WO2021175621A1

WO2021175621A1 - Controller and method for controlling an operating element

Info

Publication number: WO2021175621A1
Application number: PCT/EP2021/054213
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christian Süss; Viktor Rack
Original assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 2020-03-02
Filing date: 2021-02-19
Publication date: 2021-09-10
Also published as: DE102020105499A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a controller (101) for controlling an operating element (102) of a vehicle (100). The controller (101) is designed to acquire contextual information in regard to a context in which the operating element (102) is actuated. The controller (101) is further designed to adapt an operating possibility of the operating element (102) depending on the contextual information.

Description

Control unit and method for controlling an operating element

The invention relates to a control unit and a corresponding method for controlling an operating element, in particular a mechanical operating element, of a vehicle.

A vehicle typically has a large number of different operating elements with which different functions of the vehicle, in particular functions relating to the ferry operation of the vehicle, can be effected. Exemplary operating elements are a gear selector lever or a gear selector switch, via which a gear of a transmission of the vehicle can be set, and / or a turn signal lever, with which a flashing signal of the vehicle can be activated or deactivated, and / or a wiper lever with which a windshield wiper of the vehicle can be activated or deactivated.

Operating a control element, in particular a mechanical control element, of a vehicle can lead to incorrect operation by the driver of the vehicle or by another person in the vehicle, e.g. a passenger, which may impair the safety of the vehicle.

The present document deals with the technical task of avoiding incorrect operation of an operating element in an efficient and reliable manner, in particular in order to increase the safety of a vehicle.

The object is achieved in each case by the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are described, inter alia, in the dependent claims. It is pointed out that additional features of a patent claim dependent on an independent patent claim without the features of the independent patent claim or only in combination with a subset of the features of the independent claim can form a separate invention that is independent of the combination of all the features of the independent claim, which can be made the subject of an independent claim, a divisional application or a subsequent application. This applies equally to technical teachings described in the description, which can form an invention that is independent of the features of the independent patent claims.

According to one aspect, a control unit for controlling an operating element of a (motor) vehicle is described. The operating element can comprise, in particular be, a mechanical operating element. Exemplary operating elements are: a gear selection operating element for a transmission of the vehicle, a switch, a steering wheel lever, a rocker switch and / or a button. The control unit can be designed to avoid incorrect operation of the operating element.

The control unit is set up to determine context information in relation to a context in which the control element is actuated or operated or touched. The context information can indicate the intention of the driver of the vehicle. Alternatively or additionally, the context information can indicate (in particular indicate a probability of this) whether an actuation of the operating element was intended and / or whether an actuation of the operating element is an incorrect operation.

The control unit can be set up to determine sensor data from one or more sensors, in particular from one or more sensors of the vehicle. The one or more sensors can be set up to record sensor data in relation to a user of the vehicle (for example the driver or another user, in particular another occupant of the vehicle) and / or in relation to the surroundings of the vehicle. Exemplary sensors are: a camera which is set up to record, as sensor data, image data relating to one or more users, in particular relating to the driver of the vehicle; a microphone which is set up to record, as sensor data, audio data relating to a conversation from one or more users (in particular the driver) of the vehicle; and / or an environment sensor which is set up to record sensor data with regard to the environment, in particular with regard to a traffic situation, a weather condition and / or a light condition in the environment of the vehicle.

The context information can then be determined in a precise manner on the basis of the sensor data from the one or more sensors.

The one or more sensors are preferably spatially separated and / or independent of the operating element. In particular, the one or more sensors can be designed to acquire sensor data that are independent of the actuation of the control element itself and / or that also display other information that goes beyond the actual actuation of the control element. In this way, context information relating to the context of the actuation of the operating element can be determined in a particularly precise manner.

The control unit is also set up to adapt at least one operating option of the operating element as a function of the context information. In particular, the control unit can be set up to enable or disable an operating option of the operating element as a function of the context information.

The operating option can include the fact whether the operating element can be operated at all (in particular deflected and / or moved) or not. For example, preventing an operating option of the operating element can include preventing the operating element from being moved mechanically in order to make an input via the operating element. As an alternative or in addition, the operating option can include the triggering of a specific function of the vehicle by actuating the operating element. The prevention of the possibility of operating the operating element can then comprise preventing the triggering of the function of the vehicle as a result of the actuation of the operating element.

