Abstract:
The invention concerns a system for automatic following guidance, particularly for heavy-traffic automatic following guidance, of a motor vehicle (1), designed to ease the burden on the driver in heavy-traffic situations both by taking over lateral guidance by means of an automatic steering regulation system and by maintaining a set distance from a leading vehicle. The latter function requires an adaptive cruise and braking regulation system with “stop” and “go” function. According to the invention, selection and decision means (5, 6, 7, 8, 9) are provided that select both the regulating parameters and the types of controllers [sic], e.g., following guidance of the motor vehicle (1) on the basis of lane markings recognized by means of a video camera or on the basis of a recognized leading vehicle. The system is divided into hierarchical levels I-IV, the driver always being in the monitoring and adaptation loop assigned to the top level IV of the hierarchy, so that he has the highest priority and can override the system at any time.
Abstract:
The alertness of the vehicle operator is determined from an operating condition of the vehicle such as the steering torque, the rack thrust, and/or the yaw rate, and the determined level of alertness of the vehicle operator is advantageously reflected in the control property of the steering control system. If the alertness of the vehicle operator is significantly low, and the vehicle operator may even have dozed off, the steering control system then maximizes its intervention in the steering control so that the vehicle is automatically forced to travel along the proper path of travel. If desired, the vehicle operator may be warned by applying a vibratory torque to the steering wheel. Conversely, when the alertness of the vehicle operator is high, the intervention of the control system in the steering control is minimized so that the intentional steering effort by the vehicle operator would not be resisted or opposed by the steering control system even when an extreme steering operation is carried out.
Abstract:
A device and system for monitoring speed limit violations of a driver is disclosed. The monitoring device according to the invention is installed in the vehicle and programmed to provide an alarm whenever a programmed speed limit has been exceeded. According to the disclosed system, legal speed limit, and other appropriate traffic signs are provided with transmitters which broadcast an encoded speed limit signal. The monitoring device is provided with a receiver which is capable of receiving the transmitted signal. Upon receiving the transmission, the monitoring device updates the programmed speed limit. The transmitted signal includes a system identification string to enable the monitoring device to validate the signal. In addition, the monitoring device validates the encoded speed limit. In the preferred embodiment a library of digitized voice messages provides warning appropriate to the driving condition and driving speed.
Abstract:
System and method for monitoring the physiological behaviour of a driver that includes measuring a physiological variable of a driver, assessing a driver's behavioural parameter on the basis of at least said measured physiological variable (1, 4), and informing the driver (2, 3) of the assessed driver's behavioural parameter (1, 4). The measurement of the physiological variable (1, 4) can include measuring a driver's eye movement, measuring a driver's eye-gaze direction, measuring a driver's eye-closure amount, measuring a driver's blinking movement, measuring a driver's head movement, measuring a driver's head position, measuring a driver's head orientation, measuring driver's movable facial features, and measuring a driver's facial temperature image.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a system for automatic following-distance control, notably in congested traffic, in a motor vehicle (1) so as to facilitate driving in congested traffic by both taking over transverse steering by means of an automatic steering system and ensuring that a given distance is maintained to a vehicle driving ahead. The latter function calls for an adaptive driving and brake control system with a "stop" and "go" function. According to the invention selection and decision means (5, 6, 7, 8, 9) are provided for which are able to selected both control parameters and control types, for example following-distance control of the motor vehicle (1) in accordance with road markings recognized by video camera or in accordance with a detected leading vehicle. The system is divided into hierarchical levels (I-IV). The driver always remains in the monitoring and adaptation circuit assigned to the highest hierarchical level (IV) so that he has the highest priority and can overrule the system at any time.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a system for automatic following-distance control, notably in congested traffic, in a motor vehicle (1) so as to facilitate driving in congested traffic by both taking over transverse steering by means of an automatic steering system and ensuring that a given distance is maintained to a vehicle driving ahead. The latter function calls for an adaptive driving and brake control system with a "stop" and "go" function. According to the invention selection and decision means (5, 6, 7, 8, 9) are provided for which are able to selected both control parameters and control types, for example following-distance control of the motor vehicle (1) in accordance with road markings recognized by video camera or in accordance with a detected leading vehicle. The system is divided into hierarchical levels (I-IV). The driver always remains in the monitoring and adaptation circuit assigned to the highest hierarchical level (IV) so that he has the highest priority and can overrule the system at any time.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method for assisting a driver by means of at least one collision warning system, the method comprising the steps of: measuring a visual activity of the driver based on the driver's head and/or eye movement; assessing a driver's level of attention to driving tasks based on the measured visual activity; and adapting a warning threshold of the at least one collision warning system to the assessed driver's level of attention.