Method for driver support

• US 8,290,665 B2
• Filed: 09/08/2005
• Issued: 10/16/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Placke, Lars, Biester, Lars
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nolan, Peter D
• Application Number:
  US11/666,329
• Publication Number:
  US 20080065293A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,595 Days
• Field of Search: 701/39, 701/41, 701/43, 701/44, 701/48, 701/71, 701/96, 701/300, 701/301, 180/271, 180/272, 340/436, 340/437
• US Class Current: 701/43
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 31/0008 including means for detecting potential obstacles in vehicle path
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2201/10 Automatic or semi-automatic parking aid systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/06 Automatic manoeuvring for parking
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/14 Means for informing the driver, warning the driver or prompting a driver intervention
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 15/025 Active steering aids, e.g. helping the driver by actively influencing the steering system after environment evaluation B62D1/28 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 15/027 Parking aids, e.g. instruction means

Abstract

A method for driver support in a vehicle in which a driver assistance system monitors a driving situation of the vehicle. Support takes place after a confirmation or after the absence of an abort instruction, a dialogue about the extent of support the driver wishes being conducted between the driver and the driver assistance system.

Claims

1. A method for providing driver support in a vehicle, the method comprising:

monitoring a driving situation of the vehicle using a driver assistance system;

allowing a driver of the vehicle to selectably choose a level of support from the driver assistance program, wherein the driver assistance program is configured to at least one of intervene and alert the driver of the driving situation;

evaluating the driving situation for determining a necessary driving action in relation to a plurality of driving parameters;

communicating the necessary driving action to the driver of the vehicle through a visual display, spoken communication, and haptic feedback;

ascertaining at least one of a confirmation and an abort instruction from at least one of a direct input by the driver and a control instruction of the driver for controlling the vehicle;

automatically carrying out the necessary driving action after the confirmation, in the absence of the abort instruction, or until one of the abort instruction and a correction instruction is input directly to the driver assistance system, wherein in predetermined driving situations, in which ignoring or aborting the automatically carried out necessary driving action is dangerous, the driving action is automatically started or continued despite input of the abort instruction;

assuming complete lateral control of the vehicle if the driver cedes control; and

storing limiting values for the driving situation in a memory unit;

wherein, when the abort instruction is input, a direction for evaluating the driving situation is adapted.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the event of an action of the driver, without a control unit having ascertained a necessary driving action by the driver, a direction for evaluating the driving situation is checked and, if needed, corrected.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein a condition of the driver is taken into account in the evaluation of the driving situation.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the driving situation is evaluated as a function of an identity of the driver.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein an alertness of the driver is taken into account in the evaluation of the driving situation.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method is used for one of parking the vehicle, executing a passing maneuver, and regulating a distance-controlled cruise control.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

ascertaining at least one of the confirmation and the abort instruction from at least one of a direct input by the driver and a control instruction of the driver for controlling the vehicle, wherein the driving situation is evaluated as a function of an identity of the driver, and wherein an alertness of the driver is taken into account in the evaluation of the driving situation.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein an alertness of the driver is taken into account in the evaluation of the driving situation, and wherein the evaluating of the driving situation of the vehicle includes its surroundings.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the driver may prompt the driver assistance system through conclusive acting to execute a corresponding action.

10. A device for providing driver support in a vehicle, comprising:

a monitoring arrangement to monitor a driving situation of the vehicle using a driver assistance system;

a selecting arrangement to allow a driver of the vehicle to selectably choose a level of support from the driver assistance system, wherein the driver assistance program is configured to at least one of intervene and alert the driver of the driving situation;

an evaluating arrangement to evaluate the driving situation for determining a necessary driving action in relation to a plurality of driving parameters;

a communicating arrangement to communicate the necessary driving action to the driver of the vehicle, and to visually display information to the driver, communicate verbally, or provide haptic feedback;

a control arrangement to automatically perform the necessary driving action after confirmation, in the absence of an abort instruction, or until one of the abort instruction and a correction instruction is input directly to the driver assistance program, the control arrangement assuming lateral control of the vehicle if the driver cedes control of the vehicle, wherein in predetermined driving situations, in which ignoring or aborting the automatically carried out driving action is dangerous, the necessary driving action is automatically started or continued despite input of the abort instruction; and

a memory unit for storing limiting values for each driving situation and for storing a profile containing preferences for each driver;

wherein, when the abort instruction is input, a direction for evaluating the driving situation is adapted.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the monitoring arrangement includes a plurality of distance sensors, wherein the control arrangement includes a parking aid program, and wherein the communicating arrangement includes at least one of a microphone for the driver to communicate with the driver assistance program, a speaker for communicating with the driver, and a display unit to display information to the driver.

