DE102022110545A1 - Method for reacting to a given animal in a vehicle environment of a parked vehicle as well as driving assistance system and vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for reacting to a given animal (3) in a vehicle environment (4) of a parked vehicle (1), comprising the steps: detecting (S1) object data of an object (2) in the vehicle environment (4) by means of a sensor device (5) of the vehicle (1);recognizing (S2) the predetermined animal (3) in the vehicle environment (4) from the object data by means of a predetermined recognition unit (11) of the vehicle (1);automatically determining (S3) at least one measure for reacting to this recognized animal (3); carrying out (S4) the measure by means of at least one signal generator unit (13) of the vehicle (1).

Description

The invention relates to a method for reacting to a given animal in a vehicle environment of a parked vehicle and to the use of a sensor device for assisting the driving of a vehicle for a parked vehicle to carry out the method. The invention further relates to a driving assistance system of a vehicle and a vehicle for carrying out the method.

The DE 10 2010 025 351 A1 discloses a method and a device for assisting a vehicle driver. The support can consist, in particular, in warning the driver of the vehicle and/or in direct intervention in the driving characteristics of the motor vehicle. This detects objects that are directly endangered by the motor vehicle and/or represent an immediate danger to the motor vehicle. These objects are, for example, large wild animals.

The DE 10 2004 050 597 B4 discloses a wildlife crossing warning device and a method for warning of living objects on a traffic road. For this purpose, several sensor systems are provided which make it possible to carry out a direct measurement and/or detection of game, in particular through movement analysis of recorded images or image sequences.

However, the methods and devices disclosed in the prior art are not capable of recognizing dangers posed by animals to people or the vehicle in a stationary or parked vehicle and of taking suitable countermeasures.

The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a method which reacts to a predetermined or predefined animal in a vehicle environment of a parked vehicle, as well as a corresponding driving assistance system and a vehicle.

The task is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Advantageous developments of the invention are described in the dependent claims, the following description and the figures.

The invention provides a method for responding to a given animal in a vehicle environment of a parked vehicle. The procedure includes the following steps.

In a first step, object data of an object in the vehicle environment is recorded using a sensor device of the vehicle. In a second step, the specified animal in the vehicle environment is recognized from the object data using a specified recognition unit of the vehicle. In a third step, at least one measure to react to the recognized animal is automatically determined. In a fourth step, the measure is carried out using at least one signal transmitter unit of the vehicle.

The animals to be recognized are specified in the procedure. This means in particular that a large number of animals have been defined in advance and are available to the process. In particular, the method provides information about the specified animals in a suitable manner. The specified animals to be recognized are, in particular, dangerous animals that can be dangerous to a person or to the vehicle. Dangerous animals for humans can include, in particular, scorpions or snakes, as well as predators or wild animals, although this list is not exhaustive.

The vehicle environment corresponds to the outer area around the vehicle, preferably a close area around the vehicle. It is also considered to detect a ground area below the parked vehicle using the sensor device.

A parked vehicle is specifically a stationary vehicle that has been parked for a certain period of time. In particular, the vehicle's drive is inactive. The vehicle is in particular one that is also or heavily used in the outdoor area and off-road driving area. For example, motorhomes or off-road vehicles come into consideration. Any other vehicle should also be considered.

The vehicle already includes a sensor device that is or can be used primarily to assist a driver's driving or for an autonomous driving system. The object data detected by the sensor device can in particular be signal data with information about the detected object, wherein the signal data can be processed in the form of electrical or electromagnetic signals by other electronic computing units of the vehicle. The object data is in particular image data, preferably image recordings of the detected object. The object data can also contain information about the size of the detected animal, and preferably include thermal image information or movement information or movement data, although this list is not exhaustive.

An object in the vehicle environment can initially represent any physical object that can be recognized as an object by the sensor device. This can also include harmless animals or non-living objects. Preferably, several objects can also be detected at the same time.

The vehicle also already includes a recognition unit, which can be primarily intended to recognize other road users or traffic signs when the vehicle is driving. In particular, the detection unit can be a unit of the vehicle's driving assistance system. In the present invention, the recognition unit is used to recognize predetermined animals in the vehicle surroundings while the vehicle is parked and not while driving. The recognition unit can in particular be an image recognition unit. The recognition unit can preferably comprise artificial intelligence, preferably based on a neural network. The neural network can in particular have been trained to recognize given animals from object data. Preferably, the recognition unit can have been trained with information, preferably image data and/or thermal image data, from predetermined animals to recognize these predetermined animals in the vehicle environment based on the object data.

