Control system for autonomous-capable vehicles
View Patent ↗An autonomous-capable vehicle which can be operated in a transitional state from manual vehicle operation to autonomous vehicle operation. In the transitional state, the vehicle operates autonomously and overrides manual interaction of the user. To maintain the transitional state, the driver performs a continuous action, such as providing a continuous interaction with a switching mechanism.
1. An autonomous-capable vehicle comprising:
one or more manual vehicle control mechanisms;
an autonomous control system to autonomously operate the autonomous-capable vehicle when engaged;
a first interface to engage the autonomous control system when an operator of the autonomous-capable vehicle interacts with the first interface;
a vehicle control system that is operational in multiple control states, including (i) a first control state in which the autonomous control system is enabled but not engaged, (ii) a second control state in which the autonomous control system is engaged but operator manipulation of the one or more manual vehicle control mechanisms does not disengage the autonomous control system, and (iii) a third control state in which the autonomous control system is engaged and operator manipulation of the one or more manual vehicle control mechanisms disengages the autonomous control system; and
vehicle autonomy selection logic to change a control state of the multiple control states of the vehicle control system based on an operator interaction with the first interface,
wherein the vehicle autonomy selection logic changes the vehicle control system from the first control state to the second control state upon detecting the operator interaction with the first interface,
and wherein the vehicle autonomy selection logic changes the vehicle control system from the second control state to the third control state upon detecting cessation of the operator interaction with the first interface.
2. The autonomous-capable vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the one or more manual vehicle control mechanisms include a brake pedal, an accelerator pedal, a gear shifter, and a steering wheel.
3. The autonomous-capable vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the multiple control states include a fourth control state in which the autonomous control system is disabled.
4. The autonomous-capable vehicle of claim 3 , wherein the vehicle autonomy selection logic changes the vehicle control system from the second control state to the fourth control state when the operator interaction exceeds a threshold time period without cessation.
5. The autonomous-capable vehicle of claim 1 , further comprising:
a second interface to enable and disable the autonomous control system.
6. The autonomous-capable vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the first interface is a button.
7. A control system for an autonomous-capable vehicle, the control system comprising:
an autonomous control system to autonomously operate the autonomous-capable vehicle when engaged;
a vehicle control system that is operational in multiple control states, including (i) a first control state in which the autonomous control system is enabled but not engaged, (ii) a second control state in which the autonomous control system is engaged but operator manipulation of one or more manual vehicle control mechanisms does not disengage the autonomous control system, and (iii) a third control state in which the autonomous control system is engaged and operator manipulation of the one or more manual vehicle control mechanisms disengages the autonomous control system; and
vehicle autonomy selection logic to change a control state of the multiple control states of the vehicle control system based on an operator interaction with a first interface,
wherein the vehicle autonomy selection logic changes the vehicle control system from the first control state to the second control state upon detecting the operator interaction with the first interface,
and wherein the vehicle autonomy selection logic changes the vehicle control system from the second control state to the third control state upon detecting cessation of the operator interaction with the first interface.
8. A method for operating an autonomous-capable vehicle, the method being implemented by one or more processors and comprising:
determining switching input from an operator interaction with a first interface; and
controlling an operational state of a vehicle control system based on the switching input, the operational state including (i) a first control state in which an autonomous control system is enabled but not engaged, (ii), a second control state in which the autonomous control system is engaged but operator manipulation of manual vehicle control mechanisms does not disengage the autonomous control system, and (iii) a third control state in which the autonomous control system is engaged and operator manipulation of the manual vehicle control mechanisms disengages the autonomous control system,
wherein controlling the operational state includes changing from the first control state to the second control state upon detecting the operator interaction with the first interface,
wherein controlling the operational state includes changing from the second control state to the third control state upon detecting cessation of the operator interaction with the first interface.
9. The autonomous-capable vehicle of claim 6 , wherein the operator interaction comprises the operator pressing the button without releasing the button.
10. The autonomous-capable vehicle of claim 9 , wherein the cessation of the operator interaction comprises the operator releasing the button.