12. The device according to claim 10, wherein the monitoring arrangement includes a plurality of speed sensors, wherein the control arrangement includes a parking aid program, and wherein the communicating arrangement includes at least one of a microphone for the driver to communicate with the driver assistance program, a speaker for communicating with the driver, and a display unit to display information to the driver.

13. A device for providing driver support in a vehicle, comprising:

a monitoring arrangement to monitor a driving situation of the vehicle using a driver assistance system;

a selecting arrangement to allow a driver of the vehicle to selectably choose a level of support from the driver assistance system, wherein the driver assistance program is configured to at least one of intervene and alert the driver of the driving situation;

an evaluating arrangement to evaluate the driving situation for determining a necessary driving action in relation to a plurality of driving parameters;

a communicating arrangement to communicate the necessary driving action to the driver of the vehicle, and to visually display information to the driver, communicate verbally, or provide haptic feedback;

a control arrangement to automatically perform the necessary driving action after confirmation, in the absence of an abort instruction, or until one of the abort instruction and a correction instruction is input directly to the driver assistance program, the control arrangement assuming lateral control of the vehicle if the driver cedes control of the vehicle, wherein in predetermined driving situations, in which ignoring or aborting the automatically carried out driving action is dangerous, the necessary driving action is automatically started or continued despite input of the abort instruction; and

a memory unit for storing limiting values for each driving situation and for storing a profile containing preferences for each driver;

an ascertaining arrangement to ascertain at least one of the confirmation and the abort instruction from at least one of a direct input by the driver and a control instruction of the driver for controlling the vehicle;

wherein;

the driving situation is evaluated as a function of an identity of the driver,

an alertness of the driver is taken into account in evaluating the driving situation,

a direction for evaluating the driving situation is adapted when the abort instruction is input,

for an action of the driver, without a control unit having ascertained a necessary driving action by the driver, the direction for evaluating the driving situation is checked and is corrected if necessary, and

a condition of the driver is taken into account in the evaluation of the driving situation.

14. A method for providing driver support in a vehicle, the method comprising:

monitoring a driving situation of the vehicle using a driver assistance system;

allowing a driver of the vehicle to selectably choose a level of support from the driver assistance program, wherein the driver assistance program is configured to at least one of intervene and alert the driver of the driving situation;

evaluating the driving situation for determining a necessary driving action in relation to a plurality of driving parameters;

communicating the necessary driving action to the driver of the vehicle through a visual display, spoken communication, and haptic feedback;

ascertaining at least one of a confirmation and an abort instruction from at least one of a direct input by the driver and a control instruction of the driver for controlling the vehicle;

automatically carrying out the necessary driving action after the confirmation, in the absence of the abort instruction, or until one of the abort instruction and a correction instruction is input directly to the driver assistance system, wherein in predetermined driving situations, in which ignoring or aborting the automatically carried out necessary driving action is dangerous, the driving action is automatically started or continued despite input of the abort instruction;

assuming complete lateral control of the vehicle if the driver cedes control; and

storing limiting values for the driving situation in a memory unit;

wherein;

a direction for evaluating the driving situation is adapted when the abort instruction is input,

for an action of the driver, without a control unit having ascertained a necessary driving action by the driver, the direction for evaluating the driving situation is checked and is, if needed, corrected, and

a condition of the driver is taken into account in the evaluation of the driving situation.

15. A method for providing driver support in a vehicle, the method comprising:

monitoring a driving situation of the vehicle using a driver assistance system;

allowing a driver of the vehicle to selectable choose a level of support from the driver assistance program, wherein the driver assistance program is configured to at least one of intervene and alert the driver of the driving situation;

evaluating the driving situation for determining a necessary driving action in relation to a plurality of driving parameters;

communicating the necessary driving action to the driver of the vehicle through a visual display, spoken communication, and haptic feedback;

ascertaining at least one of a confirmation and an abort instruction from at least one of a direct input by the driver and a control instruction of the driver for controlling the vehicle;

automatically carrying out the necessary driving action after the confirmation, in the absence of the abort instruction, or until one of the abort instruction and a correction instruction is input directly to the driver assistance system, wherein in predetermined driving situations, in which ignoring or aborting the automatically carried out necessary driving action is dangerous, the driving action is automatically started or continued despite input of the abort instruction;

assuming complete lateral control of the vehicle if the driver cedes control; and

storing limiting values for the driving situation in a memory unit;

ascertaining at least one of the confirmation and the abort instruction from at least one of a direct input by the driver and a control instruction of the driver for controlling the vehicle;

wherein;

the driving situation is evaluated as a function of an identity of the driver,

an alertness of the driver is taken into account in evaluating the driving situation,

a direction for evaluating the driving situation is adapted when the abort instruction is input,

for an action of the driver, without a control unit having ascertained a necessary driving action by the driver, a direction for evaluating the driving situation is checked and is corrected if necessary, and

a condition of the driver is taken into account in the evaluation of the driving situation.