DE102018220104A1 - Method for operating a motor vehicle and motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for operating a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of: - acquiring at least one item of information relating to an object (2, 3, 4) stored by a user (23) in the motor vehicle (1), - acquiring the use of the motor vehicle (1 ) relevant usage information, - checking a triggering condition, the fulfillment of which depends on the usage information and an anticipated or successful exit of the motor vehicle (1) by the or another user (23) or an anticipated or successful collision of the motor vehicle (1) with another object displays, and - actuation of at least one vehicle device (10-17) depending on the object information when the triggering condition is fulfilled or when the triggering condition and an additional condition are met.

Description

The invention relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle.

Motor vehicles now have a variety of assistance systems that support vehicle users. In addition to assistance systems that serve to assist the driver, for example distance machines, collision warning systems and the like, assistance systems are also increasingly available that can take on other tasks for vehicle users. For example, vehicles now have appointment calendar functions to remind vehicle users of certain appointments, they offer contact management and the like.

A method for assisting a user in using objects in a vehicle is known from the document DE 10 2015 208 198 A1 known. Objects are detected with the aid of sensors and the user is supported with regard to the use of this object. For example, he can be informed of possible or actually used storage locations for an object and corresponding storage compartments can be opened automatically if required.

From the publication DE 10 2016 100 065 A1 it is also known to recognize objects which an approaching user is carrying and to compare them with an inventory list in order to be able to point out to the user forgotten objects.

Proceeding from this, the object of the invention is to further improve the consideration of third-party objects when operating the motor vehicle.

• - Erfassen wenigstens einer Objektinformation, die ein von einem Benutzer in dem Kraftfahrzeug abgelegtes Objekts betrifft,
• - Erfassen von die Nutzung des Kraftfahrzeugs betreffenden Nutzungsinformationen,
• - Prüfen einer Auslösebedingung, deren Erfüllung von den Nutzungsinformationen abhängt und ein voraussichtliches oder erfolgtes Verlassen des Kraftfahrzeugs durch den oder einen weiteren Benutzer oder eine voraussichtliche oder erfolgte Kollision des Kraftfahrzeugs mit einem weiteren Objekt anzeigt, und
• - Ansteuern wenigstens einer Fahrzeugeinrichtung in Abhängigkeit der Objektinformation bei Erfüllung der Auslösebedingung oder bei Erfüllung der Auslösebedingung und einer Zusatzbedingung.

According to the invention, the object is achieved by a method for operating a motor vehicle, which comprises the following steps:

• Detecting at least one object information relating to an object stored by a user in the motor vehicle,
• - collecting usage information relating to the use of the motor vehicle,
• Checking a triggering condition, the fulfillment of which depends on the usage information and indicates an anticipated or successful exit of the motor vehicle by the or another user or an anticipated or successful collision of the motor vehicle with another object, and
• - Controlling at least one vehicle device as a function of the object information when the trigger condition is met or when the trigger condition and an additional condition are met.

According to the invention, it is proposed to take into account object information relating to objects stored in the motor vehicle when activating vehicle devices with regard to vehicle collisions or when the user leaves the motor vehicle. In the event of a collision, damage to the deposited objects or uncontrolled movement of the deposited objects can be avoided. With regard to leaving the motor vehicle by the user, it can in particular be achieved that vehicle devices are controlled depending on the existing objects after leaving the vehicle, for example in order to cool them, a corresponding procedure in particular being able to be coordinated interactively with the user, as will be explained in more detail later will be explained. Overall, the consideration of objects in the vehicle during vehicle operation can thus be significantly improved.

Object information relating to the object can be obtained, for example, by reading a tag, that is to say in particular a contactlessly readable marking of the object, for example an RFID or NFC tag, by a corresponding reading device of the motor vehicle. Alternatively, it would also be possible, for example, for the object information to be detected by optical recognition of the object, for example by a camera on the vehicle, or to be entered manually by a user or the like. Here, the object information can be obtained directly from the object, for example read out from a corresponding day. However, it is also possible to read out additional information, for example from its vehicle-side database or from a database with which the vehicle communicates wirelessly, on the basis of information initially acquired directly on the object.

In addition, the acquisition of the object information can also be used to support the user when storing the corresponding object. Various objects that the user brings into the vehicle, for example a handbag, a cell phone, an ID card and / or sunglasses, can be identified, in particular even before getting into the vehicle, as explained above. Relevant information, such as the dimensions of the object, can be read out from a database, for example. In an on-board facility can be stored, which storage spaces are available in the vehicle. Corresponding storage areas can optionally be monitored by sensors in order to detect an occupancy of these storage areas. Depending on the object information, the vehicle-side device can thus determine an optimal storage position for the object and give the driver a corresponding indication of such a storage position, for example by means of a corresponding voice output, in particular an animated output on a display or the like. As will be explained later, illuminants provided locally at the possible storage positions, for example light strips, can also be used to inform the driver of possible storage areas.

