DE102014208352A1 - System and method for instructing a subscriber of a driver training - Google Patents

Abstract

A system and a method for instructing a participant (1) of a driver training are proposed. The method comprising the steps of: determining (100) a current perspective of the subscriber (1) on the vehicle environment (2), and representing (300) a contact-analogous content (6, 7, 8) relating to the vehicle environment (2) as a superposition of a natural one Field of view (9) on a display unit (3) for the participant (1) of the driver training.

Description

The present invention relates to a system and a method for instructing a subscriber of a driver training. In particular, the present invention relates to the replacement of a human instructor for providing driving tasks, monitoring driving maneuvers and delivering a score to the subscriber.

In order to introduce drivers to the vehicle guidance in extreme situations and to enable such a guidance, so-called driver trainings are offered and carried out in the prior art, by means of which participants learn the vehicle guidance mostly on closed areas. Here, instructors (e.g., by radio) give instructions for handling the vehicle while guiding in predefined courses. In order not to make the implementation of the driver training too expensive, usually groups of participants are accompanied by one or more instructors. However, this means for the individual participants a time commitment and only partially available monitoring by a respective instructor.

Furthermore, in the prior art, methods for the virtual representation of information are known, which are also referred to as "virtual reality" (VR) or "augmented reality" (AR). While virtual reality is generally computed entirely by a computer in real time, and is preferably output on a spectacle-type portable screen, the Augmented Reality (AR) is merely intended to present additional information about a spectacle design (with partially transparent lenses) which corresponds to the spectacle real field of view of the user are superimposed. In addition to data glasses, projections, a contact-analogue display, contact lenses, a smartphone or even a holographic projection can be used to display "augmented reality". For the representation to be calculated, the raw data (CAD models) of objects or vehicles must be available. In addition, driving simulators are known, which should reflect the most authentic impression of the interior, the engine noise, the motorization / light / suspension concept of a vehicle in simulated driving situations.

EP 235072 A2 discloses a method for presenting and / or simulating at least one functionality of at least one driver assistance system for a motor vehicle with respect to a customer.

EP 1047014 A2 discloses a method and input device for controlling the location of an object to be graphed in a virtual reality.

EP 2531063 A1 discloses an arrangement and method for visualizing decors in a virtual space.

WO 2007/017598 A2 discloses a method and apparatus for visualizing a digital model in a real environment.

WO 2005/027077 A2 discloses a system for combining driving simulators and data acquisition systems.

WO 2005/036301 A2 discloses a computer program for a traffic rules learning simulator based on actual road maps.

US 7,246,050 B2 discloses a simulator for learning vehicle operation using augmented reality.

For critical lane courses as part of a driver training, such as. Cornering, the trainer needs to ensure a certain braking point. At the same time, the obstacles used to structure a section of road to be traveled are statically arranged by the trainer at certain positions and sometimes represent very simplified simulations of real traffic situations. In other words, the state of the art lags behind the technical possibilities. It is an object of the present invention to meet the need identified above.

The above object is achieved by a method for instructing a participant of a driver training and a corresponding system. The method includes determining a current perspective of the subscriber on the vehicle environment. In other words, it is determined which part of the current vehicle environment (of a real, roadworthy vehicle) the subscriber is currently seeing and in which direction the sensory impression is created for the participant. Subsequently, a contact-analogous content is displayed as a superposition of this natural field of view on a display unit. In other words, the subscriber is presented on the display unit with contents which appear fixed with regard to the vehicle environment or at least one object within the vehicle environment. It could also be said that an element displayed on the display unit is virtually anchored in the sensory impression of the vehicle environment. The presentation of the content can in particular be made partially transparent, as is known, for example, in the case of so-called head-up displays. In this way, the information of the natural field of view essentially remains and are supplemented by the contact-analog content only. This possibility of information supplementation represents for the participant of the driver training the possibility of considerable added value, as will be explained in more detail below. The contact-analogous content can be superimposed, for example, as an ideal line to the natural field of view of the participant. In other words, the ideal line, which is to be observed in an extreme situation, fades in before, during and / or after the participant has driven his vehicle to the (optionally proportionately virtually represented) course. Here also elements of the course (eg obstacles, environment objects, foreign road users, etc.) can be displayed as contact-analogous content and animated in particular. Since it is not possible to destroy the contact-analog content through collisions, the representations can be based on a much more realistic view of real traffic situations. Damage to the vehicles, which is possible even when using relatively soft objects (eg pylons), is completely excluded according to the invention.

The dependent claims show preferred developments of the invention.

The method according to the invention can also comprise a presentation of instructions in which manner a predefined course is to be passed through. This information can be displayed, for example, at the beginning or before the start of the journey. After starting up, the instructions can be hidden in order to allow the participant to decide when to take the necessary measures. Alternatively or additionally, contact-analogous contents can be displayed at specific locations of the course, in order to visualize the participant the advantageous effect of an exact vehicle operation on the driving situation. For example, in a second attempt to dispense with the presentation of the instructions to make the repeated ride even more realistic. Alternatively or additionally, the participant can be presented with a recording and / or an evaluation result of a driven maneuver on the display unit. For example, an actually driven trajectory can be contrasted with an ideal line, whereby the participant can understand the potential for improvement particularly well.

