FR3105963A1 - Driving assistance method for a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

A driving aid method for a vehicle (10) provided with a panel detector (11), the method comprising the following steps: detecting a sign (20) displaying a speed limit, recognizing the speed limit speed displayed from the detected panel, detection of a condition of the vehicle (10) in bad weather (30), adaptation of the recognized speed limit according to the condition of the vehicle in bad weather detected, display to the driver of the vehicle with the appropriate speed limit. Figure 1.

Description

Driving assistance method for a vehicle

The present invention relates to a method for assisting driving which makes it possible in particular to increase the safety of a vehicle traveling in bad weather.

The presence of bad weather such as rain or other precipitation on traffic lanes often has the effect of increasing the risk of collision or accident due to limited visibility and/or reduced grip related to the presence of water, snow or ice on the roadways. Thus, bad weather can reduce traffic safety and many countries impose speed limits during bad weather lower than the usual speed limits.

In addition, recent vehicles can be equipped with a traffic sign reader, making it possible to replicate a speed limit display on the vehicle's dashboard. However, these traffic sign readers do not take into account the presence of bad weather and can then lead to involuntary speeding.

The document FR2907058 proposes a vehicle speed regulation system that makes it possible to take into account a traffic condition in bad weather. However, this system provides direct control of vehicle speed based on on-board data, without driver intervention. It is therefore rather intrusive for the driver of the vehicle and presents a risk of regulating the speed of the vehicle to an incorrect value if the on-board data is inaccurate.

An object of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks and in particular to propose a driving aid method for a vehicle making it possible to help the driver to maintain an appropriate speed of his vehicle in the event of bad weather, in an inexpensive way. and not very intrusive for the driver of the vehicle.

1. détection d’un panneau affichant une limitation de vitesse,
2. reconnaissance de la limitation de vitesse affichée à partir du panneau détecté,
3. détection d’une condition de circulation du véhicule sous intempéries,
4. adaptation de la limitation de vitesse reconnue en fonction de la condition de circulation du véhicule sous intempéries détectée,
5. affichage au conducteur du véhicule de la limitation de vitesse adaptée.

For this, a first aspect of the invention relates to a driving assistance method for a vehicle equipped with a panel reading device, the method comprising the following steps:

1. detection of a sign displaying a speed limit,
2. recognition of the speed limit displayed from the panel detected,
3. detection of a vehicle traffic condition in bad weather,
4. adaptation of the recognized speed limit according to the detected vehicle traffic condition in bad weather,
5. display to the vehicle driver of the appropriate speed limit.

Thus, the driver of the vehicle can be informed in a non-intrusive manner of the effective or recommended speed limit in the presence of bad weather. This method can be implemented simply on a vehicle provided with a traffic sign detector, since no detection of other vehicles and no direct action on the speed of the vehicle are carried out. In addition, the present method is based on the speed limits displayed on the traffic lane and not on map data which may be inaccurate, which makes it more precise.

Advantageously, in step e), the display of the adapted speed limit is carried out with a specific icon, that is to say different from a usual icon used to display an unadapted speed limit. This informs the driver that the posted speed limit takes into account bad weather driving traffic. It can be an icon combining a speed limit and a precipitation or rain symbol. In addition, the specific icon can be adapted according to the nature of the weather. Alternatively, the speed limit can be displayed at the same time as a symbol or an icon representing bad weather, which makes it possible to simplify the display produced by the instrument cluster and/or the infotainment system of the vehicle .

Advantageously, the present method comprises a step of monitoring the speed of the vehicle and a step f) of issuing a specific alert when the speed of the vehicle reaches or exceeds at least a predetermined speed value close to or corresponding to the limit suitable speed. This makes it possible to provide additional information to the driver, in order to encourage him to adapt his speed.

Advantageously, the transmission of the specific alert intended for the driver comprises an audible alert, a visual alert and/or a textual alert.

