US 12,459,529 B2
Method for assisting a user of a vehicle by using an indicator for signaling a change of an operating mode of the vehicle with respect to degree of automation and for signaling an escalation level for the change
Achim Pruksch, Neudenau (DE); Hanna Otto, Stuttgart (DE); Javier Riel Rosales, Shanghai (CN); Lenne Ahrens, Heimsheim (DE); Liza Christine Dixon, Heilbronn (DE); Lu Wang, Shanghai (CN); Norbert Schneider, Wuerzburg (DE); and Yao Pan, Shanghai (CN)
Assigned to ROBERT BOSCH GMBH, Stuttgart (DE)
Filed by Robert Bosch GmbH, Stuttgart (DE)
Filed on Dec. 7, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/062,682.
Claims priority of application No. 10 2022 200 153.2 (DE), filed on Jan. 10, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0219593 A1, Jul. 13, 2023
Int. Cl. B60W 50/16 (2020.01); B60W 50/14 (2020.01); B60W 60/00 (2020.01)
CPC B60W 50/16 (2013.01) [B60W 50/14 (2013.01); B60W 60/005 (2020.02); B60W 60/0055 (2020.02); B60W 2050/143 (2013.01); B60W 2050/146 (2013.01)] 8 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for assisting a user in an interaction with a vehicle including at least one automated and/or partially automated and/or manual operating mode, by way of a control device that includes a processor system including at least one processor, the method comprising the following steps:
ascertaining, by the processor system, a possible or compulsory change of operating mode of the vehicle;
ascertaining, by the processor system, an escalation level for the change of operating mode of the vehicle; and
signaling, by the processor system, the ascertained change of operating mode and the escalation level, to the user using a dynamic indicator;
wherein:
the signaling is performed using a dynamic indicator displaying a representation of a body including a head portion, a hand portion, and a foot portion;
when transitioning from an indication of a fully automated mode of the vehicle to an indication of a fully manual mode of the vehicle, the indicator transitions from an indicator state in which none of the head, hand, and foot portions are illuminated or highlighted corresponding to the fully automated mode of the vehicle to an indicator state in which only the head portion is illuminated or highlighted corresponding to a first partly-automated mode of the vehicle requiring road monitoring to an indicator state in which the head and hand portions are illuminated or highlighted corresponding to a second partly-automated mode of the vehicle requiring steering but with at least one of automated braking and automated acceleration to an indicator state in which the head, hand, and foot portions are all illuminated corresponding to the manual mode of the vehicle; and
at least one of an intensity and color of the illumination or highlight of each portion is selected according to the escalation level associated with the corresponding automation or manual mode.