Method and apparatus for influencing the load of a driver in a motor vehicle

A method for influencing the load on a driver while driving a motor vehicle, comprising the steps:

• determining a workload (WL), from physiological driver data detected by means of sensors,
• comparing the determined workload (WL) with a predetermined intended workload (WLopt),
• if the determined workload (WL) is less than the predetermined workload where WL<WLopt indicates that the driver is underloaded, increasing the load on the driver by at least one of producing at least on of visual and audible and tactile and olfactory signals by controlling at least one vehicle system, and by increasing at least one of visual and audible and tactile and olfactory signals which have already been produced, and by changing their signal quality by controlling at least one vehicle system, and
• if the determined workload (WL) is greater than the predetermined workload where WL>WLopt the driver is overloaded, preventing any increase in the load on the driver by at least one of providing driver information and display systems in the motor vehicle in such a way that the output of at least one of visual and audible and tactile and olfactory signals is completely suppressed or partially suppressed or output at a later time.

A method for influencing the load on a driver while driving a motor vehicle, comprising the steps:

• determining a workload (WL), from physiological driver data detected by means of sensors,
• comparing the determined workload (WL) with a predetermined intended workload (WLopt),
• if the determined workload (WL) is less than the predetermined workload where WL<WLopt indicates that the driver is underloaded, increasing the load on the driver by at least one of producing at least on of visual and audible and tactile and olfactory signals by controlling at least one vehicle system, and by increasing at least one of visual and audible and tactile and olfactory signals which have already been produced, and by changing their signal quality by controlling at least one vehicle system, and
• if the determined workload (WL) is greater than the predetermined workload where WL>WLopt the driver is overloaded, reducing the load on the driver by at least one of reducing and changing at least one of the signal strength and the signal quality of visual and audible and tactile and olfactory signals which have already been produced, and by controlling at least one vehicle system, and by offering the use of a driver assistance system, and by outputting appropriate information to the driver.

A method for influencing the load on a driver while driving a motor vehicle, comprising the steps:

• determining a workload (WL), from physiological driver data detected by means of sensors,
• comparing the determined workload (WL) with a predetermined intended workload (WLopt),
• if the determined workload (WL) is less than the predetermined workload where WL<WLopt indicates that the driver is underloaded, increasing the load on the driver by at least one of producing at least on of visual and audible and tactile and olfactory signals by controlling at least one vehicle system, and by increasing at least one of visual and audible and tactile and olfactory signals which have already been produced, and by changing their signal quality by controlling at least one vehicle system, and
• if the determined workload (WL) is greater than the predetermined workload where WL>WLopt the driver is overloaded, reducing the load on the driver by at least one of reducing and changing at least one of the signal strength and the signal quality of visual and audible and tactile and olfactory signals which have already been produced, and by controlling at least one vehicle system, and by activation of at least one driver assistance system.