AUTOMATED EXECUTION OF VEHICLE FUNCTIONS

Abstract

A computer-implemented method for the automated execution of vehicle functions of a vehicle includes: providing a vehicle function processing sequence which specifies a processing sequence of vehicle functions on the occurrence of a first triggering event, wherein the first triggering event is based on communication from a communication-enabled infrastructure device; checking for the occurrence of the first triggering event; on the occurrence of the first triggering event, generating control signals for controlling vehicle function devices in accordance with the vehicle function processing sequence; and outputting the generated control signals to the vehicle function devices executing the vehicle functions. In addition, a system for the automated execution of vehicle functions of a vehicle is provided.

Claims

1-13. (canceled)

14. A method, comprising: providing a vehicle function processing sequence, which specifies a processing sequence of vehicle functions based upon an occurrence of a first triggering event, wherein the first triggering event is based on communication from a communication-enabled infrastructure device; checking for the occurrence of the first triggering event; upon the occurrence of the first triggering event, generating control signals for controlling vehicle function devices in accordance with the vehicle function processing sequence; and outputting the generated control signals to the vehicle function devices for executing the vehicle functions.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the communication-enabled infrastructure device is selected from a group comprising a set of traffic lights, a traffic sign, a railway crossing, a vehicle charging station, and a vehicle parking facility.

16. The method of claim 15, in which a vehicle function processing sequence is provided which specifies the processing of vehicle functions on the occurrence of the first triggering event and at least one further triggering event, comprising: checking for an occurrence of the at least one further triggering event; and wherein the control signals are generated on the occurrence of the first triggering event and the at least one further triggering event.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein one of the triggering events is a position of the vehicle in a specifiable distance range to the communication-enabled infrastructure device and wherein checking for the occurrence of this triggering event comprises determining a position of the vehicle with respect to the communication-enabled infrastructure device.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the position of the vehicle with respect to the communication-enabled infrastructure device is determined by means of a global navigation satellite system and/or by means of direct communication between the vehicle and the communication-enabled infrastructure device.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein one of the triggering events is a specifiable state of the communication-enabled infrastructure device.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein checking for the occurrence of the specifiable state of the communication-enabled infrastructure device as a triggering event is based on a communication from the communication-enabled infrastructure device.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein one of the triggering events is a value of a vehicle-related parameter in a specifiable value range.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the vehicle-related parameter is selected from a group comprising acceleration, speed, steering wheel angle change, and gear shift position.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein control signals are generated to different extents depending on the occurrence of one or more triggering events.

24. A system including a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores instructions executable by the processor such that the processor is programmed to: provide a vehicle function processing sequence, which specifies a processing sequence of vehicle functions based upon an occurrence of a first triggering event, wherein the first triggering event is based on communication from a communication-enabled infrastructure device; check for the occurrence of the first triggering event; upon the occurrence of the first triggering event, generate control signals for controlling vehicle function devices in accordance with the vehicle function processing sequence; and output the generated control signals to the vehicle function devices for executing the vehicle functions.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the communication-enabled infrastructure device is selected from a group comprising a set of traffic lights, a traffic sign, a railway crossing, a vehicle charging station, and a vehicle parking facility.

26. The system of claim 25, in which a vehicle function processing sequence is provided which specifies the processing of vehicle functions on the occurrence of the first triggering event and at least one further triggering event, further comprising instructions to: check for an occurrence of the at least one further triggering event, wherein the control signals are generated on the occurrence of the first triggering event and the at least one further triggering event.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein one of the triggering events is a position of the vehicle in a specifiable distance range to the communication-enabled infrastructure device and wherein the instructions to check for the occurrence of this triggering event comprises instructions to determine a position of the vehicle with respect to the communication-enabled infrastructure device.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the position of the vehicle with respect to the communication-enabled infrastructure device is determined by means of a global navigation satellite system and/or by means of direct communication between the vehicle and the communication-enabled infrastructure device.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein one of the triggering events is a specifiable state of the communication-enabled infrastructure device.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein the instructions to check for the occurrence of the specifiable state of the communication-enabled infrastructure device as a triggering event is based on a communication from the communication-enabled infrastructure device.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein one of the triggering events is a value of a vehicle-related parameter in a specifiable value range.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein the vehicle-related parameter is selected from a group comprising acceleration, speed, steering wheel angle change, and gear shift position.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein control signals are generated to different extents depending on the occurrence of one or more triggering events.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0083] The invention is explained in more detail below using the illustrations and the associated description.

[0084] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of an example system.

[0085] FIG. 2 shows a flow diagram of an example method.

[0086] FIG. 3 shows a flow diagram of a further example method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0087] FIG. 1 shows an example system 200 for the automated execution of vehicle functions of a vehicle 1. The vehicle 1 can be designed, for example, as a passenger car or delivery vehicle and has a plurality of vehicle function devices 6a, 6b, 6c for executing vehicle functions. The system 200 can be arranged in the vehicle 1, as shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively, the system 200 can be located completely or partially outside the vehicle 1, so that control signals 5a, 5b, 5c are transmitted from outside to the vehicle function devices 6a, 6b, 6c belonging to the vehicle 1, for example by radio transmission.

