DE102008010832B4 - Method and device for outputting warning and / or information signals for a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for outputting warning and / or information signals (S1 to Sk), in particular in a vehicle, wherein a plurality of data (D1 to Dn) recorded by means of a plurality of information, assistance and / or safety systems (2.1 to 2.n) Warning and / or information signals (S1 to Sk) are determined, characterized in that based on the determined warning and / or information signals (S1 to Sk) of various information, assistance and / or security systems (2.1 to 2.n) a Current situation (T) is determined, depending on the degree of criticality of the situation (T), the number of warning and information signals (S1 to Sk) is varied and then the determined warning and / or information signals (S1 to Sk) to a holistic output signal (A) are processed, which represents the current situation (T) and which is output, wherein at least one property of the integrated output signal (A) is varied depending on the situation.

Description

The invention relates to a method for outputting warning and / or information signals according to the preamble of claim 1 and a device for outputting warning and / or information signals according to the preamble of claim 12.

From the DE 10 2005 010 229 A1 is a method for outputting help information during a vehicle operation, which concern at least one driver assistance system. In this case, auxiliary information to be outputted as a function of a determined current situation and of activated driver assistance systems and an associated output sequence are determined, and the auxiliary information is output in accordance with the determined output sequence.

Furthermore, from the DE 10 2004 015 671 A1 a warning and information system for a vehicle that outputs information that is below a conscious and above an unconscious perception threshold of a user. In this case, at least one arranged in the peripheral field of view of the user signal source is provided, whose output signals are variable by adjusting the color and / or intensity and / or frequency and / or tone color and / or volume.

The DE 101 55 742 B4 discloses an apparatus and method for generating spatially located acoustic warning and information signals in which acoustic and optical signals are emitted from the direction towards a user in which there is, be warned or informed about an object or hazard situation shall be. In this case, the device has a means which makes it possible to emit the acoustic and optical signals in a joint interaction, wherein the respective acoustic and visual signal sources are mounted in a position specific to the respective warning or information in such a way that a so-called mismatch negativity is increased when recording by the user of the signals.

Furthermore, it is known from the prior art that the number of driver assistance, driver information and security systems in vehicles is steadily increasing, with each system typically including its own interface with the driver of the vehicle, for example via visual, audible and / or haptic outputs. This increases the number of signals in the vehicle that should prompt the driver to react or give him information.

For example, are from the DE 199 41 966 A1 . DE 199 41 957 A1 or DE 199 52 392 A1 Other methods and devices for displaying warning messages and interaction prompts and driver information known.

In view of the ever-increasing number of such systems, some of these signals are likely to be unfamiliar to the driver due to the rarity of their occurrence, which, especially in the case of abstract acoustic, optical and / or haptic signals, runs the risk that their meaning will not be understood quickly enough. Insofar as their meaning has not been learned - which is assumed by the typical driver or, in particular, rental car customers - the driver must obtain information about what the situation or the event consists of, what is being warned or informed about, by looking through the vehicle surroundings or the vehicle displays make.

For example, warning alerts that warn against leaving the lane or threatening a rear-end collision and thus require an immediate driver response can cost valuable time to react. This is especially true when the driver is inattentive and has no current and complete internal representation of the vehicle environment and the vehicle condition. In addition, in addition to such warning issues of driver assistance and safety systems and acoustic and / or visual outputs of driver information systems act on the driver to draw attention to less urgent conditions or information, but may not be clearly distinguishable from urgent warning signals.

The problem of increasing the number of different warning and information signals in the vehicle, resulting from the growing number of information, assistance or safety systems and each cause different driver reactions and thus must be correctly assigned by the driver can by means of the Technique known method and apparatus are not adequately met.

The invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a method and a device for outputting warning and / or information signals which, in particular taking into account the increasing number of information, assistance or safety systems in the vehicle, provide effective and simple warning and / or information for a driver of the vehicle.

With regard to the method, the object is achieved according to the invention with those specified in claim 1.

With regard to the device, the object is achieved according to the invention with those specified in claim 12 features.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

In the method for outputting warning and / or information signals, in particular in a vehicle, a plurality of warning and / or information signals are determined based on data acquired by means of a plurality of information, assistance and / or safety systems. According to the invention, a current situation is determined on the basis of the determined warning and / or information signals, for which a holistic output signal is generated and output, wherein at least one property of the integrated output signal is varied depending on the situation.