The control unit thus makes it possible to adapt one or more operating options of the operating element to a currently present context, in particular to a currently present intention of the driver of the vehicle. In this way, incorrect operation of the control element can be avoided in a reliable manner, and the comfort and safety of the vehicle can thus be increased.

The control unit can be set up, in particular on the basis of the sensor data of the one or more sensors, to determine as context information whether a driving situation of the vehicle is present in which a certain operating option of the operating element should be enabled and / or is useful or in which a certain operating option of the control element should be prevented. For example, the context information can indicate that it is raining and that it therefore makes sense to enable the vehicle's windshield wiper to be activated via the vehicle's wiper lever. On the other hand, it can possibly be recognized that the activation of the windshield wiper of the vehicle should be prevented if the context information indicates that sunlight is shining on the windshield of the vehicle. In a further example, the context information can indicate that the vehicle is approaching the end of a traffic jam or a traffic light, and that it therefore makes sense to enable a downshift via the gear selection control element of the vehicle.

Alternatively or in addition, the control unit can be set up, in particular on the basis of the sensor data of the one or more sensors, as Context information to determine a behavior pattern of the driver of the vehicle, which is aimed at enabling or preventing a certain operating option of the operating element. For example, the context information can indicate that the driver of the vehicle touches the gear selection control element or moves his hand towards the gear selection control element, and that a gear change should therefore be made possible as an operating option for the gear selection control element. On the other hand, a gear change as an operating option for the gear selection control element can be prevented if the context information indicates that the driver of the vehicle is not concerned with a gear change.

Alternatively or in addition, the control unit can be set up, in particular on the basis of the sensor data of the one or more sensors, to determine, as context information, a behavior pattern of a user of the vehicle other than the driver of the vehicle (e.g. the passenger) that indicates an inadmissible and / or unintentional Indicates actuation of the control element by the other user. For example, the context information can indicate that the driver of the vehicle has forbidden the other user to touch the control element (e.g. during a conversation recorded by a microphone), so that an option to operate the control element should be prevented.

By determining behavioral patterns of the one or more users, in particular the one or more occupants, of the vehicle, the context of an actuation of the operating element can be determined in a particularly precise manner.

The control unit can be set up to determine for each of one or more operating options of the operating element whether the respective operating option is consistent with the context information, in particular with the intention of the driver of the vehicle indicated by the context information. Only zero, one or more operating options can then be used on the Control element are made possible for which it is determined that they are consistent with the context information. A particularly reliable adaptation of the operating options of an operating element to the context at hand can thus be made possible.

The control unit can be set up to output on an output element (in particular on a light-emitting element and / or on a screen) of the operating element, in particular to display which one or more operating options the operating element has after the respective adaptation. In this way, the comfort of the vehicle can be further increased.

According to a further aspect, a (preferably multi-lane) (road) motor vehicle (in particular a passenger car or a truck or a bus) is described which comprises the control unit described in this document and / or the operating element described in this document.

According to a further aspect, a method for controlling an operating element of a vehicle is described. The method comprises the determination of context information in relation to a context in which an actuation or an operation or a touching of the operating element takes place. Furthermore, the method includes adapting at least one operating option of the operating element as a function of the context information.

According to a further aspect, a software (SW) program is described. The software program can be set up to be executed on a processor (for example on a control unit of a vehicle) and thereby to execute one of the methods described in this document. According to a further aspect, a storage medium is described. The storage medium can comprise a software program which is set up to be executed on a processor and thereby to execute one of the methods described in this document.

It should be noted that the methods, devices and systems described in this document can be used both alone and in combination with other methods, devices and systems described in this document. Furthermore, any aspects of the methods, devices and systems described in this document can be combined with one another in diverse ways. In particular, the features of the claims can be combined with one another in diverse ways.

The invention is described in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments. Show it

FIG. 1 exemplary components of a vehicle;

FIG. 2 exemplary control elements of a vehicle; and

FIG. 3 shows a flow chart of an exemplary method for controlling a

Control element of a vehicle.

