DE102021115878A1 - Method for operating a motor vehicle, software and motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle (10) with at least one assistance system (18), with the assistance system (18) determining at least one travel parameter, in particular with regard to the state of motion of the motor vehicle (10) and/or the route, and with the assistance system (18) determines at least one driver parameter, in particular relating to the behavior and/or state of the driver (17) of the motor vehicle (10). It is characterized in that the driving mode of the motor vehicle (10) and/or its driving parameters are influenced and/or preselected and/or set by the assistance system (18) using predefined values of the at least one driving parameter and/or the at least one driver parameter . Software for implementation and a corresponding motor vehicle (10) are also described.

Description

The invention relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle with at least one assistance system according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to software according to the preamble of claim 14. Finally, the invention relates to a motor vehicle with an assistance system according to the preamble of claim 15.

The operation and control of motor vehicles, such as in particular passenger cars (cars), trucks (trucks) or motorcycles, by a driver usually takes place via different control elements such as steering wheels, levers, pedals and switches. In particular, the individual driving functions are operated in this way.

Electronic assistance systems are used to make it easier to operate motor vehicles and also to make them safer. Such assistance systems are used to support the driver, for example during parking maneuvers, as a lane departure warning system or to defuse acute dangerous situations, for example by preparing or initiating braking maneuvers.

A particular disadvantage is that the individual motor vehicle functions are still operated using the same traditional operating elements. A large number of known operating elements, such as in particular those already mentioned above, are required. These are error-prone and costly.

It is an object of the invention to simplify the operation and control of motor vehicles. In particular, the number of controls should be reduced or individual controls should be dispensed with.

This object is achieved by a method with the measures of claim 1. The method is used to operate a motor vehicle with at least one assistance system. The assistance system serves in particular to relieve and/or support the driver. At least one travel parameter is determined by the assistance system, in particular with regard to the state of motion of the motor vehicle and/or the route. At least one driver parameter is also determined by the assistance system, in particular with regard to the behavior and/or state of the driver of the motor vehicle. The method is characterized in that the driving mode of the motor vehicle and/or its driving parameters are influenced and/or preselected and/or set by the assistance system using predefined values of the at least one driving parameter and/or the at least one driver parameter. In this way, control can be carried out by the assistance system instead of by the driver. Corresponding operating elements for the vehicle functions can then be omitted if necessary. In particular, properties of the vehicle, the environment, the route and the traffic are summarized as travel parameters. Characteristics of the driver are referred to as driver parameters, such as in particular his behavior, his attentiveness and any operating steps on the operating elements of the motor vehicle.

The direction of movement of the motor vehicle is preferably selected and/or preselected by the assistance system. This means that the driving direction of the motor vehicle can be selected by the assistance system. This takes place in particular automatically, ie preferably without explicit intervention by the driver. The driver can thus be relieved, since a separate selection is not required.

In particular, a selection and/or pre-selection of a driving stage and/or driving direction is carried out. In particular, the driving stage can be selected from parking, idling, forward and/or reverse direction. In this case, a selection is preferably made from one of the driving stages P (Parking), N (Neutral), D (Drive) and R (Rearward). The latter are common designations. The driving levels typically correspond to the essential states of the motor vehicle. The assistance system preferably makes the selection or at least a preselection. This takes place in particular automatically, ie preferably without explicit intervention by the driver. The driver can thus be relieved, since a separate selection is not required. In the case of a preselection by the assistance system, the driver can confirm the preselection.

A speed or a speed range is preferably selected and/or pre-selected. The decision can thus be made easier for the driver, preferably removed, based on the criteria of the assistance system. More preferably, a gear selection is made in an existing transmission, preferably an automatic transmission. On the one hand, this also allows the direction of movement to be selected. In particular, however, this serves to select the translation and thus a speed range.

Gestures and/or speech or speech data of the driver can preferably be evaluated. This is done in particular by the assistance system. In this way, a selection and/or control can preferably be made of the driving mode or a selection and/or pre-selection of the operating parameters of the vehicle.

A selection and/or pre-selection of a positive and/or negative acceleration or an acceleration range is preferably carried out. In this way, the driving characteristics of the vehicle can preferably be set to match driver parameters and driving parameters.

