DE102013224824B4 - Control and detection device for a motor vehicle and method for recognizing an image code by means of a recognition unit installed in a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

Control and detection device (40) for a motor vehicle (100), characterized in that the control and detection device (40) is designed, when installed in a motor vehicle (100), to recognize and interpret an image code (10) attached or located outside the motor vehicle (100) and within a predetermined radius of the motor vehicle (100), wherein the image code (10) is designed as a machine-readable code (10) and contains at least one item of information which the control and detection device (40) is able to evaluate, characterized in that the image code (10) is integrated into the rear view of a traffic sign applicable to an opposite directional lane, wherein the opposite directional lane means the lane which lies opposite the directional lane on which the motor vehicle in which the control and detection device (40) according to the invention is installed and which is permitted for oncoming traffic is located.

Description

The present invention relates to a control and detection device for a motor vehicle and a method for recognizing an image code by means of a control and detection device installed in a motor vehicle.

State of the art

Wrong-way drivers pose a high risk on motorways and roads with physically separated lanes. The current measures aimed at reducing the risk to other road users are based on a report on the radio traffic report, which is usually based on an emergency call from a driver who is already at risk. A lot of time passes before a wrong-way driver is reported, and a change in behaviour is not brought about by the perpetrator, i.e. the wrong-way driver, but by all other road users. They are instructed, for example, to drive on the far right of the road and not to overtake. It would be much more effective, however, to recognise that a vehicle is driving the wrong way as early as possible and to actively prevent or stop it by warning the driver or by taking coercive measures against the wrong-way vehicle.

The main problem here, however, is the reliable detection of a motor vehicle driving the wrong way, since a false detection of a wrong-way trip combined with a warning to the driver or active coercive measures, such as emergency braking on the motorway, at least poses a significant acceptance problem and, more likely, even a great potential for damage and danger.

One possibility for such a compulsory measure is so-called asphalt claws, for example on motorway exits, which slash the tires of vehicles driving the wrong way and thus bring them to a standstill. However, installing this infrastructure solution on the more than 2000 motorway exits in Germany is not only very costly, but also causes further economic damage through the removal of damaged vehicles and the obstruction of traffic flow.

Electronic technologies that are used to detect and prevent wrong-way driving are also being discussed in public. For example, a vehicle driving the wrong way could be automatically braked and, if necessary, guided to the side of the road using the technology and actuators already widely used in modern driver assistance systems. The basic problem, however, remains the reliable detection of wrong-way driving. The information from current digital navigation maps and current GPS tracking is too imprecise to be able to detect wrong-way driving reliably enough. To achieve this, the location of the wrong-way vehicle must be made much more precise, but the accuracy of the digital maps must also increase. In addition, the digital maps must always be up to date. For example, in temporary motorway construction sites, the vehicles are deliberately and safely traveling on the opposite lane due to the changed traffic routing. Traffic routing in the area of on- and off-ramps can also be temporarily changed due to construction sites.

Other approaches to protect traffic from wrong-way drivers are, for example, from the WO 2009/081816 A1 as well as from the WO 03/044984 A1 However, these approaches do not provide comprehensive protection for the wrong-way driver or the road users in his vicinity.

US 2013 / 0 314 252 A1 discloses a control and detection device for a motor vehicle according to the preamble of the invention, wherein the image code is designed as a machine-readable code.

In DE 10 2007 048 842 A1 A driver assistance system with a control unit is disclosed, wherein driving on roads in an unintended or prohibited direction is detected by evaluating the reflectors of guide posts and the post path of traffic signs.

DE 102 19 904 A1 shows an actuating device for a motor vehicle which uses a sensor to detect and evaluate traffic signs in order to control a braking system, for example in the event of a no-entry sign being violated.

disclosure of the invention

According to the invention, a control and detection device for a motor vehicle is provided. According to the invention, the control and detection device is designed to recognize and interpret an image code that is attached or located outside the motor vehicle and within a predetermined radius of the motor vehicle when installed in a motor vehicle.

