DE102018203951A1 - Method for representing an environmental region of a motor vehicle of a vehicle convoy, and driver assistance system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for representing a surrounding area (9) of a motor vehicle (1, 2, 3, 4) of a motor vehicle convoy (5) with a plurality of motor vehicles (1, 2, 3, 4), in which the surrounding area (9) has a Camera (7) of a motor vehicle (1, 2, 3, 4) of the vehicle convoy (5) is recorded in at least one image and the image is displayed in another motor vehicle of the vehicle column (5), with a camera (7) of the in Vehicle Column (5) last motor vehicle (4) a portion (8) of the surrounding area (9) behind the last motor vehicle (4) is detected in at least one image, and the image to at least one before the last motor vehicle (4) in the vehicle convoy ( 5) moving further motor vehicle (1, 2, 3) of the vehicle convoy (5) is transmitted, and the image on a display unit (6) of the further motor vehicle (1, 2, 3) is displayed.

Description

The invention relates to a method for representing an environmental region of a motor vehicle of a motor vehicle group with a plurality of motor vehicles, in which the surrounding area is recorded with a camera of a motor vehicle of the vehicle convoy in at least one image and the image is displayed in another motor vehicle of the vehicle convoy. The invention also relates to a driver assistance system.

From the DE 10 2016 123 876 A1 a data processing apparatus for a vehicle imaging system is known. A vehicle of a vehicle convoy includes an imaging system for acquiring a real-time image of a view in front of the vehicle, wherein the real-time image is broadcast via short range radio to a nearby vehicle of the vehicle convoy to present the real-time images in a passenger compartment of the nearby vehicle.

From the DE 10 2006 016 807 A1 A method and apparatus for improving the visibility of drivers of motor vehicles is known. A vehicle in front generates video data of a traffic situation ahead by means of a video camera and transmits the images to a following vehicle.

From the DE 10 2016 015 145 A1 a method for image transmission between road users is known. Wherein image data of a vehicle environment are detected and stored, wherein the captured and stored image data is transmitted to a central processing unit. A first vehicle serves to lead vehicles traveling in a convoy, wherein an image capturing unit of the first vehicle captures image data and transmits it to further vehicles of the convoy.

The information about the surrounding area for vehicles traveling in the column is limited.

The object of the present invention is to provide specific environmental information for at least one motor vehicle, which is not last in the column, for an improved assessment of the surrounding area for a user of this motor vehicle. This object is achieved according to a method and a driver assistance system with the independent patent claims. Meaningful developments emerge from the dependent claims.

One aspect of the invention relates to a method for representing a surrounding area of a motor vehicle of a motor vehicle group with a plurality of motor vehicles, in which the surrounding area is recorded with a camera of a motor vehicle of the vehicle column in at least one image and the image is displayed in another motor vehicle of the vehicle column. With a camera of the last motor vehicle in the vehicle convoy, a partial area of the surrounding area behind the last motor vehicle is detected in at least one image. The image is transmitted to at least one further motor vehicle of the vehicle convoy traveling in the vehicle convoy before the last motor vehicle, and the image is displayed on a display unit of the further motor vehicle.

This makes it possible for motor vehicles in the vehicle convoy, which are not the last motor vehicle, to be able to recognize the area behind the vehicle column by the at least one image. This results in both safety improvements. The understanding of the unobservable area behind the vehicle convoy is thereby improved for the further motor vehicle. In addition, an unpleasant sensation of a user of the further motor vehicle is counteracted by means of a close start-up of the vehicles in the vehicle column, which is usually the case in vehicle convoys.

Under a vehicle convoy is particularly understood the merger of several vehicles, in which the associated vehicles move together and substantially the same. This also means that a behavior of the motor vehicles is essentially matched to one another, in particular by the electronic system communicating with one another. This applies to joint acceleration, joint braking, etc. A vehicle column is monitored by one or more electronic systems in the movement behavior. This means, therefore, that a vehicle crew is an electronically formed, maintained and possibly dissolved vehicle composite. An essential criterion of a convoy of vehicles in the sense to be understood here is also that the vehicles of the column are arranged closely one behind the other and maintained by electronic communication during the convoy travel together the vehicle crew. A vehicle convoy is formed of at least two vehicles.

