DE102022106203A1 - Method and arrangement for monitoring the attention of an occupant in a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for monitoring the attention of an occupant in a vehicle, in which the eye position of an occupant (1) is determined, the determined eye position of the occupant (1) is compared with a predefinable target value range, times t1, t2, ... , during which the determined eye position of the occupant (1) deviates from the setpoint range, can be evaluated as follows to set or not set a signal S: i. Setting the signal S when the sum of all times t1, t2, ... divided by a predeterminable time period tg, during which the eye position of the occupant (1) was determined, exceeds a first predeterminable threshold value TR; and/or ii. Setting the signal S when the currently determined time t1, t2, ... during which the eye position of the occupant (1) already deviates from the setpoint range exceeds a second predeterminable threshold value TA, and iii. Not setting the signal S in all other cases; Triggering at least one visual representation and/or an acoustic signal and/or a control step as soon as the signal S is set and/or at least for the duration during which the signal S is set. The invention also includes a corresponding arrangement.

Description

Field of invention

The invention relates to monitoring the attention of an occupant in a vehicle and corresponding countermeasures.

State of the art

Driver distraction while driving is considered one of the most common causes of traffic accidents.

In the DE 10 2009 046 451 A1 A method and a device for detecting a gaze directed at an arrangement area of an infotainment device of a vehicle are described. The disadvantage here is that only the view of the infotainment device is checked, but the driver's distraction from road traffic is not generally determined. This can, for example, consist in particular of so-called “BYD” devices (ie, “Bring your own device”, i.e. devices that are not permanently installed and are brought into the vehicle on a mobile basis), which can, for example, lie on the lap of the passenger.

The DE 20 2017 105 761 U1 describes an automatic step control of a driver's interaction with content. Different attention levels are determined from user input so that the computing device locks the user interface in response to the determination that if no indication of a second user input has been received within a period of time, the attention buffer level is adjusted.

In the DE 11 2015 005 433 T5 Occupant monitoring systems and methods are disclosed. However, this only generates monitoring data and does not actively hinder the actual distraction of the driver.

Finally describes the US 2012/0215403 A1 a method for monitoring a vehicle driver. The position of a driver's eyes or face is monitored. If he looks at a permanently installed object inside the vehicle, the functionality of the object in question is changed. This method also fails to determine the driver's general distraction from traffic. Such distraction can, for example, be caused by so-called “BYD” devices, which can lie on the passenger's lap, for example.

The above-mentioned methods and arrangements have the disadvantage in common that they do not detect the distraction of the driver by objects subsequently introduced into the vehicle and therefore cannot sanction the use of these.

Description of the invention

It is therefore the object of the invention to demonstrate methods and arrangements that ensure detection of distraction of the driver of a vehicle, including by equipment that is not permanently installed in the vehicle and which vehicle users can bring into the vehicle. Furthermore, measures should be possible to at least indirectly reduce driver distraction, regardless of the device distracting him. Ultimately, said detection should be able to be carried out without active input or interaction from the driver.

• - die Augenstellung eines Insassen (insbesondere des Fahrers) ermittelt wird,
• - die ermittelte Augenstellung des Insassen mit einem vorgebbaren Sollwertbereich verglichen wird,
• - Zeiten t1, t2, ..., während derer die ermittelte Augenstellung des Insassen vom Sollwertbereich abweicht, wie folgt zum Setzen oder Nicht-Setzen eines Signals S ausgewertet werden:
  1. i. Setzen des Signals S, wenn die Summe aller Zeiten t1, t2, ... dividiert durch eine vorgebbare Zeitspanne tg, während der jeweils die Augenstellung des Insassen ermittelt wurde, einen ersten vorgebbaren Schwellwert TR überschreitet, und/oder
  2. ii. Setzen des Signals S, wenn die jeweils aktuell ermittelte Zeit t1, t2, ..., während der die Augenstellung des Insassen bereits vom Sollwertbereich abweicht, einen zweiten vorgebbaren Schwellwert TA überschreitet, sowie
  3. iii. Nicht-Setzen des Signals S in allen anderen Fällen.
• - Auslösen mindestens einer optischen Darstellung und/oder eines akustischen Signals und/oder eines regelungstechnischen Schrittes, sobald das Signal S gesetzt wird und/oder mindestens während der Dauer, während der das Signal S gesetzt ist.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a method for monitoring the attention of an occupant in a vehicle, in which

