Method for displaying a visual warning sign

State of the art

p0001The invention relates to a method and a control device for a display a visual warning display by category of the independent claims.

p0002To warn a driver of a motor vehicle, it is known to issue warnings to the driver either acoustically and / or visually. A visual output of a warning is given according to the prior art, inter alia, a head-up display. Here, the warning is displayed in the driver's field of view, the field of view includes the windscreen of the vehicle and thus the head-up display. Further, it is known from<patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="DE19951001A1"><text>DE 199 51 001 A1</text></patcit> known by a camera close to a driver's line of sight, so that by determining the viewing direction a warning in such a range of Head appears -Up displays, which is directed to the driver's view. Accordingly there is a position-dependent display a warning display in the head-up displays in dependent of sight of the driver.

p0003A recording of traffic situations and an evaluation of such as a critical traffic situation detected by the camera, radar, ultrasonic or infrared systems with corresponding control devices and algorithms are known from the prior art.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

p0005The method with the features of the main claim has the advantage that for a display a visual warning display as a warning of a detected critical traffic situation occurs such that controllable from each other for displaying the visual warning display of a group of at least two separate display units a display unit is selected depending on the driver's line of sight. This has the advantage that a driver gets displayed in front of a covered critical traffic situation on such a display a warning display in which his sight is directed.

p0006For example, if the driver's line of sight directed in the course of operating activity at a central control panel on a display unit of the control panel, so appears a warning display, which is displayed in a head-up display, not in sight. This warning reaches him only when he turns his sight away from the control panel and toward the head-up display. So also achieved in the event that, together with an indication of a visual warning display in the head-up display together an acoustic warning is issued to the driver to prompt the driver to set up his view of the head-up display the visual warning display time delay it until after the change in its line of sight and thus. In contrast, a display unit, for example, the display of the control panel, the visual warning display is output immediately in view of the driver and in his line of sight in the invention range, so that the driver warned by the visual warning display on the selected display in front of a covered critical traffic situation without delay becomes. A warning on the head-up display according to the prior art is sometimes not immediately recognizable to a driver as an explicit warning, whereas the inventive visual warning display, which reached the driver immediately the driver makes, immediately aware of the critical traffic situation, so that the driver already has an increased attention to the surrounding traffic situation him when his focus from the display of the control panel towards the traffic situation surrounding him is directed. Since the road sometimes in critical traffic situations within fractions of a second by a driver action needs to be initiated, by the inventive method enables a driver, sooner or faster initiate these measures, as they have been indicated in accordance with the prior art warning display in a head- Up display.

p0007The measures specified in the dependent claims, advantageous refinements and improvements of the in the independent claim are possible.

p0008According to a further embodiment of the invention, a single display unit is selected for display a visual warning display. Is selected as this single display unit that display unit matches its position in the vehicle closest to the driver's line of sight, so a warning is displayed by the output of the visual warning display on this single display unit the driver only on a single display unit, making it not more warnings is unsettled on different display units.

p0009According to a further embodiment of the invention, respective display units through respective, separate interfaces for input of image data is driven for the display of the visual alarm displays. This has the advantage that not only a single display unit can be used to output a visual warning display, but that respective display units, which are present in the motor vehicle can be driven through their respective, separate interfaces. By such control of image data can be fed to the display units and are displayed on this display. This different, existing in a motor vehicle display units can be used, which, compared with the prior art has the advantage that due to the supply of image data, the visual form of visual warning display, or the image itself is determined. Preferably, the respective display units are only for displaying an image eingespiesenen. This enables high flexibility with respect to the displayed visual warning representations or images to be displayed, so that the form of presentation is not determined by the display units, but by the image data inputted.

p0010According to another embodiment of the invention, at a first sensor unit to an imaging unit, which provides the first sensor data image data. Such sensor data in the form of image data of an image acquisition unit (for example, a camera) can, as is known from the prior art, will be evaluated as to that is closed on one of the driver's line of sight. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the first sensor unit to an image recognition unit, which as the first sensor data provides the driver's viewing direction. Such image detection units may be provided for example by a combination of an image capture unit, in the form of a camera, and a control unit for image recognition, wherein the controller includes the image data provided by the imaging unit on the driver's line of sight, and this line of sight provides the first sensor data. Further, it is preferably in a further, second sensor unit at least one control unit for operation by a driver, which provides with respect to the operation made by the driver and sensor data further data. This has the advantage that is closed not only by an image data analysis of provided by imaging units image data to the driver's line of sight, but that further also sensor data provided by operating units, are evaluated as to that is closed to the driver's line of sight. For example, on a rotary push button in the center console of a vehicle, a high level of user activity has been found, so can be carried out by this additional sensor data, a plausibility check or a check of a known image data by line of sight. This results in an advantageous higher safety level in the decision on a determined line of sight of a driver.