Preferably, several animals can be recognized at the same time. Preferably, all animals in the vehicle environment that are specified for the method are recognized.

If a given animal is recognized in the vehicle environment, the recognition unit preferably passes on a signal to another unit, for example a determination unit. This signal preferably includes machine-readable information about the detected animal and is used to automatically determine a response to the detected animal. The measure is in particular a countermeasure against the animal or a measure to warn people. The determination unit can preferably represent processing logic that is already present in the vehicle. The determination unit can preferably be designed primarily as a unit of a driving assistance system of the vehicle.

Preferably, an electrical or electromagnetic signal can be sent from the determination unit to a signal generator unit, which causes the signal generator unit to carry out at least one measure or several measures. The signal transmitter unit of the vehicle can in particular be able to warn a person in the vehicle environment or a vehicle occupant in the vehicle and/or to drive away a recognized animal or to combat it in an appropriate manner.

The invention has the advantage that dangers posed by animals to people and vehicles are recognized in a stationary or parked vehicle and at least one suitable countermeasure or several countermeasures can be taken. The measure, which is carried out automatically, can prevent injury to people or damage to the vehicle by anticipating a possible dangerous situation. In addition, the identified animal can also be protected by driving it away from the vehicle or person, thus preventing a dangerous situation from arising in the first place.

According to a preferred embodiment, the recognition unit recognizes a species of animal. The recognition unit preferably assigns a danger class to the recognized animal. It is also conceivable that the recognition unit only recognizes an unidentified animal but cannot classify it according to a species. A danger class can preferably also be present for a recognized, unidentified animal.

The type of animal is not limited to the biological concept of species. Rather, it can also be an order, a family, a genus or a breed of animal, although this list is not exhaustive. Preferably, the different types of animal that the recognition unit recognizes are already predefined in the method. The recognition unit can preferably have been trained on different animal species in order to reliably recognize them.

The danger class can be used to classify or classify a hazard based on the type of animal and the danger posed by the type of animal. Preferably, each animal species can be assigned to exactly one danger class. Preferably, several danger classes can also be assigned to one type of animal. In particular, it is possible that a species of animal may pose a danger to both humans and the vehicle. In this respect, several danger classes can be assigned to a type of animal, whereby danger classes can at least be divided into a danger level and a danger category. The danger class can preferably also be assigned to the animal based on the size of the animal or based on the behavior of the animal. A large number of hazard classes are preferably defined in advance. Preferably, a hazard class can indicate a level of danger for people in the vehicle or in the vehicle Include vehicle surroundings, as well as for the vehicle itself.

This has the advantage that a large number of danger classes are already available in advance, so that it is possible not only to determine a danger, but also to classify the danger of the identified animal into a danger class based on the animal species.

According to a preferred embodiment, the measure is determined based on the hazard class. Preferably, a corresponding measure can already be assigned to each hazard class. Preferably, several measures can also be assigned to a hazard class.

This has the advantage that the measure is already defined in advance for a danger class, so that a measure can be determined automatically and without complex computing power that is best suited to avert or prevent a danger in accordance with the danger defined in the danger classes.

According to a preferred embodiment, the measure includes, among other things, a warning for a vehicle occupant. Alternatively or additionally, the measure can include a specified defensive measure against the animal. It is also possible that the measure includes locking the vehicle. Preferably, a person in the vehicle environment can also be warned about a detected animal. The preferred measure may be that a warning is sent to the interior of the vehicle.

A warning to people or vehicle occupants has the advantage that they are made aware of a danger posed by an animal and can react accordingly to this danger themselves. The defensive measure against the animal is intended in particular to drive away the animal and/or to fight the animal. A lock is advantageous in that animals can be prevented from entering a vehicle interior. It is also possible that this prevents vehicle occupants from leaving the vehicle if a danger is detected. This is particularly beneficial for children.

According to a preferred embodiment, the warning measure is triggered by opening or attempting to open a vehicle door. This is particularly important if a detected animal only poses a danger to the vehicle occupant if he or she leaves the vehicle or wants to leave it.

This has the advantage that vehicle occupants are only warned when this is necessary. This means that the vehicle occupants are not unnecessarily disturbed by the warning measure.

According to a preferred embodiment, the measure is an acoustic measure. Alternatively or additionally, the measure is an optical measure. The acoustic measure is particularly suitable for warning the vehicle occupant and/or for driving away or fighting the animal. Acoustic measures can include sound emissions in suitable frequency ranges that are not audible to humans but drive away animals such as martens. Acoustic signals can also be triggered as warnings for people. These include, for example, a signal tone, for example through a loudspeaker of the vehicle, a voice message, for example through the loudspeaker, or a honking of the vehicle.