The advantage of such a control and recording device installed in a motor vehicle The advantage of this system is that by recognizing an image code, the information contained therein, for example about the exact location coordinates of the image code and its position relative to a roadway on which entry is prohibited, can be used to clearly recognize and interpret a wrong-way journey by the motor vehicle in which the control and detection device is installed, for example while the motor vehicle is in motion. This increases safety in road traffic. An image code is understood to be information encoded in an image that can be decoded or encoded by a recognition unit or a reading unit. The coding is done pictorially using a one-, two-, or multi-dimensional pattern.

According to the invention, the image code is designed as a machine-readable code and the image code contains at least one piece of information that the control and detection device can evaluate. Furthermore, the image code is preferably designed as a QR code, i.e. as a quick response code. Furthermore, the image code is preferably designed as an image code comparable to a QR code. Machine-readable codes of this type can be recognized very quickly and are easy to implement. They can be used to transmit any information. By combining them with a specific location, where they are only visible or clearly interpretable to a wrong-way driver, they can, for example, encode warnings that prevent a wrong-way driver from entering a motorway exit, for example. Machine-readable codes such as QR codes have a far greater distinguishing power than, for example, a traffic sign, which can be more easily confused with other traffic signs by a control and detection device. Furthermore, the machine-readable codes can be designed in two or more dimensions.

Preferably, the at least one piece of information is information for detecting wrong-way driving or for detecting an impending wrong-way driving of a motor vehicle. In such an embodiment, it is possible to react early to a wrong-way driving of a motor vehicle in which a control and detection device according to the invention is installed. Countermeasures can therefore be initiated early to prevent damage that would otherwise be expected. These can be active or passive. For example, a countermeasure can consist of the driver receiving a warning message or of the motor vehicle being brought to a standstill. Preferably, the at least one piece of information is information indicating that entry is prohibited.

Preferably, checksums are also encoded in the image code, which can be used to ensure the clear and complete recognition of at least one piece of information. This practically eliminates false recognition of the entry ban. This further increases the safety of the vehicle in road traffic.

In a preferred embodiment, the control and detection device comprises at least one video sensor which can be arranged inside a motor vehicle. Such video sensors have a high resolution and are capable of quickly and reliably recognizing an image code.

Preferably, the image code is attached below and/or above and/or in the front view of a traffic sign prohibiting entry and/or integrated into the rear view of a traffic sign and in this position can be recognized and interpreted by the control and detection device when installed in a motor vehicle. By combining the image code with the traffic sign or with the position of the sign, wrong-way driving can be prevented particularly reliably. Furthermore, the exact location of the sign and its position relative to the roadway on which, for example, entry may be prohibited are also preferably encoded in the image code. In such an embodiment, wrong-way driving can be checked for plausibility by recognizing an image code in addition to traffic sign recognition. Furthermore, the sign is preferably a traffic sign indicating that entry is prohibited and is located, for example, at a motorway exit or at a parking lot entrance. In a further preferred embodiment, the image code is attached to a roadway object and the image code can be recognized and interpreted by the control and detection device in this position. Such a roadway object is preferably a sign bridge or a toll bridge which is located on or on a motorway section. According to the invention, the image code is integrated into the rear view of a traffic sign applicable to an opposite lane, whereby the opposite lane means the lane which is opposite the lane on which the motor vehicle is located in which the control and detection device according to the invention is installed and which is approved for oncoming traffic.

Preferably, the distance between the control and detection device and the image code, below which the control and detection device is able to recognize and interpret the image code, is predetermined. Such a predetermination is given, for example, by the resolution of the control and detection device and the size of the image code being predetermined and fixed. With such an embodiment, it can be ensured, among other things, that image codes are only recognized by the control and detection devices of those motor vehicles for which the image codes were intended. In such an embodiment, for example, image codes arranged on the opposite lane of a motorway are not incorrectly recognized and misinterpreted by the motor vehicle having the control and detection device due to the excessive distance and/or the implausible relative location.