• - the eye position of an occupant (especially the driver) is determined,
• - the determined eye position of the occupant is compared with a predeterminable target value range,
• - Times t1, t2, ..., during which the determined eye position of the occupant deviates from the setpoint range, are evaluated as follows to set or not set a signal S:
  1. i. Setting the signal S when the sum of all times t1, t2, ... divided by a predeterminable period of time tg, during which the occupant's eye position was determined, exceeds a first predeterminable threshold value TR, and / or
  2. ii. Setting the signal S when the currently determined time t1, t2, ..., during which the occupant's eye position already deviates from the setpoint range, exceeds a second predeterminable threshold value TA, and
  3. iii. Not setting the signal S in all other cases.
• - Triggering at least one visual representation and/or an acoustic signal and/or a control step as soon as the signal S is set and/or at least for the duration during which the signal S is set.

The vehicle may be a passenger car, a truck, an aircraft, a spacecraft or a watercraft.

First of all, it should be noted that the process only involves one of the aforementioned steps i. or ii. can include. In any case, this also includes step iii. contains.

The detected eye position of an occupant should generally include the eye position and, if necessary, the eye position of the occupant, so that the occupant's viewing direction can be clearly identified from this.

The predeterminable setpoint range for the eye position of the occupant, in particular the driver, can be a geometric specification as to where the eyes of the occupant, usually the driver, should look, i.e. what the eye position must be when the driver pays attention to the traffic situation tracked.

The setpoint range in question can be defined in different types of coordinates or data. On the one hand, the eye position could be in the target value if it means looking through one of the windows in the vehicle and at the rearview mirror. Conversely, the view of the interior of the vehicle should preferably not be part of the target value range. The invention then also ensures that the driver is not distracted without warning by standard devices such as the radio or by adjusting the ventilation, because the corresponding usage times are recognized by the method and, if necessary, punished.

The setpoint range in question can be stored in a database using corresponding angles or eye position and eye position coordinates. It is possible here for different target value subranges for different body sizes of the driver to be stored for different detected eye positions, which allow an indication of the driver's body size with regard to the z coordinate in the vehicle (height) in conjunction with the seat height position.

The first predeterminable threshold value TR is generally a relative value that is preferably greater than zero and less than 1 and is determined in conjunction with the predeterminable time period tg. The value TR indicates the relative (cumulative) time proportion of different times t1, t2, ... during which the determined eye position of the occupant deviates from the target value range, i.e. during which the driver was visually distracted overall within a period of time tg, the signal S is set.

The time period tg serves as a reference period within which the cumulative time of deflection may not exceed a certain relative value, which is described by the threshold value TR, without setting the signal S, which leads to consequences. The time period tg is preferably always viewed backwards from the current time. If the time period tg has not yet elapsed since the start of the method execution, it is preferred in step i. In no case is the signal S set because the statement is then not conclusive.

The value TR can, for example, be between 0.1 and 0.25, which corresponds to a maximum permitted cumulative driver distraction time of 10% to 25% within a period of time tg. The lower the TR value, the sooner the driver will be reprimanded for distracting looks. However, a value of TR greater than 0.25 is also conceivable.

For example, the value tg can be 10, 20, 30 or 60 seconds. Other values are possible. However, the larger the value, the greater the risk that individual temporal episodes of longer distracted gaze remain undetected, which is why step ii is usually carried out. of the procedure in question, which avoids this.

As time progresses, the determined times t1, t2, t3, etc. can each be evaluated retroactively from the current point in time by the time period tg.

Furthermore, the time period tg and/or the threshold value TR can vary over time. For example, it is conceivable to set a smaller time period tg of less than 30 seconds during a first phase of driving, such as the first 20 or 30 minutes, but then a larger time period of more than 30 seconds. This takes into account the fact that the driver gets used to the driving task and therefore longer periods of distraction may be allowed over time. In particular, the threshold value TR can also be variable. Here, for example, the environmental and/or visibility conditions could be a key trigger point: While TR>0.2 can be set for dry roads and daylight conditions, the permitted cumulative distraction time should be lower for wet roads and/or night light conditions, which is achieved by a lower Value of TR <0.2, preferably TR <0.15, particularly preferably TR <0.1, can be expressed.

Values other than those described above are expressly possible.

It is also possible for the value of TR to increase if the driver shows good driving performance, i.e. for example if the lane keeping and/or timely braking performance, which is evaluated using appropriate means, is good.