Since the vehicles line up very close together during the convoy, an unusual driving experience with a view to the rear, in particular into an interior mirror, arises in conventional designs for the motor vehicle user who is not in a final motor vehicle. It is recognized only the very close behind it directly located motor vehicle. To avoid this, images of the surrounding area are recorded by the proposed method by means of a camera mounted on the last motor vehicle. These images are preferably transmitted as a digital signal to in particular all vehicles of the vehicle convoy. The received image information can be displayed on display units in the individual vehicles, so that they are visible to the motor vehicle user and an impression arises as if the further motor vehicle would be the last one in the column.

It is preferably provided that the image is displayed on a display unit of the further motor vehicle designed as an interior mirror. Precisely because of the above advantages are highlighted.

To display the image in the vehicle interior, a display unit is required. This display unit should be chosen so that no new hardware components need to be installed. Particularly advantageous is the interior mirror of the other motor vehicle. Since the motor vehicles of the motorcars line up very closely, in the interior mirror of the further motor vehicle only the close-driving, behind it located vehicle can be seen. By the aforementioned advantageous embodiment, an impression is then given at a glance of a driver of the other motor vehicle in the interior mirror, which is more comfortable and used. It is thus not the reality displayed, namely not recognized the closely behind it moving vehicle, but a picture of the area behind the last motor vehicle of the vehicle column shown. This also suggests to the observer a calmer traffic situation. The interior mirror is preferably designed so that a display is integrated, on which the image is displayed. It may also be the entire interior mirror designed as a display. It can also be provided that the interior mirror can be switched in its display function depending on whether the further motor vehicle moves in a vehicle column. When traveling in a convoy, the inside mirror is in an image display mode in which the image of the camera is displayed. If the other motor vehicle is not in a convoy, the inner mirror can be used as a conventional reflective mirror or, if it is a display, then, for example, a picture of a rear-view camera of this further motor vehicle itself can be displayed. The switching between the operating modes of the inner game gel is preferably carried out automatically.

During a convoy, at least temporarily an image of the surrounding area of the last motor vehicle is displayed in this display. Another advantage of an intelligent interior mirror would be the additional application of the integrated display. It would also be possible for other digital content to be shown on the display.

In an advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the further motor vehicle has a suppression function, wherein the display of the image on the display unit of the further motor vehicle is suppressed by activating the suppression function.

It should be possible that the display of an image on the display unit can be suppressed. This could be advantageous in special traffic situations. If the suppression function is activated, the display is immediately terminated. As a result, the display unit can be used not only for displaying a surrounding area of the last motor vehicle in the columns, but also for displaying further important traffic information. In addition, a user-specific display or hide is thus possible.

It is preferably provided that the suppression function is activated by a vehicle user of the further motor vehicle.

The suppression function can be designed so that it can be activated at any time by the vehicle user. The vehicle user can decide for himself whether he wants to see a picture of the environment in the rearview mirror or not. The suppression is preferably carried out as a function of a decision criterion by a driver assistance system of the further motor vehicle. This will automatically decide if and when the image will be displayed. Critical traffic situations can be avoided. In particular, an information overload of a user in specific situations is thereby avoided. Decision criteria may be states of a vehicle user or at least a motor vehicle of the vehicle crew. Likewise, a decision criterion may be a state of the surrounding area of the vehicle crew. Disturbing or poorly perceptible image representations can thereby be avoided, so that even misunderstandings or insecurities of the vehicle user can then be avoided by these possibly not clearly recognizable and thus comprehensible pictorial information.

It is preferably provided that the image is transmitted to a plurality of, in particular all motor vehicles of the vehicle convoy, which are positioned in front of the last motor vehicle in the column line, which are equipped to receive an image and / or to receive such an image have given freely. As a result, all other vehicles driving in front of a last motor vehicle in the vehicle convoy can be informed immediately.

So that the images can also be transmitted, it is envisaged that the involved motor vehicles of a motorcade are equipped with a receiving device. Only the vehicles can be supplied with image data having a corresponding compatible receiving device. Excluded are the vehicles that have no corresponding device, but are still participants in the vehicle crew. Similarly, the image data can not be transmitted when the suppression function of a vehicle is active. The method can thus be used flexibly, since an image can be provided even if not all motor vehicles are equipped with a corresponding receiving device. As a result, the method is also variant-robust and can be applied in a variety of ways to the current situation of motor vehicles of the vehicle crew.

It can also be provided that the transmission of the image data is performed on all motor vehicles of the vehicle convoy and only in each of the motor vehicles themselves is checked whether the respective motor vehicle is equipped to display the image data and / or whether a display has been suppressed.