With such a procedure, it would also be possible for the vehicle-side device to learn at which positions a driver typically places a specific object or objects of a specific object type. If a corresponding storage area is already occupied, the user can be informed of this and an alternative storage area can be proposed.

In order to identify a probable or successful collision, sensor values of a plurality of vehicle-side sensors, for example acceleration sensors, environment sensors, in particular cameras and / or distance sensors, and the like, can be taken into account as usage information. In particular, it is possible that a driver assistance system is provided in the motor vehicle anyway, which should intervene in the driving operation of the motor vehicle in the event of impending or collisions, that is to say, for example, perform emergency braking or perform an avoidance maneuver which avoids a collision or reduces the collision consequences. In this case, it is possible for the anticipated or successful collision to be detected by this driver assistance system, after which, either by the driver assistance system itself or by another system that receives a corresponding message, the control of the vehicle device proposed according to the invention takes place as a function of the object information.

Leaving the motor vehicle can be predicted, for example, when the motor vehicle is stationary and / or a typical movement of the driver to get out of the vehicle is detected and / or an opening of the belt is detected using a belt buckle sensor and / or certain vehicle systems, for example a drive motor, are deactivated . Additionally or alternatively, a vehicle interior can be monitored for the presence of users by means of appropriate sensors. The information mentioned can thus be considered as usage information. The activation of the vehicle device as a function of object information proposed in accordance with the invention can in particular only take place when no further vehicle occupant remains in the vehicle after the user has left the motor vehicle.

As will be explained in more detail below, the control of the vehicle device can take place as a function of user input from the user. Here, user actions can be learned during a previous leaving the motor vehicle as part of a learning process. For example, it can be learned how a user usually configures the operation of vehicle devices when leaving the motor vehicle, if certain objects remain in the vehicle, or which objects usually remain in the vehicle, for example in order to detect inadvertent forgetting of specific objects in the vehicle. The method can thus implement a learning system so that, for example, it can relieve the user of actions that the user typically carries out or can remind him of such actions as required.

Interaction with the user can take place directly via devices of the motor vehicle. However, it is also possible for such an interaction to take place via the user's mobile communication device, for example via a smartphone or a corresponding app. This can be particularly advantageous if the user is only to be provided with information or user input is to be recorded at a time interval from leaving the vehicle, for example if the user does not return to the vehicle for a long time.

Another additional benefit of the acquisition of the object information is that user inputs can explicitly relate to such a stored object for which object information has been recorded. For example, after a classification of the object on the basis of the object information as glasses, a user can give a voice command such as “I want to take off the glasses” or “I want to take the glasses with me” in order to trigger an indication of the storage location or an automatic opening of a corresponding storage compartment. In general terms, user inputs, in particular voice commands, which include a description of the object, can thus be evaluated in order to control vehicle devices.

The object information allows an object class and / or an object position of the object be specified in the motor vehicle, the fulfillment of the additional condition and / or the selection of the vehicle device to be controlled and / or the activation of the vehicle device depending on the object class and / or the object position. For example, for certain object classes, for example for food or medicine, the vehicle interior can be cooled after the user has left the motor vehicle. Depending on the object class, a notification can also be issued to the user, in particular if the user does not return to the motor vehicle for a longer period of time. On the other hand, a corresponding notification or a change in the vehicle temperature cannot take place for other object classes, for example for clothing remaining in the vehicle or for motor vehicle accessories.

On the other hand, the object class or object position can be used in the event of a probable or successful collision to trigger targeted restraint systems to prevent uncontrolled movements of large or bulky objects, while for smaller objects in the same position an unnecessary or ineffective triggering of appropriate restraint devices can be avoided.

The object class of an object can be recorded directly, for example if it is stored on a read-out tag of the respective object. Alternatively, it is also possible to determine such an object class from information captured by the object, for example an article number or the optical appearance of the object, using an appropriate algorithm and / or using a database.

As a vehicle device, an information device for outputting an information to the other user or a communication device for transmitting an information to a mobile communication device, in particular a smartphone, a tablet or another mobile device, of the other user can be controlled to the user to point out objects in the motor vehicle. In this case, a corresponding note can in particular be linked to a query, for example whether the objects have been potentially forgotten and should nevertheless be taken along by the user or whether the interior should be cooled in order to preserve the object. The control of the vehicle device can thus serve, in particular, for interaction with the user as a function of the object information.