Finally, it is also possible to set the TR value for the driver via the vehicle electronics. For this purpose, the driver is recognized, for example, using so-called face recognition algorithms that have been trained at least once. Other identification options can also be used, such as personalized radio keys or fingerprint recognition. Interesting characteristics of the driver for determining TR can be, for example, the length of previous life driving experience, corrected vision, age and/or possibly also an assessment of the driving quality over time by the electronics of the vehicle itself.

For example, it is conceivable that novice drivers are assigned a small TR value of less than or equal to 0.15, while drivers with at least 2 years of driving experience receive a value of 0.2 <= TR <= 0.25. It is also conceivable to assign a value lower than 0.2 to drivers in a certain age group.

Several aforementioned variations of the value TR, such as personalization and the dependence on environmental and/or visibility conditions, can also be combined if necessary, as the following exemplary Table 1 shows: driver Lighting conditions Environmental conditions Maximum value for TR Novice driver day (good) Dry 0.15 Novice driver day (good) wetness 0.1 Novice driver night (bad) Dry 0.12 Novice driver night (bad) wetness 0.08 Experienced driver day (good) Dry 0.25 Experienced driver day (good) wetness 0.2 Experienced driver night (bad) Dry 0.22 Experienced driver night (bad) wetness 0.15

For step ii. the second predeterminable threshold value TA is relevant. This sets - if step ii. is carried out - determines the maximum amount of time the driver can look away from his predetermined target value range for the eye position before the signal S, which triggers the above-mentioned actions, is set. For this reason, the second threshold value TA should generally only be a few seconds, such as 3 seconds, but preferably only 2 seconds. Other values are still possible.

Furthermore, the threshold value TA can vary over time and/or, as described above for the value TR or the time period tg, can be changed depending on other factors.

Finally, it is in an extension of steps i. and/or ii. possible to quantify the deviation from the target value range of the eye position and thus weight the extent of the driver's distraction. In other words: the more the actual eye position deviates from the specified target value range, the more significant the corresponding period of time becomes. The motivation behind this is, among other things, that if the deviation is particularly severe, the driver's head takes longer to return to the normal line of sight. In addition, in the event of a particularly strong deviation, for example when the driver turns backwards, the driver is no longer at least partially aware of the traffic situation out of the corner of his eye.

Mathematically, this can be done in steps i. and/or ii. the times t1, t2, ... are multiplied by a unitless factor, which is, for example, 1 if the deviation from the target value range of the eye position is medium. However, if the deviation from the target value range of the eye position is large, the factor can be greater than 1, such as 1.5 or 2 or even greater.

A medium-sized deviation from the target value range of the eye position occurs when the driver presumably still has part of his field of vision focused on the traffic. If this is no longer the case, i.e. no traffic is visible in the field of vision, then there is a large deviation.

Furthermore, if an optical or acoustic signal or control step has been triggered, this signal or step is reversed as soon as the signal S is no longer set, or preferably only after a certain transition time, after which the signal S is no longer set is. This transition time can be a few (e.g. two) seconds or a few seconds (e.g. five or ten) in order to have an educational effect on the driver not to be distracted.

Of course, the invention also works inversely with respect to the setting of the signal S. This means that the signal S is only activated in all predefined other cases of step iii. set. When triggering according to steps i. and/or ii. the signal S would not be set. The activities mentioned are triggered when the signal S is not set, otherwise the activities do not occur when the signal S is set.

The process steps of the process according to the invention are preferably carried out repeatedly.

The eye position of an occupant, in particular the driver, is advantageously determined using a camera and an electronic image evaluation unit. The camera can respond to the visible and/or infrared spectrum. Other wavelength ranges are also possible.

Alternatively, it is conceivable to use ultrasound to determine the eye position.

In addition, the position of the eyes can be determined indirectly: To do this, at least two microphones are used distributed throughout the vehicle. An electronic evaluation unit then evaluates from the sound signal whether the driver speaks and/or breathes in the direction of the front passenger or, for example, in the direction of the back seat, which also sufficiently detects a deviation of the eye position from the target value range, albeit indirectly.

Of course, the position of the eyes can also be determined in another way.

A further embodiment provides that triggering a visual display includes at least the display of a text and/or symbol in the field of vision of the occupant in question. For this purpose, a head-up display on the windshield could show text at a suitable location, such as “Don’t be distracted!” or “Look at the traffic!”

