GB2475871A

GB2475871A - Navigation based function mapping for a vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2475871A
Application number: GB0921188A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Marten Wittorf
Original assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
Current assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
Priority date: 2009-12-03
Filing date: 2009-12-03
Publication date: 2011-06-08
Also published as: DE102010053037A1; GB0921188D0

Abstract

A function mapping and learning modes method and apparatus for a motor vehicle improves driver and passenger comfort when driving the motor vehicle by enabling automated performing of tasks steadily being executed by the driver in certain locations with data provide by an onboard integrated navigation system. The tasks include turning on parking sensors, adjusting radio volume and adjusting the heating system.

Description

Navigation-based function mapping for a vehicle The invention relates to a function mapping and learning modes method and apparatus for a motor vehicle.

According to driver assistant systems installed in motor vehicles, certain operations performed usually by the driver of the motor vehicle can be programined for automated execution, as for example the activation of the rear wiper, when the motor vehicle is driven backwardly in rainy weather conditions. Similar systems for motor vehicles are known, but the initiated actions are not designated to be executed with defined local based requirements.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and an apparatus for improving driver and passenger comfort when driving a motor vehicle by providing automated performing of tasks steadily being executed by the driver in certain locations.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method for utilizing data provided by fully embedded navigation systems in motor vehicles by enabling automated execution of actions, normally required to be executed by the driver, when certain local based situations occur repeatedly.

An apparatus and a procedure according to the present invention are provided in such a manner as to help avoiding execution of steadily required actions from the driver by automating predetermined actions in repeatedly accessed locations.

This procedure is achieved by utilizing an onboard integrated navigation system and combining it with "self-learn" modes, to map certain vehicle settings with locations. Thereby, certain steadily repeated functions can be automated.

An apparatus and a method according to the invention are defined in the independent claims 1 and 8.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig.1 to Fig. are schematic views of situations, wherein the apparatus according to the present invention is in use.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the method according to the present invention with a dual mode selection alternative.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the method according to the present invention by way of an application example.

Fig. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example for automated self learning procedure sequence.

Fig. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example for self learning procedure with confirmation sequence.

Fig. 9 is a flowchart illustrating in general the method according to the present invention.

In Fig.l for example a motor vehicle 10 is approaching the parking position forwardly at home 11. For this mapped location the apparatus according to the present invention is processing the data received from the navigation system as location and vehicle speed, which has to fall below 5 km/h, resulting in always activating the parking sensor.

In a similar way the apparatus according to the present invention in the motor vehicle 10, which reaches in Fig. 2 a mapped location x, is selecting a predetermined radio station.

Multiple actions, as lowering the window on the driver side, turning the parking sensors on and lowering the radio volume are activated by the apparatus according to the present invention, as shown in Fig. 3, wherein the motor vehicle 10 is entering or exiting a gate 12.

In a similar way the apparatus according to the present invention activates the HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) by setting the predetermined position Y in the motor vehicle 10 of Fig. 4 at the same time as lowering the window, when the motor vehicle is departing from location Y and the temperature is exceeding level Z. As shown in Fig. 5 the apparatus according to the present invention stores certain events or selected functions to certain locations and drive situations and driver. The required data needed by the apparatus can be location data provided by the oriboard integrated navigation system, camera data preprocessed for situation recognition, driver data for identifying the actual driver with preference settings, other vehicle data as actual speed or gear, environmental data as well as other upgradeable data. As soon as in a first selectable self learning mode the apparatus recognizes repeating patterns, it will store these functions and activate them automatically. An override by the driver is possible in this first mode. Alternatively, in a second selectable adaptive learning mode the apparatus allows the driver to select self-learn" at first instance, by confirming one function as preferred in an actual location. examples for such actions are window down, park-sensor on (or off) and music volume low in location xyz. As a result the apparatus provides an automatic operation of the functions.

In a similar way Fig. 6 is denoting by way of example the sequence of operations required and executed by the apparatus according to the present invention. In this case the driver has to decide, whether function "A", which already is pre-mapped by the apparatus, is going to be processed in a self learning mode at first instance, by confirming function "A" as preferred in an actual location, or in an adaptive learning mode. In a final step a firm mapping of function and operation to current location and vehicle data is accomplished by the apparatus within predetermined tolerances for speed, gear, weather conditions and other upgradeable data.

Fig. 7 shows a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of the method according to the present invention, wherein a self-learning process is initiated. In case that customer operation, as for example activation of parking sensor activation, occurs simultaneously with marked vehicle operation, as parking sensor activated, at same proximate speed while vehicle is driven by the same driver at the same location, then a self-learning process is initiated at second occurrence of all said operations. As a result any further occurrence of all marked operations will lead to automated execution of specific vehicle operation, in the present case activation of the parking sensor.

Alternatively Fig. 8 shows a flowchart illustrating another embodiment of the method according to the present invention, wherein a learning process is initiated by confirmation of the driver. In this case that driver operation, as for example activation of parking sensor activation, occurs simultaneously with vehicle operation, as parking sensor activation at same proximate speed while vehicle is driven by the same driver at the same location. The driver is initiating here an immediate learning process, which will lead to automated execution of specific vehicle operation and is then mapped to be automated executed at any further occurrence of all marked operations.

Fig. 9 illustrates the method according to the present invention. Starting with step 1, 901, a function to be mapped is inputted by being executed by the driver, for example lowering the window.

In step 2, 902, a logical verification and authorization of function to be mapped is performed. As safe and logical would be assumed for example a speed below 20 kmph in an inner city location.

Further in step 3, 903, a pre-mapping of location to function is performed, as for example window down is performed at a specific location at slow down at a speed of 5 kmph.

At step 4, 904, a function setting determines whether active, passive or system driven function mode will be activated, deciding about step 5, wherein an active driver selection 906 or a passive driver selection 907 or a system driven selection or activation 908 will be performed.

At step 6, 909, a firm mapping of location to function is performed. As an example a situation can be pre mapped when a driver activates window down by reaching location XYZ at a slow down and a vehicle speed lower then 5 kmph.

As a result in step 7, 910, an automatic execution of function at a certain location is performed.

Step 8 allows a reset initiated either by driver 911, by driver input for example, or by the system 912, for example at a new user pattern or changed context.

According to the above described method, an easy way of locally based automated proceedings, otherwise being required to be executed by the driver of a motor vehicle, is provided.

According to the present invention, not more than a few active or passive actions are sufficient to be accomplished by the driver, as for example preparing or accepting a proposed learning step for the driving assistant system, as to render a safe way of driving a vehicle by unburdening a more and more overstressed traffic member.

A precisely located execution of any possible automatically executed action in a motor vehicle is also enabled by the present invention to be performed in one and the same position, with minimum deviations, by using data provided by the onboard integrated navigation system of the vehicle, which can be for example GPS-, Galileo-, GLONASS-or Compass-based. Mainly this feature enables the function mapping apparatus according to the present invention to overtake position-critical actions to enhance a secure way of driving a motor vehicle. The flexibility of the system is enabled by providing assistance for different drive situations or even different drivers, which use the same vehicle.

While there has been illustrated and/or described what are presently considered to be example embodiments of claimed subject matter, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various other modifications may be made, and/or equivalents may be substituted, without departing from the true scope of claimed subject matter. Additionally, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation to the teachings of claimed subject matter without departing from subject matter that is claimed. Therefore, it is intended that the patent not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that it covers all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.