IP Library Granted Patent US 9,377,315
Granted Patent B2
US 9,377,315 · App. 14/520,382 · Granted Jun 28, 2016

System and method to provide valet instructions for a self-driving vehicle

Inventors: Joey Ray Grover (Madison Heights, MI); Scott Smereka (Warren, MI); Joel J. Fischer (Royal Oak, MI)
Assignee: Myine Electronics, Inc.
G01C21/34G06Q10/02G08G1/147
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,377,315
App. No.
14/520,382
Granted
Jun 28, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

A vehicle computer system in an autonomous vehicle includes a wireless transceiver configured to communicate with a remote device. The vehicle computer system also includes a processor in communication with the wireless transceiver. The processor is configured to receive instructions from the remote device to initiate an automatic valet-mode, receive data from the remote device indicative of a user's pick-up location, and send instructions to a vehicle module instructing the vehicle to drive to the user's pick-up location.

Claims (33)

1. A vehicle computer system in an autonomous vehicle, comprising:

a wireless transceiver configured to communicate with a remote device of a user;

a processor in communication with the wireless transceiver, the processor configured to:

receive instructions from the remote device to initiate an automatic valet-mode;

receive data from the remote device indicative of a user's pick-up location;

determine a vehicle malfunction based upon vehicle data and a pick-up request or drop-off request of the user;

output an error message to the remote device, wherein the error message is attributable to a vehicle controller error affecting the pick-up request or drop-off request; and

send instructions to a vehicle module instructing the vehicle to drive to the user's pick-up location.

2. The vehicle computer system in an autonomous vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to receive data from the remote device indicative of a user's pick-up time.

3. The vehicle computer system in an autonomous vehicle of claim 2 , wherein the processor is further configured to determine a departure time of the vehicle, wherein the departure time is determined utilizing a travel time from a vehicle's current location to the user's pick-up location, and the user's pick-up time.

4. The vehicle computer system in an autonomous vehicle of claim 3 , wherein the processor is further configured to utilize traffic data to calculate the departure time of the vehicle.

5. The vehicle computer system in an autonomous vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the remote device is an off-board server or nomadic device.

6. The vehicle computer system in an autonomous vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to determine a status related to the automatic-valet mode and send a notification indicating the status to the remote device.

7. The vehicle computer system in an autonomous vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to receive data indicative of a parking location of the vehicle and a drop-off location of the user.

8. The vehicle computer system in an autonomous vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle module is an advanced driver assistance system.

9. The vehicle computer system in an autonomous vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the pick-up time is an on-demand pick-up or a future time.

10. The vehicle computer system in an autonomous vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to send the data from the remote device indicating a vehicle's current location.

11. The vehicle computer system in an autonomous vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to send the remote device route data indicating a vehicle's route based on a vehicle's current location and the user's pick-up location.

12. The vehicle computer system in an autonomous vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the error message is output to the remote-device initiating the automatic valet mode.

13. The vehicle computer system in an autonomous vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle malfunction includes a vehicle battery level below a threshold to drive to the user's pick-up location.

14. The vehicle computer system in an autonomous vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle malfunction includes a fuel level below a threshold to drive to the user's pick-up location.

15. The vehicle computer system in an autonomous vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to output the malfunction after autonomously driving to the user's pick-up location.

16. The vehicle computer system in an autonomous vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to output the malfunction before autonomously driving to the user's pick-up location.

17. The vehicle computer system in an autonomous vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to determine the malfunction after autonomously driving to the user's pick-up location.

18. A vehicle computer system, comprising:

an input-controller configured to receive instructions from a related to an automatic valet mode of an autonomous vehicle;

a processor communicating with the input-controller configured to:

receive input from the input-controller activating the automatic valet mode and setting a pick-up location and a pick-up time;

output a vehicle error in response to vehicle data indicating a vehicle controller error affecting a pick-up or a drop-off request of the user;

send instructions to a vehicle module instructing the vehicle to drive to the pick-up location at the pick-up time.

19. The vehicle computer system of claim 18 , wherein the processor is further configured to determine a departure time of the vehicle, wherein the departure time is determined utilizing a travel time from a vehicle's current location to the pick-up location, and the pick-up time.

20. A system in an autonomous vehicle, comprising:

a processor, in response to instructions received from a mobile phone-initiating an autonomous valet mode including a pick-up location and time, send instructions to a vehicle controller instructing the vehicle to execute autonomous drive commands to drive to the pick-up location before the pick-up time; and output a vehicle to the mobile phone indicating a vehicle controller error affecting a user pickup request.

Assignments (2)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEE NAME ON THE ORIGINAL COVER SHEET PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 034001 FRAME 0602. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Oct 24, 2014
From: GROVER, JOEY RAY; SMEREKA, SCOTT; FISCHER, JOEL J.
To: MYINE ELECTRONICS, INC.
Reel/Frame 034040/0839 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 22, 2014
From: GROVER, JOEY RAY; SMEREKA, SCOTT; FISCHER, JOEL J.
To: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 034001/0602 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20160116293A1 · Apr 28, 2016