DE102016225136A1 - Method for implementing measures in case of driver fatigue - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for carrying out measures against fatigue of a driver of a motor vehicle, wherein at least one parameter of at least one driver's attentiveness-based monitoring operation is changed in accordance with a predetermined time course for the driver to keep awake.

Description

Technical area

The invention relates generally to measures against falling asleep of a driver of a motor vehicle during fatigue.

State of the art

There are various ways known to recognize the fatigue of a driver and to avoid falling asleep the driver while driving a motor vehicle and avert a concomitant increased risk of accidents.

For example, it is from the pamphlets DE 10 2010 056 397 A1 and DE 10 2013 221 917 A1 known to counteract fatigue of the driver by activation of the air conditioner and / or by opening the vehicle window. Here, when the driver detects fatigue, the supply of fresh air is increased either by opening a window or by the air conditioning system in order to increase the oxygen content in the vehicle interior or to change the air temperature in the vehicle interior. Furthermore, it is known to specifically touch the driver with cooled air from the air conditioning to temperature-sensitive body parts such as the face to trigger an unpleasant stimulus to the driver. However, these measures are taken only when the vehicle has detected the fatigue of the driver automatically. Further, it is cooled to a predetermined temperature value and then held at this, which usually has only a short-term effect on the driver.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide measures by which the driver can be permanently kept awake during fatigue.

Disclosure of the invention

This object is achieved by a method for implementing measures against fatigue of a driver of a motor vehicle according to claim 1 and by a method performing control unit, a computer program and a computer program product according to the independent claims.

Further embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

According to a first aspect, a method for carrying out measures against fatigue of a driver of a motor vehicle is provided, wherein, to keep the driver awake, at least one parameter of at least one driver's attention-influencing wake-up measure is changed according to a predetermined time profile.

If, after the fatigue has been recognized, a unique stimulus is applied to the driver, this will result in a short-term expulsion of tiredness or a reduction in fatigue. However, after a short while the driver gets used to the changed conditions and the effect of keeping awake by the applied stimulus diminishes. By continuously, continuously or discretely changing the at least one parameter of the wake-up measure according to the time course, it is ensured that the driver's attention is always directed to the respective stimulus-triggering wake-up measure. Thus, the driver can be continuously kept awake by one or more changing stimuli, since the alternating stimuli avert a habit of the driver to the stimuli.

According to one embodiment, depending on a detected fatigue level indicative of a degree of fatigue of the driver, the at least one parameter may be varied according to the predetermined time course.

For this purpose, the fatigue level can be compared with a threshold value, and the parameter of the wake-up measure can be changed in accordance with the predetermined time profile to an exceeding of the threshold value by the attention value.

The detection and comparison of the fatigue level with the threshold value can be performed by an attentive assistant. Attention Assistants are vehicle fatigue detection systems designed to help prevent accidents caused by drowsing sleepers and dangerous microsleep. For this, e.g. the eye activity and / or head posture or inclination of the driver are detected and evaluated. Alternatively or additionally, the adherence of a lane can be monitored and evaluated by the driver. Furthermore, it may alternatively or additionally be provided to monitor and evaluate steering movements of the driver in order to close in a manner known per se on the basis of detected changes on fatigue of the driver. From these measured variables, the fatigue level is determined. Depending on the level of fatigue, it is now possible to effect a course of various wake-up measures.

According to an embodiment, it may be provided that the driver changes the at least one parameter of the at least one wake-up measure according to triggered manually over time. Thus, the method can not be triggered only on a detected fatigue of the driver out, but also be carried out in determining the fatigue by the driver itself or preventively to avoid fatigue. Thus, the safety in traffic can be increased again.

According to one embodiment, the wake-up measure may correspond to air-conditioning for an interior climate inside the motor vehicle. For example, For example, the parameter of the wake-up measure may relate to the interior temperature, a flow rate of air exiting from vents, or a humidity. Furthermore, the parameter may also include a selection of one or more air vents, such as air vents. Facial nozzles, neck nozzles or footwell nozzles concern, with an air flow can be directed towards the driver. Furthermore, the wake-up operation may also involve activation of one or more heating and / or cooling and / or ventilating devices, such as e.g. Seat and / or steering wheel heaters or seat ventilation. In addition, the wake-up measure can also correspond to opening a side window and / or a sunroof of the motor vehicle.

Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the wake-up measure relates to an activation of an interior lighting of the motor vehicle. The parameters for the activation of the interior lighting can correspond to the luminosity and / or color.

In one embodiment, the time history may include a plurality of erratic changes in the parameter. Thus, a spike-increasing stimulus is provided to counteract the fatigue of the driver. Furthermore, alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that each step is assigned a different wake-up measure and / or a different number of wake-up measures. So can be counteracted particularly effective fatigue of the driver.

