Display Device for a Driving System for Automated Driving for Displaying the Active Automated Driving Mode

Abstract

For automated driving, a driving system can be operated at least in a first automated driving mode with automated longitudinal and/or transverse guidance. A display device includes a driving mode display with a lighting unit. The driving mode display corresponds to a steering wheel display with a light strip structure for the steering wheel rim that can be lit up. A control device coupled to the display is also provided, for controlling the display. The control device is designed to control the driving mode display such that, upon activation of the first automated driving mode, the lighting unit lights up in a first lighting state with a specific luminous intensity, so as to indicate the activation of the first automated driving mode to the driver. The driving mode display is controlled such that, following the activation of the first automated driving mode, with the first driving mode still active, the lighting unit is operated in a dimmed lighting state as compared to the first lighting state, with a reduced luminous intensity in relation to the luminous intensity of the first lighting state.

Claims

1.-17. (canceled)

18. A display device for a driving system for automated driving of a motor vehicle, wherein for the automated driving the driving system is operable at least in a first automated driving mode with automated longitudinal and/or lateral control, comprising: a driving mode display for a vehicle cockpit with a lighting unit; and a control device for controlling the driving mode display, said control device being coupled to the driving mode display, wherein the control device is configured to: control the driving mode display such that, in a context of activation of the first automated driving mode, the lighting unit is luminous in a first luminous state with a specific light intensity in order to indicate the activation of the first automated driving mode to the driver, and control the driving mode display such that after the activation of the first automated driving mode, with the first automated driving mode still active, the lighting unit is operated in a dimmed luminous state in comparison with the first luminous state, with a reduced light intensity relative to the light intensity of the first luminous state.

19. The display device according to claim 18, wherein the control device is further configured to: dim the light intensity after a predefined time duration has elapsed.

20. The display device according to claim 18, wherein the driving mode display corresponds to a steering wheel display with a light-emitting luminous strip structure for the steering wheel rim, and the lighting unit corresponds to the luminous strip structure.

21. The display device according to claim 18, wherein the light intensity of the dimmed luminous state is variable, the control device is further configured to: receive gaze information about where a driver's gaze is directed, and control the lighting unit depending on the gaze information, wherein the light intensity of the dimmed luminous state is dependent on the gaze information.

22. The display device according to claim 21, wherein the driving mode display corresponds to a steering wheel display with a light-emitting luminous strip structure for the steering wheel rim, the lighting unit corresponds to the luminous strip structure, and the control device is further configured to: control the steering wheel display depending on the gaze information such that the light intensity of the dimmed luminous state is lower when the driver's gaze is directed toward the steering wheel compared with when the driver's gaze is directed toward viewing points remote from the steering wheel.

23. The display device according to claim 22, wherein a field of view includes a plurality of defined viewing regions comprising: a first viewing region comprising at least the steering wheel, and a second viewing region at least partly surrounding the first viewing region, and the control device is further configured to: control the steering wheel display depending on the gaze information such that the light intensity of the dimmed luminous state is lower when the driver's gaze is directed toward the first viewing region compared with when the driver's gaze is directed toward the second viewing region.

24. The display device according to claim 18, wherein the light intensity of the dimmed luminous state is variable, the control device is further configured to: receive activity information about the driver's activity, and control the lighting unit depending on the activity information, wherein the light intensity of the dimmed luminous state is dependent on the activity information.

25. The display device according to claim 24, wherein the activity information comprises information about whether the driver is viewing a screen situated in the vehicle.

26. The display device according to claim 18, wherein the light intensity of the dimmed luminous state is variable, the control device is further configured to: receive brightness information in connection with the ambient brightness, and control the lighting unit depending on the brightness information such that the light intensity of the dimmed luminous state is higher for increased brightness than for lower brightness relative to the increased brightness.

27. The display device according to claim 26, wherein the control device is further configured to: control the lighting unit depending on the brightness information such that the swing between the light intensity of the first luminous state and the light intensity of the dimmed luminous state is larger for a higher ambient brightness than for a lower ambient brightness relative thereto.

28. The display device according to claim 18, wherein the light intensity of the dimmed luminous state is variable, and the decrease in the light intensity to the light intensity of the dimmed luminous state takes an identical length of time in the case of a varying light intensity of the dimmed luminous state.

29. The display device according to claim 18, wherein the control device is further configured to: control the driving mode display such that in connection with a current or imminent takeover request for taking over the driving task, the light intensity of the lighting unit is increased to the light intensity of the first luminous state.

30. The display device according to claim 29, wherein the control device is further configured to: control the driving mode display such that in reaction to the driving task being taken over by the driver, the light intensity of the lighting unit is reduced to the light intensity of the dimmed luminous state.

