DE102023001760A1 - Method for detecting a stroke of a driver of a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for detecting a stroke by a driver of a vehicle, steering angle movements by the driver being detected. According to the invention, a suspicion that the driver has had a stroke is detected on the basis of captured image data from a camera arranged in the vehicle, - the driver is then prompted by the vehicle to bring the vehicle to a safe standstill, - when the vehicle is safely at a standstill, electric power steering of the vehicle is deactivated, so that a steering resistance is increased and a one-sided muscle paralysis of the driver is detected by the driver performing a steering movement counterclockwise and by performing a steering movement clockwise on the basis of a difference measure (e) determined based on the steering movements, or when the vehicle is safely at a standstill, a dynamic profile is set in relation to the power steering, with electrical support decreasing as a steering angle (φ) increases.

Description

The invention relates to a method for detecting a stroke by a driver of a vehicle, steering angle movements by the driver being detected.

From the DE 10 2020 206 972 A1 a system for detecting and influencing a stroke of a vehicle occupant in a vehicle is known. The system includes a control and computing unit with an evaluation program, which is designed to use at least one system-specific and vehicle-specific and external sensor element to record information about a physiological parameter and a vital parameter and an action and a condition of the vehicle occupant in relation to a stroke by the vehicle occupant . The summarized information can be used to classify the determined current condition of the vehicle occupant in a course of the disease over time in connection with a stroke, so that appropriate countermeasures can be triggered in the vehicle.

The invention is based on the object of specifying a method for detecting a stroke of a driver of a vehicle.

The object is achieved according to the invention by a method which has the features specified in claim 1.

Advantageous configurations of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

• - anhand erfasster Bilddaten einer im Fahrzeug angeordneten Kamera ein Verdacht für einen Schlaganfall des Fahrers detektiert wird,
• - der Fahrer daraufhin fahrzeugseitig aufgefordert wird, das Fahrzeug in einen sicheren Stillstand zu versetzen,
• - im sicheren Stillstand des Fahrzeuges eine elektrische Servolenkung des Fahrzeuges deaktiviert wird, so dass ein Lenkwiderstand erhöht wird und durch Ausführen einer Lenkbewegung entgegen dem Uhrzeigersinn und durch Ausführen einer Lenkbewegung im Uhrzeigersinn durch den Fahrer anhand eines basierend auf den Lenkbewegungen ermittelten Unterschiedsmaßes eine einseitige Muskellähmung des Fahrers erkannt wird, oder
• - im sicheren Stillstand des Fahrzeuges ein dynamisches Profil in Bezug auf die Servolenkung eingestellt wird, wobei eine elektrische Unterstützung mit Zunahme eines Lenkwinkels geringer wird.

According to the invention, a method for detecting a stroke by a driver of a vehicle, with steering angle movements of the driver being detected, provides that

• - a suspicion of a stroke by the driver is detected on the basis of recorded image data from a camera arranged in the vehicle,
• - the driver is then prompted by the vehicle to bring the vehicle to a safe standstill,
• - When the vehicle is safely at a standstill, an electric power steering of the vehicle is deactivated, so that a steering resistance is increased and by performing a counterclockwise steering movement and by performing a clockwise steering movement by the driver using a difference determined based on the steering movements, a unilateral muscle paralysis of the driver is detected, or
• - When the vehicle is safely at a standstill, a dynamic profile is set in relation to the power steering, with electrical support decreasing as the steering angle increases.

Sensors that are already present on the vehicle, in particular in the steering wheel of the vehicle, can be used to apply the method, so that no additional components are required to carry out the method.

In addition, it is possible by means of the method to save human lives, so that the driver's and other occupants' sense of security, for whom the method can also be used, can be significantly increased.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing.

• 1 schematisch ein Diagramm mit einer zeitlichen Änderung eines Lenkwinkels.

It shows:

• 1 schematically shows a diagram with a change in a steering angle over time.

The only figure shows a diagram D, with a steering angle φ being plotted on the ordinate and the time t on the abscissa. Diagram D shows a change in steering angle φ over time t. At least one steering angle sensor is arranged on a steering wheel of the vehicle, which, while the vehicle is being driven, detects signals which are used to determine the steering angle φ of the vehicle.

In general, it is known that a person who has had a stroke often does not even notice it. Comparatively quick treatment of a stroke is essential to minimize health consequences for the person.

A stroke, in most cases, causes one hemisphere of the affected person's brain to become deprived of oxygen, often resulting in a symptom of hemiplegia in relation to a person's body.