In a specially advantageous manner, the vehicle comprises a speed limiter or a speed regulator and the method further comprises a step g), subsequent to step c) and consisting in at least temporarily ignoring a command to increase the setpoint speed of the speed limiter or cruise control at least when the set speed reaches or exceeds the value of the adapted speed limit. This makes it possible to avoid or limit the setting of a setpoint speed that is unsuitable for traffic conditions in bad weather.

Advantageously, the present method comprises a step h), subsequent to step g), of increasing the setpoint speed of the speed limiter or of the speed regulator when the setpoint speed increase command is repeated or after a time predetermined. This makes the present method less intrusive for the driver who can "force" the setting of a set speed of the speed limiter or cruise control higher than the adapted speed limit if he deems it necessary or adapted to the traffic conditions.

Advantageously, the present method further comprises a step of acquiring a country of circulation of the vehicle, for example via a satellite location signal, a setting made in the factory or by the driver or even by reading road signs. . This makes it possible to select the speed limits in bad weather adapted to a region or a country in which the vehicle is driving.

Advantageously, the condition of movement of the vehicle in bad weather is detected by an on-board rain sensor of the vehicle, by the acquisition of a windshield wiper control of the vehicle and/or by the acquisition of an electrical supply from the or of the vehicle's windscreen wiper motors, which is a simple and effective means of detecting bad weather. For example, this detection can be carried out for a predetermined time or by detecting a predetermined number of windscreen wiper movements, which makes it possible to increase the reliability of the detection.

• un détecteur de panneaux,
• un détecteur d’une condition de circulation du véhicule sous intempéries,
• un afficheur,
• un système informatique embarqué adapté pour mettre en œuvre le procédé d’aide à la conduite selon le premier aspect de la présente invention

A second aspect of the invention relates to a driving assistance system adapted to be embedded in a vehicle, comprising:

• a panel detector,
• a detector of a vehicle traffic condition in bad weather,
• a display,
• an on-board computer system suitable for implementing the driving assistance method according to the first aspect of the present invention

A third aspect of the present invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising an on-board computer system configured to implement the driving assistance method according to the first aspect of the invention and/or comprising a driving assistance system according to the second aspect of the invention

A last aspect of the present invention relates to a computer program comprising program code instructions for the execution of the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the invention, when said program is executed by an on-board computer system in a vehicle .

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention given by way of non-limiting examples and illustrated by the appended drawing, in which:

shows a block diagram of the process according to the present invention.

The present invention relates to a driving aid method for any type of vehicle, preferably a land motor vehicle with two, three, four or more wheels traveling on traffic lanes such as roads or highways. It can be an individual or commercial vehicle such as a car or a utility, industrial, collective, agricultural or military vehicle.

Referring to Figure 1, the vehicle 10 may include a windshield with one or more wipers and / or a rain sensor. The vehicle 10 is equipped with a panel detector 11 and a traffic condition detector 12 in bad weather (30). In addition, the vehicle 10 may comprise an on-board computer system 13 adapted to implement the present driving assistance method and comprising for example one or more calculation units 13A, one or more storage units 13B. It can be connected to one or more user interfaces which may include at least one dashboard, one or more joysticks, one or more buttons (not shown in Fig.1), one or more displays14 such as screens placed in front or on the driver's view and/or a sound system.

In addition, the vehicle may comprise a speed limiter, adapted to prevent the vehicle from reaching a speed higher than a set speed or else a speed regulator, adapted to maintain the vehicle at a traffic speed corresponding to a speed of order. This set speed can be entered manually by the driver using one or more dedicated buttons.

The reader or detector of signs 11 of the vehicle 10 is for example of a type known as a camera oriented towards the front of the vehicle and adapted to acquire any type of road signs placed above or on the edge of the road, in particular the signs speed limit like panel 20 in Fig.1. In addition, the detector 12 of a bad weather traffic condition can include a rain sensor or else include a motion, control or power supply detector for the windscreen wipers of the vehicle 10 .