In particular, after the information has been output or transmitted, an operator input of the other user can be recorded, after which a further vehicle device is activated as a function of the operator input. For example, a storage compartment that contains the object can be opened automatically when the user expresses that he wants to remove the object from the vehicle. In addition or as an alternative, the user can be advised, for example, of a corresponding control of the interior lighting of the storage position of the object. If, on the other hand, an object is to remain in the vehicle, an air conditioning system of the motor vehicle, for example, can be controlled as a function of the operating input in order to appropriately increase or decrease the interior temperature when the object is stored in the motor vehicle.

The additional condition can be met or can only be met if a predetermined time interval has elapsed after the triggering condition has been met. This leads to a delayed activation of a vehicle device. For example, if it is recognized from the object information that medication or food is in the motor vehicle, it can first be waited to see whether the user returns to the vehicle in a timely manner, for example within 15 minutes or 30 minutes. If this is not the case, in particular a communication device of the motor vehicle can be activated in order to remind the user via his communication device that a specific object is in the motor vehicle. In addition or as an alternative, this communication can be used to inquire, for example, whether the object is likely to remain in the motor vehicle for longer and whether, for example, cooling should take place by means of a corresponding control of the air conditioning system. Conversely, it would also be possible, for example, to start actuating an air conditioning system of the motor vehicle immediately upon leaving the motor vehicle by the user. After a certain waiting time, the user can be asked, for example, whether appropriate operation of the air conditioning system should be continued or whether he will promptly pick up the object from the motor vehicle. Additionally or alternatively, after a longer period of time, he can be advised that further suitable air conditioning of the motor vehicle interior for storing the object is no longer possible, for example for energy reasons, or will only be possible for a certain time.

As already mentioned above, an air conditioning system can be controlled as a vehicle device. In this way, in particular an interior temperature of the motor vehicle that is suitable for storing the object can be predefined, that is, a closed excessive heating or excessive cooling of the vehicle interior can be avoided.

The air conditioning system can also be controlled as a function of image data from a thermal imaging camera of the motor vehicle that detects the object. This can be expedient, for example, since different surfaces of the motor vehicle heat up significantly differently in strong sunlight. By monitoring the object with the aid of a thermal imaging camera, information about the temperature of the object itself can be obtained without it being necessary to carry out a temperature detection in the immediate vicinity of the object.

As already mentioned, the activation of the vehicle device according to the invention as a function of the object information and the fulfillment of the triggering condition is also particularly expedient if the fulfillment of the triggering condition indicates a likely or successful collision of the motor vehicle with another object. For example, the object information can be taken into account in the context of a control of vehicle systems by a driver assistance system for collision avoidance or collision damage reduction. For example, certain uncontrolled object movements of objects during driving maneuvers in the border area could result in collision avoidance or collision consequence reduction or in the collision itself leading to negative collision consequences. It is therefore advantageous to take into account the effects of corresponding driving maneuvers or collisions on the objects and, in particular, the resulting object movements when planning driving interventions using such driver assistance systems.

Additionally or alternatively, a restraint system of the vehicle can be controlled as the vehicle device. This can be, for example, airbags, belt tensioners or the like. Such a procedure is particularly useful in two applications. On the one hand, a restraint system can be triggered in order to prevent or modify an uncontrolled movement of an object stored in the vehicle. If, for example, there is a heavy object on the front passenger seat, this can be held in the event of an impending or collision by deploying a front passenger airbag or the like. On the other hand, in some cases it can be advantageous to suppress triggering of a restraint system when objects are located in certain areas of the motor vehicle. For example, an airbag of the motor vehicle can, when triggered, sweep over a storage area or spread through an area above such a storage area, so that objects deposited on this storage area would be greatly accelerated when this restraint system is triggered. It may therefore be advantageous in some cases not to trigger a restraint system in order to avoid such an interaction between the object and the restraint system.

An interior lighting of the motor vehicle can also be controlled as a vehicle device, in particular depending on the object information, at least one of a plurality of light sources of the interior lighting that is activated or whose control is modified is selected. In particular, a light source, for example a light strip, can be activated in the area of a storage surface used to store an object or its control can be modified, for example to modify the luminous color, in order to inform the user of an object remaining in the vehicle, which the user may possibly be want to take along or whose presence in the motor vehicle requires a modification of the vehicle operation, for example a corresponding control of the air conditioning system. This can also be done, for example, as part of the interaction with the user to query the desired vehicle behavior. For example, light sources can be activated in succession in the area of the storage areas of various objects and the user can be asked, for example via the information device of the motor vehicle and / or the communication device assigned to him, to indicate for the correspondingly marked objects or storage areas whether the object stored there should be taken away or should remain in the motor vehicle, should be cooled or heated or the like.

