IP Library Granted Patent US 12,534,086
Granted Patent B2
US 12,534,086 · App. 18/739,345 · Granted Jan 27, 2026

Vehicle and computer program

Inventors: Yota Kato (Numazu, JP); Hirofumi Mori (Hadano, JP)
Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
B60W40/02B60W60/001B60W2420/403B60W2555/20
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,534,086
App. No.
18/739,345
Granted
Jan 27, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A vehicle capable of performing autonomous driving at a predetermined level or more at which monitoring obligation around the vehicle is unnecessary includes a vehicle surroundings confirmation device that is attached to the outside of the vehicle in order for a vehicle occupant to confirm a situation outside the vehicle, and a control device. The vehicle surroundings confirmation device is configured to switch between a first state in which the vehicle surroundings are confirmable to the vehicle occupant by the vehicle surroundings confirmation device, and a second state in which an area of a portion where traveling wind strikes the vehicle surroundings confirmation device is smaller than in the first state. The control device is configured to switch the vehicle surroundings confirmation device to the second state when the autonomous driving at a predetermined level or more at which the monitoring obligation around the vehicle is unnecessary is performed.

Claims (10)

1 . A vehicle that is configured to perform autonomous driving at a predetermined level or higher, at which monitoring a periphery of the vehicle is unnecessary, the vehicle comprising:

an outer rearview mirror that is attached on an outside of the vehicle in order for a vehicle occupant to confirm a situation of vehicle surroundings; and

a control device including a communication unit, a storage unit, and a processor, the processor configured to

determine whether the autonomous driving at the predetermined level or higher is performed,

in a case where the autonomous driving at the predetermined level or higher is performed, control an actuator of the outer rearview mirror to fold the outer rearview mirror inward in a vehicle width direction, and

in a case where the autonomous driving at the predetermined level or higher is performed, the outer rearview mirror is folded, and an emergency vehicle is detected, control the actuator of the rearview mirror to unfold the outer rearview mirror outward in the vehicle width direction.

2 . A computer program for a control device for a vehicle that is configured to perform autonomous driving at a predetermined level or higher, at which monitoring a periphery of the vehicle is unnecessary, the computer program causing the control device to execute:

determining whether the autonomous driving at the predetermined level or higher is performed;

in a case where the autonomous driving at the predetermined level or higher is performed, controlling an actuator of an outer rearview mirror that is attached on an outside of the vehicle in order for a vehicle occupant to confirm a situation of vehicle surroundings, to fold the outer rearview mirror inward in a vehicle width direction; and

in a case where the autonomous driving at the predetermined level or higher is performed, the outer rearview mirror is folded, and an emergency vehicle is detected, controlling the actuator of the outer rearview mirror to unfold the outer rearview mirror outward in the vehicle width direction.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 11, 2024
From: KATO, YOTA; MORI, HIROFUMI
To: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 067680/0666 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2023-184025 · Oct 26, 2023 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20250136119A1 · May 1, 2025
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