The invention is based on the idea to significantly reduce the number of conventional warning and information signals and simplify. To this end, the invention proposes to standardize the various warning and information signals of one or more situations in that an abstract signal can represent different situations by varying a signal property. As such an abstract signal, a holistic output signal is generated, of which at least one property is varied depending on the situation. In this case, the holistic output signal is varied only as a function of the currently determined situation, even if the situation was determined by a plurality of information, assistance and / or security systems. In particular, the integrated output signal is expediently determined on the basis of the determined warning and / or information signals of the various information, assistance and / or security systems.

In other words, the number of warning and / or information signals is significantly reduced by not different signals for different information, assistance and / or security systems, but a holistic output signal for different situations regardless of the underlying information, assistance and / security system is issued differently depending on the situation.

A comprehensive output signal is understood in particular as a signal which describes a current situation and represents all warning and information signals occurring in connection with this situation.

In one possible embodiment, the integrated output signal is varied depending on urgency, location-dependent and / or direction-dependent. The location dependency includes a possible dependence on the location coordinates of a navigation system or a location on a road map or z. B. a distinction by urban area, highway or highway.

Preferably, to differentiate between different situations, the integrated signal is output in a predefinable signal form with a variable property, wherein the respectively set property represents the currently determined situation.

Preferably, the integral signal is output as an audible signal, the property of which is varied depending on the urgency of the current situation, the location where the current situation occurs, and / or the direction in which the current situation occurs. In this case, in particular as at least one property of the acoustic signal, a volume, a frequency, a frequency response, a tone sequence, a rhythm and / or a direction from which the acoustic signal is emitted varies.

Alternatively or additionally, at least one optical signal can be output as an integral output signal, wherein at least one property of the optical signal is dependent on the urgency of the current situation, the location at which the current situation occurs, and / or the direction in which the current situation occurs, is varied. In the case of an integrated signal output as an optical signal, preferably at least one property of the optical signal is a brightness, a coloring, an intensity, a sequence, a rhythm, a frequency, display size and / or a direction from which the optical signal is emitted, varied.

Furthermore, alternatively or additionally, at least one haptic signal can be output as an integral output signal, at least one property of the haptic signal being dependent on the urgency of the current situation, the location at which the current situation occurs, and / or the direction in FIG which the current situation occurs is varied. Conveniently, an intensity, a sequence, a rhythm and / or a direction from which the haptic signal is emitted is varied as at least one property of the haptic signal. The haptic signal can z. B. on the seat, the steering wheel, the floor panel or the pedals are transmitted.

For a simple and reliable determination of the current situation, environmental data and / or driving status data are determined and processed as data of the information, assistance and / or security systems. In particular, positions and / or driving state data, such as speed, direction of movement, of objects, road users, vehicles in the vicinity of the own vehicle are detected and analyzed for possible future dangers, in particular a possible risk of collision with the own vehicle and evaluated and processed into a current situation.

The device according to the invention for carrying out the method comprises a plurality of information, assistance and / or security systems with at least one warning and / or information device, which cooperate in such a way that based on determined for a currently determined situation and this situation representing warning and / or Information signals a holistic output signal can be generated and output on the warning and / or information device, wherein at least one property of the integrated output signal is dependent on the situation, in particular urgency dependent, location-dependent and / or direction-dependent variable.

To output a holistic output signal for different situations in a waveform, the warning and / or information device comprises an optical output unit, a haptic output unit and / or an acoustic output unit. Preferably, the acoustic output unit is provided for outputting an acoustic signal as a comprehensive output signal. An olfactory output unit for outputting a smell signal is also conceivable.

Embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to drawings. Showing:

1 schematically a device for outputting warning and / or information signals of different situations, and

2 schematically a flowchart of the inventive method for output of warning and / or information signals.

Corresponding parts are provided in all figures with the same reference numerals.

1 shows a device 1 for outputting warning and / or information signals S1 to Sk, for example in a vehicle.

The device 1 encompasses several different types of information, assistance and / or security systems 2.1 to 2.n with and / or without environment detection. As an information, assistance and / or security system 2.1 to 2.n Various systems are used, such as navigation system, brake assist system, proximity control system, radar system, antilock brake system (called ABS for short), Electronic Stability Program (ESP), automatic tracking system, vehicle environment detection system, and / or other suitable vehicle sensor system.