[0088] The system 200 generally has elements that allow it to carry out a method 100, for example the method 100, which is explained below with reference to FIG. 2, for the automated execution of vehicle functions. These elements include a memory 8, a communication unit 9, a position determination unit 10, an input unit 11, a sensor 12, and a controller 13.

[0089] The memory 8 stores a plurality of vehicle function processing sequences 2, each of which specifies the processing of vehicle functions on the occurrence of at least a first triggering event 3, the first triggering event being based on a communication from a communication- enabled infrastructure device 4. Optionally, one or more vehicle function processing sequences 2 can be assigned a plurality of triggering events 3a, 3b, 3c that must occur in order for the corresponding vehicle function processing sequence 2 to be activated and the processing of vehicle functions defined therein to be executed. The memory 8 has an active signal-communication connection to the controller 13 or can be integrated into the controller 13, so that vehicle function processing sequences 2 can be retrieved from the memory 8 and transmitted to the controller 13. Such a transmission is shown in FIG. 1 by means of a solid arrow between the memory-8 and the controller 13, which is marked with the reference sign 2.

[0090] The controller 13 also has an active signal-communication connection to the communication unit 9. The communication unit 9 is used for communication with a communication-enabled infrastructure device 4, e.g., a traffic light system, i.e., the communication unit 9 can receive infrastructure signals 15 emitted by the communication-enabled infrastructure device 4 and transmit them to the controller 13 for further processing. For example, the infrastructure signals 15 can comprise data about the current state of the communication-enabled infrastructure device 4, so that, for example, it can be determined whether the traffic light is showing red or green.

[0091] Optionally, the communication unit 9 can also emit signals to the communication-enabled infrastructure device 4, enabling two-way communication between the system 200 and the communication-enabled infrastructure device 4. Such a two-way communication can be used, for example, to determine the position of the vehicle 1 with respect to the communication-enabled infrastructure device 4.

[0092] Furthermore, the controller 13 has an active signal-communication connection to the position determination unit 10. The position determination unit 10 is used to determine the position of the vehicle 1. For this purpose, the position determination unit 10 can receive position determination signals 16 from a global navigation satellite system 18 and transmit the determined position 19 to the controller 13.

[0093] The input unit 11 also has an active signal-communication connection to the controller 13. Using the input unit 11, a user of the vehicle 1 can enter inputs which are transmitted to the controller 13 in the form of input signals 17. In the example implementation, the input unit 11 is implemented as a touch-sensitive infotainment screen. For example, the input unit 11 can be used to modify vehicle function processing sequences 2.

[0094] At least one sensor 12 is also present which is used to determine parameter values of a vehicle-related parameter 7, e.g., the current speed of the vehicle 1. The determined parameter values can also be transmitted in the form of sensor signals 14 to the controller 13, which has an active signal-communication connection to the sensor 12.

[0095] The task of the controller 13 is to check on the basis of the received infrastructure signals 15, sensor signals 14 and the position 19, whether one or more triggering events 3a, 3b, 3c associated with one or more vehicle function processing sequences 2, provided by the memory 8, have occurred. If the required triggering signals 3a, 3b, 3c are present, the controller 13 generates control signals 5a, 5b, 5c in accordance with the relevant vehicle function processing sequences 2 and outputs them to the vehicle function devices 6a, 6b, 6c so that the corresponding vehicle functions are executed.

[0096] The control signals 5a, 5b, 5c can be output to the vehicle function devices 6a, 6b, 6c either directly or indirectly. In the case of an indirect output, the relevant vehicle function processing sequences 2 are first transmitted to another controller (not shown), which controls or regulates the actual execution of the vehicle functions by outputting the control signals 5a, 5b, 5c, e.g. by outputting the control signals 5a, 5b, 5c to the vehicle function devices 6a, 6b, 6c, evaluating feedback signals from the vehicle function devices 6a, 6b, 6c and continuing or aborting the processing of the vehicle function processing sequences 2 according to the evaluation.

[0097] Optionally, the controller 13 can adapt the extent to which the provided vehicle function processing sequence 2 is to be executed, e.g. to the detected and evaluated current situation of the vehicle 1. This means, for example, that not all vehicle functions are automatically activated or deactivated or additional vehicle functions are activated or deactivated by generating appropriate control signals 5a, 5b, 5c and outputting them to the vehicle function devices 6a, 6b, 6c. This means that the controller 13 decides whether the vehicle function processing sequence is to be applied completely, partially, or not at all.

[0098] The system 200 enables a reduction of the number of actions that must be performed by the driver of the vehicle 1 to activate one of the vehicle function processing sequences 2. It prevents the unwanted activation of a vehicle function processing sequence 2 by detecting and evaluating the respective situation more accurately, namely based on V2I communication and/or determining the positioning of the vehicle 1 using a global navigation satellite system 18. It also allows the adaptation of vehicle function processing sequences 2 based on the respective situation.