Alternatively or additionally, it is possible for a pattern to be projected onto at least one point in the driver's presumed line of sight in the event of distraction, in order to disrupt the perception of the distracting object. For this purpose, a controllable projector can be installed at the top of the vehicle, especially in the so-called sky. The projected pattern in question can be, for example, a red or another colored checkerboard pattern. In addition, this can alternate the fields of the checkerboard pattern every second.

Furthermore, triggering an acoustic signal can include at least one announcement and/or a warning tone. Examples of possible announcements include “Pay attention to the traffic!” or “Don’t get distracted!” The warning tone can be, for example, an easily perceptible noise (alarm tone) or a jingle.

The volume of the announcement or warning tone can be adjusted to the engine speed, i.e. the louder the engine is, the louder the announcement or warning tone is.

Triggering a control step advantageously includes at least switching off or at least functionally restricting an entertainment module (e.g. the radio, music transmitted via Bluetooth, a displayed video, etc.). Setting the signal S here results in the entertainment module presenting less, preferably no, distracting audio and/or video content (more).

Although the latter does not directly affect a device brought with you (“BYD device”), it does have an educational effect on the driver: general distraction, which the method according to the invention detects, also leads to the restriction of the use of things that are otherwise permanently permitted while driving, such as e.g. the radio or music playback.

In addition, triggering a control step can additionally or alternatively mean reducing the speed of the vehicle. This is particularly easy to implement with automatic transmissions. But even in the case of a manual transmission, the maximum available speed of the engine can be limited.

• - Mittel zur Ermittlung der Augenstellung eines Insassen (bevorzugt des Fahrers),
• - elektronische Mittel zum Vergleich der ermittelten Augenstellung des Insassen mit einem vorgebbaren Sollwertbereich, wobei in diesen elektronischen Mitteln Zeiten t1, t2, ..., während derer die ermittelte Augenstellung des Insassen vom Sollwertbereich abweicht, wie folgt zum Setzen oder Nicht-Setzen eines Signals S ausgewertet werden:
  • i. Setzen des Signals S, wenn die Summe aller Zeiten t1, t2, ... dividiert durch eine vorgebbare Zeitspanne tg, während der die Augenstellung des Insassen ermittelt wurde, einen ersten vorgebbaren Schwellwert TR überschreitet, und/oder
  • ii. Setzen des Signals S, wenn die jeweils aktuell ermittelte Zeit t1, t2, ..., während der die Augenstellung des Insassen bereits vom Sollwertbereich abweicht, einen zweiten vorgebbaren Schwellwert TA überschreitet, sowie
  • iii. Nicht-Setzen des Signals S in allen anderen Fällen.
• - Mittel zum Auslösen mindestens einer optischen Darstellung und/oder eines akustischen Signals und/oder eines regelungstechnischen Schrittes, sobald in den elektronischen Mitteln das Signal S gesetzt wird und/oder mindestens während der Dauer, während der das Signal S gesetzt ist.

The object of the invention is also achieved by an arrangement for monitoring the attention of an occupant in a vehicle, comprising in the vehicle

• - Means for determining the eye position of an occupant (preferably the driver),
• - Electronic means for comparing the determined eye position of the occupant with a predeterminable setpoint range, with these electronic means having times t1, t2, ... during which the determined eye position of the occupant deviates from the setpoint range, as follows for setting or not setting a signal S are evaluated:
  • i. Setting the signal S when the sum of all times t1, t2, ... divided by a predeterminable period of time tg, during which the occupant's eye position was determined, exceeds a first predeterminable threshold value TR, and / or
  • ii. Setting the signal S when the currently determined time t1, t2, ..., during which the occupant's eye position already deviates from the setpoint range, exceeds a second predeterminable threshold value TA, and
  • iii. Not setting the signal S in all other cases.
• - Means for triggering at least one visual representation and/or an acoustic signal and/or a control step as soon as the signal S is set in the electronic means and/or at least for the duration during which the signal S is set.

If an optical or acoustic signal or control step has been triggered, this signal or step is reversed as soon as the signal S is no longer set, or preferably only after a certain transition time, after which the signal S is no longer set . This transition time can be a few (e.g. two) seconds or a few seconds (e.g. five or ten) in order to have an educational effect on the driver not to be distracted.

Said electronic means for comparison and said means for triggering can be coupled to one another, or identical, i.e. integrated in a common electronic module.