As stated at the outset, the present document is concerned with avoiding incorrect operation of a control element of a vehicle in a reliable and efficient manner. In this context, FIG. 1 shows exemplary components of a vehicle 100. In particular, FIG. 1 shows an exemplary operating element 102, in particular a mechanical operating element, of a vehicle 100, which can be operated by a driver of the vehicle 100, in particular in the context of the vehicle's ferry operation 100 (e.g. to change a gear, to activate a blinker, to change the speed of the vehicle 100, etc.). A control unit 101 of the vehicle 100 can be set up to detect an actuation of the operating element 102. Furthermore, a component 103 of the vehicle 100 (for example a transmission, a blinker, a drive motor, etc.) can be operated as a function of the detected actuation of the operating element 102.

An operating element 102 can be associated with an output element 105 (in particular with a light-emitting element and / or with a screen). For example, the output element 105 can be arranged directly on the operating element 102. The control unit 101 can be set up to display via the output element 105 which one or more functions of the vehicle 100 can be triggered or brought about by actuating the operating element 102. As an alternative or in addition, the control unit 101 can be set up to display via the output element 105 whether the operating element 102 is available for one or more operating inputs or is blocked.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary driver position 200 of a vehicle 100. In particular, FIG. 2 shows a steering means 220, in particular a steering wheel, for steering the vehicle 100, which is typically arranged on a dashboard 202 of the vehicle 100. A gear selection control element 210, in particular a gear selection lever or a gear selection switch, can be arranged in the center console of the vehicle 100.

In the case of an automatic transmission, the gear selector lever 210 can typically be used to set different drive steps 215, such as the drive steps “N”, “D”, “R”, “L” and / or “P”. The gear selector lever 210 is preferably designed to be monostable, so that the gear selector lever 210 moves back into a base position or base position after a deflection. By deflecting the gear selector lever 210 in a first (for example in a forward) direction 211 it can be effected that the drive steps 215 can be set gradually from the drive step “L” to the drive step “P” (for example according to the row of Speed steps L, D, NR, P). By deflecting the gear selector lever 210 in an (opposite) second (for example, in a reverse) direction 212, it can be achieved that the drive steps 215 can be set gradually from the drive position “P” to the drive position “L” (eg according to the series of speed steps P, R, N, D, L). Each change of the drive step 215 can typically be brought about by a relatively short deflection (for example with a triggering time of approx. 1 second) in one of the two directions 221, 212.

Furthermore, one or more functional operating elements 221 can be arranged at the driver position 200, which enable the driver of the vehicle 100 to control a function of the vehicle 100, in particular a driver assistance function of the vehicle 100. For example, the one or more function control elements 221 can enable the driver to operate a cruise control and / or an ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) function of the vehicle 100. The one or more functional operating elements 221 can be arranged on the steering means 220.

The one or more function control elements 221 can include an activation control element 222, which enables the driver to activate or deactivate the function (in particular the driver assistance function).

Furthermore, the one or more function control elements 221 can comprise at least one adjustment control element 223 (e.g. a rocker switch) that enables the driver of the vehicle 100 to set a parameter of the function.

Further exemplary operating elements 102 at the driver's position 200 of a vehicle 100 are one or more steering wheel levers 231 (e.g. for a blinker or for a windshield wiper system) or one or more function keys 232.

An operating element 102 may be operated incorrectly while a vehicle 100 is being driven. For example, the operating element 102 can be from Accidentally or intentionally actuated by another occupant of the vehicle 100 (such as a passenger). Incorrect operation of the operating element 102 can possibly lead to a critical driving situation (for example, if the gear of the transmission of the vehicle 100 is changed, or if the set speed of the cruise control is changed).

To protect an operating element 102, one or more protective measures can be provided (such as, for example, the provision of a warning notice or the provision of a mechanical lock or the provision of a proximity sensor), which, however, typically cannot always reliably prevent misuse or incorrect operation. may be associated with additional costs, additional space requirements and / or additional weight.

The vehicle 100 can include one or more sensors 104 that are configured to acquire sensor data relating to the occupants of the vehicle 100 and / or relating to the surroundings of the vehicle 100. The one or more sensors 104 can possibly already be used for other purposes (e.g. for monitoring the driver's condition, or for providing voice or gesture control, or for providing a driver assistance function) in vehicle 100. Exemplary sensors 104 are a camera configured to capture image data relating to the one or more occupants of the vehicle 100 and / or a microphone configured to capture audio data relating to noises and / or conversations in the interior of the vehicle 100 capture.