Compared with the conventional use of pylons and other static objects, the representation of contact-analog content according to the invention also makes possible more complicated animations and representations of traffic situations, whereby the training effect is considerably improved. Overhauling cars, crossing pedestrians and cyclists overtaking on the right can be simulated without danger to people and materials, without sacrificing the realistic overall impression of an actual ride in a vehicle. Frequently occurring, real traffic situations can thus be practiced repeatedly, whereby the reaction of the participant in a later real situation is considerably improved.

Advantageously, the system used according to the invention has the ability to detect the coordinates of the training ground on which the real vehicle is moved and ensures compliance with its limitations by intelligent tracking on the one hand, so that even when driving errors no leaving the terrain. Additionally, information may be output to the driver as he approaches a training terrain boundary. Depending on the vehicle used, partially automated interventions in the longitudinal / transverse guidance of the vehicle can also be undertaken in order to prevent leaving the training area. For this purpose, in a first step, a vehicle position is carried out with respect to a training area used for the driver training. In this way, the virtually displayed courses can be constructed in such a way that the real training ground is not left when they pass through. Optionally, the driver may also be asked to turn his vehicle in order to have sufficient clearance for a course to be traveled through. Alternatively or additionally, a position of a contact-analogous content with respect to a boundary of a training area to be used can be adjusted. In other words, the course can be created depending on an actual geometry of the real training terrain or adapted to the actual geometry, so that a turning of the vehicle is "installed" in the course.

As a display unit for carrying out the method according to the invention, for example, a pair of spectacles or a projection in a windshield of the vehicle can be used. For a required position determination of the vehicle and the evaluation of the vehicle dynamics data, it may further be provided that information ("signals") about operating parameters of the vehicle (eg acceleration, speed, steering angle, etc.) or the field of vision of the driver are collected and evaluated. As long as the starting point is known, a current position of the vehicle can be determined on the basis of the aforementioned variables. The adjustment of the position of the real vehicle with the contact-analogous content is carried out by a computer arranged in the vehicle and / or by an outside of the vehicle arranged server (backend). When using a stationary server that can be kept in the vehicle Computing power can be reduced and in particular only a part of the required arithmetic operations can be performed on the central main unit of the navigation system (Head Unit). Depending on how exactly the driver follows the given instructions or has complied with the given trajectory, a visual presentation of the results (eg recommendations regarding steering or braking behavior) can be made at the end of the driving maneuver on the basis of the collected data.

Further details, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the figures. Show it:

1 an overview of a driving situation in the execution of a method according to the invention by means of an embodiment of a system according to the invention; and

2 a flowchart illustrating steps of an embodiment of a method according to the invention.

1 shows a driver 1 as a participant of a driving safety training, on the steering wheel of a vehicle 10 sitting. The vehicle 10 is located in a parking lot 2 as a vehicle environment. The parking lot is by road markings 11 optically limited. The field of vision 9 the driver 1 is additionally by a camera 13 recorded their signals through an electronic control unit 12 recorded as an evaluation unit, processed and then wirelessly to a pair of glasses 3 be sent as a display unit. The position of the glasses 3 is via a position determination unit 4 inside the vehicle 10 recorded and evaluated. While the position detection unit 4 in the example shown, position signals S4 to the electronic control unit 12 sends, could the position determination unit 4 also in the electronic control unit 12 be integrated. The control unit 12 is enabled by the position signals S4, contact analog content for a view 5 in the glasses 3 to generate and via wireless signals S1 to the glasses 3 to send. Through the glasses 3 the driver receives 1 a schematic view 5 in which optical representations 11 ' the road markings 11 In addition to contact-analog content in the form of a representation of an ideal line 6 , several instructions 7 and symbolically represented pylons 8th the natural field of vision 9 the driver 1 be superimposed. The instructions 7 are for simplicity's sake in the form of abbreviations (BR for "brakes", BR solve for "brake release", LK for: "steering"). By the control unit 12 with operating parameters of the car 10 is supplied, it can modify the contact analog content depending on the vehicle movement and / or head movement such that it is stationary relative to the natural field of view 9 the driver 1 on the vehicle environment 2 correspond. The driver passes over 1 the virtual pylons 8th , these may be on the verge of view 5 be thrown up to make the impression of the driving situation as realistic as possible.

