System and Method for Testing a Driving Assistance System

Abstract

A system for testing a driving assistance system includes a sensor arrangement configured to detect an actuation of an operating element by a user and to generate corresponding first detection data. The sensor arrangement is also configured to detect an acoustic signal indicating the actuation of the operating element and to generate corresponding second detection data. The system includes at least one evaluation module configured to determine, based on the first detection data, a first point in time corresponding to the actuation and to determine, based on the second detection data, a second point in time corresponding to an output of the acoustic signal.

Claims

1-10. (canceled)

11. A system for testing a driving assistance system, comprising: a sensor arrangement configured to: detect an actuation of an operating element of a vehicle by a user and generate corresponding first detection data, and detect an acoustic signal which indicates the actuation of the operating element by the user or which is output on the basis of the actuation of the operating element and generate corresponding second detection data; and at least one evaluation module configured to: determine, on the basis of the first detection data, a first point in time corresponding to the actuation of the operating element by the user, and determine, on the basis of the second detection data, a second point in time corresponding to an output of the acoustic signal.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one evaluation module is configured to determine a difference between the second point in time and the first point in time.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the sensor arrangement comprises: at least one first sensor module configured to: detect the actuation of the operating element by the user, and generate the first detection data; at least one second sensor module configured to: detect the acoustic signal indicating the actuation of the operating element by the user, and generate the second detection data.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein: the at least one first sensor module and the at least one second sensor module are of a different function type; and/or the at least one first sensor module comprises one or more electronic touch sensors; and/or the at least one second sensor module comprises one or more microphones.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the at least one first sensor module is detachably attachable to the operating element of the vehicle.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the sensor arrangement comprises: a microphone configured to: detect both the actuation of the operating element by the user and the acoustic signal, and generate the first detection data and the second detection data.

17. The system of claim 16, further comprising a mechanical sound generator attachable to the operating element of the vehicle, wherein the sound generator is configured to generate sound when the operating element is actuated by the user, which sound is detectable by the sensor module, in order to generate the first detection data.

18. The system of claim 11, wherein the operating element of the vehicle is a gear selector switch or a switching element for activating the driving assistance system.

19. A method for testing a driving assistance system, comprising: detecting an actuation of an operating element of a vehicle by a user, wherein the detecting is performed by a sensor arrangement which is able to be attached in the vehicle; generating first detection data corresponding to detecting the actuation; detecting an acoustic signal indicating the actuation of the operating element by the use, wherein the detecting is performed by the sensor arrangement; generating second detection data corresponding to detecting the acoustic signal; determining, based on the first detection data, a first point in time corresponding to the actuation of the operating element by the user; and determining, based on the second detection data, a second point in time corresponding to an output of the acoustic signal.

20. A non-transitory storage medium storing a software program executable on one or more processors to carry out the method of claim 19.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] FIG. 1 schematically shows a system for testing a driving assistance system according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0040] FIG. 2 schematically shows a system for testing a driving assistance system according to further embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0041] FIG. 3 schematically shows a system for testing a driving assistance system according to further embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0042] FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of a method for testing a driving assistance system according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] Hereinbelow, unless indicated otherwise, the same reference signs are used for identical and identically acting elements.

[0044] FIG. 1 schematically shows a system 100 for testing a driving assistance system according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0045] The system 100 comprises a sensor arrangement 110, 120 and at least one evaluation module 130. The sensor arrangement 110, 120 is configured to detect an actuation of an operating element of a vehicle by a user and to generate corresponding first detection data ED1. The sensor arrangement 110, 120 is further configured to detect an acoustic signal which indicates the actuation of the operating element by the user (e.g. to inform a driver about an activation of the driving assistance system) or which is output on the basis of the actuation of the operating element (e.g. as a warning sound which indicates a distance from an obstacle), and to generate corresponding second detection data ED2.

[0046] In some embodiments, the sensor arrangement can comprise at least one first sensor module 110 which is configured to detect the actuation of the operating element by the user and to generate the first detection data ED1, and can further comprise at least one second sensor module 120 which is configured to detect the acoustic signal and to generate the second detection data ED2.

[0047] The at least one first sensor module 110 can, for example, comprise one or more electronic touch sensors which output a corresponding signal when touched by the user. In addition or alternatively, the at least one second sensor module 120 can comprise one or more microphones which can detect a characteristic acoustic signal which is output during and/or after an activation of the driving assistance system.

