DRIVER ASSISTANCE SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE

Abstract

A driver assistance system for a vehicle uses sensor data, which are provided from monitoring of the environment of the vehicle. The driver assistance system has a processing unit for processing the sensor data and a display device for displaying the processed sensor data. The environment of the vehicle is displayed as a light strip using the display device. Furthermore, an object in the environment of the vehicle is represented by a section on the light strip, wherein the section has a first light characteristic.

Claims

1-5. (canceled)

6. A driver assistance system for a vehicle, comprising a processor configured to process sensor data provided from monitoring an exterior environment of the vehicle; and a display configured to depict the processed sensor data, wherein the display depicts the exterior environment of the vehicle as a light strip, and wherein an object in the exterior environment of the vehicle is represented by a portion on the light strip, the portion having a first light characteristic.

7. The driver assistance system of claim 6, wherein the light strip is formed by a plurality of actuatable light sources, and the light strip is an LED strip, as a matrix or as a display means.

8. The driver assistance system of claim 6, wherein the light strip reproduces a positionally accurate representation of the exterior environment of the vehicle with respect to the vehicle.

9. The driver assistance system of claim 6, wherein the light strip has a geometrically closed shape.

10. The driver assistance system of claim 6, wherein a dangerous situation with respect to an object in the external environment of the vehicle is displayed on the light strip using a second light characteristic.

11. A method for operating a driver assistance system of a vehicle, the method comprising: monitoring, using at least one sensor of the vehicle, an exterior environment of the vehicle to produce sensor data; processing, by a processor of the vehicle, the sensor data to produce processed sensor data; and depicting, on a display, the processed sensor data, wherein the display depicts the exterior environment of the vehicle as a light strip, and wherein an object in the exterior environment of the vehicle is represented by a portion on the light strip, the portion having a first light characteristic.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the light strip is formed by a plurality of actuatable light sources, and the light strip is an LED strip, as a matrix or as a display means.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the light strip reproduces a positionally accurate representation of the exterior environment of the vehicle with respect to the vehicle.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the light strip has a geometrically closed shape.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein responsive to detection, based on the sensor data, of a dangerous situation with respect to an object in the external environment of the vehicle, the method further comprises: using a second light characteristic to display the dangerous situation on the light strip.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0022] In the drawings:

[0023] FIG. 1 shows a first traffic situation, by way of example, and an embodiment for an associated light situation of a light strip;

[0024] FIG. 2 shows a second traffic situation, by way of example, and an embodiment for an associated light situation of a light strip;

[0025] FIG. 3 shows a third traffic situation, by way of example, and an embodiment for an associated light situation of a light strip; and

[0026] FIG. 4 shows a fourth traffic situation, by way of example, and an embodiment for an associated light situation of a light strip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] FIGS. 1 to 4 each show, on the left-hand side thereof, different traffic situations 10 given by way of example. On the right-hand side thereof, FIGS. 1 to 4 each show embodiments for a display of a display device 20 comprising a light strip 21 in a corresponding light situation, which display corresponds to the traffic situation 10.

[0028] FIGS. 1 to 4 each show four vehicles 11, 12, 13, 14 driving on a motorway having three lanes 16. In this case, a driver assistance system according to the invention, which uses sensor data from an environment 15 of the vehicle 11 in order to monitor the environment 15 of the vehicle, is installed in vehicle 11, which is in the middle lane 16. The sensor data are first analyzed and evaluated by a processing unit, and the result is depicted visually on the display device 20 using the light strip 21. The interior of the vehicle 11 is also depicted schematically in the interior of the light strip 21, but this is merely optional. In the present embodiment, this depiction is intended to show that, when the vehicles 11, 12, 13, 14 have a direction of travel 17, the representation of the environment 15 of the vehicle 11 is also displayed on the light strip 21 in a positionally accurate manner, on the basis of the direction of travel 17.

[0029] The light situations shown by way of example in FIGS. 1 to 4 are to be considered one of the possible embodiments and may be intensified for example depending on the driving mode or environmental conditions, e.g. rain, Sport+, etc. Moreover, the light situations can be parameterized in a general manner, for example using the parameter color, brightness, illumination frequency and the like.

[0030] On the right-hand side of FIGS. 1 to 4, the identified objects 12, 13, 14 in the environment 15 of the vehicle 11, which, in the present example, are vehicles 12, 13, 14 on the lane 16, are each represented by a portion 22, 23, 24 on the light strip 21. In this case, portion 22 of the light strip represents vehicle 12, portion 23 represents vehicle 13, and portion 24 represents vehicle 14.