Objects in the area surrounding the motor vehicle are preferably recognized as driving parameters. This is done in particular by means of at least one camera and/or at least one sensor, such as in particular at least one distance sensor. This allows the environment to be recorded. The assistance system can thus react to environmental influences.

• - der Aufmerksamkeitszustand des Fahrers,
• - die Blickrichtung des Fahrers,
• - Bedienung von Bedienelementen und Pedalen durch einer Person, insbesondere durch den Fahrer,
• - der Lenkeinschlag der Lenkvorrichtung, insbesondere eines Lenkrads und/oder Steuerknüppels,
• - die Bedienung eines Navigationsgerätes beziehungsweise Navigationssystems, insbesondere die Route und/oder das eingestellte Ziel,
• - das allgemeine Fahrverhalten des Fahrers, wie beispielsweise abruptes Bremsen und/oder schnelle Spurwechsel.

One or more of the following driver parameters can preferably be evaluated:

• - the level of alertness of the driver,
• - the line of sight of the driver,
• - Operation of controls and pedals by one person, in particular by the driver,
• - the steering angle of the steering device, in particular a steering wheel and/or joystick,
• - the operation of a navigation device or navigation system, in particular the route and/or the set destination,
• - the general driving behavior of the driver, such as sudden braking and/or rapid lane changes.

Various aspects of the behavior of the driver can thus be taken into account. In this way, the assistance system can make a well-founded decision about the driving operation of the motor vehicle.

• - der Einschaltzustand des Fahrzeugs und/oder des Motors,
• - das Verhalten anderer Verkehrsteilnehmer,
• - der Zustand der Strecke und/oder einzelner Straßenabschnitte und/oder der Route,
• - der aktuelle und/oder der prognostizierte Verkehrsfluss, beispielsweise aufgrund empfangener Verkehrsdaten.

More preferably, one or more of the following travel parameters can be evaluated:

• - the status of the vehicle and/or engine on,
• - the behavior of other road users,
• - the condition of the route and/or individual road sections and/or the route,
• - The current and/or the predicted traffic flow, for example based on received traffic data.

Various aspects of the condition of the motor vehicle and its surroundings can thus be taken into account. In this way, the assistance system can make a well-founded decision about the driving operation of the motor vehicle.

In particular, the interior of the motor vehicle, in particular the driver of the motor vehicle, is monitored and/or observed. This is preferably done using at least one device for observation and/or monitoring, in particular at least one sensor and/or a camera. This enables monitoring of the interior. In this way, in particular, the behavior and/or state of the driver is recorded.

Decisions by the assistance system with regard to the driving mode of the motor vehicle are preferably made on the basis of monitoring and/or observing the behavior of the driver. The assistance system can thus be enabled to make decisions based on the behavior and/or condition of the driver.

In particular, a manual gear selection and/or a selection of a speed range and/or a gear by the driver are/is made possible. This can be done in particular using a switching element and/or operating element and/or using a touch-sensitive screen and/or using gesture control. This allows the driver to make the appropriate settings manually.

A possibility for the driver to override the assistance system is preferably provided. The assistance system or its selection and/or preselection can preferably be overridden by the driver operating at least one operating element of the motor vehicle. In this way, in particular from the driver's point of view, decisions made by the assistance system that do not make sense or are incorrect can be changed.

The object described at the outset is also achieved by software with the features of claim 14. The software is used in particular to implement a method according to the above descriptions. This is intended in particular for execution on a control system, in particular an assistance system, of a motor vehicle.

The object described at the outset is also achieved by a motor vehicle having the features of claim 15. The motor vehicle is equipped with at least one control system and/or assistance system for executing a method according to the above descriptions and/or is suitable for executing software according to the above descriptions. The motor vehicle is preferably equipped with at least one steering system and at least one drive system, with at least one control transmitter, in particular steering transmitter, and/or at least one acceleration transmitter and/or at least one brake transmitter being provided for the driver to control vehicle functions.

• 1 eine Seitenansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Kraftfahrzeugs.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is described in more detail with reference to the drawing. In this shows:

• 1 a side view of a motor vehicle according to the invention.

In the 1 a side view of a motor vehicle 10 according to the invention is outlined.

The motor vehicle 10 shown here is a passenger car. This accordingly has two axles, each with two wheels 11 and a body 12 , for example here.

