Method and system for assessment of driver behaviour during driving of vehicles

• US 9,327,735 B2
• Filed: 03/21/2013
• Issued: 05/03/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Scania CV AB (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: Scania CV AB (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Bredberg, Linus, Andersson, Jonny
• Primary Examiner(s): Figueroa, Jaime
• Application Number:
  US14/384,177
• Publication Number:
  US 20150051790A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,139 Days
• Field of Search: 701/33.4
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2210/32 Vehicle surroundings
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2210/36 Global Positioning System [GPS]
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2220/02 Driver type; Driving style; Driver adaptive features
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2420/403 Image sensing, e.g. optical camera
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/12 Brake pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2552/00 Input parameters relating to infrastructure
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2552/05 Type of road, e.g. motorways, local streets, paved or unpaved roads
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2552/40 Coefficient of friction
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2554/00 Input parameters relating to objects
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2554/4026 Cycles
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2554/4029 Pedestrians
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2554/4046 Behavior, e.g. aggressive or erratic
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2555/20 Ambient conditions, e.g. wind or rain
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/50 of positioning data, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System] data
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/09 Driving style or behaviour
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0808 Diagnosing performance data testing of vehicles G01M17/00; testing of electrical installation on vehicles G01R31/005
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/085 using electronic data carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/052 characterised by provision for recording or measuring trainee's performance devices for psychotechnics, e.g. for vehicle drivers A61B5/16, A61B5/18

Abstract

A method for assessment of driver behavior during driving by continuously characterizing (S1) the driver'"'"'s braking processes by determining (S2) the cause of a chosen braking process such as a camera view, map and location data, evasive maneuvers, ambient conditions, road conditions, and assessing (S3) whether the chosen braking process is the appropriate response. Also a system for assessment of driver behavior during driving, a motor vehicle with the system and a computer program for performing the process.

Claims

1. A method for assessment of driver behavior during driving of a vehicle, the method being performed by an electronic control unit and comprising the steps of:

continuously characterising a driver'"'"'s chosen braking processes as a basis for said assessment based on first data from at least one first sensor recording the chosen braking processes;

determining a cause of a chosen braking process based on at least one of second data from at least one second sensor, the second data being sensed during the chosen braking process, and on third data recorded prior to the chosen braking process; and

assessing whether the chosen braking process is an appropriate response to the cause determined,

the chosen braking process being characterised based on whether, and to what extent, auxiliary brakes, service brakes and engine brakes of the vehicle were used during the chosen braking process, the assessment of whether the chosen braking process is the appropriate response being based on the effect of the chosen braking process on fuel consumption and traffic safety.

2. The method according to claim 1, in which the step of determination of the cause involves the use of camera means.

3. The method according to claim 1, in which the step of determination of the cause involves the use of map data and vehicle location determination means.

4. The method according to claim 1, in which the step of determination of the cause involves using means for recording of evasive maneuvers of the vehicle.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of continuously determining driving conditions in which the vehicle is driven and taking the driving conditions into account in the assessment.

6. The method according to claim 1, in which the step of determination of the cause involves the use of means for determining road state characteristics.

7. A system for assessment of driver behavior during driving of a vehicle, comprising

means for continuously characterising the driver'"'"'s chosen braking processes as a basis for the assessment,

means for determining a cause of a chosen braking process, and

means for assessing whether the chosen braking process is an appropriate response to the cause determined,

the chosen braking process being performed by at least one of:

auxiliary brakes, service brakes and engine brakes of the vehicle, the assessment of whether the chosen braking process is the appropriate response being based on the effect of the chosen braking process on fuel consumption and traffic safety.

8. The system according to claim 7, in which the means for determination of the cause comprise camera means.

9. The system according to claim 7, in which the means for determination of the cause comprise a map information unit for supplying map data and comprise a vehicle location determination means.

10. The system according to claim 7, in which the means for determination of the cause comprise means for recording of evasive maneuvers.

11. The system according to claim 7, further comprising means for continuously determining conditions under which the vehicle is driven, and the conditions are taken into account in the assessment.

12. The system according to claim 7, in which the means for determination of the cause comprise means for determining road state characteristics.

13. A vehicle provided with the system according to claim 7.

14. A non-transitory computer-readable medium on which is recorded a computer program for assessment of driver behavior during driving of a vehicle, the program comprising program code which, when run by an electronic control unit or another computer connected to the electronic control unit, enables the electronic control unit to perform the steps of:

continuously characterising a driver'"'"'s chosen braking processes as a basis for said assessment based on first data from at least one first sensor recording the chosen braking processes;

determining a cause of a chosen braking process based on at least one of second data from at least one second sensor, the second data being sensed during the chosen braking process, and on third data recorded prior to the chosen braking process; and

assessing whether the chosen braking process is an appropriate response to the cause determined,

the chosen braking process being characterised based on whether, and to what extent, auxiliary brakes, service brakes, and engine brakes of the vehicle were used during the chosen braking process, the assessment of whether the chosen braking process is the appropriate response being based on the effect of the chosen braking process on fuel consumption and traffic safety.