[0031] The light strip 21 in FIGS. 1 to 4 furthermore gives a positionally accurate representation of the environment 15 of the vehicle 11 from the viewpoint of the driver of the vehicle 11. Furthermore, the light strip 21 is formed as a geometrically closed shape, in this case an angular shape having rounded corners, the shape schematically reproducing the contour of the vehicle 11.

[0032] FIG. 1 shows a first traffic situation, by way of example, in the case of normal motorway traffic, the vehicles 11, 12, 13, 14 being distributed over three lanes 16 and travelling at a uniform speed and a sufficient mutual vehicle spacing.

[0033] The light situation in vehicle 11 shows that the entire light strip 21 is radiating in a steady color. The vehicles 12, 13, 14 identified by the vehicle sensors are shown according to the position thereof. A neutral color, for example blue, is selected for displaying said vehicles 12, 13, 14 at the positions 22, 23, 24 because a dangerous situation is not identified.

[0034] FIG. 2 shows a second traffic situation, by way of example, in the case of normal motorway traffic, the vehicles 11, 12, 13, 14 being distributed over three lanes 16 and travelling at a uniform speed. However, in this example the vehicle spacing between vehicle 11 and vehicle 12 is critical.

[0035] In the light situation in vehicle 11, the entire light strip 21 initially radiates in a steady color in portions 22, 23, 24. The vehicles 12, 13, 14 identified by the vehicle sensors are shown according to the position thereof. A neutral color is selected for vehicle 13 and vehicle 14. Vehicle 12 is at a critical spacing and is shown on the light strip 21, in a corresponding portion 22, in a signal color. Compared with FIG. 1, the light strip 21 now shows a different color at the position of vehicle 12 from that at the positions of vehicles 13 and 14. The color is selected as the signal color, for example red.

[0036] FIG. 3 shows a third traffic situation, by way of example, in the case of normal motorway traffic, the vehicles 11, 12, 13, 14 being distributed over three lanes 16 and travelling at a uniform speed. In this case, the vehicle spacing between vehicle 11 and vehicle 14 is critical.

[0037] The light situation in vehicle 11 reflects said critical situation in that the entire light strip 21 initially radiates in a steady color, for example blue, in portions 22, 23, 24. In this case, the vehicles 12 and 13 identified by the vehicle sensors are shown according to the position thereof as portions 22, 23. A neutral color, for example blue, is selected for said vehicles 12 and 13. However, vehicle 14 is at a critical spacing from vehicle 11 and is therefore represented in a signal color, for example red, in portion 24.

[0038] FIG. 4 shows a fourth traffic situation, by way of example, in the case of normal motorway traffic, the vehicles 11, 12, 13, 14 being distributed over three lanes 16 and travelling at a uniform speed. However, vehicle 13 is rapidly approaching vehicle 11.

[0039] The light situation in vehicle 11 reflects the critical situation. The entire light strip 21 initially radiates in a steady color, for example blue, at positions 22, 23, 24. The vehicles 12 and 14 identified by the vehicle sensors are shown according to the position thereof. In this case, a neutral or steady color, for example blue, is selected for vehicles 12 and 14. Vehicle 13 is at a critical spacing or has a high relative speed and is shown in a signal color, for example red, as portion 23. The light strip 21 thus displays a dangerous situation involving an identified vehicle 13 in a different illumination characteristic from that in the portions comprising the identified vehicles 12, 14 or objects that do not pose any danger.

[0040] In the case of the above embodiments, a danger need not result from the identified vehicle or object itself, but rather the driver's own vehicle 11 approaching a vehicle or object is also considered a dangerous situation, as shown in FIG. 3. Furthermore, it is also possible to combine color characteristics. In a dangerous situation, it is thus possible, for example, to also use flashing of the corresponding portion on the light strip 21 or an increase in the luminosity or brightness of the illumination elements, in addition to coloring. An increased frequency of a flashing portion can also increase awareness of a dangerous situation.

[0041] Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by way of preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the examples disclosed, and other variations can be derived from these by the person skilled in the art without leaving the scope of the invention. It is therefore clear that there is a plurality of possible variations. It is also clear that embodiments stated by way of example are only really examples that are not to be seen as limiting the scope, application possibilities or configuration of the invention in any way. In fact, the preceding description and the description of the figures enable the person skilled in the art to implement the exemplary embodiments in concrete manner, wherein, with the knowledge of the disclosed inventive concept, the person skilled in the art is able to undertake various changes, for example, with regard to the functioning or arrangement of individual elements stated in an exemplary embodiment without leaving the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims and their legal equivalents, such as further explanations in the description.