[0048] The at least one evaluation module 130 is configured to determine, on the basis of the first detection data ED1, a first point in time which corresponds to the actuation of the operating element by the user; and to determine, on the basis of the second detection data ED2, a second point in time which corresponds to an output of the acoustic signal.

[0049] The system 100 according to the invention therefore detects, on the one hand, the actuation of the operating element and, on the other hand, an acoustic signal triggered thereby. A timestamp or a point in time is determined for each of these events such that, for example, it is possible to determine in a revision-proof manner whether legally stipulated maximum times between the actuation of the operating element and the acoustic signal are met. In addition, it is not necessary to pick up discrete cabling or bus signals and/or to use proprietary information, such as, e.g., circuit diagrams and/or on-board electrical system topologies.

[0050] In some embodiments, the system 100 can be completely implemented in the vehicle 10. In particular, all of the essential elements of the system 110, namely the sensor arrangement 110, 120 and the at least one evaluation module 130, can be provided in or on the vehicle 10. This makes it possible to assess the performance of the driving assistance system already from inside the vehicle 10.

[0051] Alternatively, only the sensor arrangement 110, 120 can be provided in or on the vehicle 10, and the at least one evaluation module 130 can be provided outside the vehicle 10. For example, the at least one evaluation module 130 can be implemented in a server or a backend. This makes it possible to assess the performance of the driving assistance system from outside the vehicle 10.

[0052] Typically, the vehicle 10 is a dedicated test vehicle. For example, the system 100 can be installed in the vehicle 10 in a non-permanent manner. In other words, the system 100 is not permanently integrated in the vehicle 10 and can be installed in the vehicle 10 only temporarily or in a time-limited manner for the purpose of testing or homologating the driving assistance system.

[0053] FIG. 2 schematically shows a system 200 for testing a driving assistance system according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0054] The system 200 comprises the at least one first sensor module 210, which generates the first detection data ED1, and the at least one second sensor module 220, which generates the second detection data ED2. The at least one first sensor module 210 and the at least one second sensor module 220 can be of a different function type. For example, the at least one first sensor module 210 can comprise one or more touch-sensitive sensor elements, such as one or more electronic touch and/or pressure sensors. The at least one second sensor module 220 can comprise one or more microphones.

[0055] The touch-sensitive sensor elements can comprise a tactile sensor and/or a piezo element which reacts to touch and pressure. Alternatively, the touch-sensitive sensor element can comprise or be a touch-sensitive electrical contact surface.

[0056] In some embodiments, the at least one first sensor module 210 can only generate the first detection data ED1 and output the latter to the at least one evaluation unit 130 when the touch exceeds a threshold, such as, for example, a force and/or pressure threshold. This makes it possible to prevent a situation in which an actuation of the operating element 12 is falsely detected for example on the basis of a light touch of the user without corresponding activation of the driving assistance system.

[0057] The at least one first sensor module 210 can be able to be attached, in particular able to be detachably attached, to the operating element 12 of the vehicle 10. For example, the at least one first sensor module 210 can be detachably attached to the operating element 12 by means of one or more first mounting elements 212. The one or more first mounting elements 212 can, for example, be adhesive films or mechanical clips.

[0058] In the example of FIG. 2, the operating element 12 of the vehicle 10 is a gear selector switch. A parking aid can be activated when the vehicle is put into a reverse gear at the point in time t1, and a corresponding acoustic signal can be output via a loudspeaker 14 of the vehicle 10 at the point in time t2. The parking aid can be implemented by a corresponding control device 16. Optionally, provision can additionally be made for an amplifier 18 which is connected between the control device 16 and the loudspeaker 14 in order to output an audible acoustic signal.

[0059] The point in time t1 and the point in time t2 can be evaluated, wherein in particular a time difference between putting the vehicle into the reverse gear and the output of the acoustic signal can be determined. For example, it may be legally stipulated that the period of time between the actuation of the operating element 12 at the point in time t1 and the thus initiated output of the acoustic signal at the point in time t2 must be equal to or less than a threshold value. The threshold value can, for example, be 1 second or less, 800 milliseconds or less, or 600 milliseconds or less. In some embodiments, the threshold value can be 600 milliseconds.