The means for determining the eye position of an occupant, in particular the driver, include, for example, at least one camera and an electronic image evaluation unit coupled thereto. The camera can respond to the visible and/or infrared spectrum. Other wavelength ranges are also possible.

In a further embodiment variant, the means for triggering a control step are coupled to an entertainment module (e.g. the radio, the Bluetooth module for transmitting music, a video module in the center information display, etc.). When signal S is set, the means for triggering send a control signal to said entertainment module, which results in the entertainment module being switched off or at least functionally restricted.

Setting the signal S here results in the entertainment module presenting less, preferably no, distracting audio and/or video content (more). Although the latter does not directly affect a device brought with you (“BYD device”), it does have an educational effect on the driver: general distraction, which the arrangement detects, also leads to the restriction of the use of things that are otherwise permanently permitted while driving, such as e.g. the radio or music playback.

In addition, the means for triggering a control step can be coupled to the vehicle electronics and, when signal S is set, send a control signal to said vehicle electronics, which results in a reduction in the speed of the vehicle. This is particularly easy to implement with automatic transmissions. But even in the case of a manual transmission, the maximum available speed of the engine can be limited.

Otherwise, the explanations and refinements presented above apply in an analogous manner to the arrangement according to the invention. These are not repeated here for reasons of redundancy.

In principle, the performance of the invention is maintained if the parameters described above are varied within certain limits.

It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or alone, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung eines Fahrers in einem Fahrzeug,
• 2 ein erstes Diagramm zur Illustration verschiedener Zeiten t1, t2, ... im Zusammenhang mit Schritt i.,
• 3 ein zweites Diagramm zur Illustration verschiedener Zeiten t1, t2, . im Zusammenhang mit Schritt i., sowie
• 4 ein Diagramm zur Illustration verschiedener Zeiten t1, t2, ... im Zusammenhang mit Schritt ii.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to drawings, which also show features essential to the invention. It shows

• 1 a schematic representation of a driver in a vehicle,
• 2 a first diagram to illustrate different times t1, t2, ... in connection with step i.,
• 3 a second diagram to illustrate different times t1, t2, . related to step i., as well
• 4 a diagram illustrating various times t1, t2, ... related to step ii.

• - die Augenstellung eines Insassen 1 (insbesondere des Fahrers) ermittelt wird,
• - die ermittelte Augenstellung des Insassen 1 mit einem vorgebbaren Sollwertbereich verglichen wird,
• - Zeiten t1, t2, ..., während derer die ermittelte Augenstellung des Insassen 1 vom Sollwertbereich abweicht, wie folgt zum Setzen oder Nicht-Setzen eines Signals S ausgewertet werden:
  1. i. Setzen des Signals S, wenn die Summe aller Zeiten t1, t2, ... dividiert durch eine vorgebbare Zeitspanne tg, während der jeweils die Augenstellung des Insassen 1 ermittelt wurde, einen ersten vorgebbaren Schwellwert TR überschreitet, und/oder
  2. ii. Setzen des Signals S, wenn die jeweils aktuell ermittelte Zeit t1, t2, ..., während der die Augenstellung des Insassen 1 bereits vom Sollwertbereich abweicht, einen zweiten vorgebbaren Schwellwert TA überschreitet, sowie
  3. iii. Nicht-Setzen des Signals S in allen anderen Fällen,
• - Auslösen mindestens einer optischen Darstellung und/oder eines akustischen Signals und/oder eines regelungstechnischen Schrittes, sobald das Signal S gesetzt wird und/oder mindestens während der Dauer, während der das Signal S gesetzt ist.

The following description based on the drawings 1 until 4 This refers to a method for monitoring the attention of an occupant 1 in a vehicle, in which

• - the eye position of an occupant 1 (in particular the driver) is determined,
• - the determined eye position of the occupant 1 is compared with a predeterminable target value range,
• - Times t1, t2, ..., during which the determined eye position of occupant 1 deviates from the setpoint range, are evaluated as follows to set or not set a signal S:
  1. i. Setting the signal S when the sum of all times t1, t2, ... divided by a predeterminable period of time tg, during which the eye position of the occupant 1 was determined, exceeds a first predeterminable threshold value TR, and / or
  2. ii. Setting the signal S when the currently determined time t1, t2, ..., during which the eye position of the occupant 1 already deviates from the setpoint range, exceeds a second predeterminable threshold value TA, and
  3. iii. Not setting the signal S in all other cases,
• - Triggering at least one visual representation and/or an acoustic signal and/or a control step as soon as the signal S is set and/or at least for the duration during which the signal S is set.