For the sake of simplicity, only one driver's seat 13 is shown here. The motor vehicle 10 has a steering wheel 14, a touch-sensitive screen 15 and a pedal 16 as operating elements. A person as driver 17 can control and operate motor vehicle 10, in particular, of course, with the control elements shown. Accordingly, the driver 17 sits on the driver's seat 13.

Furthermore, the motor vehicle 10 has an assistance system 18 . The assistance system 18 is shown here as part of a control unit 19 built into the vehicle. In principle, however, it can also be separate. The assistance system 18 or the control unit 19 can be designed in the form of one or more control devices or alternatively as a central computer.

In addition, the motor vehicle 10 has a number of different sensors. An interior camera 20 is provided here for observing the interior of motor vehicle 10 . Of course, several cameras can also be provided. These can be of the same or different camera types. Further or other sensors monitoring the driver and/or the interior can be provided, such as temperature sensors, pressure sensors, electromagnetic sensors, touch sensors or the like.

Appropriate sensors are provided in the present case for monitoring the surroundings of motor vehicle 10 . Here, an environment sensor 21 is arranged on the front of motor vehicle 10 and another environment sensor 22 is arranged on the rear of motor vehicle 10 . This can be, for example, radar sensors, lidar sensors, cameras or other suitable sensor types. Here, environment sensors 21 and 22 monitor, for example, the distance from vehicles driving ahead or behind, other road users or objects. Pedestrians and other obstacles can also be detected as a result. It is also possible for several of the sensors to be distributed around the vehicle in order to be able to capture the environment of the vehicle in an adequate manner, preferably as completely as possible.

Assistance system 18 is designed to take over individual functions of motor vehicle 10 . According to the invention, this is in particular the selection of the gear. This means that the assistance system 18 can assume the function of a corresponding selector lever for the gear. If necessary, it can replace this.

The basic functions idling (Neutral N), driving forward (Drive D) and driving backwards (Rear R) should be mentioned in particular as driving stages of the vehicle 10 . In addition, the parking level (Parking P) can also be included. The assistance system 18 can select between all or some of these driving stages.

According to the invention, the assistance system 18 can be designed in such a way that it selects the appropriate driving position of the motor vehicle 10 depending on the situation.

Various pieces of information that are recorded by motor vehicle 10 can be used for this purpose. The environmental sensors 21 and 22 in particular come into consideration for the detection. These are used to capture the surroundings of vehicle 10 . These include, for example, other road users, obstacles or possibly also traffic management measures such as traffic signs or the like. For example, distance sensors or also cameras or camera systems can be used as environmental sensors 21 or 22 . In this way, different information can be recorded. The corresponding information about the environment can then be obtained from the assistance system Evaluate item 18. Because of this, the speed steps can then be suitably adjusted.

The motor vehicle 10 can have a positioning system 23 in particular for determining the position. This positioning system 23 is, for example, a conventional GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver. This can be used to determine a position based on corresponding satellite data. If necessary, such data can be improved, for example, by cell phone data or other positioning data. The data from the positioning system 23 can then be used for a navigation system 24, for example. Such a navigation system 24 in motor vehicle 10 is used, for example, to plan a route. Accordingly, the driver 17 can enter the destination so as to obtain guidance of the optimal route.

An interior sensor in the form of interior camera 20 is arranged in the interior of the vehicle. The condition of the driver 17 can be monitored with this camera 20 and/or, if necessary, further sensors. This means that, for example, the state of alertness and also the line of sight of the driver 17 can be determined. For example, if the driver 17 looks back over his shoulder, the assistance system 18 can decide, for example, that the reverse gear is engaged. If the driver is currently inattentive, a braking maneuver can be prepared here, for example.

However, the information about the driver 17 is typically used in order to be able to set the driving mode of the vehicle 10 accordingly before driving off. Accordingly, when the vehicle is at a standstill, it is possible to switch between forward and reverse gears or even the neutral position and possibly the park position.

For example, when the driver 17 releases the brake, the vehicle can decide which driving position is to be engaged. This can be assessed in particular based on the behavior of the driver and/or based on the surroundings of motor vehicle 10 . The assistance system 18 can determine, for example, in which direction the driver 17 is looking. Information can also be found here if necessary by looking in the rear-view mirror of the vehicle. If this is the case, a decision for a reverse gear should be more likely than for a forward drive.

In addition, gestures and/or voice data can also be used, for example. Any spoken comments and/or instructions from the driver 17 can be evaluated by the assistance system 18 . Based on this, the assistance system 18 can make its selection or preselection.

The data surrounding the motor vehicle 10 can also serve as additional information in this context. If the motor vehicle 10 is standing in front of a wall, for example, while the rear space is free, the probability that the driver 17 would like to reverse is relatively high. In this case, the assistance system 18 can decide that the reverse gear is engaged. This can be determined, for example, by the data from environmental sensors 21 and 22 or other sources of information, such as navigation system 24 . The data from the positioning system 23 can also be used for this.

A decision can also be made by the assistance system 18 on the basis of the position data of the motor vehicle 10, which are determined in particular by means of the positioning system 23 or the navigation system 24. The driving mode can then be set based on the positions of the planned route and the corresponding environmental sensors 21, 22.

As soon as the driver 17 has actuated a pedal 16 or a similar sensor to accelerate the motor vehicle, the set driving stage is maintained. In this way, the driver 17 is saved from manually selecting the levels. It is no longer necessary for the driver 17 to actuate a corresponding selector lever for the gears.

Since the assistance system 18 is also designed in particular to provide information at any time as the journey progresses with regard to possible obstacles or similar problems. In this way, the driver 17 can also be informed of such difficulties and, if necessary, react. The proposed assistance system or other assistance systems can then also contain brake assistants or the like, for example. As soon as a driving level is set, the vehicle has started to move as a result of a pedal actuation by the driver 17, the driving level is not easily changed by the assistance system 18. This would otherwise lead to difficulties in driving. The selection of the gear is accordingly primarily based on the standstill of the motor vehicle 10.

In addition, the assistance system 18 can also be designed to select or set not only the driving level as such, but also the speed or acceleration of the vehicle.

For example, it can be determined during the journey whether the driver is preparing for an overtaking maneuver on the freeway or other roads. In this case, he will, for example, look around and check the rear-view mirror. As soon as the vehicle recognizes this and possibly also includes other information, such as in particular steering movements or the like, a corresponding torque preselection or a speed form or form of acceleration can take place. For this purpose, power reserves can be mobilized or, in the case of an existing transmission, downshifts can take place. In this way, a speedy overtaking maneuver can be promoted.

Conversely, a correspondingly low, slow acceleration can of course be preselected in the case of a maneuver into or out of a parking space. In this way, jerky or too fast movements are avoided. The accident risk is reduced.

If environmental sensors 21, 22, navigation system 24 or external data sources detect difficulties on the planned route of vehicle 10, assistance system 18 can also intervene. Acceleration values can thus also be set, in particular reduced, in this case. In this way, the driver 17 is relieved overall when driving.

As a result, parameters such as the switched-on state of the engine or the state of the ignition can of course serve as basic data for the evaluation of the assistance system 18 . In particular in the case of an electric vehicle, this can of course be the switched-on state of the motor vehicle 10 as a whole. On the basis of this, the decision to start driving can then be made at all.

The further decision-making bases can then be, in particular, the driving speed. Depending on this, different decisions can be made with regard to the parameters of the driving operation.

Operating the navigation system or taking into account the set destination is also an important criterion. In this way, the route planning and any traffic obstacles can be included in the control of the assistance system 18 .

With the help of the driver's state of alertness and the direction in which he is looking, information about the gear to be selected and, in particular, about the direction of travel can be obtained. Additional information, such as objects around the vehicle, can also be taken into account in both static and moving form. The actuation of control elements, such as the indicators or pedals, such as the brake or the gas pedal, can also be taken into account. The steering angle is also an important criterion for determining the further course of the journey.

The behavior of the driver, such as changing lanes or abrupt braking, can be characterized and evaluated as general driving behavior. Acceleration values etc. can then be preselected on the basis of this. In this context, the behavior of other road users can also be included. These can be taken into account, for example, by the behavior of other vehicles or by people in the traffic area.

As a result, the assistance system 18 is used to set the basic driving level and also preferably to set acceleration values, speed levels and other values. In this way, the result is achieved in particular in that it is not necessary to actuate a corresponding gear preselector or a gear selector lever.

In addition, the motor vehicle 10 can be equipped with a manual selector lever for the driving position. However, since this is to be saved if necessary, a virtual representation of the gear selector lever can preferably be provided instead. For this purpose, for example, corresponding symbols can be provided on a screen, in particular a touch-sensitive screen or touch screen. In this way, the driver 17 can carry out a corresponding manual gear selection or a gear selection. Confirmations of a pre-selection by the assistance system 18 are also possible in this way. Of course, the controls described here can also be performed using voice input and/or gesture control.

In particular, it is possible for the driver to be able to override assistance system 18 for safety reasons alone. This means that a gear selection or a gear selection can be made by the driver using a corresponding operating element. This may also deviate from that provided by the assistant system 18 carried out area code. In this way, the driver 17 still has full control over the vehicle, for example in the case when the assistance system 18 may have made a decision that the driver believes to be incorrect. It can be operated, for example, via a manual lever or operating element or via a virtual representation.

Reference List

10

motor vehicle

11

wheel

12

body

13

driver's seat

14

steering wheel

15

Screen

16

pedal

17

driver

18

assistance system

19

control unit

20

interior camera

21

environmental sensor

22

environmental sensor

23

tracking system

24

navigation system

Claims (15)

Method for operating a motor vehicle (10) with at least one assistance system (18), the assistance system (18) determining at least one travel parameter, in particular relating to the state of motion of the motor vehicle (10) and/or the route, and the assistance system (18 ) at least one driver parameter is determined, in particular for the behavior and/or state of the driver (17) of the motor vehicle (10), characterized in that the assistance system (18) uses predefined values of the at least one travel parameter and/or the at least one driver parameter to determine the Driving mode of the motor vehicle (10) and/or its driving parameters are influenced and/or preselected and/or set. procedure after claim 1 , characterized in that the direction of movement of the motor vehicle (10) is selected and/or preselected by the assistance system (18). procedure after claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that a selection and/or pre-selection of a gear and/or direction of travel is made, such as in particular selected from parking, idling, forward and reverse direction, with preferably a selection from one of the gears P (parking), N (neutral) , D (Drive) and R (Rearward) is made. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a speed or a speed range is selected and/or pre-selected, with a gear selection preferably being carried out in the case of an existing transmission, preferably an automatic transmission. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that gestures and/or speech or speech data of the driver (17) are evaluated, in particular by the assistance system (18), preferably for selecting and/or controlling the driving mode. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a selection and/or pre-selection of a positive and/or negative acceleration or an acceleration range is carried out. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that objects in the vicinity of the motor vehicle (10) are recognized as driving parameters, in particular by means of at least one camera and/or at least one sensor, such as in particular at least one distance sensor. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one or more of the following driver parameters are evaluated: - the alertness of the driver (17), - the viewing direction of the driver (17), - operation of operating elements and pedals (16) by a person , in particular by the driver (17), - the steering angle of the steering device, - the operation of a navigation system (24), in particular the route and/or the set destination, - the general driving behavior of the driver (17), such as abrupt braking and/or or quick lane changes. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one or more of the following travel parameters are output are evaluated: - the switched-on state of the vehicle (10) and/or the engine, - the behavior of other road users, - the state of the route and/or individual road sections and/or the route, - the current and/or the predicted traffic flow, for example due to received traffic data. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the interior of the motor vehicle (10), in particular the driver (17) of the motor vehicle (10), is monitored and/or observed, preferably by means of at least one device for observation and/or monitoring, in particular at least one sensor and/or one camera. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the assistance system (18) makes decisions in relation to the driving mode of the motor vehicle (10) and/or based on monitoring and/or observing the behavior of the driver (17). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that manual gear selection and/or selection of a speed range and/or a gear by the driver (17) is made possible, in particular by means of a switching element and/or operating element and/or a touch-sensitive screen (15 ) and/or by gesture control. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the assistance system (18) can be overridden by the driver (17), the assistance system (18) preferably being activated by the driver (17) operating at least one operating element of the motor vehicle (10). is overdriven. Software for implementing a method according to one of the preceding claims, in particular for execution on a control system, in particular an assistance system, of a motor vehicle (10). Motor vehicle with at least one control system and/or assistance system for executing a method according to one of the preceding claims and/or for executing software according to the preceding claim, with preferably at least one steering system and at least one drive system being provided, with preferably at least one control transmitter, in particular steering transmitter , and/or at least one acceleration sensor and/or at least one brake sensor for controlling vehicle functions by a driver (17) are/is provided.

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