IP Library Granted Patent US 12,735,046
Granted Patent B2
US 12,735,046 · App. 18/095,206 · Granted Sep 15, 2026

Systems and methods for modifying lateral vehicle dynamics to increase operator vigilance

Inventors: Manuel Ludwig Kuehner (Mountain View, CA); Xabier Carrera Akutain (Brussels, BE); Hiroshi Yasuda (San Francisco, CA)
Assignee: Woven by Toyota, Inc.
B60W40/08B60W10/20B60W2540/229
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,735,046
App. No.
18/095,206
Granted
Sep 15, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to enhancing operator vigilance without causing an adverse reaction. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a disengagement likelihood; operating a steering system controlling one or more wheels based on a steering signal; selecting a stimulus pattern that if executed causes the steering system to deviate the one or more wheels from the steering signal; and executing the stimulus pattern if the disengagement likelihood is above a first threshold.

Claims (46)

1 . A system for a vehicle, comprising:

a processor; and a memory storing machine-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

receive a disengagement likelihood of an autonomous vehicle function;

operate a steering system controlling one or more wheels based on a steering signal;

select a stimulus pattern that if executed causes the steering system to deviate the one or more wheels from the steering signal; and

execute the stimulus pattern based on the disengagement likelihood being above a first threshold.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the machine-readable instructions further include an instruction that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to:

alter how the stimulus pattern deviates the one or more wheels from the steering signal if the disengagement likelihood changes.

3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the stimulus pattern if executed does not cause a steering input interface to deviate during the execution of the stimulus pattern.

4 . The system of claim 3 , wherein the machine-readable instructions further include an instruction that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

determine whether an adverse reaction has occurred prior to a disengagement warning; and

terminate the execution of the stimulus pattern if an adverse reaction is detected.

5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the adverse reaction can only have occurred if a response satisfies a relationship condition specified in the stimulus pattern.

6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein to execute the stimulus pattern further requires that the disengagement likelihood is below a second threshold specifying when to provide a disengagement warning.

7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the machine-readable instructions further include an instruction that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to:

prohibit the execution of the stimulus pattern if a restriction condition exists.

8 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the machine-readable instructions further include an instruction that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to:

adjust the stimulus pattern with respect to a vehicle occupant location.

9 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium including instructions that when executed by a processor cause the processor to:

receive a disengagement likelihood of an autonomous vehicle function;

operate a steering system controlling one or more wheels based on a steering signal;

select a stimulus pattern that if executed causes the steering system to deviate the one or more wheels from the steering signal; and

execute the stimulus pattern based on the disengagement likelihood being above a first threshold.

10 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the instructions further includes an instruction that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to:

alter how the stimulus pattern deviates the one or more wheels from the steering signal if the disengagement likelihood changes.

11 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 10 , wherein the stimulus pattern if executed does not cause a steering input interface to deviate during the execution of the stimulus pattern.

12 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11 , wherein the instructions further includes an instruction that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to:

determine whether an adverse reaction has occurred prior to a disengagement warning; and

terminate the execution of the stimulus pattern if an adverse reaction is detected.

13 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12 , wherein the adverse reaction can only have occurred if a response satisfies a relationship condition specified in the stimulus pattern.

14 . A method for enhancing operator vigilance, the method comprising:

receiving a disengagement likelihood of an autonomous vehicle function;

operating a steering system controlling one or more wheels based on a steering signal;

selecting a stimulus pattern that if executed causes the steering system to deviate the one or more wheels from the steering signal; and

executing the stimulus pattern based on the disengagement likelihood being above a first threshold.

15 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising:

altering how the stimulus pattern deviates the one or more wheels from the steering signal if the disengagement likelihood changes.

16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the stimulus pattern if executed does not cause a steering input interface to deviate during the execution of the stimulus pattern.

17 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising:

determining whether an adverse reaction has occurred prior to a disengagement warning; and

terminating the execution of the stimulus pattern if an adverse reaction is detected.

18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the adverse reaction can only have occurred if a response satisfies a relationship condition specified in the stimulus pattern.

19 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising:

prohibiting the execution of the stimulus pattern if a restriction condition exists.

20 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising:

adjusting the stimulus pattern with respect to a vehicle occupant location.

Assignments (2)
MERGER AND CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jun 23, 2023
From: WOVEN ALPHA, INC.; WOVEN BY TOYOTA, INC.
To: WOVEN BY TOYOTA, INC.
Reel/Frame 064044/0373 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 24, 2023
From: KUEHNER, MANUEL LUDWIG; AKUTAIN, XABIER CARRERA; YASUDA, HIROSHI
To: WOVEN ALPHA, INC.
Reel/Frame 062461/0879 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240227816A1 · Jul 11, 2024
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