In a preferred embodiment, the control and detection device is designed to provide an initialization signal as soon as the image code has been recognized and interpreted. In a further preferred embodiment, the control and detection device is designed to provide an initialization signal and corresponding data as soon as the image code has been recognized and interpreted. By means of the initialization signal provided by the control and detection device or by means of the corresponding data provided, for example, an active countermeasure to wrong-way driving can be initialized by a driver assistance system. For example, a motor vehicle having the control and detection device can be brought to a stop at the edge of the road or other steps can be initiated.

Preferably, the control and detection device is further designed to transfer the motor vehicle, when installed in a motor vehicle, to a state in which driving is interrupted by initiating an emergency braking and/or by deactivating the engine ignition as soon as the image code has been recognized and interpreted. Preferably, the motor vehicle is automatically brought to a standstill at the edge of the road. In such an embodiment, road safety is increased because the vehicle maneuvers itself out of the dangerous situation when wrong-way driving or an impending wrong-way driving is detected. Furthermore, the control and detection device is preferably designed to provide the initialization signal to a driver assistance system. The driver assistance system can then transfer the motor vehicle to a state in which driving is interrupted by initiating an emergency braking and/or by deactivating the engine ignition.

Preferably, the control and detection device is also capable of video traffic sign recognition. In such an embodiment, traffic sign recognition and the recognition of image codes are used in combination. By recognizing image codes in addition to recognizing traffic signs, the plausibility of a wrong-way journey can be checked more safely and reliably, for example. Furthermore, traffic sign recognition can be secured using image code recognition.

Furthermore, a method for recognizing an image code by means of a control and detection device according to the invention installed in a motor vehicle is provided, which comprises the following method steps: recognizing an image code attached within a predetermined radius of the motor vehicle and containing at least one piece of information by means of the control and detection device. Interpreting the at least one piece of information contained in the image code by means of an image processing unit provided by the control and detection device. Providing the recognized and interpreted at least one piece of information by means of the control and detection device. Such a method increases road safety.

In a preferred further development of the method, the control and detection device is at least one video sensor arranged inside the motor vehicle and the image code is a machine-readable code. In such an embodiment, the method enables very fast and reliable recognition of information, even while the motor vehicle is in motion.

Furthermore, the at least one piece of information contained in the image code is preferably information for detecting wrong-way driving or for detecting an impending wrong-way driving of the motor vehicle, and the method further comprises the step of: transferring the motor vehicle to a state of interrupted driving as soon as the information about wrong-way driving of the motor vehicle has been detected and interpreted. In such an embodiment of the method, the motor vehicle is placed in a rest state, ideally at the edge of the road, as soon as wrong-way driving is detected by the control and detection device of the motor vehicle. This assumes that Motor vehicle no longer poses a danger to traffic or the occupants of the vehicle.

Preferably, the control and detection device comprises a driver assistance system.

Advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the subclaims and described in the description.

drawings

• 1 ein Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Kraftfahrzeugs, und
• 2 eine beispielhafte Ausführung zweier verschiedener Bild-Codes, welche von der Erkennungseinheit eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Kraftfahrzeugs erkennbar sind.

Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the drawings and the following description. They show:

• 1 an embodiment of a motor vehicle according to the invention, and
• 2 an exemplary embodiment of two different image codes which can be recognized by the recognition unit of an embodiment of a motor vehicle according to the invention.

