Method for integrated representation of the parameters of a distance control device

• US 6,497,297 B1
• Filed: 04/13/2001
• Issued: 12/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Volkswagen AG
• Original Assignee: Volkswagen AG
• Inventors: Ebert, Holger, Heimermann, Matthias, Boeckmann, Ingo
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Brian L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FISCHMANN, BRYAN R
• Application Number:
  US09/807,493
• Time in Patent Office: 620 Days
• Field of Search: 180/170, 180/171, 180/167, 180/168, 180/169, 701/93, 701/96, 701/116, 701/117, 701/118, 701/119, 340/901, 340/902, 340/903, 342/357.01, 342/357.08
• US Class Current: 180/170
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/179 Distances to obstacles or vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/179 Distances to obstacles or vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/28 characterised by the type of the output information, e.g. video entertainment or vehicle dynamics information; characterised by the purpose of the output information, e.g. for attracting the attention of the driver
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 7/08 using a common indicating element for two or more variables

Abstract

A method for integrated representation of the parameters of an adaptive cruise control device includes the steps of: (a) alphanumerically representing a set, desired speed on a pictorial horizon of the display device; (b) pictographically representing a motor vehicle if a distance sensor group has detected a motor vehicle driving ahead; (c) alphanumerically representing a detected speed of the motor vehicle within the pictographic representation and in accordance with the representing step (b) if the detected speed is less than the set, desired speed; and (d) symbolically representing a traffic lane, a dynamic bar being displayed in the traffic lane, a length of the dynamic bar symbolizing the position relative to the motor vehicle.

Claims

1. A method for displaying parameters of an adaptive cruise control device, the cruise control device including a display device, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) alphanumerically representing a set, desired speed on a pictorial horizon of the display device;

(b) pictographically representing a motor vehicle if a distance sensor has detected a motor vehicle driving ahead;

(c) alphanumerically representing a detected speed of the motor vehicle within the pictographic representation and in accordance with the representing step (b) if the detected speed is less than the set, desired speed; and

(d) symbolically representing a traffic lane, a dynamic bar being displayed in the traffic lane, a length of the dynamic bar symbolizing the position relative to the motor vehicle.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the symbolic representation of the traffic lane relative to the detected motor vehicle inside of an adjustable trailing-distance range is subdivided into segments and wherein a set trailing distance is graphically displayed relative to the motor vehicle.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein each of the displayed parameters is distinguishable by color.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the motor vehicle is highlighted in color.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the motor vehicle is highlighted graphically.

6. A method for displaying parameters of a combined distance and speed control system, comprising the steps of:

alphanumerically representing a set, desired speed on a pictoral horizon of a display;

pictographically representing a vehicle if a sensor system of an adaptive cruise control device has detected a vehicle driving ahead; and

symbolically representing a traffic lane having a dynamic bar indicating a position relative to the vehicle driving ahead.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein a length of the dynamic bar indicates the position relative to the vehicle driving ahead.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the pictographically representing step includes the substep of representing a speed of the detected vehicle driving ahead within the pictographic representation of the detected vehicle driving ahead.

9. The method according to claim 6, wherein the symbolically representing step includes the substeps of symbolically representing the traffic lane in a distance-control display in front of the pictographic representation of the detected vehicle driving ahead and subdividing the symbolic representation of the traffic lane into segments inside an adjustable range for a trailing distance.

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the steps of highlighting a currently set trailing distance one of graphically and in color.

11. The method according to claim 6, further comprising the step of setting off individual, displayed parameters from one another using color.

12. The method according to claim 6, further comprising the steps of highlighting the detected vehicle driving ahead at least one of in color and graphically.

13. A device for representing parameters of a combined distance and speed control system, comprising:

an alphanumeric representation of a set, desired speed on a pictoral horizon of a display;

a pictographic representation of a vehicle in accordance with a detection of a vehicle driving ahead by a sensor system of an adaptive cruise control deviced; and

a symbolic representation of a traffic lane and a dynamic bar inside the traffic lane, the dynamic bar configured to indicate a position relative to the vehicle driving ahead.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein the dynamic bar includes a length configured to indicate the position relative to the vehicle driving ahead.

15. A device according to claim 13, wherein the photographic representation includes a representation of a speed of the detected vehicle driving ahead inside the pictographic representation of the detected vehicle driving ahead.

16. The device according to claim 13, wherein, in a distance-control display, the symbolic representation of the traffic lane is in front of the pictographic representation of a detected vehicle and is subdivided into segments, inside an adjustable range for the trailing distance.

17. The device according to claim 16, wherein the symbolic representation of the traffic lane includes a currently set trailing distance highlighted one of graphically and in color.

18. The device according to claim 13, wherein individual, displayed parameters are set off from one another by color.

19. The device according to claim 13, wherein the pictographic representation of the detected veicle driving ahead is highlighted at least one of in color and graphically.

20. A device for representing parameters of a combined distance and speed control system, comprising:

a display configured to alphanumerically represent a set, desired speed on a pictoral horizon, configured to pictographically represent a vehicle in accordance with a detection of a vehicle driving ahead by a sensor system of an adaptive cruise control device, and to symbolically represent a traffic lane and a dynamic bar inside the traffic lane, the dynamic bar configured to indicate a position relative to the vehicle driving ahead.

21. The device according to claim 20, wherein a length of the dynamic bar is configured to indicate the position relative to the vehicle driving ahead.

22. The device according to claim 20, wherein the display is configured to represent a speed of the detected vehicle driving ahead inside the pictographic representation of the detected vehicle driving ahead.

23. The device according to claim 20, wherein the display is configured to symbolically represent the traffic lane in front of the pictographic representation of the detected vehicle driving ahead and to subdivide the symbolic representation of the traffic lane inside an adjustable range for a trailing distance.

24. The device according to claim 23, wherein the display device is configured to highlight one of graphically or in color a currently set trailing distance in the symbolic representation of the traffic lane.

25. The device according to claim 20, wherein the display device is configured to set off individual, displayed parameters from one another with color.

26. The device according to claim 20, wherein the display device is configured to highlight the pictographic representation of the detected vehicle driving ahead at least one of in color and graphically.