A camera, in particular a so-called driver observation camera, is often arranged in a vehicle, which continuously records image data while the vehicle is being driven, which is used, for example, to determine the driver's level of attention. In addition, the recorded image data can be used to early detect a driver's stroke due to asymmetrical halves of the face.

Occurs due to detected asymmetrical halves of the face of the driver of the vehicle If a stroke is suspected, a further risk assessment is carried out with regard to the driver having a stroke, the steering angle φ determined being used for this purpose.

If a stroke is suspected, the driver of the vehicle is initially prompted on the vehicle side to bring the vehicle to a safe standstill. In particular, a next safe position for stopping the vehicle is sought for this purpose. For example, a destination, for example the next parking lot, can be specified for the driver.

If the vehicle is brought to a safe standstill, it is envisaged that the driver of the vehicle will be asked to hold the steering wheel with both hands and first turn it counterclockwise by 180° and then turn the steering wheel back to a neutral position. The driver is then asked to turn the steering wheel clockwise by 180°. The vehicle records how the steering angle φ changes over time. According to the embodiment in 1 the turning of the steering wheel by the driver of the vehicle, for example clockwise, is shown.

In a digital system, e.g. a control unit, measurements relating to the steering angle φ are discrete and exist, for example, at a frequency of 100 Hz.

If the driver of the vehicle has turned the steering wheel by 180° both counterclockwise and clockwise, as requested, these two measurements are compared with one another. In one possible embodiment, a difference measure e is then determined. At each time step, for example every second s, the steering angles φ of the two measurements are subtracted from each other and then averaged: $$e=\frac{1}{T}{\displaystyle \sum {}_{t=1}^T\left|{\phi }_{uH\mathrm{right}\mathrm{e.g}eiGe\mathrm{right},t}-{\phi }_{GeGenuH\mathrm{right}\mathrm{e.g}eiGe\mathrm{right},t}\right|}$$

Where (T=minT _clockwise , T _{counterclockwise} ), where T _clockwise represents a period of execution of the 180° clockwise rotation and T _{counterclockwise} represents a period of execution of the 180° counterclockwise rotation.

The difference e is thus a measure of symmetry in the execution of the steering movements in both directions of rotation. If the driver of the vehicle has unilateral muscle paralysis, the steering movements performed by the driver are asymmetrical, since the driver performs the steering movements to different extents due to the unilateral muscle paralysis, ie pulls and pushes the steering wheel to different extents.

In particular, an electric power steering system of the vehicle is switched off for this purpose, as a result of which a steering resistance increases when steering movements are carried out. In this way, a detection of a possible unilateral muscle paralysis of the driver can be optimized.

Alternatively, a dynamic profile of the electric power steering can be set, whereby a steering movement with a low steering angle φ is supported more than a steering movement with a higher steering angle φ: The higher the steering angle φ, the lower the electrical support in order to prevent any unilateral muscle paralysis of the to identify the driver.

If the difference e exceeds a predetermined threshold value, a stroke by the driver of the vehicle is detected. The driver can then be informed and an emergency call can be made automatically, with alternative or additional provision being made for dialing an emergency number.

If the vehicle is designed for semi-automated or automated driving, the vehicle can plan a safe route to the edge of the road, for example to come to a safe standstill, and drive to the edge of the road automatically according to a determined trajectory.

reference list

D

diagram

φ

steering angle

e

difference measure

s

second

t

Time

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited 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.

Patent Literature Cited

• DE 102020206972 A1 [0002]

Claims (3)

Method for detecting a stroke of a driver of a vehicle, wherein steering angle movements of the driver are detected, characterized in that - based on recorded image data of a camera arranged in the vehicle, a suspicion of a stroke of the driver is detected, - the driver is then prompted on the vehicle side to leave the vehicle to bring the vehicle to a safe standstill, - when the vehicle is safely at a standstill, an electric power steering of the vehicle is deactivated, so that a steering resistance is increased and by performing a counterclockwise steering movement and by performing a clockwise steering movement by the driver using a based on the steering movements determined difference (e) a one-sided muscle paralysis of the driver is detected, or - when the vehicle is safely stationary, a dynamic profile is set in relation to the power steering, with an electrical support with increasing steering angle (φ) is reduced. procedure after claim 1 , characterized in that if it is determined that the difference (e) exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the driver has suffered a stroke. procedure after claim 2 , characterized in that after determining that the driver has suffered a stroke, an emergency call is automatically made by the vehicle.

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