Dynamic autonomous vehicle train
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method of dynamically controlling vehicles within an autonomous vehicle train while the autonomous vehicle train is traveling, the method comprising:
- receiving, via one or more processors and/or associated transceivers of an autonomous vehicle train including two or more autonomous vehicles, while the autonomous vehicle is traveling, a request to join the autonomous vehicle train from a requesting autonomous vehicle;
transmitting, via the one or more processors and/or associated transceivers of the autonomous vehicle train, a communication to the requesting autonomous vehicle indicating that the requesting autonomous vehicle is allowed to join the autonomous vehicle train; and
adjusting, via one or more processors and/or associated transceivers of the autonomous vehicle train, while the autonomous vehicle train is traveling, at least one of the following;
(i) a first speed of a first autonomous vehicle of the autonomous vehicle train and/or a second speed of a second autonomous vehicle of the autonomous vehicle train to allow the requesting autonomous vehicle to join the autonomous vehicle train;
or(ii) a distance between the first autonomous vehicle and the second autonomous vehicle to allow the requesting autonomous vehicle to join the autonomous vehicle train.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Autonomous vehicles may be dynamically directed to rendezvous with autonomous vehicle trains or convoys. Current location and/or route information of the Autonomous Vehicle Train (AVT) may be received by an autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle may compare its current location and/or route information to determine a rendezvous point with the AVT. The autonomous vehicle may route itself to the rendezvous point with the AVT. Once there, the autonomous vehicle may verify the identification of the AVT, such as by using sensors/cameras to verifying a lead vehicle of the AVT (e.g., by verifying make/model, color, and/or license plate). The autonomous vehicle and lead vehicle may communicate to allow the autonomous vehicle to join the AVT. A minimum level of autonomous vehicle functionality may be verified prior to the autonomous vehicle being allowed to join the AVT. As a result, vehicle traffic flow and travel experience by passengers may be enhanced.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method of dynamically controlling vehicles within an autonomous vehicle train while the autonomous vehicle train is traveling, the method comprising:
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receiving, via one or more processors and/or associated transceivers of an autonomous vehicle train including two or more autonomous vehicles, while the autonomous vehicle is traveling, a request to join the autonomous vehicle train from a requesting autonomous vehicle; transmitting, via the one or more processors and/or associated transceivers of the autonomous vehicle train, a communication to the requesting autonomous vehicle indicating that the requesting autonomous vehicle is allowed to join the autonomous vehicle train; and adjusting, via one or more processors and/or associated transceivers of the autonomous vehicle train, while the autonomous vehicle train is traveling, at least one of the following; (i) a first speed of a first autonomous vehicle of the autonomous vehicle train and/or a second speed of a second autonomous vehicle of the autonomous vehicle train to allow the requesting autonomous vehicle to join the autonomous vehicle train;
or(ii) a distance between the first autonomous vehicle and the second autonomous vehicle to allow the requesting autonomous vehicle to join the autonomous vehicle train. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A computer system configured to remotely or locally dynamically control or adjust vehicles within an autonomous vehicle train including two or more autonomous vehicles traveling to at least one destination, the system comprising
one or more sensors; -
a transceiver configured to communicate data via at least one network connection; a memory configured to store non-transitory computer executable instructions; a processor configured to interface with the sensors, transceiver, and memory, and configured to execute the non-transitory computer executable instructions to cause the processor to adjust at least one of; (i) a first speed of a first autonomous vehicle in the autonomous vehicle train and a second speed of a second autonomous vehicle in the autonomous vehicle train to cause the first speed and the second speed to be equal;
or(ii) a first distance between the first autonomous vehicle and the second autonomous vehicle, and a second distance between a third autonomous vehicle and a fourth autonomous vehicle to cause the first distance and the second distance to be equal;
or(iii) the first speed of the first autonomous vehicle and the second speed of the second autonomous vehicle to allow a joining autonomous vehicle to join the autonomous vehicle train;
or(iv) the first distance between the first autonomous vehicle and the second autonomous vehicle to allow the joining autonomous vehicle to join the autonomous vehicle train. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification