FR3045546B1 - METHOD OF TRANSMITTING VISUAL ROAD VISUAL SIGNALING DURING COMPLETELY AUTOMATED DRIVING PHASE. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for issuing visual signage on the steering wheel of a motor vehicle during a fully automated driving phase, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - automatic emission of a first light signal permanent of a first color on said steering wheel (200) when entering a said fully automated driving phase (100); and - periodic emission, during said automated driving phase and replacing said first light signal, of a second light signal on said steering wheel, flashing and of the same color as said first light signal (300), said second light signal lasting until until the driver has carried out a predetermined action.

Description

METHOD OF TRANSMITTING VISUAL ROAD VISUAL SIGNALING DURING COMPLETELY AUTOMATED DRIVING PHASE.

Field of the invention

The present invention generally relates to driving assistance systems capable of providing fully automated guidance of a motor vehicle. It aims in particular the problem of visual communication between such a system and the driver of the vehicle.

Background of the invention

Driver assistance systems are now widely used in recent motor vehicles and are growing rapidly.

Adaptive Cruise Control, better known by the acronym ACC (for "Adaptive Cruise Control" or "Autonomous Cruise Control"), has thus been known for a number of years. Such a mode of assistance automatically adjusts the speed to maintain a constant safety interval with the vehicle preceding the user from the information collected on this vehicle (including distance and approach speed) using one or more sensors of the radar, lidar or infrared type.

Also known, in particular from the US patent application US 2013/0096767, dynamic systems anti-franking involuntary line. These are commonly referred to as ALKA (for Active Lane Keep Assist), LKAS (for Lane Keep Assistance System), ALA (for Active Lane Assist) or ALC (for Active Lane Control). lines of markings on the ground using sensors and / or optical cameras, and intervene dynamically on the vehicle when the latter deviates from its lane. In such a case, the driver assistance system will then automatically correct the direction of the vehicle and / or activate the braking.

More recently, fully autonomous driving assistance modes have emerged to relieve the driver in situations of heavy traffic on separate highways where the speed of the vehicle is reduced.

This is particularly the case of assistance modes for driving in traffic jams (better known by the acronym TJC for "Traffic Jam Driver") intended to offload the driver in situations of heavy traffic or traffic jam (speed below 50 / 70 km / h) on divided highways (highways and expressways).

In the event of a deterioration of the environmental driving environment requiring a return to manual driving, these TJC-type assistance modes are capable of maintaining a fully automated guidance of the vehicle over a relatively long transition period of about ten seconds. , so that the driver is not required to keep his eyes fixed on the road and can go about other occupations (passage of telephone communications, viewing of a film via the infotainment system of the vehicle, launching a video game on a computer or tablet, reading a book or magazine, etc.).

Finally, recently appeared assistance modes for driving on motorways commonly referred to as HAD (for "Highway Automated Driving") or AHDA (for "Automatic Highway Driving Assist") and able to offload the driver in situations of fluid traffic (speed close to the regulatory limit) on separated highways.

In such a mode, the fully automated guidance can be maintained for a short transition period (typically between 1 and 3 seconds) in case of degradation of the driving context requiring a return in manual driving.

It is therefore essential that the driver maintains a certain level of attention on the road at all times in order to be ready to take back the vehicle instantly.

To do this, it is known to regularly request the driver for the latter to perform in response a predetermined action reflecting a satisfactory state of attention.

Thus, the international patent application WO 2014/194898 discloses a system for maintaining the vigilance of the driver who periodically asks the driver to put his hands on the steering wheel.

The driver's request is generally made via a text message possibly associated with a pictogram and displayed on the display screen of the instrument cluster or the infotainment device integrated in the central console of the board. edge.

However, these screens permanently displaying a multitude of information, it is not necessarily obvious for the driver to navigate and to realize instantly that the driver assistance system communicates with him.

Object and summary of the invention

The present invention therefore aims to improve the visual communication of such an automated driving system.

It proposes for this purpose a method of issuing a visual signage on the steering wheel of a motor vehicle during a fully automated driving phase, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - automatic transmission of a first signal permanent light of a first color on said wheel when entering a so-called fully automated driving phase; and - periodically transmitting, during said automated driving phase and replacing said first light signal, a second light signal on said steering wheel, flashing and of the same color as said first light signal, said second light signal lasting until the driver has performed a predetermined action.

By proposing a visual signage immediately identifiable and easy to apprehend by the driver, the method according to the invention makes it possible to improve the speed of taking into account the requests for periodic requests sent by the driver assistance system in order to ensure that the driver maintains a sufficient level of vigilance during a fully automated driving phase.