Of the information, assistance and / or security systems 2.1 to 2.n acquired data D1 to Dn, such as measurement data, status data, information data, an evaluation and control unit 3 supplied, which process the detected data D1 to Dn to the warning and / or information signals S1 to Sk. The warning and / or information signals S1 to Sk can be determined system-related and / or system-independent.

Instead of the known in the art output of the warning and / or information signals S1 to Sk on a warning and / or information device 4 the invention provides that the warning and / or information signals S1 to Sk by means of the evaluation and control unit 3 are processed into a holistic output signal A, which represents a currently determined based on the warning and / or information signals S1 to Sk situation T. As a result, the multiplicity of different warning and / or information signals S1 to Sk is reduced to the integral output signal A. In this case, the entire situation T characterized by the individual warning and information signals S1 to Sk is described in more detail by means of the integral output signal A. integral output signal A for the respective situation T in connection with all detected warning and information signals S1 to Sk is determined.

For the differentiation of different determined situations T, at least one property of the integral output signal A is varied accordingly. In this case, the property of the integral output signal A can be coded as a function of the situation and thus varied in a similar manner in the case of repetitive situations T, so that the integral output signal A is output for identical situations T in the same manner.

Particularly suitable, has proved to be an acoustic signal as integral output signal A. This includes the warning and information device 4 an acoustic output unit 4.1 , z. As a speaker and / or other integrated in the vehicle noise sources.

Alternatively or additionally, an optical and / or a haptic signal can be generated as an integral output signal A. This includes the warning and information device 4 for example, an optical output unit 4.2 , z. As a screen, a display unit, a light source, in particular a bar graph, and / or a haptic output unit 4.3 , z. B. a Sitzvibrations- or Lenkradvibrationsmittel.

2 shows a flowchart for the determination and output of the integral output signal A.

In detail, in step SS1, the data D1 to Dn of the various information, assistance and / or security systems 2.1 to 2.n recorded and fed to processing. The data D1 to Dn are thereby using the information, assistance and / or security systems 2.1 to 2.n is processed to the warning and information signals S1 to Sk and in a second step SS2 of the evaluation and control unit 3 fed to.

Alternatively or additionally, the data D1 to Dn also directly to the evaluation and control unit 3 be supplied in the second step SS2. In this case, as in 1 shown, the warning and information signals S1 to Sk by means of the evaluation and control unit 3 determined.

Based on the warning and information signals S1 to Sk of the various information, assistance and / or security systems 2.1 to 2.n In a third step SS3, a current situation T, which describes, for example, a current critical situation in the vehicle environment, is determined. Depending on the degree of criticality, the number of triggered information, assistance and / or security systems 2.1 to 2.n and the generated warning and information signals S1 to Sk vary. The more critical a situation T, the more warning and information signals S1 to Sk are processed into the integral output signal A.

Depending on the determined current situation T and in particular the degree of the determined current situation T, the integrated output signal A is then determined in a next step SS4 and varied accordingly in at least one property and in a further step SS5 on the warning and information device 4 output.

Various examples of the determination of the integral output signal A, its signal shape and in particular its coding by variation of at least one property for differentiating the criticality of the current situations T are described in more detail below.

In the method, the warning and / or information signals S1 to Sk are processed into the abstract, in particular acoustic, integral output signal A as a basis for warning and / or informing a driver of the vehicle. In addition to an acoustic holistic output signal A, optical and / or haptic signals can also be generated and output.

The number of different acoustic integral output signals A is low, by not different signals for different information, assistance or security systems 2.1 to 2.n be generated and used, but by different acoustic holistic output signals A on all information, assistance and / or security systems 2.1 to 2.n The current situation T, its urgency and, in the case of danger warnings, indicate the danger direction without reference to any particular information, assistance and / or security system 2.1 to 2.n to be recognized.

This prevents with increasing number of information, assistance or security systems 2.1 to 2.n also the number of different warning signals increases. Every new information, assistance and / or security system 2.n + 1 settles in the device 1 integrate without the user additional output signals are generated and output by the warning and information signals Sk + 1 of these new systems are processed with the already known warning and information signals S1 to Sk to the integral output signal A. Thus, only an adaptation of the algorithm of the analysis and control unit 3 required, which, for example, workshop feasible. It can also be retrofitted driver assistance system or retrofitted navigation systems are included.

