Communication device and communication method for a vehicle

• US 9,640,076 B2
• Filed: 04/29/2013
• Issued: 05/02/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Hillenbrand, Stefan, Danz, Christian
• Primary Examiner(s): Lau, Hoi
• Application Number:
  US14/411,037
• Publication Number:
  US 20150339925A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,464 Days
• Field of Search: 340435, 340901, 340 41, 701 70, 348148, 348 E7085, 348 E509
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/506 specific to silent vehicles, e.g. for warning that a hybrid or electric vehicle is approaching
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 5/006 indicating risk of collision between vehicles or with pedestrians
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 5/008 for signaling silent vehicles, e.g. for warning that a hybrid or electric vehicle is approaching
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/008 for anti-collision purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8033 for pedestrian protection
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/166 for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes

Abstract

A communication device for a vehicle is described, having a recording apparatus for recording the surroundings of the vehicle and a signaling apparatus. Also included is a controller for controlling the signaling apparatus as a function of the recorded surroundings. The signaling apparatus sends a recording signal formed corresponding to the recorded surroundings, to the surroundings. Also described is a corresponding communication method, a corresponding computer program, a corresponding vehicle, and a corresponding communication system.

Claims

1. A communication device for a vehicle, comprising:

a recording device for recording surroundings of the vehicle;

a signaling apparatus; and

a controller for controlling the signaling apparatus as a function of the recorded surroundings, wherein the signaling apparatus sends a recording signal, developed corresponding to the recorded surroundings, to the surroundings;

wherein the signaling apparatus includes a camera that is situated in a swivelable manner, to swivel the camera as a function of the recorded surroundings, and upon a classification of a recorded object of the surroundings as a traffic participant, swivels the camera in a direction of the traffic participant,

wherein the camera forms at least one image of the traffic participant; and

wherein the image of the traffic participant is checked as to whether the traffic participant is looking in a direction of the camera.

2. The communication device as recited in claim 1, wherein the signaling apparatus includes an optical light transmitter for sending light having a wavelength between 380 nm and 780 nm, as a function of the recorded surroundings.

3. The communication device as recited in claim 1, wherein the signaling apparatus includes a sound transmitter for sending a sound selected corresponding to the recorded surroundings.

4. The communication device as recited in claim 1, wherein the signaling apparatus includes a radio wave transmitter for sending radio waves as a function of the recorded surroundings.

5. The communication device as recited in claim 1, wherein the signaling apparatus includes an intervention apparatus for intervening in a vehicle guidance, as a function of the recorded surroundings.

6. A communication method for a vehicle, comprising:

recording, by a recording apparatus, surroundings of the vehicle;

controlling, by a controller, a signaling apparatus as a function of the recorded surroundings, so that the signaling apparatus sends a recording signal, that is formed corresponding to the recorded surroundings, to the surroundings, wherein the signaling apparatus includes a camera that is situated in a swivelable manner, to swivel the camera as a function of the recorded surroundings, and upon a classification of a recorded object of the surroundings as a traffic participant, swivels the camera in a direction of the traffic participant;

forming, by the camera, at least one image of the traffic participant; and

checking the image of the traffic participant as to whether the traffic participant is looking in a direction of the camera.

7. A non-transitory computer readable medium having a computer program, which is executable by a processor, comprising:

a program code arrangement having program code for providing communication, by performing the following;

recording, by a recording apparatus, surroundings of the vehicle; and

controlling, by a controller, a signaling apparatus as a function of the recorded surroundings, so that the signaling apparatus sends a recording signal, that is formed corresponding to the recorded surroundings, to the surroundings, wherein the signaling apparatus includes a camera that is situated in a swivelable manner, to swivel the camera as a function of the recorded surroundings, and upon a classification of a recorded object of the surroundings as a traffic participant, swivels the camera in a direction of the traffic participant;

forming, by the camera, at least one image of the traffic participant; and

checking the image of the traffic participant as to whether the traffic participant is looking in a direction of the camera.

