Method and Device For Driver Support

• US 20080204212A1
• Filed: 08/17/2005
• Published: 08/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Jordan, Ruediger, Schmitz, Carsten, Birnesser, Andreas Josef
• Application Number:
  US11/664,568
• Publication Number:
  US 20080204212A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/438
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/34 for indicating change of drive direction B60Q1/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/346 with automatic actuation
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/381 with several light sources activated in sequence, e.g. to create a sweep effect
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/52 for indicating emergencies

Abstract

In a method and a device for driver support, a directional indicator, e.g., the blinker of the vehicle, is actuated when there is a recognized lane change and a lane-change intention is present.

Claims

1-7. -7. (canceled)

8. A method for driver support, comprising:

determining at least one of (a) a change of lane and (b) an imminent change of lane of a vehicle; and

actuating a directional indicator of the vehicle for a change of lane intended by a driver.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the directional indicator includes a blinker of the vehicle.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the directional indicator is actuated in the actuating step on a side at which the change of lane is taking place.

11. The method according to claim 8, further comprising:

detecting an end of a lane change; and

deactivating the directional indicator when an end of the lane change is detected.

12. The method according to claim 8, wherein the directional indicator is actuated in the actuating step only if a change of lane is detected and a lane-change intention is present.

13. The method according to claim 8, wherein for an unintentional lane change, the directional indicator is not actuated, but the driver is warned.

14. The method according to claim 8, wherein the directional indicator is actuated in the actuating step only if the driver has not carried out an actuation of the directional indicator.

15. A device for driver support, comprising:

a processor unit configured to detect a change of lane of a vehicle, to determine a lane-change intention, and to actuate a directional indicator of the vehicle is actuated when there is a lane change that is intended by the driver.

16. The device according to claim 15, wherein the directional indicator includes a blinker.