According to one embodiment, the time profile can have at least two different wake-up measures, which are carried out simultaneously or successively. The wake-up measures may include altering the air flow of air exiting air vents, the flow direction of one or more air vents from a plurality of vents, such as air vents. Select face nozzles, neck nozzles or footwell nozzles of the motor vehicle, or to change the air temperature. In this way, a temperature stimulus acting on the driver can be generated.

Furthermore, the wake-up measures may include activating the interior lighting. As parameters for this, e.g. the luminosity and / or color are changed. Furthermore, a pulse duration of the illumination can be changed or changed from an inactive or permanent illumination to a pulsating illumination. Furthermore, a selection of one or more light sources from a plurality of light sources may be changed so as to activate and deactivate light sources at different positions and / or to change an illumination direction.

It can also be provided that the wake-up measures comprise the generation of haptic stimuli. For this purpose, vibration devices may be used, as e.g. be activated by Lane Keeping Assist to alert a driver to leaving a lane. In this case, the vibration device generates a vibration of the steering wheel of the motor vehicle. Alternatively or additionally, it is also possible to use a massage device which is designed to massage the driver. The massage device may be adapted to the seat, e.g. the seat and / or the backrest, or even an armrest be assigned. Finally, the first measure and / or the second measure may be assigned to generate temperature stimuli on contact surfaces to the driver. For this purpose, heating and / or cooling and / or ventilating devices may be activated, such as e.g. Seat and / or steering wheel and / or armrest heaters or seat ventilation, or opening a side window and / or a sliding roof of the motor vehicle. The seat heaters and seat ventilation here may have components that are associated with the backrest and / or the seat of the seat and specifically activated and deactivated. Furthermore, more than two measures can be provided, which are selected alternately according to the time course of stimulus-triggering measures. Furthermore, it is provided to select more than one of the measures at the same time and / or to modify combinations of several measures according to the time profile of stimulus-triggering measures. Furthermore, the individual measures may be assigned to respective timings, according to which a parameter influencing the driver's attention is changed, which is assigned to the respective measure. Thus, e.g. a measure according to the time course to be associated with a minimum value and a maximum value and a jump-shaped and / or continuous course. Thus, the stimulating stimulus can be changed, so as to counteract fatigue of the driver.

• - Verändern einer Solltemperatur der Klimatisierung;
• - Verändern einer Oberflächentemperatur von Innenraumelementen, wie z.B. ein Lenkrad, einer Armauflage, einer Sitzfläche und/oder einer Sitzlehne;
• - Verstellen eines Fahrersitzes, insbesondere einer Lehnenneigung;
• - Öffnen und/oder Schließen eines Fensters oder eines Schiebedachs;
• - Erzeugen und Variieren haptischer Reize; und
• - Einschalten, Ausschalten oder Dimmen einer Innenraumbeleuchtung.

In summary, according to one embodiment, the wake-up measures may include one or more of the following measures:

• - Changing a set temperature of the air conditioning;
• - Changing a surface temperature of interior elements, such as a steering wheel, an armrest, a seat and / or a seat back;
• - Adjusting a driver's seat, in particular a backrest inclination;
• - opening and / or closing a window or sunroof;
• - creating and varying haptic stimuli; and
• - Switching on, switching off or dimming an interior lighting.

In accordance with a further aspect, a control unit is configured to change at least one parameter of at least one wake-up measure influencing the driver's attention in accordance with a predetermined time profile in order to keep the driver awake.

According to a further aspect, a motor vehicle has such a control unit.

According to a further aspect, a computer program with program code means is provided to perform all the steps of one of the stated methods when the computer program is executed on a computer or the specified control unit.

In another aspect, a computer program product is provided that includes program code stored on a computer-readable medium and that, when executed on a data processing device, performs one of the specified methods.

list of figures

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung eines Kraftfahrzeugs.
• 2 eine schematische Darstellung eines Verlaufs einer reizauslösenden Maßnahme,
• 3 eine weitere schematische Darstellung eines weiteren zeitlichen Verlaufs von reizauslösenden Maßnahmen, und
• 4 eine schematische Darstellung eines Verfahrensablaufs.

Embodiments are explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

• 1 a schematic representation of a motor vehicle.
• 2 a schematic representation of a course of a stimulus-triggering measure,
• 3 a further schematic representation of a further time course of stimulus-triggering measures, and
• 4 a schematic representation of a process flow.

Description of embodiments

In 1 is a motor vehicle 1 presented an Attention Assistant 2 , an actuating device 3 , a control unit 4 for implementing measures against fatigue of a driver of a motor vehicle 1 , air conditioning 5 and a lighting control device 6 having.