8. A vehicle, comprising:

a communication device, including;

a recording device for recording surroundings of the vehicle;

a signaling apparatus; and

a controller for controlling the signaling apparatus as a function of the recorded surroundings, wherein the signaling apparatus sends a recording signal, developed corresponding to the recorded surroundings, to the surroundings;

wherein the signaling apparatus includes a camera that is situated in a swivelable manner, to swivel the camera as a function of the recorded surroundings, and upon a classification of a recorded object of the surroundings as a traffic participant, swivels the camera in a direction of the traffic participant,

wherein the camera forms at least one image of the traffic participant; and

wherein the image of the traffic participant is checked as to whether the traffic participant is looking in a direction of the camera.

9. A communication system, comprising:

a communication device, including;

a recording device for recording surroundings of a vehicle;

a signaling apparatus; and

a controller for controlling the signaling apparatus as a function of the recorded surroundings, wherein the signaling apparatus sends a recording signal, developed corresponding to the recorded surroundings, to the surroundings, wherein the communication system receives the recording signal sent;

wherein the signaling apparatus includes a camera that is situated in a swivelable manner, to swivel the camera as a function of the recorded surroundings, and upon a classification of a recorded object of the surroundings as a traffic participant, swivels the camera in a direction of the traffic participant,

wherein the camera forms at least one image of the traffic participant; and

wherein the image of the traffic participant is checked as to whether the traffic participant is looking in a direction of the camera.

10. A communication device for a vehicle, comprising:

a recording device for recording surroundings of the vehicle;

a signaling apparatus; and

a controller for controlling the signaling apparatus as a function of the recorded surroundings, wherein the signaling apparatus sends a recording signal, developed corresponding to the recorded surroundings, to the surroundings;

wherein a recording signal includes information as to objects or persons in the surroundings which are recorded in the surroundings, and wherein a recording signal includes information that the objects and the persons in the surroundings have not been recorded, and

wherein the signaling apparatus includes a camera that is situated in a swivelable manner, to swivel the camera as a function of the recorded surroundings,

wherein at least one image of the traffic participant is formed by the camera, and

wherein the image of the traffic participant is checked as to whether the traffic participant is looking in a direction of the camera.

11. The communication device as recited in claim 10, wherein the signaling apparatus includes an optical light transmitter for sending light having a wavelength between 380 nm and 780 nm, as a function of the recorded surroundings.

12. The communication device as recited in claim 10, wherein the signaling apparatus includes a sound transmitter for sending a sound selected corresponding to the recorded surroundings.

13. The communication device as recited in claim 10, wherein the signaling apparatus includes a radio wave transmitter for sending radio waves as a function of the recorded surroundings.

14. The communication device as recited in claim 10, wherein the signaling apparatus includes an intervention apparatus for intervening in a vehicle guidance, as a function of the recorded surroundings.

15. A communication method for a vehicle, comprising:

recording, by a recording apparatus, surroundings of the vehicle;

controlling, by a controller, a signaling apparatus as a function of the recorded surroundings, so that the signaling apparatus sends a recording signal, that is formed corresponding to the recorded surroundings, to the surroundings;

forming, by the camera, at least one image of the traffic participant; and

checking the image of the traffic participant as to whether the traffic participant is looking in a direction of the camera;

wherein a recording signal includes information as to objects or persons in the surroundings which are recorded in the surroundings, and wherein a recording signal includes information that the objects and the persons in the surroundings have not been recorded, and

wherein the signaling apparatus includes a camera that is situated in a swivelable manner, and upon a classification of a recorded object of the surroundings as a traffic participant, swivels the camera in a direction of the traffic participant.

16. The communication method as recited in claim 15, wherein the signaling apparatus includes an optical light transmitter for sending light having a wavelength between 380 nm and 780 nm, as a function of the recorded surroundings.

17. The communication method as recited in claim 15, wherein the signaling apparatus includes a sound transmitter for sending a sound selected corresponding to the recorded surroundings.

18. The communication method as recited in claim 15, wherein the signaling apparatus includes a radio wave transmitter for sending radio waves as a function of the recorded surroundings.

19. The communication method as recited in claim 15, wherein the signaling apparatus includes an intervention apparatus for intervening in a vehicle guidance, as a function of the recorded surroundings.