Likewise, it is alternatively possible that prior to transmitting the image data, which may also be frames or video, is checked by the last motor vehicle to other vehicles of the vehicle convoy, which motor vehicles are equipped for receiving and displaying and / or which optionally an existing suppression function have activated. It will then preferably be transmitted only to the motor vehicles of the vehicle convoy which have not activated suppression and / or are equipped for reception and display. Here, too, a transmission in a transmission chain can be carried out from back to front.

Preferably, it is provided that the transmission of the image from the last motor vehicle of the vehicle convoy takes place in a transmission chain, and the image is transferred from a motor vehicle to the respective directly preceding motor vehicle in the vehicle convoy. As a result, each of the motor vehicles is electronically addressed in order to provide a provision of the image with a particularly high degree of security. Thus, no motor vehicle of the vehicle crew can be "forgotten".

Thus, to achieve an efficient transmission of the image to other motor vehicles, the transmission will take place in such a transmission chain. Here, the images are gradually transmitted only to the directly in front of the motor vehicle of the vehicle crew.

But it may also be that the motor vehicle before has no receiving device or a suppression function is active. In this case, the transmission is performed only to the vehicles capable of receiving the signal. This can be queried before transmission by communication of the motor vehicles or checked during the chain transmission first. This ensures efficient use of the hardware and software components.

It is preferably provided that a distance between two motor vehicles of the vehicle convoy during the convoy travel is smaller than a vehicle length. Such dense distances during an electronically formed, and electronically monitored convoy travel are common, but also define a permissible electronically guided convoy movement.

It is preferably provided that the image is transmitted and displayed as a real-time image and / or a video that is recorded by the at least one rear-view camera is transmitted and displayed. This provides a very realistic impression of this rear area even over a time interval and not just at a specific time.

So that the recorded and transmitted image of the surrounding area of the last motor vehicle also has a current significance, it is preferably transmitted as a real-time image. It would be of no use if the vehicle user would get a picture of a bygone situation. As a result, the vehicle user would be unclear about the current traffic situation and could thus make a wrong decision. Recording and transmitting a video allows the above-mentioned advantages to a particular degree, because then the current observation of the area behind the vehicle column is dynamically enabled over a time interval. Thus, a permanent, current and dynamic representation of the surrounding area would be guaranteed.

It can also be provided that a vehicle column changes. This means that the number of motor vehicles and / or the order may change. In such an embodiment, it is advantageously provided that a check is made electronically with an electronically, in particular by the electronic system, in particular a communication system for the vehicle convoy, a change in the vehicle convoy, which is the last motor vehicle in the vehicle convoy. It is then picked up by this possibly new last motor vehicle of the sub-area of the surrounding area located behind this motor vehicle with a camera, in particular a rear-view camera, this second-to-last motor vehicle and transmitted to other motor vehicles of the vehicle convoy.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a driver assistance system having at least one camera and an evaluation unit. The driver assistance system is designed to carry out a method according to the above-mentioned aspect or an advantageous embodiment thereof. Driver assistance systems are known as electronic auxiliary devices in motor vehicles, which is designed to assist the motorist in certain driving situations. These include, among others, lane change assistants, distance warning systems, traffic jam assistants etc. The proposed driver assistance system can now additionally or instead of these assistance functions improve a convoy travel, in particular the visual representation of a specific surrounding subarea, namely the area behind the last motor vehicle of the vehicle convoy - viewed in the direction of travel of the convoy - be provided individually to specific participants in the convoy.

Another aspect of the invention relates to an electronic communication system for a vehicle convoy having a plurality of vehicles, which is designed to carry out a method according to the above-mentioned aspect or an advantageous embodiment thereof, in particular a driver assistance system according to the above-mentioned aspect.

A further aspect of the invention relates to a motor vehicle which is designed with a communication system, and / or a driver assistance system according to the aspects mentioned above, in particular also has a camera.
The invention also includes the combinations of the described embodiments.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung einer Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens; und
• 2 einen schematischen Ablauf einer Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments, and with reference to the drawing. Showing:

• 1 a schematic representation of an embodiment of the method according to the invention; and
• 2 a schematic sequence of an embodiment of the method according to the invention.