31. The display device according to claim 18, wherein the control device is further configured to: control the driving mode display such that before the activation of an automated driving mode in reaction to ascertaining the availability of this driving mode for activation by the driver: (i) the light intensity of the lighting unit is increased to the light intensity of the first luminous state, if the lighting unit is already luminous beforehand, or (ii) the lighting unit is activated if the lighting unit is not luminous beforehand.

32. The display device according to claim 18, wherein the control device is further configured to: control the driving mode display such that the light intensity of the lighting unit is increased upon at least one of the following events being ascertained: (i) fatigue of the driver; (ii) presence of a takeover desire on the part of the driver.

33. A driving system, comprising a display device according to claim 18.

34. A display method for displaying an activated automated driving mode for a driving system for automated driving of a motor vehicle, wherein, for automated driving, the driving system is operable at least in a first automated driving mode with automated longitudinal and/or lateral control, and a driving mode display for the vehicle cockpit with a lighting unit is present, comprising the steps of: controlling the driving mode display such that in a context of the activation of the first automated driving mode, the lighting unit is luminous in a first luminous state with a specific light intensity in order to indicate the activation of the first automated driving mode to the driver; and after the activation of the first automated driving mode, controlling the driving mode display such that, with the first driving mode still active, the lighting unit is operated in a dimmed luminous state in comparison with the first luminous state, with a reduced light intensity relative to the light intensity of the first luminous state.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] FIG. 1 shows one exemplary embodiment of a steering wheel with steering wheel display for displaying the active driving mode.

[0043] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary schematically depicted profile of the light intensity of the luminous strips of the steering wheel display over time.

[0044] FIG. 3 shows exemplary viewing regions.

[0045] FIG. 4 shows an exemplary schematically depicted profile of the light intensity of the luminous strips of the steering wheel display over time.

[0046] FIG. 5 shows an exemplary dependence of the levels I.sub.1 and 1.sub.2 of the light intensity I.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] FIG. 1 illustrates one exemplary embodiment of a steering wheel 1 with a steering wheel display for displaying the active driving mode. The steering wheel display has a luminous strip structure having a left luminous strip 2a and a right luminous strip 2b, which are both integrated in the steering wheel rim. The luminous strip structure can alternatively correspond to a closed ring, an upwardly open ring or a luminous strip arranged in the upper region of the steering wheel rim.

[0048] Each luminous strip 2a, 2b comprises a string of illuminants 3 of identical type arranged next to one another. The illuminants 3 are light-emitting diodes (LEDs), for example. Each illuminant 3 can comprise one or more light-emitting diodes, for example two or three diodes, in particular in the case of an illuminant 3 which can emit light in different luminous colors.

[0049] The illuminants 3 are preferably arranged behind a light-transmissive layer 4 incorporated in the steering wheel rim, light being emitted through said layer.

[0050] The illuminants 3 can preferably be driven individually. It is advantageous if the illuminants 3 can emit light in different colors, for example in blue, yellow, green and red.

[0051] In order to reduce the light intensity of the luminous strips 2a, 2b constructed from illuminants 3, the light intensity of the individual illuminants 3 can be reduced in each case. Alternatively, for each luminous strip 2a, 2b, it is also possible to reduce the number of luminous illuminants 3 with the light intensity of the still luminous illuminants otherwise remaining the same (for example, only every n-th illuminant, e.g. every second or third illuminant, is still luminous after dimming).

[0052] Depending on distance, number of the illuminants 3 and scattering of the light, the luminous character can range from a substantially homogenous illumination in the region of the luminous illuminants 3 through to a rather loose chain of luminous points.

[0053] The steering edge pointer is part of a user interface of an exemplary driving system for automated driving. The driving system has a driving mode HAD for highly automated driving with automated longitudinal and lateral control, for example for driving on the interstate. Further driving modes with a lower degree of automation are further conceivable, for example a driving mode for partly automated driving PAD with automated longitudinal and lateral control, and also a driving mode ACC for assisted driving with automated longitudinal control. Depending on the active driving mode, the luminous strips 2a emit light in a luminous color assigned to the respectively active driving mode, e.g. blue for driving mode HAD, green in the driving mode PAD and yellow in the driving mode ACC.

[0054] The control of the steering wheel display is described below with reference to FIG. 2:

[0055] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary schematically depicted profile of the light intensity I of the luminous strips 2a, 2b of the steering wheel display over time t. The active luminous color is indicated at the top of the diagram.