2 shows a flowchart, illustrating steps of an embodiment of a method according to the invention. In step 100 A current perspective of the driver on the vehicle environment is determined. This can be done through the intermediary of an optical camera. Subsequently, in step 200 determines a vehicle position relative to a training ground to be used for the driver training. In other words, a relative orientation between the vehicle and the boundaries of the training area is determined. In step 300 For example, a content analogous to the vehicle environment is generated as a partially transparent superposition of a natural field of view on a display unit for the driver. The contact-analogous content appears to the driver as being firmly anchored to the vehicle environment. In step 400 a position of a contact analog content is compared with respect to a boundary of a training ground to be used. In other words, the contact-analogous content is positioned in accordance with a determined limitation of the training terrain used in order not to have to leave the training area while driving a predefined course. In step 500 In addition, an instruction is presented as a contact-analogous content, which refers to the longitudinal / transverse guidance of the vehicle. For example, a steering maneuver, an acceleration process or a braking process is thereby symbolically excited. In addition, in step 600 determines that the vehicle has passed over a pylon as an environment object and an upward spin of the pylons represented as an animation of a moving environment object. Finally, in step 700 an evaluation result of the driven maneuver presented on the display unit. In this case, an actually driven trajectory and an (previously presented) ideal line can be compared with each other. Subsequently, the most interesting driving maneuvers are read out of a memory and discussed with a (real) trainer.

The method described here does not require separate vehicles or training facilities with special equipment. The display unit used in accordance with the invention, in conjunction with a suitable vehicle, can enable any driver to complete his own driver training, provided suitable environmental conditions (training grounds) are available. At the same time, the driver trains his behavior preferably on his own vehicle and can thus correct even in precarious driving situations intervene, because he got to know the limits of his vehicle better. With the display of animated obstacles, new, so far not simulatable, situations can be trained (eg a tree trunk falling from a preceding truck or similar). The playful extension of the approach of driving safety training can motivate anxious drivers to explore their own limits. This significantly improves the user's learning curve. In particular, by a display of the ideal line, a correct behavior of the driver for a predefined driving situation can be trained independently.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

driver

2

parking spot

3

glasses

4

Position determining unit

5

superimposed representation

6

ideal line

7

instructions

8th

pylons

9

natural field of vision

10

car

11

road markings

11 '

Image of the road markings

12

electronic control unit

13

camera

100-700

steps

S1-S4

Wireless communications signals

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 235072 A2 [0004]
• EP 1047014 A2 [0005]
• EP 2531063 A1 [0006]
• WO 2007/017598 A2 [0007]
• WO 2005/027077 A2 [0008]
• WO 2005/036301 A2 [0009]
• US 7246050 B2 [0010]

Claims (9)

Method for instructing a subscriber ( 1 ) of a driver training comprising the steps of: - determining ( 100 ) a current perspective of the participant ( 1 ) on the vehicle environment ( 2 ), and - presenting ( 300 ) of an ideal line ( 6 ) and / or an obstacle ( 8th ) as to the vehicle environment ( 2 ) contact-analog content ( 6 . 7 . 8th ) as a superposition of a natural field of view ( 9 ) on a display unit ( 3 ) for the participant ( 1 ) of driver training. The method of claim 1, further comprising - displaying ( 500 ) an instruction ( 7 ) and / or one with the vehicle ( 10 ) to be driven through the course, and / or - represent ( 700 ) a recording and / or an evaluation result of a driven maneuver. Method according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising - representing ( 600 ) an animation of a moving environment object, wherein the environment object is a virtual road user and / or a vehicle ( 10 ) is a virtual touched collision opponent. Method according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising - matching ( 200 ) a vehicle position relative to a training ground to be used for the driver training, and / or - matching ( 400 ) a position of a contact analog content ( 6 . 7 . 8th ) regarding a limitation of a training ground to be used. System for instructing a subscriber ( 1 ) of a driver training comprising - a display unit ( 3 ), - a position determination unit ( 4 ), - an evaluation unit ( 12 ), wherein - the position determination unit ( 4 ), a current perspective of the participant ( 1 ) on the vehicle environment ( 2 ), - the evaluation unit ( 12 ) is set up with respect to the vehicle environment ( 2 ) contact-analog content ( 6 . 7 . 8th ) as a partially transparent superposition of a natural field of view on the display unit ( 3 ) for the participant ( 3 ) of the driver training. The system of claim 5, further comprising - a sensor unit ( 13 ), which is set up, the natural field of view of the participant ( 1 ) at least partially, and wherein - the evaluation unit ( 12 ), features in the signals (S1) of the sensor unit ( 13 ) and a position of the contact analog content ( 6 . 7 . 8th ) on the display unit ( 3 ) to adapt. System according to one of the preceding claims 5 or 6, wherein the evaluation unit ( 3 ), operating parameters of the vehicle ( 10 ) and to determine a current position of the vehicle ( 10 ). System according to one of the preceding claims 5, 6 or 7, wherein the display unit ( 3 ) relative to the subscriber's head ( 1 ) to be arranged fixed and / or designed as glasses. Vehicle comprising a system according to one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the vehicle ( 10 ), in particular, the evaluation unit ( 12 ) Operating parameters for determining a current position of the vehicle ( 1 ).

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