The control unit 101 can be set up to determine context information in relation to the context in which an operating element 102 of the vehicle 100 is actuated on the basis of the sensor data from the one or more sensors 104 of the vehicle 100. The context information can in particular indicate whether the actuation of the operating element 102 of the vehicle 100 was carried out by the driver of the vehicle 100 or by another occupant. Alternatively or In addition, the context information can indicate whether the actuation of the operating element 102 of the vehicle 100 took place intentionally or unintentionally.

For example, the context information can indicate that the driver of the vehicle 100 is touching the gear selector lever 210, and that a detected actuation of the gear selector lever 210 by the driver of the vehicle 100 has thus taken place. In a further example, the context information can indicate that the driver of the vehicle 100 has requested another occupant not to touch a specific operating element 102, so that it can be assumed that the specific operating element 102 has been actuated unintentionally.

The control unit 101 can furthermore be set up to adapt the one or more actuation options of an operating element 102 as a function of the determined context information. In particular, the actuation of a control element 102 or the execution of the function associated with the actuation of the control element 102 can be blocked or prevented if the context information indicates that the driver has prohibited actuation of the control element 102 or that an actuation of the control element 102 is or was not intended.

The control unit 101 can also be set up to display the one or more operating options available in each case on the output element 105 of the operating element 102. In this way, the comfort for the driver of the vehicle 100 can be increased further.

The control unit 101 can thus be set up to release the movement of an operating element 102 (for example a switch) and / or, after the movement of the operating element 102, the execution of the associated function only if the one or more requirements required for this purpose can be recognized as being fulfilled via one or more other sensors 104, in particular not located on the operating element 102 itself. The control unit 101 can thus be set up to check on the basis of the sensor data from one or more sensors 104 whether there is a positive operating intuition and / or a positive operating context. If necessary, an operating option of the operating element 102 can only be provided if it is recognized that there is a positive operating intuition and / or a positive operating context.

If an operating element 102 enables several operating options, the operation of a specific function or a specific operating option can only be enabled if the one or more requirements necessary for this are provided via one or more other sensors, in particular not located on the operating element 102 itself 104 can be recognized as being fulfilled (ie if there is a positive operating intuition and / or a positive operating context for the respective operating option or function).

An exemplary sensor 104 is an indoor camera. On the basis of the image data from the interior camera, it can be recognized which occupant is touching a specific operating element 102 and, if necessary, actuating it. The actuation of the operating element 102 and / or the triggering of a specific function as a result of the actuation of the operating element 102 can depend on which occupant touches the operating element 102. For example, it can be recognized on the basis of the image data that the driver is showing behavior (e.g. a line of sight, a turn of the body, etc.) that indicates an impending gear change. It can thus be recognized on the basis of the image data that there is a positive operating context for a gear change by actuating the gear selector lever 210.

Another exemplary sensor 104 is a microphone that is used to collect audio data related to a conversation from one or more occupants of the vehicle 100 can be. The audio data can be evaluated by a method of speech recognition, and it can be determined on the basis of the recorded conversation whether or not there is a positive operating context for operating an operating element 102.

Another exemplary sensor 104 is an environment sensor (e.g. a camera, a light sensor, a rain sensor, etc.), with which sensor data relating to the environment of the vehicle 100 can be recorded. For example, the sensor data can indicate that it is raining, so that there may be a positive operating context for an actuation of the wiper lever 231. As an alternative or in addition, the sensor data can indicate that a lane change is pending, so that there may be a positive operating context for actuating the indicator lever 231. As an alternative or in addition, the sensor data can display the external light conditions, so that there is possibly a positive operating context for operating an operating element 102 for activating or deactivating a headlight of vehicle 100.

An operating element 102 can, if necessary, enable several different operating functions or operating options. For example, a gear selector lever or gear selector switch 210 can enable different driving stages to be set. A function control element 221 can, if necessary, enable different inputs with regard to a speed controller (e.g. resume, pause, setting a set speed, etc.). The one or more operating options of an operating element 102 can be dependent on the currently determined context information.

3 shows a flowchart of an exemplary (computer-implemented) method 300 for controlling an operating element 102, in particular a mechanical operating element 102, of a vehicle 100. The method 300 can in particular be aimed at reliably avoiding incorrect operation of an operating element 102. The method 300 comprises the determination 301 of context information in relation to a context in which an operation or an actuation of the operating element 102 takes place. The context information can, for example, indicate the intention of the driver of the vehicle 100 (who is typically responsible for the operation or for the actuation of the operating element 102) in connection with an actuation of the operating element 102. As an alternative or in addition, the context information can display information relating to the driving situation in which the vehicle 100 is located when the operating element 102 is actuated.