With the Attention Assistant 2 can be detected, whether fatigue of the driver of the motor vehicle 1 is present. This may be the Attention Assistant 2 Evaluate or capture the eye activity and / or head posture or inclination of the driver. Alternatively or additionally, adherence to a lane by the driver or steering movements of the driver can be monitored and evaluated. The Attentiveness Assistant determines from these mentioned quantities 2 a fatigue level of the driver indicating a degree of fatigue of the driver and comparing it with a predetermined threshold. If the value exceeds the threshold, Attention Assist generates 2 a trigger signal AS leading to the control unit 4 is transmitted. This may be the Attention Assistant 2 Have hardware and / or software components.

Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that the driver also activates the triggering signal AS by actuating the actuating device 3 , such as a switch or button in the dashboard of the motor vehicle 1 , can generate.

Upon receiving the trigger signal AS, the control unit varies 4 at least one parameter of at least one of the driver's attention affecting waking-measure according to a predetermined time course P. For this purpose, the control unit 4 Have hardware and / or software components.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the parameter is representative of an interior climate in the interior of the motor vehicle, ie in the present exemplary embodiment, an interior temperature T and the direction and magnitude of an air flow of air exiting from ventilation nozzles are changed. In addition, it may be provided to make a selection for this purpose from a plurality of ventilation nozzles, such as facial nozzles, neck nozzles or footwell nozzles, with which an air flow can be directed towards the driver. Also, the selection of the ventilation nozzles can be changed according to the parameter. Furthermore, provision may be made for activating or deactivating heating and / or cooling and / or ventilating devices, such as seat and / or steering wheel heaters or seat ventilations. You can also open or Closing a side window and / or a sunroof of the motor vehicle 1 be provided.

Notwithstanding the present embodiment, the parameter may not only be representative of an interior climate in the interior of the motor vehicle 1 but it can be provided that the parameter relates to an interior lighting of the motor vehicle. Thus, in operation, the control unit controls 4 next to the air conditioning 5 also or alternatively the lighting control unit 6 by a control signal SS, so as to change, for example, the luminosity and / or color of the interior lighting.

In 2 is a time course P of stimulus-causing measures shown. The course P of stimulus-triggering measures in the present exemplary embodiment has a minimum value Min and a maximum value Max for the interior temperature T. The minimum value Min and the maximum value Max are setpoints for the air conditioning system 5 , Thus, in operation, for example, a set manually by the driver target temperature value T0 of the control unit 4 alternately overwritten with the minimum value Min and the maximum value Max. Upon receipt of these values, the air conditioner will begin 5 automatically by heating or cooling measures and adjustment of the air speed to achieve these respective setpoints and to maintain until a new change in the setpoint.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the course P of stimulus-triggering measures is step-shaped or jump-shaped, i. an abrupt transition between the minimum value Min and the maximum value Max is provided. With such a stepped course P of stimulus-inducing measures, an increasing stimulus is provided to counteract the fatigue of the driver.

Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that the course P has continuous sections. For example, For example, a continuous section A (dot line) may be provided which ramps the minimum value Min to the maximum value Max from the minimum value Min. Thus, the time course of stimulus-triggering measures in addition to the minimum value Min and the maximum value Max also have other values. For example, For example, the time course P can predetermine a continuous course through a plurality of values, such as in section A.

As a result, a rapid cooling, but a slow heating is achieved. Thus, a noticeable cooling for the driver can be achieved and thus his attention raised, in order then to raise the interior temperature T for the driver barely noticeable. This can be done cyclically.

Deviating from the present embodiment, the course P of stimulus-triggering measures but also be formed completely continuous or continuous.

Notwithstanding the present embodiment, the curve P of stimulus-triggering measures may have manipulated variables. The manipulated variables can be used to change the parameter according to the course P of stimulus-triggering measures in the context of a control. Furthermore, in deviation from the present embodiment, the control of the air conditioning 5 be assigned a feedforward control to allow direct application to the manipulated variable.

3 shows a course P of stimulus-triggering measures, in which after a predetermined period of time from a first measure M1 to a second measure M2 is changed, then back to the first measure M1 etc. to change. Thus, the stimulating stimulus can be changed, so as to counteract fatigue of the driver.

The first measure M1 and / or the second measure M2 may be associated with altering the air velocity of air exiting air vents, altering the direction of flow by selecting one or more vents from a plurality of vents, such as a selection of face vents, neck nozzles, or footwell vents of the motor vehicle 1 to hit, or to change the air temperature. Thus, a temperature stimulus acting on the driver can be generated

Furthermore, the first measure M1 and / or the second measure M2 be assigned to change parameters of the interior lighting. For example, the luminosity and / or color can be changed. Furthermore, a pulse duration of the illumination can be changed or changed from an inactive or permanent illumination to a pulsating illumination. Furthermore, a selection of one or more light sources from a plurality of light sources may be changed so as to activate and deactivate light sources at different positions and / or to change an illumination direction.