embodiments of the invention

In the 1 an embodiment of a control and detection device 40 according to the invention for a motor vehicle 100 is shown. In this embodiment, the control and detection device 40 is arranged purely by way of example within a motor vehicle 100 behind its windshield and is directed, among other things, towards the driver's field of vision. The control and detection device 40 can also be arranged at a different location within the motor vehicle 100 or outside the motor vehicle 100, for example on the body of the motor vehicle 100 or outside the motor vehicle 100. Furthermore, the control and detection device 40 can also be directed at a different area of the surroundings of the motor vehicle 100, for example on a side area or a rear area of the motor vehicle 100. The control and detection device 40 is designed to recognize and interpret an image code 10 attached or located outside the motor vehicle 100 and within a predetermined radius of the motor vehicle 100. In this embodiment, the perimeter of the motor vehicle 100 is predetermined purely by way of example to have a radius of 30 meters. However, motor vehicles 100 with control and detection devices 40 according to the invention can also be designed in which the perimeter within which an image code 10 can be recognized and interpreted by the control and detection device 40 has a radius of, for example, 5 meters, 10 meters, 20 meters, 40 meters, 50 meters, 60 meters or any other radius.

In this exemplary embodiment, the image code 10 is designed as a machine-readable code 10, which contains, purely by way of example, two pieces of information which the control and detection device 40 is able to evaluate. To be more precise, the image codes 10, which the control and detection device 40 is able to recognize and interpret, are designed in this exemplary embodiment as codes comparable to QR codes 10, i.e. analogous to quick response codes 10, in each of which two different pieces of information are encoded. In this exemplary embodiment, the QR codes 10 are installed purely by way of example below “no entry” signs at motorway exits and can be recognized and interpreted in this position by a control and detection device 40 according to the invention installed in a motor vehicle 100. In this exemplary embodiment, the QR codes 10 contain, purely by way of example, information about the exact location of the QR code 10 and thus of a respective "no entry" sign and, on the other hand, information for determining an impending wrong-way journey by the motor vehicle 100, which has the control and detection device 40 that detects the respective QR code 10. However, the image codes 10 can also be arranged in positions other than the traffic signs mentioned and can be detected and interpreted in these positions by the control and detection device 40 according to the invention of a motor vehicle 100. Motor vehicles 100 can also be designed with control and detection devices 40 according to the invention that are capable of detecting other image codes 10 with other information encoded in them. In this exemplary embodiment, the information of the QR code 10 about the exact location and the position relative to the roadway on which the entry ban applies is not only used as a data basis for determining an impending wrong-way journey of the motor vehicle 100, but is also transmitted by the control and detection device 40 to a driver assistance system of the motor vehicle 100 in order to increase its performance and to expand its range of functions.

In this exemplary embodiment, the control and detection device 40 comprises a video sensor purely by way of example. A control and detection device 40 installed in a motor vehicle 100 can, however, also be designed differently or comprise or consist of several video sensors 40. As already mentioned, the control and detection device 40 or its video sensor 40 in this exemplary embodiment is capable of detecting an image code 10 in a radius from the motor vehicle 100 with a radius of 30 meters. This means that the distance between the control and detection device 40 and the image code 10, below which the control and detection device 40 is able to recognize and interpret the image code 10, is predetermined to 30 meters purely as an example in this embodiment. However, it can also be set to any other value by the resolution of the control and detection device 40 and the size of the image code 10 displayed.

Furthermore, the control and detection device 40 in this embodiment is designed to provide an initialization signal and corresponding data for a driver assistance system as soon as an image code 10, that is to say a QR code 10 in this embodiment, has been recognized and interpreted. Furthermore, the control and detection device 40 in this embodiment is designed purely as an example to transfer the motor vehicle 100 to a state of interrupted driving by triggering an emergency braking as soon as the image code 10 has been recognized and interpreted by the control and detection device 40. For this purpose, the control and detection device 40 can also be designed to transmit a corresponding initialization signal or corresponding data to a driver assistance system. However, motor vehicles 100 can also be designed with a control and detection device 40 according to the invention, in which an initialization signal provided by the same is received, for example, by a driver assistance system, which then steers the motor vehicle 100 to the edge of the lane and switches it off, for example. In principle, many different types of reaction to the receipt of an initialization signal provided by the control and detection device 40 are conceivable, even those not mentioned here.