According to preferred features of the invention, taken alone or in combination: said predetermined action is for said driver to affix at least one of his hands to said steering wheel; said second light signal is emitted at a predetermined period of between 1 and 5 minutes; said method comprises a transmission step, in the event of a deterioration of the driving context preventing the continuation of said automated driving phase beyond a transition period, of a third light signal on said steering wheel, permanent or flashing and a second color different from that of said first light signal; the emission of said third light signal continues until said driver has taken over said steering wheel; the emission of said third light signal continues until the end of said transition period; said method comprises a transmission step, in the event of the detection of a risk of a subsequent deterioration of the driving context large enough to prevent the continuation of said automated driving phase, of a fourth light signal on said steering wheel, permanent or flashing and a third color different from those of said first and third light signals; the emission of said fourth light signal continues until said risk ceases or becomes a reality; the one or more signals consist of the display of a light strip in the upper part of said steering wheel; and / or - said light strip is generated by a strip comprising a plurality of aligned light emitting diodes.

Brief description of the drawings The description of the invention will now be continued by the detailed description of an exemplary embodiment, given below by way of illustration but without limitation, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: FIG. a functional diagram of an automated driving assistance system for a motor vehicle; FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the method according to the invention for transmitting a visual signage on a steering wheel during a fully automated driving phase; and - Figure 3 is a view of the upper part of a motor vehicle steering wheel incorporating a light bar capable of transmitting said visual signage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The automated driving assistance system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is of the HAD or AHDA type, that is to say that it is capable of completely unloading the driver in traffic situations (speed close to the regulatory limit) and on roads with separate carriageways.

It comprises a driving context evaluation module 10, an automated driving module 20, a steering wheel information and warning module 30, a driver monitoring module 40, and a driving unit 50.

The driving context evaluation module 10 comprises video acquisition means (for example, a CCD camera oriented towards the front of the vehicle) delivering images making it possible to determine the type of road taken (highway, expressway). or secondary road) from certain characteristic parameters such as track width, ground marking (color, width and line spacing) and the possible presence of a barrier or a central separation platform. between the two directions of circulation. The analysis of the images provided by these video acquisition means also makes it possible to establish the level of fluidity of the road traffic.

The module 10 also comprises a plurality of sensors measuring certain internal driving parameters such as the instantaneous speed of the vehicle and the steering angle of the steering wheel.

This module 10 further comprises a rain detector with a sensor of optical or capacitive type integrated for example at the upper part of the windshield, and a map of the road network providing a certain number of information on the next sections encountered by the vehicle (type of road, number of lanes, degree of sinuosity, speed limits, etc.)

The data collected by the driving context evaluation module 10 is conveyed in real time to the automated driving module 20.

The latter comprises a plurality of actuators able to control the direction, the acceleration, the braking and the gearbox to ensure a fully automated driving of the vehicle when the context evaluated by the module 10 lends itself to it (fluid traffic at speed high on roads with separate carriageways).

The information and alert module 30 comprises a light bar 31 integrated in the cladding of the upper portion of the circular rim 3 of the flywheel 2, and formed of a plurality of LEDs 32 aligned (see Figure 3).

The module 30 is thus adapted via the bar to emit, during the fully automated driving phases and depending on the driving context, a series of different permanent or flashing light strips for the attention of the driver.

These light signals may also possibly be associated in certain circumstances with sound signals transmitted via the speakers of the infotainment system and / or via an independent system alarm.

The driver monitoring module 40 comprises a device for detecting the presence of hands on the steering wheel with a capacitive layer implanted between the internal foam padding and the outer casing made of fabric or leather.

The disturbance of the electric field caused by the presence of the hands on the steering wheel causes a variation of the capacity of this sheet.

This detection can also be achieved by other means and in particular by means of pressure sensors located inside the steering wheel and able to measure the local pressure variation occurring when the driver positions his hands on the steering wheel or removes them . The control unit 50 comprises a computer 51, a storage module 52 which comprises non-volatile memory type EEPROM or FLASH and RAM.

The non-volatile memory stores a process for transmitting a visual display on the steering wheel during a fully automated driving phase, which is implemented in this control unit 50 and whose flowchart is shown in FIG. 2.

According to a preferred embodiment, all the information contained in this non-volatile memory can be updated by means of communication or reading means of a data medium.

We will now describe in detail and in support of the flowchart in Figure 2, the different stages of this process.

This is initiated when the vehicle enters a fully automated driving phase (initial step 100).

This event then instantly causes the emission of a first light signal on the steering wheel, intended to inform the driver that the driving of the vehicle is provided fully automatically by the driver assistance system 1 and that it can therefore safely remove his hands from the steering wheel 2 (step 200).

This first signal consists of the display, on the top of the steering wheel 2 and via the bar 31, a permanent light strip of a first predetermined color (for example, blue).