The 1 shows a schematic representation of a driver 1 in a vehicle and a geometric specification 2 where the eyes of the occupant 1, i.e. the driver 1, should look for optimal tracking of traffic events.

Such a geometric specification 2 can be transferred to the predeterminable target value range for the occupant's eye position.

The setpoint range in question can be defined in different types of coordinates or data. On the one hand, the eye position could be in the target value if you look through one of the windows of the vehicle, or possibly only the windshield, and at the rear view mirror. Conversely, the view of the interior of the vehicle should preferably not be part of the target value range. The invention then also ensures that the driver 1 is not distracted without warning by standard devices such as the radio or by using the ventilation setting switches, because the corresponding usage times are recognized by the method and, if necessary, punished.

In 2 is a first diagram and in 3 a second diagram illustrating different times t1, t2, ... related to step i. shown.

As an example, TR is chosen to be 0.35. The time period tg (in 2 and 3 shown in relative units) is e.g. 30 seconds. Each of the times t1, t2, t3 and t4, during which the determined eye position of the occupant 1 deviates from the target value range, is 3 seconds long. Times during which the determined eye position of the occupant 1 does not deviate from the setpoint range are not specifically marked and correspond to the time periods complementary to times t1 to t4.

There in the in 2 If the time t4 is not included in the first time period tg considered, the times t1+t2+t3 add up to 9 seconds. This corresponds to a relative proportion of the time period tg of 9s / 30s = 0.3 < 0.35. Thus, the circumstances meet 2 not the prerequisite for procedural step i. to set the signal S, because the setting of the signal S is only carried out if the sum of all times t1, t2, ... divided by the time period tg, during which the occupant's eye position was determined, exceeds the threshold value TR.

In contrast, in the circumstances according to in 3 During a time period tg viewed retrospectively 3 seconds later, the time t4 is also included, so that the times t1+t2+t3+t4 add up to 12 seconds. This corresponds to a relative share of the time period tg of 12s / 30s = 0.4 > 0.35. This time the circumstances are fulfilling 3 the prerequisite for procedural step i. to set the signal S, because the setting of the signal S is carried out when the sum of all times t1, t2, ... divided by the time period tg, during which the occupant's eye position was determined, exceeds the threshold value TR.

As time progresses, the respectively determined times t1, t2, t3, etc. can be retroactively increased by the time period tg from the current point in time according to the procedure in step i. be rated.

Continues to show 4 a diagram illustrating various times t1, t2, ... related to step ii. Here, TA is chosen as 3 seconds as an example. For example, t1=2s, t2=6s and t3=1.5s also apply.

The step ii. As described above, includes setting the signal S when the currently determined time t1, t2, ..., during which the eye position of the occupant 1 already deviates from the setpoint range, exceeds the second threshold value TA.

This is only the case here for time t2. While within the periods t1 and t3 the signal S in step ii. is not set, it is set after 3 seconds of time t2 have been exceeded. After the 6 seconds of time t2 have elapsed, the signal S is not set again.

Regardless of which step (i. and/or ii.) the signal S was set, the at least one optical representation and/or an acoustic signal and/or a control step is triggered as soon as the signal S is set and /or at least for the duration during which the signal S is or remains set.

Furthermore, if an optical or acoustic signal or control step has been triggered, this signal or step is reversed as soon as the signal S is no longer set, or preferably only after a certain transition time, after which the signal S is no longer set is. This transition time can be a few (for example two) seconds or a few seconds (for example five or ten) in order to have an educational effect on the driver 1 not to be distracted.

It should be noted that the process only involves one of the aforementioned steps i. or ii. can include. In any case, step iii is also necessary. contains.

All process steps of the process are preferably carried out repeatedly.

The vehicle may be a passenger car, a truck, an aircraft, a spacecraft or a watercraft.

The eye position of an occupant 1, in particular the driver 1, is advantageously determined by means of a camera and an electronic image evaluation unit. The camera can respond to the visible and/or infrared spectrum. Other wavelength ranges are also possible.

A further embodiment provides that triggering a visual display includes at least the display of a text and/or symbol in the field of vision of the occupant 1 in question. For this purpose, a head-up display on the windshield could show text at a suitable location, such as “Don’t be distracted!”