p0011According to another embodiment of the invention, in the visual warning display by an exemplary image of a traffic situation, an exemplary video sequence of a traffic situation, a real picture of current traffic situation of the vehicle or a real video sequence of a current traffic situation of the vehicle. This has the advantage that through various forms of image data, the driver will be alerted to a detected critical traffic situation in different ways. For example, an exemplary image of a traffic situation shown, it is by such an image, such as a pictogram, the criticality of the traffic situation detected by a driver in a simple manner. A display of a real image or a real video sequence of an instantaneous traffic situation of the vehicle has the advantage that the driver gets presented the current traffic situation of the vehicle without changing its line of sight. It can thus already in the moment in which he changes his focus from the display toward the current traffic situation, take steps to control the vehicle.

p0012According to a further embodiment of the invention, the visual warning display is selected depending on a detected type of a critical traffic situation. This has the advantage that it can be influenced by a classification of a critical traffic situation as a particular type of traffic situation, what type displays a visual warning display. This can be critical depending on the traffic situation or the classified type of traffic situation different warning representations choose which enable direct the driver informing about the kinds of currently available traffic situation.

p0013According to another embodiment of the invention, when the display unit is a head-up display, a display of a combi-instrument, a display of a navigation device, a display of a head unit, a display of a mobile phone or a display of a mobile computer unit. This has the advantage that different, occurring in a motor vehicle display units are used, which are connected via interfaces to a central control unit for outputting the visual warning, and that a plurality of displays of such devices can be used.

p0014According to a further embodiment of the invention, the representation of the visual warning display is terminated by actuating an input unit by the driver. This is advantageous because even warned sometimes before a detected critical traffic situation by the display unit, when a driver has already recognized this detected traffic situation. By operating the input unit, the driver can stop the display of the visual warning display at his own request. This may for example be the case if the driver does not want to be distracted by the visual warning display.

p0015The inventive control unit for selecting a display unit from a group of at least two display units to display a visual warning display for warning a driver of a vehicle in front of a critical traffic situation has different interfaces. The control unit has at least a first interface for controlling the first display unit and at least one further, second interface for driving a further, second display unit. Further, the control unit includes a third interface to at least one sensor unit, which sensor data provides the basis of which the control unit closes on a driver's gaze direction. Further, the control unit has a fourth interface to a detection unit for detecting a critical traffic situation, the detection unit of the control unit signaling a detection of a critical traffic situation. The control unit is characterized in that, for signaling a critical traffic situation, the control unit selects to the control unit one of the display units for displaying the visual warning display in response to the driver's viewing direction. Compared to the prior art, the control unit of the invention has the advantage that not only in a particular area of ​​a head-up display, a display of a visual warning display is, but is that to display the visual warning display selected from at least two display units, a display unit. According to a further embodiment of the control unit has a single display unit is preferably selected. This has the advantage that the control unit by selecting a single display unit for displaying the visual warning display ensures that the driver's visual warning display is shown only at a single point of the motor vehicle so that the driver is not distracted by several visual warning representations of a warning or is irritated.

drawings

p0016Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and explained in detail in the following description. Drawing 1 shows a vehicle interior from a driver's view. Drawing 2 shows such automotive interior components from a side view. <figref idrefs="f0002">figure 3</figref> showing a control unit according to the invention.