In a first step a) of the present method, the detection of a sign20 displaying a speed limit is carried out by the sign detector11. In a step b), the calculation unit 13A recognizes the speed limit displayed on the panel 20, here 110 km/h. That is to say that the calculation unit 13A is provided with a shape and/or character recognition algorithm capable of recognizing or extracting at least one speed limit information item from the image captured by the panel detector 11. These steps a) and b) can be reproduced at each new traffic panel crossed by the vehicle10.

In a step c) of the present method, the detection of a traffic condition under bad weather is carried out. Bad weather can be in particular rain, hail or snow. This detection step can be carried out by detecting a wiper command from the driver of the vehicle, an electrical power supply to the vehicle's wiper motor and/or by the rain sensor if such a sensor is present in the vehicle.

Bad weather can be detected more reliably by a predetermined number of windscreen wiper movements or activations, for example one, two, three or five and/or by a minimum time tm of windscreen wiper operation or a rain signal emitted by the rain sensor, for example at least ten seconds, at least twenty seconds, at least thirty seconds or even at least fifty seconds. Thus, taking into account the minimum operating time and/or the number of movements or activations of the windscreen wipers can make it possible to avoid erroneous detection of bad weather, for example following simple splashes on the windscreen. of the vehicle.

Finally, this step c) of detecting a traffic condition of the vehicle in bad weather of the vehicle can be carried out at any time, for example before, during and/or after step a) of detecting the panel displaying a speed limit and before, during or after step b) of recognition of the speed limit displayed on the panel detected.

In a step d) of adaptation of the recognized speed, the calculation unit will establish whether it is necessary to adapt the speed limit recognized in step b) due to the bad weather traffic condition detected in step c). The calculation unit 13A is therefore programmed to call on information contained in the memory or storage unit 13B storing the speed limits in bad weather in connection with the normal speed limits, that is to say in good weather, and to determine whether an adaptation of the recognized speed limit is necessary. If this is the case, the calculation unit 13A can therefore adapt the recognized speed limit to an adapted speed limit.

In a step d), the display of the adapted speed limit, here 100 km/h, is carried out on a display 14 of the vehicle, for example provided on the dashboard of the vehicle 10, on the instrument cluster or even on a mobile device such as a tablet or cell phone. The adapted speed limit is preferably displayed through a specific icon, such as the icon 15 of fig.1 provided with water drops, in order to inform the driver that this displayed speed limit takes into consideration the condition of traffic in bad weather and is not the result of an error in reading or recognizing the sign20. This specific icon can take several forms depending on the nature of the weather. Alternatively or in combination, a bad weather icon can be displayed on the display14 near the adapted speed limit normally displayed.

The driver is therefore informed of the correct speed limit and can therefore modify his speed freely, i.e. without direct intervention of the calculation unit13A on the speed of the vehicle10 and according to his own assessment of the traffic conditions.

In addition, the calculation unit 13A of the vehicle can establish a follow-up of the speed of the vehicle 10, for example for display purposes in the instrument cluster and emit in an optional step f) a specific alert when the speed of the vehicle reaches or exceeds at least a predetermined speed value close to or corresponding to the adapted speed limit. This makes it possible to inform the driver, for example in an educational way, of the presence of bad weather and therefore that the limited speeds are reduced.

For example, the specific alert may be visual, such as a warning light or a pictogram displayed on the dashboard or on the vehicle's head-up display. It can also be text, such as a message displayed on the dashboard or on the vehicle's head-up display such as " the speed in bad weather is reduced ". It can also be audible, such as a sound or a voice message. Several specific alerts of several types can be issued at the same time or sequentially.

If the speed limiter or the speed limiter of the vehicle is used, namely if the speed limiter or the speed regulator is switched on and active or at least if a speed limit or speed regulation setpoint is acquired by the calculation unit 13A or another computing unit, an optional step g) may consist of at least temporarily ignoring a command to increase the setpoint speed of the limiter or regulator. This step g) is preferably subsequent to step c). Thus, the speed of movement of the vehicle traveling in bad weather can no longer be increased by using the on-board speed limiter or regulator, which can prevent or limit a risk of acquisition of a set speed, and therefore of the speed of the vehicle 10, unsuitable for driving in bad weather.

