The present invention relates to a method for informing the driver of a motor vehicle via a driver information system, which has at least one detection unit, at least one evaluation unit, and at least one optical display unit.
Methods of the type described at the outset serve the purpose of alerting the driver of a motor vehicle to possible dangers during vehicle operation. Data describing the surrounding field of the motor vehicle are recorded by a detection unit, which includes radar sensors and/or laser sensors, evaluated by an evaluation unit, and indicated to the driver via an optical display unit, it being possible, for example, for the display unit to be a display in the instrument panel area of the motor vehicle or a heads-up display, which projects a display onto the windshield of the motor vehicle.
From the German Patent Application publications DE 102 47 563 A1 and DE 10 2004 014 671 A1, methods are discussed which employ supplementary symbols to indicate dangers. Thus, for example, a motor vehicle approaching from the side is visually emphasized in color in the heads-up display.
The German Patent Application DE 10 2004 001 113 A1 discusses a method which, on the basis of recorded data, graphically shows an avoidance maneuver, for example, as an arrow in the heads-up display, to the driver.
The European Patent Application EP 1 355 285 A1 discusses a method for informing the driver of a motor vehicle where a view from above one's own vehicle, including its immediate vicinity, is graphically represented, and an arrow is optionally used to indicate the direction of movement of one's own motor vehicle, no indication of imminent danger being given to the driver.
In accordance with the present invention, the display unit displays the motor vehicle having the driver information system as a graphical representation, an aura representation surrounding the graphical representation when, based on the evaluation of data from the detection unit, the evaluation unit determines that there is no immediate danger. If an imminent danger is ascertained in a corresponding manner, the aura representation changes or disappears, and at least one supplementary information item for avoiding danger is displayed. Thus, when the evaluation unit assesses the current driving situation and, on the basis of the data recorded by the detection unit, determines that there is no imminent danger to the motor vehicle, the display unit shows a graphic representation of the motor vehicle surrounded by an aura representation. The aura representation is to be understood as a halo or color field around the motor vehicle that increases in transparency toward the outside, for example. The aura representation is advantageously tinted in a way that allows the driver of the motor vehicle to easily discern, even from the corner of the eye, that there is no imminent danger. However, if a danger is detected, the aura disappears and/or changes and/or advantageously dims completely, and supplementary information for avoiding danger is indicated, the change in the aura being able to connote not only a change in color, but also a change in shape. The disappearance of the aura representation is easily discerned by the driver and causes him/her to direct his/her attention to the display unit. The supplementary information on avoiding danger quickly informs the driver of the steps to be taken to avoid danger. The supplementary information obviates the need for the driver to be concerned about assessing the current driving situation, so that he/she does not need to first analyze the displayed representation and subsequently decide how to avoid danger. When the method according to the present invention is employed, the driver does not need to lose time since the supplementary information on avoiding danger is already indicated to him/her.
An optical marking identifying the area of the graphically represented vehicle that is at risk is advantageously provided as supplementary information. If the driver is approaching a vehicle in front too closely, for example, then the front section of the graphically represented motor vehicle is colored in a warning color, such as red, for example, it also being possible for the coloration to change in response to increasing danger, so that the front section is first marked by an indicating color, such as yellow, for example, and the coloration changes to the warning color in response to increasing danger. The same applies to a situation, for example, where the driver is driving too closely to a curb, to a wall of a house, or to a motor vehicle traveling next to him/her. The coloration makes it possible for the driver to quickly recognize the area of his/her motor vehicle that is in danger, so that he/she can act accordingly. It is self-evident that the optical marking identifying the area at risk does not need to be exclusively provided as a coloration, but may also be effected, for example, by a border around the endangered area or by a reduction in the color intensity of the rest of the graphically represented motor vehicle.
One further refinement of the present invention provides that a vehicle-control instruction linked to the graphical representation of the motor vehicle be indicated to the driver as supplementary information. This means that a vehicle-control instruction is displayed as a function of the graphical representation of the motor vehicle, whether from the bird's-eye perspective, from the side or the like, enabling the driver to recognize at a glance, how he/she should control the vehicle to avoid the danger. The method according to the present invention not only displays an assessment of the situation to the driver, but also a reaction thereto.