Description of Embodiments

p0017The <figref idrefs="f0001">figure 1</figref> shows a car interior 1 of a driver's view. Shown is a front window 11 within which a region 20 shown by a dashed line, as a display area of ​​a head-up display is provided. Further, below the front window 11 is a instrument cluster 22 is provided, which preferably has a tachometer 23, and a display 24 for displaying image data. In the central, central region of the motor vehicle interior 1, is also located preferably a central control console 13, for example, a head unit, which preferably has a navigation system, radio, CD player, air conditioning or similar equipment. These devices are preferably driven by means of at least one operating unit 18 of the central control panel. 13 The at least one operating unit 18 can be, for example, a keyboard, a rotary-push type, trackball, or similar operating units. The central control panel 13 further includes a display 17 for displaying information, for example, the navigation device, the CD player, air conditioning or other equipment. Preferably, the central control console 13 further includes a mount frame 15 for receiving a mobile phone 14, the cellular phone 14 also has its own display 16th Alternatively, it is possible that the mount frame 15 is not provided in the central control panel 13, but in a wider range of automotive interior 1. Preferably further, in the<figref idrefs="f0001">figure 1</figref> not illustrated mobile computing units provided which also have display units in the form of displays.

p0018According to the invention for displaying a visual warning display a selection of one of the display units 16, 17, 24, 20 depending on the driver's line of sight. Here is a sensor unit 21, preferably a camera in the top center portion of the panel 11, sensor data provided, is the basis of which is closed to the driver's line of sight. Preferably, the camera is located at a different position in the vehicle, for example, in an instrument cluster of a dashboard.

p0019The Indian <figref idrefs="f0001">figure 1</figref> illustrated automotive interior 1 is again in the <figref idrefs="f0001">figure 2</figref> represented as automotive interior 2 from side view. Again, the windscreen 11 with a region 20 as a display area of ​​a head-up displays. Further, a dash panel 22 with a display 24, and a central control console 13 with a display 17 and, preferably, an operating unit 18 is shown. Preferably located in the central control panel 13, a mobile phone with a display 16. In the upper portion of the panel 11 is preferably a sensor unit 21 is provided in the form of a camera. On a seat 101 sits a driver 100, which according to<figref idrefs="f0001">FIG. 2</figref> may have different viewing directions. The viewing directions are shown by respective arrows 31 to 35 of the driver's eyes toward the respective display units 20, 24, 16, 17th A first sight of the driver 31 runs from the driver's eyes toward the head-up display 20. A second sight of the driver 32 leads toward the display 24 of the instrument cluster 22. A third viewing direction 33 leading toward a screen 16 of a mobile phone , A fourth viewing direction 34 leading toward a display 17 of a central control console 13, for example, a head unit. The display units displayed and discussed in this embodiment represent only a selection of possible display units which can be driven in accordance with the method for displaying a visual representation of track. It is understood by one skilled in the art that other, existing in a motor vehicle display units can be used to display a visual representation of track. The display units illustrated are connected through respective interfaces to a central control unit, not shown by the here, so that a control of the display units for displaying the visual representation web is possible. Such interfaces and data interfaces for transmission of image data can be for example a CAN bus, wired but not wired interfaces in the form of, for example, USB interfaces or wireless interfaces.

p0020If by means not shown in the figures detection units - for example, setting cameras, radars or infrared systems or ultrasound systems - detected and a corresponding control unit, a traffic situation as critical as a driver warning of this traffic situation by displaying a visual warning display is necessary. According to the prior art, it is possible in this case, to display in different subregions of a head-up display 20 a visual warning display. However, it is not directed at the head-up display 20 of the view of the driver, but to one of the other items 24, 16, 17 so the driver reaches this visual warning display even when excited his attention by an additional acoustic warning only delayed because the visual warning display is for him only noticeable when he turns his focus from the other display units 24, 16, 17 toward the head-up display 20th This sometimes go lost fractions of a second before the driver can react, which is extremely critical in the road sometimes.

p0021The sensor unit 21 provides sensor data provides the basis of which it can be concluded on a driver's line of sight. These sensor data can be, for example, image data, which are evaluated by a central control unit such that is closed to a line of sight. Alternatively, it may be in the sensor unit 21 by one unit, which is the first sensor data the driver's line of sight provides the sensor unit 21 has an image recognition unit in this case, which performs analysis of image data independently. Has been so close to the driver's line of sight, so, in the case that the driver take a closer example to the display 17 of the central control panel 13, the display of the visual warning display on the display 17 of the control panel to be made. 13 This the driver is visually immediately warning display is presented, so that before the change of the driver 100 viewed from the viewing direction 34 of the display 17 toward the viewing direction 31 toward the windshield 11, the driver is informed that a critical traffic situation is present ,

p0022After issuance of the visual warning display on a display unit, which is selected depending on the driver's line of sight, can preferably be an audible warning. Preferably a single display unit is selected to display the visual warning display, so that the driver is not irritated by several warning images on multiple display units of the present in the automotive interior 1 display units 20, 24, 16, 17th

p0023Preferably, in the sensor units for providing sensor data further to operating units, for example, the operating unit 18 of the central control panel 13, which provide data on a made by the driver's operation. For this purpose, the operating unit 18 is also connected via an interface for transmitting the sensor data relating to the modification by the driver operation with a central control unit.