The exemplary embodiments explained below are preferred embodiments of the invention. In the exemplary embodiments, the described components of the embodiments each represent individual features of the invention, which are to be considered independently of one another, which each further develop the invention independently of one another and thus also individually or in a different combination than the one shown as part of the invention. Furthermore, the described embodiments can also be supplemented by further features of the invention already described.

In the figures, functionally identical elements are each provided with the same reference numerals.

1 shows a schematic representation of a vehicle convoy 5 , which in this example four motor vehicles 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 having. The number of motor vehicles 1 to 4 is by no means conclusive. A vehicle column 5 has at least two vehicles. The in the forward direction of the vehicle crew 5 last motor vehicle 4 this vehicle column 5 is with one at the rear of the vehicle 10 of the last motor vehicle 4 located camera 7 educated. With this camera 7 , which has a detection area, becomes a partial area 8th a surrounding area 9 of a motor vehicle 4 taken in at least one picture. The subarea 8th is located directly behind the last motor vehicle 4 and thus also directly behind the vehicle crew 5 , The captured image is sent to at least one other motor vehicle 1 . 2 . 3 the vehicle crew 5 transmitted. So that the image in the vehicle interior of another motor vehicle 1 . 2 . 3 the vehicle crew 5 can be seen on a display unit 6 shown. An example is a display unit 6 of the motor vehicle 2 represented symbolically. This display unit 6 is preferably as directed into the rear space and thus "looking back" interior mirror of the motor vehicle 2 formed, which is a display or has. The interior mirror can completely through the display unit 6 be formed or may additionally have a reflective mirror area.

As a vehicle crew 5 will be a juxtaposition of at least two cars 1 to 4 understood by electronic systems the vehicle crew 5 form, and / or maintain and / or dissolve these again. During the procession of the column, the movement of the motor vehicles will be affected 1 to 4 the vehicle crew 5 automatically and thus also by the electronic systems coordinated and adapted to each other. In particular, it is also a distance 13 between the motor vehicles 1 to 4 electronically specified and monitored so that the motor vehicles 1 to 4 can drive very close together. This distance is preferably 13 less than or equal to a vehicle length of a Reference vehicle. The reference vehicle may be general but may be one of the vehicles 1 to 4 the vehicle crew 5 be. The distance may also be otherwise, for example, less than or equal to 1.5 times a vehicle length.

Preferably, the vehicles are moving 1 to 4 during the convoy, at least temporarily completely autonomous.

In particular, at least the last motor vehicle 4 a driver assistance system 11 on which the camera 7 having. The driver assistance system 11 also has a transmission unit with which images and / or videos, with the camera 7 from the subarea 8th be transferred externally, in particular to other motor vehicles 1 to 3 the vehicle crew 5 transfer.

It is especially a communication system 12 formed, which is the transmission of image data between the motor vehicles 1 to 4 the vehicle crew 5 allows. The driver assistance system 11 can be part of the communication system 12 be.

Various possibilities can be provided for the transmission of the image data. On the one hand, the recorded image data can be at the rear of the vehicle 10 located camera 7 in a transmission chain to the other motor vehicles 1 to 3 the vehicle crew 5 to transfer. Here are the image data from the last motor vehicle 4 to the next vehicle directly in front of it 3 transmitted and this transmitted in turn to the directly preceding motor vehicle 2 more etc. Thus, always a motor vehicle transmits the data to the directly preceding motor vehicle. It is also possible that one motor vehicle or several motor vehicles are skipped. In this case, for example, transmits the last motor vehicle 4 the image data directly to the motor vehicle 1 , It is also possible that the image data from the last motor vehicle 4 at the same time to several other motor vehicles 1 to 3 the vehicle crew 5 be transmitted.

A further procedure would be possible by a predetermined transmission. Here it is already determined before the transfer to which motor vehicles the image data are transmitted. For example, it may be that the motor vehicle 3 not equipped for receiving data and the motor vehicle 1 has disabled receiving image data. So it is known before the transfer that only the motor vehicle 2 is able to receive and display the data. This allows efficient transmission and saves resources by eliminating unnecessary transfers.

Thus the motor vehicles become a vehicle column 5 Networked and can communicate, preferably also the communication system 12 intended. This then preferably ensures a communication connection of all motor vehicles 1 to 4 the vehicle crew 5 and the transmission of the image data.