It can also be provided that the first measure M1 and / or the second measure M2 is assigned to produce haptic stimuli. For this purpose, vibration devices may be used, such as those used by lane departure warning systems to alert a driver to leaving a lane. In this case, the vibration device generates a vibration of a steering wheel of the motor vehicle 1 , Alternatively or in addition It is also possible to use a massage device which is designed to massage the driver. The massage device can be assigned to the seat, for example the seat and / or the backrest, or else an armrest.

Finally, the first measure M1 and / or the second measure M2 be assigned to generate temperature stimuli at contact surfaces to the driver. For this purpose, heating and / or cooling and / or ventilation devices can be activated, such as seat and / or steering wheel and / or armrest heaters or seat ventilation, or the opening of a side window and / or a sliding roof of the motor vehicle. The seat heaters and seat ventilation here may have components that are associated with the backrest and / or the seat of the seat and specifically activated and deactivated.

Deviating from the present embodiment, more than two measures M1 . M2 provided, which are selected in accordance with the time course P of stimulus-triggering measures alternately. It may also provide more than one measure M1 . M2 select at the same time and / or combinations of several measures M1 . M2 according to the course P to change. Furthermore, the individual can take the measures M1 . M2 be assigned to respective courses, according to which a driver's attention influencing parameter is changed, that of the respective measure M1 . M2 assigned. For example, a measure M1 . M2 according to the time course P be assigned a minimum value Min and a maximum value Max and a jump-shaped and / or continuous course.

Thus, the driver is repeatedly exposed to a stimulus at intervals, which causes an increase in the attention of the driver. This will permanently avoid fatigue for the driver.

In 4 FIG. 1 shows a sequence of a method for implementing measures against driver fatigue. In step S1, a driver's fatigue level is set by the attentiveness assistant 2 detected.

In step S2, it is checked whether the fatigue level is above a predetermined threshold indicating a threshold for driver fatigue. In step S2, fatigue of the driver by exceeding the Schwelllenwerts or actuation of the actuator 3 determined (alternative: Yes), the method is continued with step S3. Otherwise (alternative: no), jump back to step S1.

In step S3, a sequence of one or more wake-up measures according to the time course is started, which are each carried out with at least one varying parameter.

In step S4, it is queried whether the wake-up measures are for a predetermined period of time, such as a predetermined time. 1 to 5 minutes after the last detection of the fatigue level. If this is the case (alternative: yes), the execution of the keep-hold measures is ended in step S5 and then jumped back to step S1.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

motor vehicle

2

Alertness assistant

3

actuator

4

control unit

5

air conditioning

6

Lighting control unit

M1, M2

Wakeup measures

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102010056397 A1 [0003]
• DE 102013221917 A1 [0003]

Claims (12)

A method for implementing measures against fatigue of a driver of a motor vehicle (1), wherein at least one parameter of at least one driver's attention-maintaining wake-up measure (M1, M2) is changed according to a predetermined time course (P) to keep the driver awake. Method according to Claim 1 wherein, depending on a detected fatigue level indicative of a degree of fatigue of the driver, the at least one parameter is varied according to the predetermined time course (P). Method according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein the driver manually triggers the change of the at least one parameter of the at least one wake-up measure (M1, M2) according to the predetermined time course (P). Method according to Claim 1 . 2 or 3 wherein the waking-up measure (M1, M2) corresponds to a change in air-conditioning of the motor vehicle (1), using as the parameter a target temperature of the air-conditioning inside the motor vehicle (1). Method according to Claim 4 , wherein the time course (P) of the parameter varies between a minimum value (Min) and a maximum value (Max). Method according to Claim 5 , wherein the time course (P) comprises a plurality of sudden changes of the parameter. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 6 , wherein the time course (P) has at least two different wake-up measures (M1, M2), which are carried out simultaneously or successively. Method according to Claim 7 wherein the wake-up measures comprise one or more of the following measures: changing a set temperature of the air-conditioning; - changing a surface temperature of indoor elements; - Adjusting a driver's seat; - opening and / or closing a window or sunroof; - creating and varying haptic stimuli; and - switching on, switching off or dimming an interior lighting. Control unit (4) for performing measures against fatigue of a driver of a motor vehicle (1), wherein the control unit (4) is adapted to at least one parameter of at least one of the driver's attention waking intervention (M1, M2 ) according to a predetermined time course (P). Motor vehicle (1) with a control unit (4) according to Claim 8 , Computer program containing program code means for performing all steps of the method according to one of Claims 1 to 8th perform when the computer program on a computer or a control unit (4) according to Claim 9 is performed. A computer program product containing program code stored on a computer readable medium which, when executed on a data processing device, performs the method of any one of Claims 1 to 8th performs.

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