[0099] For example, based on a specific example, the system 200 can use the following data and information: position 19 of the vehicle 1 with respect to the communication-enabled infrastructure device 4, type and state of the communication-enabled infrastructure device 4, e.g. light phase of the traffic light system, status of a railway crossing, etc. as well as values of vehicle-related parameters 7, such as acceleration, steering wheel angle, speed, etc. This data and information is used to determine whether the vehicle 1 is stopping due to a traffic light system showing red or changing to red, at a railway crossing, or in order to park.

[0100] For example, the braking of the vehicle 1 at a red light signal or a signal changing to red without a steering wheel movement can indicate that the vehicle 1 is stopping in front of a red traffic light signal while driving straight ahead in a specific lane, the traffic light of which is showing red or changing to red or which is blocked by a closed railway barrier.

[0101] Viewed from the other side: if there is no traffic light system, no stop sign and no railway crossing near the vehicle 1 and the motion pattern of the steering wheel indicates pulling over to the roadside, this may indicate a parking situation and the vehicle function processing sequence 2 “Parking automation” should be executed.

[0102] If, for example, a vehicle position is detected near the driver's residential garage or in a company parking lot, the parking automation should certainly be implemented. However, certain functions such as activating the hazard warning lights or keeping the infotainment system on standby, which are provided in the parking automation system in relation to any parking facility, can be omitted, for example, in order to conserve the battery charge, increase the service life of the hazard warning lights, and save at least one additional action by the driver.

[0103] FIG. 2 shows an example flow diagram 100 for the automated execution of vehicle functions of a vehicle 1, which can be executed, for example, with the system 200 described in reference to FIG. 1. After the start, in step S1 one or more vehicle function processing sequences 2 are provided, e.g., retrieved from a memory 8. The vehicle function processing sequences 2 define a sequence of vehicle functions on the occurrence of multiple triggering events 3a, 3b, 3c, wherein at least the first triggering event 3a is based on a communication from a communication-enabled infrastructure device 4.

[0104] In step S2, it is checked whether the first triggering event 3a has occurred. If this is not the case, the method 100 is terminated. If the first triggering event 3a has occurred, the method 100 continues to step S3. In step S3, it is checked whether the additional triggering events 3b and 3c, provided depending on the vehicle function processing sequence 2, are also present. If this is not the case, the method 100 is terminated. If the other triggering events 3b, 3c have occurred, the method continues to step S4.

[0105] In step S4, control signals 5a, 5b, 5c are generated which control vehicle function devices 6a, 6b, 6c according to the vehicle function processing sequence 2.

[0106] In step S5, these control signals 5a, 5b, 5c are output to the vehicle function devices 6a, 6b, 6c so that the vehicle functions are executed.

[0107] FIG. 3 shows a flow diagram of another example method 300. After the start, in step S10, it is checked whether a vehicle function processing sequence 2 is available or has been provided. If this is not the case, the method 300 is terminated. If a vehicle function processing sequence 2 is present, the method 300 continues to step S11.

[0108] In step S11, it is checked whether automation of vehicle functions is always activated. If this is not the case, the method 300 is terminated. If automation of vehicle functions is always activated, the method 300 continues to step S12.

[0109] In step S12 the current situation of the vehicle 1 is checked, based on V2I communication, position determination signals 16 of a global navigation satellite system 18, and sensor signals 14 of sensors 12 of the vehicle 1.

[0110] In step S13, it is then checked whether the required triggering events 3a, 3b, 3c have occurred. If this is not the case, the method 300 is terminated. If the required triggering events 3a, 3b, 3c have occurred, the method 300 continues to step S14.

[0111] In step S14, the situation of the vehicle 1 is analyzed in more detail. According to this analysis, the vehicle function processing sequence 2 is not activated at all (S15), partially (S16), or completely (S17), i.e., the vehicle functions defined in the vehicle function processing sequence 2 are executed not at all, partially, or completely automatically.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0112] 1 vehicle

[0113] 2 vehicle function processing sequence

[0114] 3a first triggering event

[0115] 3b, 3c additional triggering event

[0116] 4 communication-enabled infrastructure device

[0117] 5a, 5b, 5c control signal

[0118] 6a, 6b, 6c vehicle function device

[0119] 7 vehicle-related parameter

[0120] 8 memory

[0121] 9 communication unit

[0122] 10 position determination unit

[0123] 11 input unit

[0124] 12 sensor

[0125] 13 controller

[0126] 14 sensor signal

[0127] 15 infrastructure signal

[0128] 16 position determination signal

[0129] 17 input signal

[0130] 18 global navigation satellite system

[0131] 19 position

[0132] 100 method

[0133] 200 system

[0134] 300 method

[0135] S1 to S5 method steps of a first method

[0136] S10 to S17 method steps of a further method