The visual measures include, on the one hand, the display in the infotainment and/or in the lighting in the interior of the vehicle. This can also include the exterior lights (for example in the mirror/side area or, for example, exit lights or “welcome and goodbye” lights or underbody LEDs), which can be controlled appropriately, for example to drive away animals using strobe lights. Additional lights in the UV range are also possible, also to scare away animals or make them more visible to people (UV light for scorpions).

The invention further relates to a sensor device which is primarily intended to assist in driving a vehicle. This sensor device is used in the present invention to carry out the method according to one of claims 1 to 6 for a parked vehicle.

Preferably, the driving assistance system of the vehicle, preferably several components of the driving assistance system, is used to carry out the method described for a parked vehicle.

This has the advantage that no additional hardware components need to be installed in the vehicle due to the present invention. Accordingly, costs for the vehicle and space for accommodating additional components can be saved.

Furthermore, the invention provides a driving assistance system for the vehicle. The driving assistance system includes a sensor device, a recognition unit, an image recognition unit and at least one signal transmitter unit. The driving assistance system is designed to carry out the procedure as described.

In particular, the sensor device of the driving assistance system detects object data of an object in the vehicle environment. Preferably, the recognition unit of the driving assistance system recognizes the specified animal in the vehicle environment from the object data. The determination unit preferably determines at least one measure for reacting to the recognized animal. Preferably, the at least one signal transmitter unit of the driving assistance system carries out the measure.

The invention has the advantage that the driving assistance system is or can be used not only when driving the vehicle to assist with driving, but also when the vehicle is at a standstill or for a parked vehicle.

According to a preferred embodiment, the sensor device of the driving assistance system comprises at least one sensor unit. The sensor unit is preferably selected from the group comprising optical cameras, thermal imaging cameras, radar sensors, lidar sensors, ultrasonic sensors and acoustic sensors.

Preferably, the sensor device can comprise several sensor units. More preferably, the sensor device can comprise a plurality of sensor units.

Preferably, the sensor device comprises sensor units that are different from one another, preferably a combination of sensor units selected from the group.

This has the advantage that specified animals can be recognized as best as possible by the sensor device.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a vehicle is provided which includes such a driving assistance system. The vehicle is in particular a mobile home or an off-road vehicle.

The invention also includes the combinations of the features of the described embodiments.

Examples of embodiments of the invention are described below.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Fahrzeuges mit einem Fahrassistenzsystem in einer Fahrzeugumgebung gemäß einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform;
• 2 schematisch ein Fahrassistenzsystem, umfassend die Sensorvorrichtung; und
• 3 eine schematische Darstellung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens gemäß einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform.

This shows:

• 1 a schematic representation of a vehicle according to the invention with a driving assistance system in a vehicle environment according to a preferred embodiment;
• 2 schematically a driving assistance system comprising the sensor device; and
• 3 a schematic representation of the method according to the invention according to a preferred embodiment.

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

The 1 shows a schematic representation of a vehicle 1 according to the invention with a driving assistance system in a vehicle environment according to a preferred embodiment. The vehicle 1 is parked in a parking area. The parking area can, for example, be a meadow on a campsite or an area in unpaved or wild terrain. The vehicle 1 includes a sensor device 5. In the example shown, the sensor device 5 includes three sensor units 5a on the roof of the vehicle 1. However, the invention is not limited to the number of sensor units 5a or their position and type. The sensor units 5a detect the vehicle surroundings 4 of the vehicle 1, in particular the external vehicle area or the ground area around the vehicle 1.

In the example shown, the sensor units 5a detect an object 2 in the vehicle environment 4. The sensor units 5a of the sensor device 5 detect object data of the object 2 in the form of image information. In this case, the object 2 is a given animal 3 that can pose a danger to a human. In the example shown, the recognized animal 3 is a scorpion. The particular danger is that a vehicle occupant who gets out or wants to get out of one of the vehicle doors 6a, 6b can be stung by the scorpion's stinger or pinched by the scorpion's pincers. As a result, both the vehicle occupant can be injured and the scorpion can be injured through a defensive reaction by the vehicle occupant. Based on these In a possible dangerous situation, which is classified, for example, in a danger class, various measures to react to the detected scorpion 3 would be conceivable. The Scorpion 3 could be driven away by visual or acoustic signals. At the same time, the vehicle occupant could be warned by visual or acoustic signals when opening or attempting to open the vehicle door 6a, 6b.