[0056] It is initially assumed that directly before the point in time t.sub.1 the driving system is not active and the vehicle is being controlled manually. The luminous strips 2a, 2b are initially not luminous. At the point in time t.sub.1, the driver activates the driving mode HAD by way of an operating element, e.g. a pushbutton. The luminous strips 2a, 2b are activated and emit light in the color (e.g. blue) assigned to the driving mode HAD. The light intensity I increases to the target value I.sub.1, which is reached at the point in time t.sub.2, from which approximately the driving mode HAD is also active. The level I.sub.1 is less than or equal to the maximum light intensity I.sub.max of the luminous strips.

[0057] After a time duration t (e.g. t=10 s) has elapsed, for example calculated from when the level I.sub.1 is reached or from when the driving mode HAD is active, the luminous strips 2a, 2b are dimmed. The light intensity I.sub.2 reached during dimming, starting from the point in time t.sub.3, is preferably variable and may depend on a plurality of influencing factors.

[0058] The light intensity I.sub.2 in the dimmed state may depend on the ambient brightness, for example. By way of example, brightness information H can be obtained from the signal of an optical sensor (for example a camera or a dedicated brightness sensor) integrated in the vehicle. The steering wheel display is controlled depending on the brightness information such that the light intensity I.sub.2 of the dimmed luminous state is higher in the case of increased brightness than in the case of lower brightness compared with the increased brightness. The influence of the brightness on the light intensity I.sub.2 in the dimmed state is indicated by the vertically extending arrow bearing the reference sign H in FIG. 2.

[0059] Furthermore, the light intensity I.sub.2 in the dimmed state may depend on information A about the driver's activity in the vehicle. If it is established, for example, that the driver is using a screen, for example the light intensity I.sub.2 in the dimmed luminous state (with otherwise identical boundary conditions) is lower. The influence of the driver's activity on the light intensity I.sub.2 in the dimmed state is indicated by the vertically extending arrow bearing the reference sign A in FIG. 2.

[0060] Furthermore, where the driver is looking is evaluated in order that the magnitude of the dimmed light intensity is set depending thereon. An interior camera is used to determine where the driver's gaze is directed.

[0061] By way of example, the field of view which the driver can look at can be subdivided into a plurality of defined viewing regions B.sub.i. This is depicted schematically by way of example in FIG. 3. The viewing regions comprise for example a first viewing region B.sub.1 comprising at least the steering wheel 1 with the luminous strip structure. By way of example, said first viewing region B.sub.1 furthermore comprises viewing points toward the traffic situation ahead through the windshield, these viewing points lying above the steering wheel from the driver's viewpoint, for example. Furthermore, a second viewing region B.sub.2 is defined, which at least partly surrounds the first viewing region. The steering wheel display is controlled depending on information B about the driver's gaze such that when the driver's gaze is directed toward the first viewing region B.sub.1, the light intensity I.sub.2 of the dimmed luminous state is lower than when the driver's gaze is directed toward the second viewing region B.sub.2. The low light intensity I.sub.2 when the gaze is directed toward the first viewing region B.sub.1 makes it possible to prevent the driver from being disturbed by the light despite good perceptibility of the information. When the driver's gaze is directed toward the third viewing region B.sub.3 illustrated in FIG. 3, the light intensity I.sub.2 of the dimmed luminous state is even higher than when the driver's gaze is directed toward the second viewing region B.sub.2. The increase in the light intensity when the gaze is directed toward viewing regions B.sub.2 and particularly B.sub.3 that are further away from the steering wheel encourages the driver to direct his/her gaze toward the central viewing region B.sub.1 with the steering wheel and the traffic situation ahead.

[0062] The dependence of the dimmed light intensity I.sub.2 on the driver's gaze is indicated by the vertically extending arrow bearing the reference sign B in FIG. 2.

[0063] During the time t.sub.3 to t.sub.4, the dimmed light intensity I.sub.2 can vary over time t in the event of change in the influencing factors H, A, B.

[0064] At the point in time t.sub.4, in connection with a takeover request, the light intensity I is increased again, for example because it has been established that the vehicle has approached an end point ahead for automated driving HAD such that a specific proximity condition is met. If it has been established at the point in time t.sub.5 that the driver has taken over the task of driver, the light intensity I is reduced, in particular the luminous strips 2a, 2b are deactivated. If instead the driver does not take over the task of driver, the light intensity still remains at a high level and the luminous color preferably changes from blue (optionally via one or more intermediate colors) to red.

[0065] It is assumed that before the point in time t.sub.1 the vehicle is being controlled manually by the driver and the luminous strips 2a, 2b are therefore deactivated. At the point in time t.sub.1, the driver is made aware of the availability of the driving mode HAD for activation by virtue of the luminous strips 2a, 2b being activated and emitting light in blue with the light intensity I.sub.1 for a short duration. If the driver does not accept this offer to activate the driving mode HAD, the luminous strips 2a, 2b are deactivated again.

