VISUAL SAFETY INDICATOR

Abstract

A method for operating a vehicle in an area in which pedestrians may be present. The method including at least the following steps: a) receiving at least one operating parameter of the vehicle; b) determining at least one indicator for visually displaying a present and/or future movement state of the vehicle for a pedestrian; and c) visualizing the at least one indicator in the surroundings of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A method for operating a vehicle in an area in which pedestrians may be present, the method comprising the following steps: a) receiving at least one operating parameter of the vehicle; b) determining at least one indicator for visually displaying a present and/or future movement state of the vehicle for a pedestrian; and c) visualizing the at least one indicator in surroundings of the vehicle.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the method is carried out for an at least semi-automated driving with the vehicle.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one operating parameter includes a driving velocity and/or a driving direction and/or a latency of the vehicle.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one operating parameter includes a planned trajectory of the vehicle.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one indicator displays a hazard zone.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one indicator displays a safety area.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one indicator displays at least a portion of a planned trajectory of the vehicle.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one display unit of the vehicle is used for the visualization, which is situated and configured for a selective illumination in surroundings of the vehicle.

9. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one projection onto a driving surface or a selective illumination of a portion of the driving surface in the surroundings of the vehicle is carried out for the visualization.

10. A safety system for a vehicle, the safety system configured for operating a vehicle in an area in which pedestrians may be present, the safety system configured to: a) receive at least one operating parameter of the vehicle; b) determine at least one indicator for visually displaying a present and/or future movement state of the vehicle for a pedestrian; and c) visualize the at least one indicator in surroundings of the vehicle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary flowchart of a method of the present invention presented here.

[0029] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary application of the method of the present invention presented here.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0030] FIG. 1 schematically shows an exemplary flowchart of a method of the present invention presented here. The method is used for operating a vehicle 1 in an area in which pedestrians may be present. The order of steps a), b), and c) shown with the aid of blocks 110, 120, and 130 is by way of example and may take place at least once in the shown order for carrying out the method.

[0031] In block 110, according to step a) a receiving of at least one operating parameter of vehicle 1 takes place. In block 120, according to step b) a determination of at least one indicator 2, 3, 4 for visually displaying a present and/or future movement state of vehicle 1 for a pedestrian takes place. In block 130, according to step c) a visualization of the at least one indicator 2, 3, 4 in the surroundings of vehicle 1 takes place.

[0032] FIG. 2 schematically shows an exemplary application of the method presented here. FIG. 2, by way of example, shows the use of a safety system described here in a vehicle 1, the safety system being configured to carry out the method described here.

[0033] The safety system here, by way of example, includes a display unit 6 as well as a control unit, which is not shown and configured to carry out the method described here.

[0034] The described concept focuses not only on autonomous/self-driving vehicles 1, but may also be used in other applications such as robots in a manufacturing line, transport vehicles in factories, and the like.

[0035] The method, however, may preferably be carried out for the at least semi-autonomous driving with the vehicle 1 shown here by way of example.

[0036] The method may advantageously be used in a car 1 including an automatic and driverless parking system. The car may drive in an automated manner onto an empty parking spot and possibly lock itself after the parking process has been completed. The driver may prompt vehicle 1 to drive automatically from its parking position to the entrance of the parking facility. At present, no visible display is available, so that outside persons may recognize neither the actual “operating range” nor the corresponding driving direction of the vehicle.

[0037] To prevent constant stopping of the exemplary driverless vehicle 1 and ensure the safety of the pedestrians, it may advantageously be made possible by the method, for example, to mark multiple areas 2, 3 around vehicle 1, including an area 3 in which vehicle 1 is decelerating, but most likely is not hitting anyone, and an area 2 which, when entered, would result in an accident.

[0038] This represents one example of that, and possibly how, at least one indicator 2 is able to display a hazard zone which, when entered by a pedestrian, with high probability results in an accident since vehicle 1 with high probability will no longer be able to stop completely.

[0039] Furthermore, this represents one example of that, and possibly how, at least one indicator 3 is able to display a safety area in which vehicle 1 is able to be safely stopped when a pedestrian enters this area.

[0040] For example, the first (oval) area here shows area 2 which will with high probability result in an accident since passenger car 1 with high probability is no longer able to stop completely. Second area 3 shows an area in which it is possible to safely stop vehicle 1 without injuring anyone. Entering area 3, however, may disrupt the traffic flow.

[0041] The dotted markings 4 may be used, for example, to display the calculated driving trajectory of vehicle 1 for the next few meters.

[0042] This represents one example of that, and possibly how, at least one indicator 4 is able to display at least a portion of a planned trajectory of vehicle 1.

[0043] This may further enhance the safety during the circumvention of pedestrians and helps the drivers and pedestrians to see what the driverless vehicle 1 is doing. The dotted area 5 shows, by way of example, the (planned) final position of vehicle 1 itself. It is not absolutely necessary as a projection, but serves here above all to increase the readability of the graph. A corresponding visualization of the planned end position of vehicle 1, however, may also represent a further advantageous specific embodiment of the method.

[0044] For example, at least one display unit 6 of vehicle 1 may be used for the visualization, which is situated in the surroundings of vehicle 1 and configured for a selective illumination.

[0045] One advantageous approach in this connection is the illumination around vehicle 1, e.g., by LEDs, which mark areas 2, 3 around vehicle 1 which may designate different areas 2, 3. Such areas 2, 3 may, e.g., be an area 3 which requires particular attention, or a critical area 2 in which an accident cannot be prevented due to the limitations by vehicle 1.

[0046] When such areas 2, 3 are marked, pedestrians may easily go around them without causing accidents. It should be noted that, even though it is easy to avoid a single car, it may be difficult to avoid multiple quiet electric cars.

[0047] Modern LED lighting may show different colors and/or unambiguous patterns and advantageously be used for highlighting areas 2, 3 and/or for displaying the travel path of the vehicles. The areas illuminated by LEDs may be safety lighting areas.

[0048] The areas which may be highlighted usually depend on the driving velocity, the driving direction and/or the latency period which may be expected from the automated driving system. The latter is generally known, at least as a worst-case estimation, since there are strict safety requirements with regard to the response time.

[0049] In general, there are two options for ascertaining the velocity and driving direction. It is possible to use the present velocity and direction of vehicle 1, and to calculate the areas based on these values. However, it is also possible to use the presently planned trajectory of vehicle 1, in particular, when the system which calculates the areas is integrated into the system carrying out the automated driving or is connected thereto.

[0050] This thus represents one example of that, and possibly how, the at least one operating parameter may encompass the driving velocity and/or the driving direction and/or the latency of vehicle 1.

[0051] Furthermore, one example is thus also provided here of that, and possibly how, the at least one operating parameter may encompass a planned trajectory of vehicle 1.

[0052] Furthermore advantageously, at least one projection onto driving surface 7 or a selective illumination of a portion of driving surface 7 in the surroundings of vehicle 1 may be carried out for the visualization. Driving surface 7 may, for example, be the road or a ground in a parking garage or a surface of a parking lot. LEDs, for example in the manner of at least one matrix LED headlight, may be used, for example, for the selective illumination.

[0053] Moreover, the visual pieces of information may also be utilized by other vehicles when these are equipped with cameras in order to adapt their planned route and, for example, attempt to avoid areas in which an accident cannot be avoided.

[0054] The method may advantageously contribute to enhancing the operational safety of, in particular, at least semi-automated vehicles.