2 shows schematically a driving assistance system 10, comprising the sensor device 5 with at least one sensor unit 5a as well as the detection unit 11, the determination unit 12 and at least one signal generator unit 13.

Vehicles 1 with driving assistance systems 10 have a number of sensor units 5a installed. These can also capture the ground area around a vehicle 1. The systems for automatic image recognition, preferably the predetermined recognition unit 11, as part of the driving assistance system 10, are primarily designed for traffic signals when the vehicle 1 is driving. These systems are utilized and extended by the present invention.

The sensor units 5a, which can represent camera sensors 5a, for example, detect the ground area around the vehicle. If the detection of a movement causes an animal 3 to approach the vehicle 1, the recognition unit 11 can identify the type of animal 3 in question based on the image information from the camera sensors 5a, classify the danger based on the animal species or other factors, and the determination unit 12, for example designed as processing logic, if necessary, determine a suitable measure based on the type of animal 3 and/or the danger class. The specific measure is then carried out by means of the at least one signal transmitter unit 13 of the driver assistance system 10 of the vehicle 1. The measure to be carried out can be carried out immediately. The measure is preferably carried out at a specific time. The measure is particularly preferably carried out when a specific event occurs, such as the opening of the vehicle door 6a, 6b or an attempt to open the vehicle door 6b.

3 shows a schematic representation of the method according to the invention according to a preferred embodiment.

In a first step S1, object data of an object 2 in the vehicle surroundings 4 are recorded using one or more sensor units 5a of the sensor device 5 of the vehicle 1. This object data is transmitted to the recognition unit 11 in the form of electrical or electromagnetic sensor signals.

In a second step, the specified recognition unit 11 of the vehicle 1 can recognize the specified animal 3 in the vehicle environment 4 from the object data. In particular, the recognition unit 11 was trained in advance on specified animals in order to recognize these animals based on object data. Object data can preferably also include movement data of the animal.

The recognition unit 11 then passes on a signal to a determination unit 12, the signal containing at least information about the recognized predetermined animal 3.

In a third step S3, at least one measure for reacting to the recognized animal is automatically determined, preferably by the determination unit 12.

In a fourth step S4, the measure is carried out by means of at least one signal generator unit 13 of the vehicle 1 in order to warn one or more vehicle occupants or to scare away the identified animal.

REFERENCE SYMBOL LIST:

1

vehicle, parked vehicle

2

object

3

animal

4

Vehicle environment

5

Sensor device

5a

Sensor unit

6a, 6b

vehicle door

10

Driving assistance system

11

Detection unit

12

Determination unit

13

Signal transmitter unit

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was 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 102010025351 A1 [0002]
• DE 102004050597 B4 [0003]

Claims (10)

Method for reacting to a given animal (3) in a vehicle environment (4) of a parked vehicle (1), characterized by the steps: - Detecting (S1) object data of an object (2) in the vehicle environment (4) by means of a sensor device ( 5) the vehicle (1); - Detecting (S2) the specified animal (3) in the vehicle environment (4) from the object data by means of a specified recognition unit (11) of the vehicle (1); - Automatic determination (S3) of at least one measure for reacting to the recognized animal (3); - Execute (S4) the measure by means of at least one signal transmitter unit (13) of the vehicle (1). Procedure according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the recognition unit (11) recognizes a type of animal (3), the recognition unit (11) assigning a danger class to the recognized animal (3). Procedure according to Claim 2 , characterized in that the measure is determined based on the hazard class. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the measure comprises a warning for a vehicle occupant, a predetermined defensive measure against the animal (3) and/or a locking of the vehicle (1). Procedure according to Claim 4 , characterized in that the warning measure is triggered by opening or an attempt to open a vehicle door (6a, 6b). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the measure is an acoustic measure and/or an optical measure. Use of a driving assistance system (10), which serves to assist a vehicle driver when driving a vehicle (1), for a parked vehicle (1) when carrying out a method according to one of the preceding claims. Driving assistance system (10) of a vehicle (1), characterized in that the driving assistance system (10) comprises a sensor device (5), a recognition unit (11), a determination unit (12) and at least one signal generator unit (13) and is designed to implement the method after one of the Claims 1 until 6 to carry out. Driving assistance system (10). Claim 8 , characterized in that the sensor device (5) comprises at least one sensor unit (5a), the sensor unit (5a) being selected from the group comprising optical cameras, thermal imaging cameras, radar sensors, lidar sensors, ultrasonic sensors and acoustic sensors. Vehicle (1), in particular mobile home, comprising a driving assistance system (10). Claim 8 or 9 .

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