In this exemplary embodiment, the control and detection device 40 is also capable of video traffic sign recognition. This is supplemented by the previously described image code recognition by means of the control and detection device 40. The recognition of a traffic sign can thus be supplemented by an additionally recognized and interpreted image code 10. If a lane is restricted, for example due to a construction site, image codes 10 that incorrectly describe the course of the road can simply be removed or covered so that they are no longer recognized by an inventive control and detection device 40 of a motor vehicle 100.

In 2 exemplary embodiments of two different image codes 10 are shown, which can be recognized by a control and detection device 40 according to the invention of an embodiment of a motor vehicle 100. Seen from the viewpoint of the observer on the left in 2 an image code 10 comparable to a QR code 10 is shown, in which the information about the prohibition of entry is encoded purely as an example. If this image code 10 is detected and interpreted by the control and detection device 40 of a motor vehicle 100, the motor vehicle 100 or the control and detection device 40 is able to initiate a damage-preventing reaction. From the viewpoint of the observer, on the right in 2 Another embodiment of an image code 10 is shown. This is a bar code which is integrated on both sides into the front view of a no entry sign. However, motor vehicles 100 can also be designed with control and detection devices 40 according to the invention, which can also be used to recognize other machine-readable, one- or multi-dimensional image codes 10 than those in 2 are capable of doing the things shown.

Claims (10)

Control and detection device (40) for a motor vehicle (100), characterized in that the control and detection device (40) is designed, in a state installed in a motor vehicle (100), to recognize and interpret an image code (10) attached or located outside the motor vehicle (100) and within a predetermined radius of the motor vehicle (100), wherein the image code (10) is designed as a machine-readable code (10) and contains at least one item of information which the control and detection device (40) is able to evaluate, characterized in that the image code (10) is integrated into the rear view of a traffic sign applicable to an opposite directional lane, wherein the opposite directional lane means the lane which lies opposite the directional lane on which the motor vehicle in which the control and detection device (40) according to the invention is installed and which is permitted for oncoming traffic is located. Control and detection device (40) according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one piece of information is information for detecting wrong-way driving or for detecting an impending wrong-way driving of a motor vehicle (100). Control and detection device (40) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control and detection device (40) comprises at least one video sensor (40) which can be arranged inside a motor vehicle (100). Control and detection device (40) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the image code (10) is mounted below and/or above and/or in the front view of a traffic sign prohibiting entry and/or is integrated in the rear view of a traffic sign and in this position is recognizable and interpretable by the control and detection device (40) in a state installed in a motor vehicle (100). Control and detection device (40) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the distance between the control and detection device (40) and the image code (10), below which the control and detection device (40) is able to recognize and interpret the image code (10), is predetermined. Control and detection device (40) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control and detection device (40) is designed to provide an initialization signal as soon as the image code (10) has been recognized and interpreted. Control and detection device (40) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control and detection device (40) is further designed, in a state installed in a motor vehicle (100), to transfer the motor vehicle (100) into a state of driving interruption by triggering an emergency braking and/or by deactivating the engine ignition as soon as the image code (10) has been recognized and interpreted. Control and detection device (40) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control and detection device (40) is further capable of video traffic sign recognition. Method for recognizing an image code (10) by means of a control and detection device (40) installed in a motor vehicle (100) according to one of the Claims 1 until 8 , which comprises the following method steps: - recognizing an image code (10) attached within a predetermined radius of the motor vehicle (100) and containing at least one piece of information by means of the control and detection device (40); - interpreting the at least one piece of information contained in the image code (10) by means of an image processing unit provided by the control and detection device (40), and - providing the recognized and interpreted at least one piece of information by means of the control and detection device (40). procedure according to claim 9 , wherein the at least one item of information contained in the image code (10) is information for detecting wrong-way driving or for detecting an impending wrong-way driving of the motor vehicle (100), further comprising the step of: transferring the motor vehicle (100) to a state of driving interruption as soon as the information about wrong-way driving of the motor vehicle (100) has been detected and interpreted.

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