Preferably, this step g) is carried out as soon as the setpoint speed reaches or exceeds at least a predetermined speed value close to or corresponding to a speed limit in bad weather. Thus, a memory of the on-board computer system can include one or more bad weather speed limits, recommended or legally imposed.

These bad weather speed limits can be selected according to a setting for the usual country of circulation of the vehicle, for example in the factory or else chosen during an initial configuration stage of the vehicle. Alternatively or in combination, a geographical location of the vehicle can be detected by an on-board GPS navigation system and the speed limits applicable to this geographical location of the vehicle can be selected accordingly. In addition, the country in which the vehicle10 is in circulation can be detected through the signs detected by the sign detector, in particular on the basis of their shape, the speed limit values or even on the basis of the general speed limit signs arranged at state or jurisdictional borders.

This optional step g) of ignoring a speed limiter or speed regulator setpoint increase command can be temporary and a speed limiter or speed regulator setpoint increase can be taken into account in a step h), for example after a predetermined time, for example after two, five, ten, twenty or thirty seconds. For example, the specific alert is emitted in step f) during this predetermined time t1, that is to say the driver cannot increase the set speed of the speed limiter or cruise control while the alert specific is visible and/or audible.

Alternatively or in combination, this step h) of taking into account the command to increase the setpoint speed can be carried out for example when this command is repeated, for example, once, twice, three times or five times. Step h) therefore allows the driver to force an increase in the set speed if he deems it necessary and after having read the specific alert and/or the appropriate speed limit.

It will be understood that various modifications and/or improvements obvious to those skilled in the art can be made to the various embodiments of the invention described in the present description without departing from the scope of the invention.

For example, several setpoint speeds each corresponding to a speed limit in bad weather can be used. For example, a bad weather speed limit on a highway can be 110km/h instead of 130km/h, or 100km/h instead of 110km/h. In addition, a speed limit in bad weather on a main or national road can be 80km/h instead of 90km/h. Furthermore, the predetermined speed values can be equal to these speed limits or else slightly lower, for example 78 km/h or instead of 80 km/h.

Claims (9)

Driving assistance method for a vehicle (10) equipped with a panel detector (11), the method comprising the following steps:

1. detection of a sign (20) displaying a speed limit,
2. recognition of the speed limit displayed from the panel (20) detected,
3. detection of a vehicle traffic condition in bad weather (30),
4. adaptation of the recognized speed limit according to the detected vehicle traffic condition in bad weather,
5. display to the vehicle driver of the appropriate speed limit.

Driving assistance method according to the preceding claim, in which in step e), the display of the adapted speed limit is carried out with a specific icon (15). Driving assistance method according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a step of monitoring the speed of the vehicle (10) and a step f) of transmitting a specific alert when the speed of the vehicle (10) reaches or exceeds at least a predetermined speed value close to or corresponding to the adapted speed limit. Driving assistance method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the vehicle comprises a speed limiter or a speed regulator and the method further comprises a step g), subsequent to step c) and consisting in ignoring at at least temporarily a setpoint speed increase command from the speed limiter or regulator, at least when the setpoint speed reaches or exceeds the value of the adapted speed limit. Driving assistance method according to the preceding claim, comprising a step h), subsequent to step g), of increasing the setpoint speed of the speed limiter or of the speed regulator when the command to increase the speed of instruction is repeated and/or after a predetermined time. Driving assistance method according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a step of acquiring a country in which the vehicle (10) is in circulation. Driving assistance system adapted to be embedded in a vehicle (10), comprising:

• a panel detector (11),
• a detector (12) of a vehicle traffic condition in bad weather (30),
• a display (14),
• an on-board computer system suitable for implementing the driving assistance method according to one of the preceding claims.

Motor vehicle (10) comprising a driving assistance system according to the preceding claim. Computer program comprising program code instructions for the execution of the steps of the driving assistance method according to any one of Claims 1 to 6 when the said program is executed by a computer system on board a vehicle (10) .