The method 300 further comprises adapting 302 at least one operating option of the operating element 102 as a function of the context information. In particular, an operating option can be enabled or disabled depending on the context information. An operating option can include

The possibility of deflecting or moving (i.e. actuating) the operating element 102 in order to trigger a specific function of the vehicle 100; and or

A function of the vehicle 100 that can be triggered by actuating the operating element 102.

The method 300 makes it possible to adapt the one or more operating options of a (mechanical) operating element 102 to the respective context of the vehicle 100, in particular to the particular intention of the driver of the vehicle 100. In this way, incorrect operation of the operating element 102 or incorrectly triggered functions of the vehicle 100 can be avoided in a reliable and efficient manner. The measures described in this document can thus increase the comfort and safety of a user when operating a control element 102 of a vehicle 100. The present invention is not restricted to the exemplary embodiments shown. In particular, it should be noted that the description and the figures are only intended to illustrate the principle of the proposed methods, devices and systems by way of example.

Claims

Expectations

1) control unit (101) for controlling an operating element (102) of a vehicle (100); wherein the control unit (101) is set up,

- to determine context information in relation to a context in which the operating element (102) is actuated; and

- to adapt an operating option of the operating element (102) as a function of the context information.

2) Control unit (101) according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (101) is set up

- determine sensor data from one or more sensors (104); wherein the one or more sensors (104) are set up to acquire sensor data in relation to a user of the vehicle (100) and / or in relation to an environment of the vehicle (100); and

- to determine the context information on the basis of the sensor data of the one or more sensors (104).

3) control unit (101) according to claim 2, wherein the one or more sensors (104) are spatially separated and / or independent of the operating element (102).

4) Control unit (101) according to one of claims 2 to 3, wherein the one or more sensors (104) comprise

- A camera which is set up to record image data relating to one or more users, in particular relating to a driver, of the vehicle (100) as sensor data;

- A microphone which is set up to record audio data relating to a conversation from one or more users of the vehicle (100) as sensor data; and or - An environment sensor which is set up to record sensor data with regard to the environment, in particular with regard to a traffic situation, a weather condition and / or a light condition in the environment of the vehicle (100).

5) Control unit (101) according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the control unit (101) is set up on the basis of the sensor data of the one or more sensors (104)

- to determine as context information whether there is a driving situation of the vehicle (100) in which a certain operating option of the operating element (102) should be enabled and / or is useful or should be prevented; and or

- to determine a behavior pattern of a driver of the vehicle (100) as context information, the aim of which is to enable or disable a certain operating option of the operating element (102); and or

- To determine as context information a behavior pattern of another user of the vehicle (100) than the driver of the vehicle (100), which indicates an inadmissible and / or unintentional actuation of the control element (102) by the other user.

6) Control unit (101) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (101) is set up to provide an operating option for the

Enable or disable control elements (102) depending on the context information.

7) Control unit (101) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (101) is set up to output on an output element (105) of the operating element (102), in particular to display which one or more operating options the operating element (102) according to the adjustment having.

8) control unit (101) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein

- The operating element (102) comprises, in particular is, a mechanical operating element; and or

- The control element (102) comprises,

- A gear selection control element (210) for a transmission of the vehicle (100);

- a switch;

- a steering wheel lever;

- a rocker switch; and or

- one button.

9) control unit (101) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein

- The context information indicates an intention of a driver of the vehicle (100); and or

- indicates the context information, in particular indicates a probability of whether an actuation of the operating element (102) was intended and / or whether an actuation of the operating element (102) is an incorrect operation.

10) Control unit (101) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (101) is set up

- to determine for each of one or more operating options of the operating element (102) whether the respective operating option is consistent with the context information, in particular with an intention of a driver of the vehicle (100) indicated by the context information; and

- To enable only the zero, one or more operating options on the operating element (102) for which it is determined that they are consistent with the context information.

11) method (300) for controlling an operating element (102) of a vehicle (100); wherein the method (300) comprises - determining (301) context information in relation to a context in which an actuation of the operating element (102) takes place; and - adapting (302) at least one operating option of the

Operating elements (102) depending on the context information.