It is advantageously indicated whether the graphically represented area of the motor vehicle that is at risk is endangered by other objects or by one's own driving maneuver. Thus, that area of one's own motor vehicle which is in danger, for example, due to another approaching motor vehicle (in the following, foreign vehicle) and/or due to one's own driving maneuver, such as, for example, driving too fast into or in the curve or pulling up too closely to the vehicle in front, is indicated to the driver.
The supplementary information is advantageously a suggested driving maneuver for the driver and/or a suggested preparation for a driving maneuver for the driver to execute. Thus, not only may a maneuver to be executed, such as braking, accelerating or steering, for example, be recommended to the driver by the display unit, but, in addition or alternatively, also a preparation for a maneuver to be executed, such as actuating the direction indicator, the horn, the shifting of a gear or the like. Thus, the driver is able to react more quickly to a specific driving situation.
The suggested driving maneuver is advantageously indicated by at least one arrow extending out from the graphically represented motor vehicle. This linking of the vehicle-control instruction to the representation of the motor vehicle indicates a suggested driving maneuver to the driver in a simple and unmistakable manner. There is no need for the driver to lose any time interpreting the graphic representation; rather he/she is able to act immediately.
In accordance with one further refinement of the present invention, the display unit indicates at least one supplementary information item on the status of the motor vehicle. The status information concerns, for example, whether and which door of the motor vehicle is open or closed, whether a window is open, whether the doors are locked, whether only the parking light or also the driving light is turned on and/or whether the trunk and/or the engine hood are closed.
The method according to the present invention renders possible a clear graphical representation of the driving situation, not only the imminent danger, but also a suggested possible reaction being indicated to the driver, enabling him/her to act instantaneously.
The present invention is explained in greater detail in the following with reference a few figures.
a and 2b show a second exemplary embodiment in the case of imminent danger to the front section.
a and 3b illustrate a third exemplary embodiment in the case of imminent danger to the rear section.
a and 4b depict a fourth exemplary embodiment in the case of imminent danger to the side section.
a and 5b show a fifth exemplary embodiment in the case of imminent danger due to a passing vehicle.
a and 6b illustrate a sixth exemplary embodiment in the case of a danger posed by an obstacle.
a through 7c show a seventh exemplary embodiment in the case of a danger posed by excessive speed.
a through 8d illustrate an eighth exemplary embodiment in the case of a danger posed by an unexpected obstacle.
In an oblique rear view from above,
In an exemplary embodiment,
Aura representation 4 from
In another exemplary embodiment,
In one exemplary embodiment,
Side section 9 of motor vehicle 1 is likewise marked accordingly by the indicating color or by the warning color when one's own motor vehicle is in a curve and the speed is excessive, left side section 9 being marked when one's own vehicle is in a right-hand curve.
a and 5b show motor vehicle 1 having an optical marking for the case when the detection unit, respectively the evaluation unit has detected a foreign vehicle that is passing from behind. If the driver information system registers that the driver of one's own motor vehicle does not intend to change lanes, then, as in
a and 6b show motor vehicle 1 in a situation where an unexpected obstacle was detected to the left in the front, when viewed in the driving direction. Here, the driver is made aware of the obstacle by a colored marking of left front corner section 12 and an additional rightward pointing arrow 13, and is prompted to steer to the right. The distinction is made in this exemplary embodiment, in turn, between an indication of the obstacle (
a through 7c show the graphical representation of motor vehicle 1 in the case of excessive speed of one's own motor vehicle. In a first stage (
a through 8d show exemplarily various possible representations of the display unit for the case that the roadway on which one's own motor vehicle is located, is not clear in front of one's own motor vehicle (
In one exemplary embodiment,
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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10 2006 049 249.8 | Oct 2006 | DE | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/EP2007/059237 | 9/4/2007 | WO | 00 | 7/28/2010 |