In addition to the method according to the invention, the invention relates to a motor vehicle which is set up to carry out the method according to the invention. In particular, the motor vehicle comprises at least one detection device for detecting the object information of the object, for example an RFID receiver, an NFC reader in the area of storage areas, a camera for object detection or the like. In addition, the motor vehicle comprises at least one vehicle device that can be controlled as explained above. Various examples of corresponding vehicle equipment have already been explained. In particular, the above-mentioned interior lighting can be provided with a plurality of light sources, wherein at least one light source is assigned to a plurality of storage surfaces, which can be used for storing objects, and which can be activated as required and to indicate the corresponding storage surface or objects stored there.

The following exemplary embodiment and the associated figure show further features and details of the invention.

The figure shows an embodiment of a motor vehicle according to the invention, which is set up to carry out an embodiment of the method according to the invention.

The figure shows a motor vehicle 1 which is a control device 8th comprises, which is set up, at least a respective object information for by a user 23 in the motor vehicle 1 dropped objects 2nd , 3rd , 4th via the detection device 9 , for example an RFID receiver. Depending on this object information, different vehicle devices can be used when trigger conditions which are explained in more detail later are fulfilled 10th to 17th can be controlled depending on the object information.

Such a triggering condition can be met on the one hand if the user anticipates or has left the motor vehicle 23 is recognized and, on the other hand, if a probable or successful collision of the motor vehicle with another object is recognized. To leave the motor vehicle 1 by the user 23 can be recognized by the control device 8th Sensor data from various sensors, for example a belt buckle sensor 19th and a door opening sensor 20th the door 2nd , are evaluated as usage information. In addition, it can be recorded as usage information, for example, whether an engine 26 of the motor vehicle 1 was deactivated. Through a thermal imaging camera 28 can also determine whether there is a user at all 23 in the interior of the motor vehicle 1 located.

Was recognized that the user 23 the motor vehicle device can leave or will probably leave the motor vehicle 10th , which is an information device, for example a loudspeaker, can be controlled to the user 23 to point out that the objects 2nd , 3rd , 4th are in the motor vehicle. Via a user interface 27th , for example a touchscreen, or via a mobile communication device 24th and the vehicle-side communication device 11 the user can then drive the vehicle 1 interact to trigger various actions or the control device 8th instruct not to take any further action. Alternatively, for example, an interaction with the control device could 8th via voice control. The user shares 23 for example with the fact that he is wearing sunglasses, for example the object 2nd , or an ID card, for example the object 3rd want to take with them, so can by the control device 8th the vehicle equipment 12 , 13 , which are light sources, in particular light strips in the area of the storage compartments 5 , 6 acts to control the user 23 on the location of the corresponding objects 2nd , 3rd point out. In addition or alternatively, it can be used as a vehicle device 17th an actuator can be controlled, for example, a flap 18th of the storage compartment 6 to open and thus the user 23 in addition to the storage location of the object 3rd point out and access to this property 3rd to facilitate.

Is the object 4th for example, around a bag of perishable food or medication, the control device can 8th when leaving the motor vehicle 1 by the user 23 after asking the user 23 or directly as in-vehicle equipment 16 an air conditioning system of the motor vehicle 1 to control the object 4th in one for storing the object 4th maintain a suitable temperature range. For example, excessive heating of food or medication can be avoided. On the other hand, for example if the object 4th is identified as a beverage container on the basis of the object information, and the control of the air conditioning system ensures that the temperature in the motor vehicle interior does not fall below the freezing point.

Air conditioning of the motor vehicle 1 are controlled or influenced in another way on an object temperature, it is advantageous if the most accurate information possible is available about the actual temperature of the object. For example, in the case of strong solar radiation, a considerably higher temperature can occur locally in the motor vehicle than is determined by a temperature sensor, not shown, which detects the interior temperature. Therefore, for example, a thermal imaging camera 28 be used to measure the temperature of the object 4th to capture more precisely what can be used to control the air conditioning system depending on the thermal images.

It can be beneficial to the user 23 contrary to the procedure described above, not immediately when leaving the motor vehicle on the objects 2nd , 3rd , 4th point out or regarding a desired control of the vehicle equipment 10th to 17th to question, but only do this when the user 23 not returning to the motor vehicle for a long time, for example. Thus, the control of the vehicle device depending on the object information can only take place, for example, if, in addition to the triggering condition, an additional condition is met, which can in particular indicate the lapse of a certain time.