For situational, in particular directional and / or urgency dependent varying a property of the integral output signal A for coding and thus detection of the criticality of the current situation T includes the device 1 the various information, assistance and / or security systems 2.1 to 2.n which detect as danger detection systems, environmental data and driving state variables and determine therefrom an urgency of a dangerous situation (for example from the time-to-collision in a distance warning system or from the time-to-linecrossing in a lane departure warning system) and / or a danger direction and / or a danger location (For example, danger from the front of a distance warning system) determine and evaluate if necessary.

For a clear differentiation of information and warning signals, which is clearly perceptible to the driver, serves as a distinguishing feature in particular the urgency of a required driver response.

To encode the urgency of the currently detected situation T is therefore in a generated as an abstract acoustic signal integral output signal A as a property, eg. B. the frequency, the frequency response, the speed, the volume and / or the rhythm variable. Such a variation may represent a different degree of urgency, as exemplified by Edworthy, J., Loxley, S. & Dennis, I. (1991): Improving Auditory Warning Design: Relationship Between Sound Parameters and Perceived Urgency, Human Factors , 33 (2), 205-231; and Edworthy, J., Hellier, E. & Hards, R. (1996): The semantic associations of acoustic parameters commonly used in the design of auditory information and warning signals, Ergonomics, 38 (11), 2341-2361); is known.

The urgency leveling can be carried out in such a way that it is possible to distinguish between information and warnings. Signals that warn the driver of an immediate danger and to prompt an immediate response (for example, in an identified too short distance from the distance warning system) are thereby issued varies so for the driver, for. B. increasingly louder, that the driver perceives this signal clearly as a warning signal. In contrast, signals that inform the driver only about a particular condition or situation and should not prompt an immediate response (for example, information on low oil or water level) are clearly distinguishable for the driver, for. B. once short and quiet, spent.

It is preferable to use as an integral and merely informative output signal A an acoustic signal which gives a lower urgency than a signal for warnings, for example a gong tone for information and a beep for warnings.

On the other hand can be done within the output as warning signals integral output signals A continuous urgency variation, both increasing urgency or risk, for example, by decreasing time-to-collision when approaching a vehicle ahead in a distance warning system, as well as again decreasing danger by a proper Driver Response, which is an important feedback on the success of the driver's slogan or avoidance behavior as a result of a warning output.

In the case of the urgency coding within the integral output signals A output as warning signals, the variation of acoustic parameters or characteristics depending on the urgency is formed such that warning sounds of different urgency share characteristic features and are perceived as related. For example, for all information, assistance and / or security systems 2.1 to 2.n and uses a multiple beep as the integral output signal A for all dangerous situations to be protected. To represent different urgency, only the frequency of the consecutive tones of the multiple beeps is varied to the continuous tone, all other parameters remain constant across all urgency levels.

On the other hand, for the integral output signals A outputted as information, no urgency variation is performed. Here, one and the same waveform is used for the acoustic integral output signal A for all information outputs, e.g. B. a Gong sound. To distinguish different information is not the acoustic signal per se, but, for example, an additional visual display on an optical output unit 4.2 , z. As a display element in the vehicle, used, which can be in the form of icons and / or text messages. The acoustic signal thus has only the function to make it clear that on an optical output unit 4.2 an information is presented.

The acoustic urgency coding can thus be advantageously supported by optical and / or haptic signals.

In addition or as an alternative to the urgency coding, a coding of the danger direction can be effected by a directional presentation of the integral output signal A output as an acoustic warning signal, as described, for example, in US Pat DE 101 55 742 B4 is described. The warning signal is always recorded from the direction in which the danger originates, which is forewarned or to which the driver must direct his attention in order to detect the danger.

The presentation and output of the danger direction takes place differently depending on the specification, for example not continuously. The danger direction can be divided into different categories "in front of the vehicle" (warning signal from the distance warning system, for example), "left of the vehicle, front", "right of the vehicle, forward" (warning signal from the lane keeping system, for example), "left of the vehicle, rear", " to the right of the vehicle, rear "(warning signal, for example, the blind spot monitoring system) and" behind the vehicle "(warning signal, for example, from the parking aid) divided and issued accordingly. This subdivision is only relevant to warnings, not information. In particular, the information signal is not output in the direction-coded manner.

In order for the driver to be able to perceive the directional coding of the acoustically outputting integral output signal A sufficiently well, the acoustic signal used must be directionally detectable for the human ear.