An interior mirror as a display unit 6 In particular, it can also be switched over electronically in different operating modes. Thus, an operating mode can be provided so that during a convoy, in which the relevant motor vehicle is not the last in the column, to display the received image. This mode of operation can be automatically adjusted when the convoy is detected and the position of the relevant motor vehicle in the series is known. If the convoy has ended, an automatic switchover to another operating mode can take place. In this further operating mode, for example, an image or video of a camera, which is arranged on this motor vehicle with this rearview mirror, can be displayed. Likewise, it is then also possible that an optionally existing reflective mirror area of the interior mirror is reactivated and the area directly behind the motor vehicle can be seen as a mirror image. It can be provided that the reflective area is designed as a switching mirror. It can also be provided that the display can be positioned in front of the reflective area, so that in the first operating mode the reflective area is hidden.

In the 2 a simplified schematic flow of the example of the method is shown.
In a first step S1 close several motor vehicles 1 to 4 to a vehicle convoy 5 together, which has at least two vehicles.

In an optional step S2 be in the vehicle crew 5 located motor vehicles 1 to 4 networked with each other.

In one step S3 If necessary, check whether the last motor vehicle 4 in the vehicle convoy 5 with at least one at the rear of the vehicle 10 provided camera 7 is trained.

In one step S4 will with this camera 7 of the last motor vehicle 4 the vehicle crew 5 a picture and / or a video of the surrounding area 9 , in particular of the subarea 8th , added.

In an advantageous step S5 the recorded image and / or video is at least one motor vehicle 1 . 2 . 3 , the motorcade 5 transmitted.

In one step S6 the received data is displayed on a display unit 6 in the motor vehicle 1 . 2 . 3 presented to the vehicle occupants. The display unit 6 is formed in the interior of the vehicle as a display.

In an optional step S7 the vehicle user can deactivate the display of the image by means of a suppression function. The suppression can, under certain decision criteria, in particular also traffic situations, also be triggered directly by a driver assistance system of this motor vehicle.

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 102016123876 A1 [0002]
• DE 102006016807 A1 [0003]
• DE 102016015145 A1 [0004]

Claims (10)

Method for representing a surrounding area (9) of a motor vehicle (1, 2, 3, 4) of a motor vehicle convoy (5) having a plurality of motor vehicles (1, 2, 3, 4), in which the surrounding area (9) is provided with a camera (7) a motor vehicle (1, 2, 3, 4) of the vehicle convoy (5) is recorded in at least one image and the image in another motor vehicle (1, 2, 3, 4) of the vehicle column (5) is displayed, characterized in that a partial area (8) of the surrounding area (9) behind the last motor vehicle (4) is detected in at least one image with a camera (7) of the last motor vehicle (4) in the vehicle convoy (5), and the image is captured on at least one of them last motor vehicle (4) in the vehicle convoy (5) moving further motor vehicle (1, 2, 3) of the vehicle convoy (5) is transmitted, and the image on a display unit (6) of the further motor vehicle (1, 2, 3) is displayed , Method according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the image is displayed on a display unit (6) of the further motor vehicle (1, 2, 3) designed as an interior mirror. Method according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the further motor vehicle (1, 2, 3) has a suppression function, wherein by activating the suppression function of displaying the image on the display unit (6) of the further motor vehicle (1, 2, 3) is suppressed. Method according to Claim 3 , characterized in that the suppression function is activated by a vehicle user of the further motor vehicle (1, 2, 3). Method according to Claim 3 , characterized in that the suppression is performed depending on a decision criterion by a driver assistance system of the further motor vehicle (1, 2, 3). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the image is transmitted to all motor vehicles (1, 2, 3, 4) of the vehicle convoy (5) equipped to receive an image and / or to release the reception of such an image to have. Method according to Claim 6 , characterized in that the transmission of the image from the last motor vehicle (4) of the vehicle convoy (5) takes place in a transmission chain, and thereby the transmission of the image from a motor vehicle (2, 3, 4) to the directly preceding motor vehicle ( 1, 2, 3) takes place in the vehicle column (5). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a distance (13) between two motor vehicles (1, 2, 3, 4) of the vehicle column (5) in the convoy travel is less than or equal to 1.5 times a vehicle length. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the image is transmitted and displayed as a real-time image and / or a video, which is recorded by the at least one camera (7) on the vehicle rear (10), transmitted and displayed. Driver assistance system (11) with at least one camera (7) and an evaluation unit, wherein the driver assistance system (11) is designed for carrying out a method according to one of the preceding claims.

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