Method for a data processing system for maintaining an operating state of a first autonomous vehicle and method for a data processing system for managing a plurality of autonomous vehicles

• US 10,607,422 B2
• Filed: 09/18/2017
• Issued: 03/31/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Volkswagen AG
• Original Assignee: Volkswagen AG
• Inventors: Rech, Bernd, Glaser, Stefan, Engel, Monique, Gunther, Hendrik-Jorn, Buburuzan, Teodor, Kleinau, Sandra, Lehmann, Bernd, Hartog, Johannes
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Nga X
• Application Number:
  US15/706,880
• Publication Number:
  US 20180082494A1
• Time in Patent Office: 925 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 3/00 Vehicle cleaning apparatus not integral with vehicles cleaning in general B08B; cleaning peculiar to waterborne vessels B63B57/00, B63B59/00; ground equipment for cleaning aircraft B64F5/30
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3415 Dynamic re-routing, e.g. recalculating the route when the user deviates from calculated route or after detecting real-time traffic data or accidents
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0027 involving a plurality of vehicles, e.g. fleet or convoy travelling fleet control of land vehicles from a control room G05D1/0297; traffic control systems for road vehicles G08G1/00; for marine craft G08G3/00; for aircraft G08G5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0088 characterized by the autonomous decision making process, e.g. artificial intelligence, predefined behaviours using knowledge based models G06N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0291 Fleet control monitoring fleets in traffic control systems for road vehicles G08G1/127, G08G1/127
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/20 Administration of product repair or maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C

Abstract

A method for a data processing installation for obtaining an operating state of a first autonomous vehicle. The method includes determining a current state of the first autonomous vehicle from a received measurement value of a sensor of a second vehicle. When the current state of the first autonomous vehicle deviates from a setpoint state, the method includes sending a first message to the first autonomous vehicle, wherein the first message contains a command to travel autonomously to a service location. Alternatively, the method includes sending a second message to a person responsible for the first autonomous vehicle, wherein the second message includes information about the deviation of the current state of the first autonomous vehicle from the setpoint state. Alternatively, the method includes sending a third message to service personnel, wherein the third message contains an instruction for the service personnel to set the vehicle to the setpoint state.

Claims

1. A method for managing a plurality of autonomous vehicles through a data processing installation, the method comprising:

receiving information by the data processing installation about current vehicle states of at least two first autonomous vehicles of the plurality of autonomous vehicles from at least one second autonomous vehicle of the plurality of autonomous vehicles;

determining by the data processing installation deviations of the current vehicle states from a setpoint state for the at least two first autonomous vehicles;

determining by the data processing installation a handling order for the at least two first autonomous vehicles in a service station based on at least one selection criterion and the deviations of the current vehicle states from the setpoint state; and

sending a message from the data processing installation to at least one of the at least two first autonomous vehicles, wherein the message comprises information about the handling order by the service station.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the setpoint state is based on a threshold level of a functional characteristic.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the functional characteristic includes at least one of tire inflation, operability of vehicle lights, and structural condition of a vehicle body.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the setpoint state is based on a threshold level of an aesthetic characteristic.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the aesthetic characteristic is a cleanliness of a vehicle exterior.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the selection criterion is at least one of a severity of the deviation of the current vehicle state from the setpoint state and a planned future use of the portion of the plurality of autonomous vehicles.