Driver interactive system for semi-autonomous modes of a vehicle

• US 10,108,191 B2
• Filed: 01/06/2017
• Issued: 10/23/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Pilluti, Thomas Edward, Elwart, Shane, Mills, Aaron L., Shutko, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Heinle, Courtney D
• Application Number:
  US15/400,917
• Publication Number:
  US 20180196428A1
• Time in Patent Office: 655 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/161 Explanation of functions, e.g. instructions
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1868 according to driving situations
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/28 characterised by the type of the output information, e.g. video entertainment or vehicle dynamics information; characterised by the purpose of the output information, e.g. for attracting the attention of the driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/29 Instruments characterised by the way in which information is handled, e.g. showing information on plural displays or prioritising information according to driving conditions
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/65 Instruments specially adapted for specific vehicle types or users, e.g. for left- or right-hand drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/654 the user being the driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2040/0809 Driver authorisation; Driver identity check
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/146 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/00 Input parameters relating to overall vehicle dynamics
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/10 Longitudinal speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/043 Identity of occupants
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/30 Auxiliary equipments
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18 Propelling the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/08 related to drivers or passengers
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/08 Interaction between the driver and the control system
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/14 Means for informing the driver, warning the driver or prompting a driver intervention

Abstract

Method and apparatus are disclosed for a driver interactive system for semi-autonomous modes of a vehicle. An example disclosed vehicle with semiautonomous features includes memory and a processor. The example processor causes the vehicle to determine, with a driver identification sensor, the identity of a driver. The example processor also causes the vehicle to determine which semiautonomous features are flagged for training based on a driver profile of the identified driver. Additionally, the example processor causes the vehicle to, in response to the driver activating one of the flagged semiautonomous features, provide an audiovisual description of the semiautonomous feature.

Claims

1. A vehicle with semiautonomous features comprising:

memory; and

a processor that, when executing instructions stored in the memory, causes the vehicle to;

determine, with a driver identification sensor, an identity of a driver;

determine which semiautonomous features are flagged for training based on a driver profile of the identified driver; and

in response to the driver activating one of the flagged semiautonomous features;

determine whether the vehicle is stationary;

in response to the vehicle not being stationary, provide a first version of an audiovisual description; and

in response to the vehicle being stationary, provide a second version of the audiovisual description.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the processor is to cause the vehicle to, after providing the audiovisual description of the semiautonomous feature, annotate the profile of the driver to indicate that the semiautonomous features is not flagged for training.

3. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first version of the audiovisual description includes a description of the semiautonomous feature, a usage of the semiautonomous feature, and limitations of the semiautonomous feature.

4. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the second version of the audiovisual description includes the first version of the audiovisual description and a demonstration of alerts generated by the semiautonomous feature.

5. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the processor is to, in response to receiving a message that one of the semiautonomous feature was misused by the driver, annotate the profile of the driver to indicate that the semiautonomous features is flagged for training.

6. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the profile of the driver is stored in at least one of the memory, a mobile device associated with the driver, or a server hosted on an external network.

7. A method comprising:

determining, with a processor and a driver identification sensor, an identity of a driver;

determining, with the processor, which semiautonomous features of a vehicle are flagged for training based on a driver profile of the identified driver; and

in response to the driver activating one of the semiautonomous features that is flagged for training, providing, via an infotainment head unit, an audiovisual description of the activated semiautonomous feature, wherein providing the audiovisual description of the activated semiautonomous feature includes;

determining whether the vehicle is stationary;

in response to the vehicle not being stationary, providing a first version of the audiovisual description; and

in response to the vehicle being stationary, providing a second version of the audiovisual description.

8. The method of claim 7, including, after providing the audiovisual description of the semiautonomous feature, annotating the profile of the driver to indicate that the semiautonomous features is not flagged for training.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the first version of the audiovisual description includes a description of the semiautonomous feature, a usage of the semiautonomous feature, and limitations of the semiautonomous feature.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the second version of the audiovisual description includes the first version of the audiovisual description and a demonstration of alerts generated by the semiautonomous feature.

11. The method of claim 7, including, in response to receiving a message that one of the semiautonomous feature was misused by the driver, annotating the profile of the driver to indicate that the semiautonomous features is flagged for training.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein the profile of the driver is stored in at least one of memory of the vehicle, a mobile device associated with the driver, or a server hosted on an external network.

13. A method comprising:

identifying, with a driver identification sensor, a driver;

determining, with a processor, which semiautonomous features of a vehicle are flagged for training in a driver profile of the identified driver; and

after the driver activates a semiautonomous feature that is flagged for training;

when the vehicle is moving, providing a first version of an audiovisual description; and

when the vehicle is stationary, providing a second version of the audiovisual description.