During this automated driving phase, the information module will transmit periodically (event 10), according to a predetermined period advantageously between 1 and 5 minutes, a second signal replacing the first and informing the driver that he must perform a predetermined action to ensure that the latter maintains a sufficient level of attention to driving (step 300).

This second signal, which continues until the driver has performed this action, consists of displaying, still via the bar 31, a light strip of the same color as the first signal but flashing. As soon as the requested action has been performed by the driver (event 20), the information and alert module 30 reactivates the first permanent light signal.

If, on the other hand, the latter has not yet performed this action at the end of a predetermined period of time following the display of the second light signal (event 30), the process may then possibly emit a punctual sound alert or request the module to automated driving to perform a slight braking to remind the driver that action on his part is required (step 400).

Advantageously, the action to be performed by the driver following the display of the second signal is to affix at least one of his hands on the steering wheel 2. Alternatively, this action may also consist for example of the support on a push button or tactile button and located for example on the steering wheel or at the infotainment device of the vehicle.

When the driving context evaluation module 10 detects a degradation of the driving environmental context preventing the continuation of the automated driving beyond a short transition period (event 40), the process then emits a third light signal on the steering wheel intended to warn the driver that he must immediately take back the vehicle to ensure his driving (step 500).

Such a degradation of the environmental driving environment can for example be caused by the occurrence of at least one of the following events: motorway exit or even fast, simultaneous loss by the camera of the two lines delimiting the path on which circulates the vehicle, the occurrence of a heavy downpour, the detection of an obstacle on the traffic lane used, the sharpness of the road or the passage of a single lane due to work.

This third signal, which continues as long as the driver has not taken in hand the steering wheel, consists of the display, always via the bar 31, a permanent or flashing light strip of a second color (for example, red ). As soon as the monitoring module 40 detects the presence of the driver's hands on the steering wheel 2 (event 50), the information and alert module 30 stops issuing any light signal on the steering wheel 2 (step 600).

Alternatively, this third signal may last until the end of the transition period even if the driver has his hands on the steering wheel.

In order to further improve the level of security and when the driving context evaluation module 10 detects a risk of a subsequent degradation of the driving context sufficiently large to prevent the continuation of the automated driving (event 60), the process then emits a fourth light signal on the steering wheel to inform the driver that he must put his hands on the steering wheel 2 to be ready to ensure the manual operation of the vehicle if this risk materializes (step 700).

Such a risk will be detected in case of occurrence of at least one of the following events: the loss by the Tune camera of the two lines delimiting the path on which the vehicle is traveling, a beginning of rain, the detection of a neighbor section with a greater sinuosity or even that of a future area of work.

This fourth signal, which continues until the risk ceases or is realized, consists in the display, always via the bar 31, of a permanent or flashing light strip of a third color (for example, orange), different from those of the first and third light signals

When the risk ceases (event 70), the information and alert module 30 reactivates the first permanent light signal (return to step 200).

If, on the contrary, the risk materializes (event 80), this module 30 emits the third light signal (step 500). In general, it is recalled that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown, but encompasses any embodiment within the scope of those skilled in the art.

In particular, the source generating the light signals and its location on the steering wheel may be substantially different from those just described.

Claims (10)

1. A method for transmitting a visual signage on the steering wheel of a motor vehicle during a fully automated driving phase, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - automatic transmission of a first permanent light signal d ' a first color on said flywheel (2) (200) upon entry into said fully automated driving phase (100); and - periodically transmitting, during said automated driving phase and replacing said first light signal, a second light signal on said steering wheel, flashing and of the same color as said first light signal (300), said second light signal lasting up to the driver has performed a predetermined action. 2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said predetermined action is for said driver to affix at least one of his hands on said wheel (2). 3. Method according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said second light signal is emitted at a predetermined period of between 1 and 5 minutes. 4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a transmission step, in case of degradation of the driving context preventing the continuation of said phase of automated driving beyond a period transition, a third light signal on said steering wheel (2), permanent or flashing and a second color different from that of said first light signal (500). 5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the emission of said third light signal continues until said driver has taken in hand said steering wheel (2). 6. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the emission of said third light signal continues until the end of said transition period. 7. Method according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that it comprises a transmitting step, in case of detection of a risk of a subsequent degradation of the driving context large enough to prevent the continuation of said automated driving phase, a fourth light signal on said steering wheel (2), permanent or flashing and a third color different from those of said first and third light signals (700). 8. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that the emission of said fourth light signal continues until said risk ceases or is realized. 9. Method according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the or said signals consist of the display of a light strip in the upper part of said wheel (2). 10. The method of claim 9, characterized in that said light strip is generated by a strip (31) having a plurality of aligned LEDs (32).