Furthermore, triggering an acoustic signal can include at least one announcement and/or a warning tone.

In further embodiments, triggering a control step advantageously includes at least switching off or at least functionally restricting an entertainment module (e.g. the radio, music transmitted by Bluetooth, a displayed video, etc.). Setting the signal S here results in the entertainment module presenting less, preferably no, distracting audio and/or video content (more).

Although the latter does not directly affect a device brought with you (“BYD device”), an educational effect is applied to the driver 1: General distraction, which the procedure detects, also leads to the restriction of the use of things that are otherwise permanently permitted while driving, such as e.g. the radio or music playback.

The arrangement described above for monitoring the attention of an occupant 1 in a vehicle can be done analogously to the method described above using the drawings 1 until 4 be explained. For reasons of redundancy, this explanation is not repeated here.

The methods and arrangements described above solve the task: A method and an arrangement have been described which ensure detection of distraction of the driver of a vehicle, including by equipment that is not permanently installed in the vehicle and which vehicle users can bring into the vehicle. Measures are also possible to at least indirectly reduce the driver's distraction, regardless of the device distracting him. In addition, said detection can be carried out without active input or interaction from the driver.

The invention described above can be advantageously used in vehicles to detect and sanction any type of visual distraction of the driver. This offers a helpful contribution to generally increasing road safety.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was 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 102009046451 A1 [0003]
• DE 202017105761 U1 [0004]
• DE 112015005433 T5 [0005]
• US 2012/0215403 A1 [0006]

Claims (10)

Method for monitoring the attention of an occupant in a vehicle, in which - the eye position of an occupant (1) is determined, - the determined eye position of the occupant (1) is compared with a predeterminable target value range, - Times t1, t2, ..., during which the determined eye position of the occupant (1) deviates from the setpoint range, are evaluated as follows to set or not set a signal S: i. Setting the signal S when the sum of all times t1, t2, ... divided by a predeterminable period of time tg, during which the eye position of the occupant (1) was determined, exceeds a first predeterminable threshold value TR, and / or ii. Setting the signal S when the currently determined time t1, t2, ..., during which the eye position of the occupant (1) already deviates from the setpoint range, exceeds a second predeterminable threshold value TA, and iii. Not setting the signal S in all other cases, - Triggering at least one visual representation and/or an acoustic signal and/or a control step as soon as the signal S is set and/or at least for the duration during which the signal S is set. Procedure according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the process steps are carried out repeatedly. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the eye position of an occupant (1) is determined by means of a camera and an image evaluation unit. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that triggering an optical representation includes at least the display of a text and/or symbol in the field of vision of the occupant (1) in question. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that triggering an acoustic signal comprises at least one announcement and/or a warning tone. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that triggering a control step includes at least switching off an entertainment module and/or reducing the speed of the vehicle. Arrangement for monitoring the attention of an occupant in a vehicle, comprising in the vehicle - Means for determining the eye position of an occupant (1), - Electronic means for comparing the determined eye position of the occupant (1) with a predeterminable setpoint range, with these electronic means times t1, t2, ... during which the determined eye position of the occupant (1) deviates from the setpoint range, as follows for setting or not setting a signal S: i. Setting the signal S when the sum of all times t1, t2, ... divided by a predeterminable time period tg, during which the eye position of the occupant (1) was determined, exceeds a first predeterminable threshold value TR, and / or ii. Setting the signal S when the currently determined time t1, t2, ..., during which the eye position of the occupant (1) already deviates from the setpoint range, exceeds a second predeterminable threshold value TA, and iii. Not setting the signal S in all other cases, - Means for triggering at least one visual representation and/or an acoustic signal and/or a control step as soon as the signal S is set in the electronic means and/or at least for the duration during which the signal S is set. Arrangement according to Claim 7 , characterized in that the means for determining the eye position of an occupant (1) comprise at least one camera and an image evaluation unit coupled to it. Arrangement according to one of the Claims 7 or 8th , characterized in that the means for triggering a control step are coupled to an entertainment module and at law tem signal S send a control signal to said entertainment module, which results in the entertainment module being switched off. Arrangement according to one of the Claims 7 until 9 , characterized in that the means for triggering a control step are coupled to the vehicle electronics and, when signal S is set, send a control signal to said vehicle electronics, which results in a reduction in the speed of the vehicle.

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