IP Library Granted Patent US 9,475,501
Granted Patent B2
US 9,475,501 · App. 14/574,569 · Granted Oct 25, 2016

Method for ascertaining the stress level of the driver

Inventors: Folko Flehmig (Stuttgart, DE); Claus Marberger (Weil Der Stadt, DE); Thomas Gussner (Ludwigsburg, DE)
Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
B60W40/08B60K28/02B60T7/12B60T7/14B60T7/22B60T17/18B60W30/182B60W40/09B60W50/087B62D6/00B62D6/007B60T2201/022B60W2040/0872B60W2050/0083B60W2540/22B60W2550/10B60W2550/402
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,475,501
App. No.
14/574,569
Granted
Oct 25, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

In a method for ascertaining the stress level of the driver, the setpoint trajectory of the vehicle is ascertained and compared to the actual trajectory. A higher stress level is inferred from an increasing frequency and/or magnitude of the deviation of the actual trajectory from the setpoint trajectory.

Claims (63)

1. A method for ascertaining a stress level of a driver of a vehicle, comprising:

determining one of a setpoint trajectory of the vehicle and a state variable correlating with the setpoint trajectory;

comparing the one of the setpoint trajectory and the state variable respectively to at least one of an actual trajectory and a state variable correlating with the actual trajectory;

inferring a higher stress level from an increasing driver reaction, wherein the increasing driver reaction includes at least one of an increasing frequency and a magnitude of a deviation of one of the actual trajectory from the setpoint trajectory and the state variable correlating with the setpoint trajectory from the state variable correlating with the actual trajectory; and

taking a stress-reducing measure as a function of the stress level.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the setpoint and actual trajectories, or state variables correlating therewith, are determined together in the transverse and longitudinal directions and compared.

3. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein a variance is ascertained from the difference between the actual and the setpoint trajectory, or the correlating state variable, the variance being used as a measure of the stress level.

4. The method as recited in claim 3 , wherein a weighted sum of variances of multiple state variables is used as a measure of the stress level.

5. The method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising:

comparing setpoint and actual progressions of a steering angle.

6. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the setpoint trajectory, or the state variable correlating therewith, is determined from measuring data of a surroundings sensor system in the vehicle.

7. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the setpoint trajectory represents that driving line which is to be driven with minimal steering effort.

8. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein driver inputs including steering inputs or pedal actuations are implemented in a reduced manner as the stress-reducing measure.

9. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein characteristic curves in a vehicle unit or a driver assistance system are modified in a brake assistance system as the stress-reducing measure.

10. The method as recited in claim 9 , wherein characteristic curves are changed for the benefit of a higher driving comfort as the stress-reducing measure.

11. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the higher stress level is inferred additionally based on an intensified pedal actuation by the driver.

12. A control unit for carrying out a method for ascertaining a stress level of a driver of a vehicle, the method comprising:

determining one of a setpoint trajectory of the vehicle and a state variable correlating with the setpoint trajectory;

comparing the one of the setpoint trajectory and the state variable respectively to at least one of an actual trajectory and a state variable correlating with the actual trajectory;

inferring a higher stress level from an increasing driver reaction, wherein the increasing driver reaction includes at least one of an increasing frequency and a magnitude of a deviation of one of the actual trajectory from the setpoint trajectory and the state variable correlating with the setpoint trajectory from the state variable correlating with the actual trajectory; and

taking a stress-reducing measure as a function of the stress level.

13. A driver assistance system in a vehicle, comprising:

a control unit for carrying out a method for ascertaining a stress level of a driver of a vehicle, the method comprising:

determining one of a setpoint trajectory of the vehicle and a state variable correlating with the setpoint trajectory;

comparing the one of the setpoint trajectory and the state variable respectively to at least one of an actual trajectory and a state variable correlating with the actual trajectory;

inferring a higher stress level from an increasing driver reaction, wherein the increasing driver reaction includes at least one of an increasing frequency and a magnitude of a deviation of one of the actual trajectory from the setpoint trajectory and the state variable correlating with the setpoint trajectory from the state variable correlating with the actual trajectory; and

taking a stress-reducing measure as a function of the stress level.

14. The system as recited in claim 13 , wherein the setpoint and actual trajectories, or state variables correlating therewith, are determined together in the transverse and longitudinal directions and compared.

15. The system as recited in claim 13 , wherein the variance is determined from a sum of the deviations from a mean value squared, as follows:

s

2

=

1

n

-

1

i

=

1

n

(

x

i

-

x

_

)

2

,

where n denotes the number of data points, x i denotes a respective data value, and x denotes a mean value of the data.

16. The system as recited in claim 15 , wherein a weighted sum of variances of multiple state variables is used as a measure of the stress level.

17. The system as recited in claim 13 , wherein setpoint and actual progressions of a steering angle are compared.

18. The system as recited in claim 13 , wherein the setpoint trajectory, or the state variable correlating therewith, is determined from measuring data of a surroundings sensor system in the vehicle.

19. The system as recited in claim 13 , wherein the setpoint trajectory represents that driving line which is to be driven with minimal steering effort.

20. The system as recited in claim 13 , wherein driver inputs including steering inputs or pedal actuations are implemented in a reduced manner as the stress-reducing measure.

21. The system as recited in claim 13 , wherein characteristic curves in a vehicle unit or a driver assistance system are modified in a brake assistance system as the stress-reducing measure.

22. The system as recited in claim 21 , wherein characteristic curves are changed for the benefit of a higher driving comfort as the stress-reducing measure.

23. The system as recited in claim 13 , wherein the higher stress level is inferred additionally based on an intensified pedal actuation by the driver.

24. The system as recited in claim 13 , wherein a variance is ascertained from the difference between the actual and the setpoint trajectory, or the correlating state variable, the variance being used as a measure of the stress level.

25. The control unit as recited in claim 12 , wherein a variance is ascertained from the difference between the actual and the setpoint trajectory, or the correlating state variable, the variance being used as a measure of the stress level.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 4, 2015
From: FLEHMIG, FOLKO; MARBERGER, CLAUS; GUSSNER, THOMAS
To: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
Reel/Frame 034883/0947 →
Priority Claims (2)
DE 10 2013 226 766 · Dec 19, 2013 · national
DE 10 2014 201 650 · Jan 30, 2014 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20150175169A1 · Jun 25, 2015