If, for example, the object information recognizes that the object is 4th , food or medication, for example, cooling by the air conditioning system can begin immediately upon leaving the motor vehicle, with the vehicle device if a certain period of time elapses 11 , that is the communication device of the motor vehicle 1 is driven to the user 23 via the communication device 24th to be reminded that relevant objects have remained in the motor vehicle and should not be stored there permanently. On the other hand, it would be possible, for example, when the user exits 23 initially do no further actions because it is initially unclear whether the user 23 leaves the motor vehicle only at very short notice. After a long absence of, for example, 10 or 20 minutes, you can use the communication device 24th for example with the user 23 be asked whether the air conditioner should be activated to the object 4th to cool, since this is a perishable food, a medicament or the like according to the information available in the motor vehicle.

An anticipated or successful collision of the vehicle 1 with another object can by different sensors of the motor vehicle 1 can be recognized, of which an acceleration sensor is purely exemplary 21st and the environment of the motor vehicle 1 capturing camera 22 are shown. The control device can evaluate the sensor data of these sensors as corresponding usage information 8th take place, but also by a driver assistance system (not shown), which can be used, for example, to avoid or reduce a collision, and that the information relating to a likely or successful collision is sent to the control device 8th provides. Methods which are suitable for identifying anticipated or occurring collisions are sufficiently known in the prior art and are not to be explained in detail.

When an anticipated or successful collision of the motor vehicle is detected, it is possible in particular to control the vehicle devices 14 , 15 to be controlled as a function of object information, which are restraint systems of the motor vehicle, specifically airbags. The in-vehicle equipment 14 is a passenger airbag that would typically not be deployed in the situation shown because of the motor vehicle 1 drives without a passenger. However, based on the object information and in particular a classification of the objects 2nd , 3rd , 4th recognized that it was a relatively large or heavy object 4th in the passenger seat 7 is based on this information, the control device 8th nevertheless decide to deploy this airbag to an uncontrolled movement of the object 4th to prevent or restrict. However, it is recognized that in the front passenger seat 7 there is no object, or that the object 4th for example, is relatively small or light, for example if it is the object 4th The airbag could not be triggered just by a small bag of food or the like.

The other airbag, i.e. the vehicle equipment 15 , on the other hand, should only be triggered if it is recognized from the object information that the storage area 5 is free or that there is only a sufficiently flat object on it. When it expands, the airbag sweeps over an area that is above the storage surface 5 lies. If the object 2nd extends into this expansion area, it is greatly accelerated by the deployment of the airbag, which should be avoided.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is only included 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.

Patent literature cited

• DE 102015208198 A1 [0003]
• DE 102016100065 A1 [0004]

Claims (10)

Method for operating a motor vehicle, comprising the steps: - Detecting at least one item of information relating to an item (2, 3, 4) stored by a user (23) in the motor vehicle (1), - collecting usage information relating to the use of the motor vehicle (1), - checking a triggering condition, the fulfillment of which depends on the usage information and indicates an anticipated or successful exit of the motor vehicle (1) by the or another user (23) or an anticipated or successful collision of the motor vehicle (1) with another object, and - Controlling at least one vehicle device (10 - 17) as a function of the object information when the trigger condition is met or when the trigger condition and an additional condition are met. Procedure according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the object information specifies an object class and / or an object position of the object (2, 3, 4) in the motor vehicle (1), the additional condition being fulfilled and / or the selection of the vehicle device (10 - 17) to be controlled and / or the control of the vehicle device (10-17) depends on the object class and / or the object position. Procedure according to Claim 1 or 2nd , characterized in that the vehicle device (10, 11) is controlled by an information device for outputting an information to the other user (23) or a communication device for transmitting an information to a mobile communication device (24) of the other user (24) is used to inform the user (24) of objects (2, 3, 4) in the motor vehicle. Procedure according to Claim 3 , characterized in that after the information has been output or transmitted, an operator input of the other user (23) is recorded, after which a further vehicle device (10 - 17) is activated as a function of the operator input (23). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the additional condition is met or can now be met if a predetermined time interval has passed after the triggering condition has been met. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an air conditioning system is controlled as the vehicle device (16). Procedure according to Claim 6 , characterized in that the control of the air conditioning system additionally takes place as a function of image data of a thermal imaging camera (28) of the motor vehicle (1) that detects the object. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a restraint system of the motor vehicle (1) is controlled as the vehicle device (14, 15). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that interior lighting of the motor vehicle (1) is actuated as the vehicle device (12, 13), at least one of a plurality of light sources of the interior lighting (12, 13) being activated as a function of the object information is or the control is modified. Motor vehicle, characterized in that it is set up to carry out the method according to one of the preceding claims.

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