IP Library Granted Patent US 11,597,390
Granted Patent B2
US 11,597,390 · App. 16/939,429 · Granted Mar 7, 2023

Method and system for driving mode switching based on driver's state in hybrid driving

Inventors: Hao Zheng (Saratoga, CA); Timothy Patrick Daly, Jr. (San Jose, CA); David Wanqian Liu (Los Altos, CA)
Assignee: PlusAI, Inc.
B60W30/182B60W40/09G05D1/0011G05D1/0088B60W2710/20
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,597,390
App. No.
16/939,429
Granted
Mar 7, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present teaching relates to method, system, and medium, for operating a vehicle. Real-time data related to the vehicle are received. A current mode of operation of the vehicle and a state of the driver present in the vehicle are determined. A first risk associated with the current mode of operation of the vehicle is evaluated based on the real-time data and the state of the driver in accordance with a risk model. In response to the first risk satisfying a first criterion, a second risk associated with switching the current mode to a different mode of operation of the vehicle is determined based on the state of the driver. The vehicle is switched from the current mode to the different mode when the second risk satisfies a second criterion.

Claims (75)

1. A method, implemented on a machine having at least one processor, storage, and a communication platform capable of connecting to a network for operating a vehicle, the method comprising:

obtaining information related to a state of a driver of the vehicle;

determining a current mode of operation of the vehicle;

evaluating a first risk associated with the current mode of operation of the vehicle based on the state of the driver;

determining, in response to the first risk satisfying a first criterion, a set of tasks that need to be performed by the driver of the vehicle to switch an operation mode of the vehicle from the current mode to a different mode;

evaluating a second risk associated with switching the operation mode based on the set of tasks; and

carrying out the switching in response to the second risk satisfying a second criterion.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of obtaining information related to a state of a driver, comprises:

receiving sensor data associated with the driver;

detecting the driver from the sensor data based on a detection model; and

estimating the state of the driver based on one or more featured identified from the sensor data.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the state of the driver includes one or more of

a functional state of the driver;

a mental state of the driver; and

a heath state of the driver.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein

the first risk is indicative of a first danger if the vehicle continues to be operated in the current mode; and

the second risk is indicative of a second of danger associated with switching from the current mode to the different mode.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein

the first criterion corresponds to the first risk exceeding a first level associated with the current mode of operation of the vehicle; and

the second criterion corresponds to the second risk not exceeding a second level associated with the different mode of operation of the vehicle.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving real-time data related to the vehicle; and

evaluating the first risk associated with the current mode of operation of the vehicle based on the real-time data.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the real-time data related to the vehicle includes intrinsic capability parameters and extrinsic capability parameters, intrinsic capability parameters specifying conditions internal to the vehicle that limit the operational capability of the vehicle, the extrinsic capability parameters specifying conditions external to the vehicle that limit the operational capability of the vehicle.

8. A non-transitory, machine readable medium having information stored thereon for operating a vehicle, wherein the information, when read by a machine, causes the machine to perform operations comprising:

obtaining information related to a state of a driver of the vehicle;

determining a current mode of operation of the vehicle;

evaluating a first risk associated with the current mode of operation of the vehicle based on the state of the driver;

determining, in response to the first risk satisfying a first criterion, a set of tasks that need to be performed by the driver of the vehicle to switch an operation mode of the vehicle from the current mode to a different mode;

evaluating a second risk associated with switching the operation mode based on the set of tasks; and

carrying out the switching in response to the second risk satisfying a second criterion.

9. The medium of claim 8 , wherein the step of obtaining information related to a state of a driver, comprises:

receiving sensor data associated with the driver;

detecting the driver from the sensor data based on a detection model; and

estimating the state of the driver based on one or more featured identified from the sensor data.

10. The medium of claim 8 , wherein the state of the driver includes one or more of

a functional state of the driver;

a mental state of the driver; and

a heath state of the driver.

11. The medium of claim 8 , wherein

the first risk is indicative of a first danger if the vehicle continues to be operated in the current mode; and

the second risk is indicative of a second of danger associated with switching from the current mode to the different mode.

12. The medium of claim 8 , wherein

the first criterion corresponds to the first risk exceeding a first level associated with the current mode of operation of the vehicle; and

the second criterion corresponds to the second risk not exceeding a second level associated with the different mode of operation of the vehicle.

13. The medium of claim 8 , further comprising:

receiving real-time data related to the vehicle; and

evaluating the first risk associated with the current mode of operation of the vehicle based on the real-time data.

14. The medium of claim 13 , wherein the real-time data related to the vehicle includes intrinsic capability parameters and extrinsic capability parameters, intrinsic capability parameters specifying conditions internal to the vehicle that limit the operational capability of the vehicle, the extrinsic capability parameters specifying conditions external to the vehicle that limit the operational capability of the vehicle.

15. A system for operating a vehicle comprising:

a processor configured for

obtaining information related to a state of a driver of the vehicle,

determining a current mode of operation of the vehicle,

evaluating a first risk associated with the current mode of operation of the vehicle based on the state of the driver,

determining, in response to the first risk satisfying a first criterion, a set of tasks that need to be performed by the driver of the vehicle to switch an operation mode of the vehicle from the current mode to a different mode,

evaluating a second risk associated with switching the operation mode based on the set of tasks, and

carrying out the switching in response to the second risk satisfying a second criterion.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the processor is further configured for:

receiving sensor data associated with the driver;

detecting the driver from the sensor data based on a detection model; and

estimating the state of the driver based on one or more featured identified from the sensor data.

17. The system of claim 15 , wherein the state of the driver includes one or more of

a functional state of the driver;

a mental state of the driver; and

a health state of the driver.

18. The system of claim 15 , wherein

the first risk is indicative of a first danger if the vehicle continues to be operated in the current mode; and

the second risk is indicative of a second of danger associated with switching from the current mode to the different mode.

19. The system of claim 15 , wherein

the first criterion corresponds to the first risk exceeding a first level associated with the current mode of operation of the vehicle; and

the second criterion corresponds to the second risk not exceeding a second level associated with the different mode of operation of the vehicle.

20. The system of claim 15 , wherein the processor is further configured for:

receiving real-time data related to the vehicle; and

evaluating the first risk associated with the current mode of operation of the vehicle based on the real-time data.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 19, 2021
From: PLUSAI LIMITED
To: PLUSAI, INC.
Reel/Frame 056909/0574 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 26, 2021
From: PLUSAI CORP
To: PLUSAI LIMITED
Reel/Frame 055420/0711 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 27, 2020
From: ZHENG, HAO; DALY JR., TIMOTHY PATRICK; LIU, DAVID WANQIAN
To: PLUSAI CORP
Reel/Frame 053317/0020 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 15872215 · Jan 16, 2018
Continuation 15846817 · Dec 19, 2017
Related Publication 20200353926A1 · Nov 12, 2020