Method and device for avoiding a tunnel vision

1. A method for avoiding a tunnel vision of a motor vehicle driver driving a motor vehicle, the method comprising:

detecting a plurality of viewing directions of the motor vehicle driver, each viewing direction corresponding to a different moment in time, and the plurality of viewing directions corresponding to a predefined period of time;

storing the plurality of viewing directions;

detecting, via a control unit, an instantaneous viewing direction of the motor vehicle driver, wherein a time of the instantaneous viewing direction is preceded by the predefined period of time;

comparing, via the control unit, the instantaneous viewing direction with more than one of the stored viewing directions of the period of time to determine a rate of change between the instantaneous viewing direction and at least one of the stored viewing directions;

determining a risk of collision with an obstacle that is within a field of view of the motor vehicle driver;

detecting, via the control unit, a tunnel vision if the risk of collision is above a predetermined criterion and the rate of change is below a limiting value; and

in response to detecting the tunnel vision, stimulating the motor vehicle driver to avoid the tunnel vision.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the motor vehicle driver is stimulated if, in addition, a predictive safety system of the motor vehicle detects a danger in an instantaneous path of travel of the motor vehicle.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the stimulation includes a notification concerning a collision-free path of travel for the motor vehicle.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the stimulation is a visual stimulation.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein a view vector is generated from the viewing direction and the view vector is analyzed.

6. A device for avoiding a tunnel vision of a motor vehicle driver, comprising:

a camera that:

detects a plurality of viewing directions of the motor vehicle driver, each viewing direction corresponding to a different moment in time, and the plurality of viewing directions corresponding to a predefined period of time, and

detects an instantaneous viewing direction of the motor vehicle driver, wherein a time of the instantaneous viewing direction is preceded by the predefined period of time;

a control unit to determine a risk of collision with an obstacle that is within a field of view of the motor vehicle driver, and to perform a comparison of the instantaneous viewing direction with inure than one of the stored viewing directions of the period of time to determine a rate of change between the instantaneous viewing direction and at least one of the stored viewing directions, wherein:

the control unit detects a tunnel vision if the risk of collision is above a predetermined criterion and the rate of change is below a limiting value; and

a stimulating device to stimulate, in response to the control unit detecting the tunnel vision, the motor vehicle driver to avoid the tunnel vision.

7. The device of claim 6 , wherein the device for stimulating includes a visual display.

8. The device of claim 7 , wherein the visual display is situated in the area of the windshield of the motor vehicle.

9. The device of claim 7 , wherein the visual display has at least one LED and/or a laser for displaying information.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the limiting value is 0.1°/ms.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the limiting value is 0.05°/ms.

12. The device of claim 6 , wherein the limiting value is 0.1°/ms.

13. The device of claim 6 , wherein the limiting value is 0.05°/ms.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein an imminent tunnel vision is detected if the rate of change decreases.

15. The device of claim 6 , wherein the control unit is adapted to detect an imminent tunnel vision if the rate of change decreases.