[0060] In some embodiments, the at least one first sensor module 210 and the at least one second sensor module 220 can each be connected to a channel of a calibrated storage oscilloscope which forms the evaluation unit. For example, a directional microphone which is positioned on the loudspeaker 14 by means of a flexible clamp mounting in the vehicle interior can be connected to a microphone amplifier. In this case, use can optionally also be made of a dummy head for the acoustic measurement. When the gear selector switch 12 is actuated, the touch-sensitive sensor element can be stimulated and an electrical signal can be output to the oscilloscope. Similarly, the acoustic signal can be received by the directional microphone, amplified by a signal amplifier and forwarded to the oscilloscope. As a result, an exact time measurement between action and reaction can be determined and documented by means of corresponding timestamps.

[0061] FIG. 3 schematically shows a system 300 for testing a driving assistance system according to further embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0062] The system 300 comprises a sensor module 320 which is configured to detect both the actuation of the operating element 12 by the user at the point in time t1 and the acoustic signal at the point in time t2 and to generate the first detection data ED1 and the second detection data ED2. For example, a single sensor module 320 can be provided to detect both events. In some embodiments, the sensor module 320 can comprise a microphone or be a microphone.

[0063] In the example of FIG. 3, the system 300 comprises, instead of the at least one first sensor module, a sound generator 310 on the operating element 12. The sound generator 310 is configured to generate sound when the operating element 12 is actuated by the user, which sound is able to be detected by the sensor module 320, in order to generate the first detection data ED1. In some embodiments, the sound generator 310 can be a mechanical sound generator, such as, for example, a mechanical click-sound generator.

[0064] The sound generator 310 can be able to be attached, in particular able to be detachably attached, to the operating element 12 of the vehicle 10. For example, the sound generator 310 can be detachably attached to the operating element 12 by means of one or more mounting elements. The one or more mounting elements can, for example, be adhesive films or mechanical clips.

[0065] The use of the sound generator 310 makes it possible to dispense with cabling and a voltage supply. The detected signals can nevertheless be used to determine and document an exact time measurement between action and reaction.

[0066] FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of a method 400 for testing a driving assistance system according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 400 can be implemented by corresponding software which is able to be executed by one or more processors (e.g. a CPU).

[0067] The method 400 comprises, in block 410, detecting an actuation of an operating element of a vehicle by a user and generating corresponding first detection data, wherein the detecting is performed by a sensor arrangement which is able to be attached in the vehicle; in block 420, detecting an acoustic signal which indicates the actuation of the operating element by the user or is output on the basis of the actuation of the operating element, and generating corresponding second detection data, wherein the detecting is performed by the sensor arrangement; in block 430, determining a first point in time which corresponds to the actuation of the operating element by the user, on the basis of the first detection data; and in block 440, determining a second point in time which corresponds to an output of the acoustic signal, on the basis of the second detection data.

[0068] The determination of the first point in time in block 430 and the determination of the second point in time in block 440 can be carried out in this order. Alternatively, within the scope of the evaluation of the detection data, the second point in time according to block 440 can be determined first and then the first point in time according to block 430. For example, the acoustic signal can be used as a trigger which initiates the evaluation of the detection data.

[0069] According to the invention, the sensor arrangement, which is able to be installed in the vehicle, detects two events: firstly, the actuation of the operating element (e.g. a haptic and/or acoustic trigger on the gear selector switch or an activation element for the driving assistance system) and secondly, an acoustic signal triggered thereby (e.g. an audio output of a loudspeaker), wherein a timestamp is determined for each of the events. The corresponding timestamps can be used to determine whether, e.g., legally stipulated maximum times between actuation of the operating element and the acoustic signal are met. As a result, it is possible to draw conclusions about performance of the driving assistance system, such as a parking aid, for example for homologation thereof. In addition, for the homologation, it is not necessary to pick up discrete cabling or bus signals and/or to use proprietary information, such as, e.g., circuit diagrams and/or on-board electrical system topologies.

[0070] Although the invention has been explained and illustrated more thoroughly in detail by way of preferred exemplary embodiments, the invention is not restricted by the examples disclosed, and other variations can be derived therefrom by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of protection of the invention. It is therefore clear that a large number of variation possibilities exist. It is likewise clear that embodiments mentioned by way of example actually only constitute examples which are in no way to be regarded as a limitation of, for instance, the scope of protection, the application possibilities or the configuration of the invention. Rather, the preceding description and the description of the figures enable a person skilled in the art to implement the exemplary embodiments in a concrete way, wherein the person skilled in the art, with knowledge of the concept of the invention disclosed, can make diverse changes for example with regard to the function or the arrangement of individual elements mentioned in an exemplary embodiment, without departing from the scope of protection defined by the claims and the legal counterparts thereof, such as, for instance, more extensive explanations in the description.