IP Library Granted Patent US 11,505,209
Granted Patent B2
US 11,505,209 · App. 16/761,225 · Granted Nov 22, 2022

System for automated driving with assistance for a driver in performing a non-driving activity

Inventors: Christoph Wannemacher (Schwalbach, DE); Stephan Cieler (Schwalbach, DE)
Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
B60W60/00136B60W40/08B60W50/14B60W60/0053G06V20/597B60W2420/42B60W2540/21B60W2540/229
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,505,209
App. No.
16/761,225
Granted
Nov 22, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

An automated driving system with assistance for a driver in performing a non-driving activity includes an assistance device configured to assist the driver in performing the non-driving activity. The automated driving system, in a first operating state controls the vehicle in an automated manner, and in a second operating state hands over control of the vehicle to the driver. The assistance device is configured to assist the driver in performing the non-driving activity if the automated driving system switches from the first operating state to the second operating state.

Claims (29)

1. An automated driving system ( 1 ) with assistance for a driver of a vehicle ( 2 ) in performing a non-driving activity, comprising:

an assistance device ( 10 ) configured to assist the driver in performing the non-driving activity; and

a sensor ( 30 ) configured to identify an activity of the driver,

wherein the automated driving system ( 1 ), in a first operating state controls the vehicle ( 2 ) in an automated manner, and in a second operating state hands over control of the vehicle to the driver,

wherein the assistance device ( 10 ) is configured to assist the driver in performing the non-driving activity if the automated driving system ( 1 ) switches from the first operating state to the second operating state,

wherein the non-driving activity includes the outputting to the driver of received messages, and the assistance device ( 10 ) is further configured to determine, based upon information from the sensor, a corresponding passage in a text of a passage that the driver has just read, and

wherein the assistance device ( 10 ) is further configured to offer the driver to finish an e-mail or message that the driver started to write during the autonomous driving mode.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:

an input ( 20 ) configured to input an instruction for assisting the driver in performing the non-driving activity,

wherein the assistance device ( 10 ) is further configured to assist the driver in performing the non-driving activity if the instruction has been input into the input ( 20 ).

3. The system as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the assistance device ( 10 ) is further configured to offer assistance to the driver in performing the non-driving activity if the automated driving system ( 1 ) switches from the first operating state to the second operating state.

4. The system as claimed in claim 3 ,

wherein the sensor ( 30 ) comprises a camera ( 40 ) configured to acquire an image that shows the activity of the driver, and

wherein the assistance device ( 10 ) is further configured to analyze the acquired image and identify the activity of the driver.

5. The system as claimed in claim 4 , further comprising:

an infotainment device ( 50 ) configured to offer an infotainment program,

wherein the assistance device ( 10 ) is further configured to assist the driver in executing the infotainment program if the automated driving system ( 1 ) switches from the first to the second operating state.

6. The system as claimed in claim 5 ,

wherein the assistance device ( 10 ) is further configured to:

ascertain and learn usage behavior of the driver in relation to the infotainment device ( 50 ), and

assist the driver in executing the infotainment program according to the learned usage behavior.

7. The system as claimed in claim 1 ,

wherein the assistance device ( 10 ) is further configured to learn the behavior of the driver in relation to the non-driving activity during the first operating state of the automated driving system ( 1 ), and

wherein the assistance device ( 10 ) is further configured to assist the driver in performing the non-driving activity according to the learned behavior of the driver in relation to the non-driving activity.

8. The system as claimed in claim 1 ,

wherein the assistance device ( 10 ) is further configured to assist the driver in performing a reading activity if the automated driving system ( 1 ) switches from the first operating state to the second operating state.

9. The system as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:

a voice input ( 60 ),

wherein the assistance device ( 10 ) is configured to assist the driver in performing a writing activity by converting acoustic signals received via the voice input ( 60 ) into written text if the automated driving system ( 1 ) switches from the first operating state to the second operating state.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 7, 2025
From: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
To: CONTINENTAL AUTONOMOUS MOBILITY GERMANY GMBH
Reel/Frame 070438/0643 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 25, 2022
From: WANNEMACHER, CHRISTOPH; CIELER, STEPHAN
To: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
Reel/Frame 060605/0817 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 16, 2020
From: WANNEMACHER, CHRISTOPH; CIELER, STEPHAN
To: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
Reel/Frame 052948/0152 →