The acoustic direction coding can be further supported by optical and / or haptic signals. Optical direction coding can be achieved, for example, by light signals emitted parallel to the acoustic signal, which are generated in the driver's left and right peripheral visual fields by individual or multiple light sources and thus provide indications of the danger direction, as shown in FIG DE 101 55 742 B4 or DE 10 2004 015 671 A1 is described (for example, a flash of light or a synchronous flashing to the acoustic signal in the right A-pillar of the vehicle for the danger direction "right of the vehicle, front", in the rearview mirror "behind the vehicle", in the right outside mirror for the danger direction " right of the vehicle, behind ").

A haptic direction coding can be achieved by haptic signals issued parallel to the acoustic signal, which provide information about the danger direction by placing them on different parts of the driver's body (for example seat vibration right or left / steering wheel shaking with correcting moment in the right direction).

In addition, further examples of various variations of one or more characteristics of the overall output signal A describing a situation T are possible. By reducing the number of different warning and information signals S1 to Sk to a holistic output signal A, it is advantageously possible for the driver of the vehicle to quickly and reliably detect the current situation T and to carry out certain reactions and actions and in particular to reduce false identifications , This increases the acceptance of such a warning and information system in a vehicle.

Claims (13)

Method for outputting warning and / or information signals (S1 to Sk), in particular in a vehicle, with the aid of a plurality of information, assistance and / or safety systems ( 2.1 to 2.n ) detected data (D1 to Dn) a plurality of warning and / or information signals (S1 to Sk) are determined, characterized in that based on the determined warning and / or information signals (S1 to Sk) of various information, assistance and / or Security systems ( 2.1 to 2.n ) a current situation (T) is determined, wherein depending on the degree of criticality of the situation (T) the number of warning and information signals (S1 to Sk) is varied and then the determined warning and / or information signals (S1 to Sk) are processed into a holistic output signal (A), which represents the current situation (T) and which is output, wherein at least one property of the integral output signal (A) is varied depending on the situation. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the integral output signal (A) is dependent on urgency, location-dependent and / or direction-dependent varies. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the integrated output signal (A) based on the specific warning and / or information signals (S1 to Sk) of the various information, assistance and / or security systems ( 2.1 to 2.n ) is determined. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for the differentiation of different situations (T) the integral output signal (A) is output in a predeterminable waveform with a variable property, wherein the respective set property represents the currently determined situation (T). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the integral output signal (A) is output as an acoustic signal, the characteristic of which depends on the urgency of the current situation, the location at which the current situation occurs, and / or The direction in which the current situation occurs is varied. A method according to claim 5, characterized in that as at least one property of the acoustic signal, a volume, a frequency, a frequency response, a tone sequence, a rhythm and / or a direction from which the acoustic signal is emitted, is or will be varied. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that as the integral output signal (A) at least one optical signal is output, wherein at least one property of the optical signal depending on the urgency of the current situation, from the place where the current situation occurs, and / or from the direction in which the current situation occurs is varied. A method according to claim 7, characterized in that as at least one property of the optical signal, a brightness, a coloring, an intensity, a sequence, a rhythm, a frequency, a display size and / or a direction from which the optical signal is emitted, be varied or will. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that as the integral output signal (A) at least one haptic signal is output, wherein at least one property of the haptic signal depending on the urgency of the current situation, from the place where the current situation occurs, and / or the direction in which the current situation occurs is varied. A method according to claim 9, characterized in that as at least one property of the haptic signal, an intensity, a sequence, a rhythm and / or a direction from which the haptic signal is emitted, is varied or will. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that data (D1 to Dn) of the information, assistance and / or security systems environment data and / or driving condition data are determined, based on the determined environment data and / or driving condition data, the current situation (T ) is determined. Device for carrying out the method according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that a plurality of information, assistance and / or security systems ( 2.1 to 2.n ) with at least one warning and / or information device ( 4 ) cooperate in such a way that, on the basis of warning and / or information signals (S1 to Sk) determined for a currently determined situation (T) and representing this situation (T), an integral output signal (A) can be generated and displayed on the warning and / or information device ( 4 ) can be output, wherein depending on the degree of criticality of the situation (T), the number of warning and information signals (S1 to Sk) is variable and at least one property of the integral output signal (A) depending on the situation, in particular urgency-dependent, location-dependent and / or directionally variable is. Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the warning and / or information device ( 4 ) an acoustic output unit ( 4.1 ), an optical output unit ( 4.2 ) and / or a haptic output unit ( 4.3 ) and / or an olfactory output unit.

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