein the vehicle environment monitoring system is configured to detect an approaching object (26) and detect an approaching or removing key, and wherein the vehicle environment monitoring system and the key are configured to communicate with each other, wherein the key further comprises a warning device for issuing a warning to the driver (20) of the ego vehicle (10), the vehicle communication system having a control unit or being connected to a control unit, the control unit being configured to perform a method according to any one of Claims 1 to 5 perform. System after Claim 6 , characterized in that the locking system is a keyless entry system. System after Claim 6 or 7 , characterized in that the warning device comprises at least one device among a vibration device, a light source and a sound source. System according to one of Claims 6 to 8th , characterized in that the key is a stand-alone key or is portable on the body of the driver. Vehicle, characterized in that the vehicle is a vehicle communication system according to any one of Claims 6 to 9 having.

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