[0066] Besides the automatic adaptation of the dimmed light intensity I.sub.2 depending on the influencing factors H, A, B, provision can be made for the dimmed light intensity I.sub.2 to be settable manually by way of an operating element.

[0067] It is advantageous if after the activation of the driving mode HAD during the dimming of the light intensity I the decrease in the light intensity I to the light intensity I.sub.2 of the dimmed luminous state takes an identical length of time in the case of a varying light intensity I.sub.2 of the dimmed luminous state.

[0068] During the dimming of the light intensity I, the time duration for the change of the light intensity I is thus preferably independent of the decrease swing and thus independent of the variable target level I.sub.2 of the dimmed light intensity, that is to say that in the case of a higher value for I.sub.2 the dimming takes just as long as in the case of a lower value for I.sub.2 with respect thereto. As a rule, the process of dimming always appears the same to the user and is easy to assign as such.

[0069] In this exemplary embodiment, the upper level I.sub.1 of the light intensity is also variable and dependent on the influencing factors H, A, B. By way of example the upper level I.sub.1 of the light intensity I increases in the case of increasing ambient brightness.

[0070] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary dependence of the level I.sub.2 of the dimmed light intensity and of the upper level I.sub.1 of the light intensity I on the ambient brightness. The range between the respective values for I.sub.1 and I.sub.2 for the same ambient brightness corresponds to the swing of the light intensity I. In order to ensure a good recognizability of the light signal as ambient brightness rises, the brightness increases with increasing ambient brightness, that is to say that the values for I.sub.1 and I.sub.2 rise. In the example in FIG. 5, with increasing ambient brightness, the upper level I.sub.1 of the light intensity increases to a greater extent than the dimmed level I.sub.2 of the light intensity. This is the case, for example, if the dimmed level I.sub.2 is doubled in order to attain the upper level I.sub.1. This results in a trend toward a higher swing in the case of higher ambient brightness than in the case of lower ambient brightness with respect thereto, as long as the upper level I.sub.1 is not limited by the maximum light intensity I.sub.max technically achievable. As a result, the change in the luminous intensity from I.sub.1 to I.sub.2 or vice versa can be perceived better in the case of higher ambient brightness. If the upper level I.sub.1 is limited by the maximum light intensity I.sub.max technically achievable, the swing decreases again despite a larger swing being required.

[0071] FIG. 4 shows an alternative exemplary profile to FIG. 2 of the light intensity I of the luminous strips 2a, 2b of the steering wheel display over time t. In contrast to FIG. 2, it is assumed that before the activation of the automated driving mode HAD, the driving system is being operated in a driving mode with lower automation, here for example in the partly automated mode PAD with automated longitudinal and lateral control. Therefore, the luminous strips 2a, 2b emit light in the luminous color green assigned to the driving mode PAD. Instead of the driving mode PAD, the driving mode ACC could also be present before the activation of the driving mode HAD, the luminous strips 2a, 2b then emitting light in the luminous color (e.g. yellow) assigned to the driving mode ACC.

[0072] As described in connection with the automated driving mode HAD in FIG. 2, analogously shortly after the activation of the driving mode PAD the light intensity I of the luminous strips 2a, 2b emitting light in green was dimmed to the dimmed light intensity I.sub.2 (not illustrated). In this case, the dimmed light intensity I.sub.2 during operation in the driving mode PAD is dependent on the influencing factors H, A, B, as was explained with regard to the driving mode HAD.

[0073] At the point in time t.sub.-1, the driver is made aware of the availability of the driving mode HAD for activation by virtue of the light intensity I of the luminous strips 2a, 2b being increased and being luminous with the increased light intensity I.sub.1 for a short duration. Furthermore, with the increase in the light intensity I, the luminous color is briefly switched over to the luminous color (here: blue) assigned to the driving mode. If the driver does not activate the driving mode HAD, the luminous color changes back again to the original luminous color (here green), the light intensity decreasing again to the dimmed light intensity I.sub.2.

[0074] Given availability of the driving mode HAD, thusin addition to the increase in the light intensity Ithe luminous color is changed to the luminous color assigned to the driving mode HAD and then the change in the luminous color is reversed again. Alternatively, it will be conceivable, upon the availability of the driving mode HAD being attained, merely to increase the luminous intensity of the current color (here: green) momentarily in order to signal the availability of the driving mode HAD. In accordance with a third alternative, upon availability of the driving mode HAD, momentarily one portion of the illuminants could emits light in the luminous color (here: blue) assigned to the driving mode HAD, while another portion of the illuminants emits light in the luminous color assigned to the current driving mode (here: green).