p0024Furthermore, it can also be a steering wheel whose actuation is evaluated by the driver 100 of a control unit with operating units preferably. Also in this case it is necessary that sensors are connected to the transmission of a driver's operation of the activity of interfacing with the central control unit to the steering wheel.

p0025Preferably is displayed as a visual warning representation of an exemplary image or an exemplary video sequence of a traffic situation. Such exemplary image representations have the advantage that by an abstraction of image information, for example by means of pictograms, a driver a warning on him for an easy to understand way to view it. This exemplary image representations can also be displayed as a function of a type of a critical traffic situation, as which the detected traffic situation is classified. Thus, for example, is a critical traffic situation detected, in which a pedestrian crosses the carriageway, a corresponding exemplary image or an exemplary video sequence of a pedestrian on a road surface selected as a visual warning display, and the driver can then be displayed. If detected as critical traffic situation, for example, a red light, so can an exemplary illustration of a red light can be selected as an exemplary image as a visual warning display. Other types of traffic situations, for example, a traffic situation with a cyclist be an approach to a junction, a motor vehicle which is running ahead and brakes or einscherendes automobile.

p0026Preferably, in the visual warning display by a real video sequence of an instantaneous traffic situation of the vehicle or a real image of an instantaneous traffic situation of the vehicle the vehicle. Such a real image or such a real video sequence can be detected for example by setting cameras and their riders on such a display, on which precisely his sight is addressed, the current traffic situation display, change only the line of sight toward the windshield 11 without the driver have to be. Likewise, it is possible to display such an image as a real image or a real video sequence on the night vision system in the presence of a night vision system.

p0027Preferably, the display of the visual representation is then completed, if the driver has actuated an input unit. This makes it possible that the driver, the visual warning display automatically terminated if it feels deflected by the visual warning display, or those deemed important for no further.

p0028If there is no activity of the input unit by the driver so the visual warning display preferably no longer than a termination of the detected critical traffic situation and the earliest at a recognized situation adequate reaction of the driver.

p0029The <figref idrefs="f0002">Fig. 3</figref> showing a control unit according to the invention 40 which is connected via a first interface 51 with at least one first display unit 61st The control unit 40 is further connected via a second interface 52 having at least one second display unit 62nd Preferably, it is also possible that the control unit 40 is connected via further interfaces with other display units. Via a third interface 53, the control unit 40 is connected to a sensor unit 63rd The sensor unit 63 provides sensor data provides the basis of which the control unit 40 includes a driver's line of sight. Via a fourth interface 54, the control unit 40 is connected via a detection unit 64 for detecting a critical traffic situation. Signaled by the detection unit 64 to the control unit 40, the detection of a critical traffic situation, thus closing the control unit 40 based on the sensor data of the sensor unit 63 to the driver's line of sight and selected depending on the viewing direction a of the display units 61, 62 for displaying a visual warning display from , Preferably, the control unit 40 selects a single display unit.

p0030The control unit 40 controls in this case to the display units 61, 62 preferably over the respective interfaces of the display units 61, 62, wherein the visual warning display in the form of signaling data transmitted to issue a warning display or in the form of image data. Will exemplary images or video sequences exemplary output as image data to the display units 61, 62, the control unit 40 may in this case have a memory in which such exemplary image data is stored. Preferably, the control unit 40 has a fifth port 55 to an image acquisition unit 65, in which it is, for example, is an environment camera or a camera of a night vision system. Image data of such an image capture unit 65 can preferably be output as real images or as real video sequences from the control unit 40 to the display units 61, 62nd If the display units 61, 62 can preferably be display units, which according to the<figref idrefs="f0001">Figures 1 or 2</figref> are illustrated and described.

p0031The outlined and illustrated in the embodiments embodiments are not only separately executable by itself, but can be combined to obtain further advantages.