Driver assistance system for a motor vehicle, motor vehicle, and method for operating a driver assistance system

• US 8,930,086 B2
• Filed: 12/28/2011
• Issued: 01/06/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Khanafer, Ali, Schepp, Oliver, Roettel, Oliver, Friesen, Markus
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas G
• Assistant Examiner(s): HUYNH, LUAT T
• Application Number:
  US13/338,295
• Publication Number:
  US 20120166047A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,105 Days
• Field of Search: 701/48, 701/70, 340/575, 340/576, 180/179, 180/333
• US Class Current: 701/48
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/18 for vehicle drivers or machine operators
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00742 by detection of the vehicle occupants' presence; by detection of conditions relating to the body of occupants, e.g. using radiant heat detectors
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/72 responsive to emergency conditions, e.g. fire
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/422 for opening
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/358 in the proximity of end positions
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/55 Windows

Abstract

A driver assistance system is provided for a motor vehicle, which has a first ascertainment device, the first ascertainment device implemented to ascertain at least one parameter that characterizes a possible fatigue of a current driver of the motor vehicle. In addition, the driver assistance system has a second ascertainment device, which is implemented to ascertain a degree of fatigue of the driver based on the at least one ascertained parameter. In addition, the driver assistance system has an opening device, which is implemented to at least partially open at least one window of the motor vehicle if the ascertained degree of fatigue of the driver exceeds a first predetermined threshold value.

Claims

1. A driver assistance system for a motor vehicle comprising:

sensors determining an ambient air temperature outside the motor vehicle, an interior temperature of the motor vehicle, and a current weather condition surrounding the motor vehicle;

a first ascertainment device configured to ascertain at least one parameter that characterizes a driver fatigue;

a second ascertainment device configured to ascertain a degree of driver fatigue based on the at least one parameter; and

an opening device configured to at least partially open at least one window of the motor vehicle when the degree of driver fatigue exceeds a first predetermined threshold value, when the current weather condition surrounding the motor vehicle is substantially free of precipitation, and when the interior temperature of the motor vehicle is greater than the ambient air temperature outside the motor vehicle.

2. The driver assistance system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one window is a side window arranged on a driver side in a front area of the motor vehicle.

3. The driver assistance system according to claim 1, wherein the driver assistance system is further configured to reduce a temperature that is set with an air conditioner of the motor vehicle if the degree of driver fatigue exceeds the first predetermined threshold value.

4. The driver assistance system according to claim 3, wherein a subarea of an interior of the motor vehicle at least partially includes an area of driver surroundings.

5. The driver assistance system according to claim 3, wherein the driver assistance system is further configured to increase a direct flow of fresh air that is provided with the air conditioner of the motor vehicle when the degree of driver fatigue exceeds the first predetermined threshold value.

6. The driver assistance system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is a rain sensor.

7. The driver assistance system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one parameter that characterizes the driver fatigue is a closing frequency of at least one eyelid of the driver.

8. A method for operating a driver assistance system of a motor vehicle, comprising:

ascertaining a temperature of an ambient air outside the motor vehicle and a temperature of an interior of the motor vehicle;

ascertaining a current weather condition surrounding the motor vehicle;

ascertaining at least one parameter that characterizes a driver fatigue;

ascertaining a degree of the driver fatigue based on the at least one parameter; and

at least partially opening at least one window of the motor vehicle with at least one opening device when the degree of the driver fatigue exceeds a first predetermined threshold value, when the current weather condition surrounding the motor vehicle is substantially free of precipitation, and when the temperature of the interior of the motor vehicle is greater than the temperature of the ambient air outside the motor vehicle.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising generating a first warning message when the degree of the driver fatigue exceeds the first predetermined threshold value.

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising:

generating a second warning message when the degree of the driver fatigue exceeds a second predetermined threshold value,

wherein the second predetermined threshold value is less than the first predetermined threshold value.

11. A non-transitory computer readable medium embodying a computer program product, said computer program product comprising:

an operating program for operating a driver assistance system of a motor vehicle, the operating program configured to;

ascertain a temperature of an ambient air outside the motor vehicle and a temperature of an interior of the motor vehicle;

ascertain a current weather condition surrounding the motor vehicle;

ascertain at least one parameter that characterizes a driver fatigue;

ascertain a degree of the driver fatigue based on the at least one parameter; and

at least partially open at least one window of the motor vehicle with at least one opening device when the degree of the driver fatigue exceeds a first predetermined threshold value, when the current weather condition surrounding the motor vehicle is substantially free of precipitation, and when the temperature of the interior of the motor vehicle is greater than the temperature of the ambient air outside the motor vehicle.

12. The non-transitory computer readable medium embodying the computer program product claim 11, the operating program further configured to generate a first warning message when the degree of the driver fatigue exceeds the first predetermined threshold value.

13. The non-transitory computer readable medium embodying the computer program product claim 11, the operating program further configured to:

generate a second warning message when the degree of the driver fatigue exceeds a second predetermined threshold value,

wherein the second predetermined threshold value is less than the first predetermined threshold value.