Methods and systems for semi-autonomous vehicular convoys
First Claim
1. A method for convoying vehicles, comprising:
- receiving, by a computerized controller on a first vehicle from among a plurality of vehicles, information about a second vehicle from among the plurality of vehicles via a communication link between the first vehicle and the second vehicle, wherein;
the communication link comprises a first communication layer operable to transmit safety critical data but not video, and a second communication layer operable to transmit video but not safety critical data;
receiving, via the second communication layer, video captured at a camera located in the first vehicle to the second vehicle;
receiving, by the computerized controller on the first vehicle and via the first communication layer, commands capable of causing the actuation of brakes at the first vehicle, wherein the received commands are received from the second vehicle;
receiving, by the computerized controller on the first vehicle, information from a sensor system regarding a gap distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle; and
commanding, by the computerized controller on the first vehicle and via the first communication layer, engine torque of the first vehicle to maintain the gap distance to a predetermined value.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a method and system for enabling vehicles to closely follow one another through partial automation. Following closely behind another vehicle can have significant fuel savings benefits, but is unsafe when done manually by the driver. By directly commanding the engine torque and braking of the following vehicle while controlling the gap between vehicles using a sensor system, and additionally using a communication link between vehicles that allows information about vehicle actions, such as braking events, to be anticipated by the following vehicle, a Semi-Autonomous Vehicular Convoying System that enables vehicles to follow closely together in a safe, efficient and convenient manner may be achieved.
409 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method for convoying vehicles, comprising:
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receiving, by a computerized controller on a first vehicle from among a plurality of vehicles, information about a second vehicle from among the plurality of vehicles via a communication link between the first vehicle and the second vehicle, wherein; the communication link comprises a first communication layer operable to transmit safety critical data but not video, and a second communication layer operable to transmit video but not safety critical data; receiving, via the second communication layer, video captured at a camera located in the first vehicle to the second vehicle; receiving, by the computerized controller on the first vehicle and via the first communication layer, commands capable of causing the actuation of brakes at the first vehicle, wherein the received commands are received from the second vehicle; receiving, by the computerized controller on the first vehicle, information from a sensor system regarding a gap distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle; and commanding, by the computerized controller on the first vehicle and via the first communication layer, engine torque of the first vehicle to maintain the gap distance to a predetermined value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system for vehicle convoying, the system comprising:
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a first control unit, configured to; receive information about a second vehicle via a communication link between a first vehicle and the second vehicle, wherein;
the communication link comprises a first communication layer operable to transmit safety critical data but not video, and a second communication layer operable to transmit video but not safety critical data;receive commands capable of causing the actuation of brakes at the first vehicle, wherein the received commands are received from the second vehicle via the first communication layer; and receive information from a sensor system regarding a gap between the first vehicle and the second vehicle; and a second control unit, configured to; receive, via the second communication layer, video captured at a camera located in the first vehicle to the second vehicle; and command engine torque of the first vehicle to maintain the gap at a predetermined value. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for communicating between a plurality of vehicles, comprising:
receiving, by a computerized controller on a first vehicle from among a plurality of vehicles, information about a second vehicle from among the plurality of vehicles via a communication link between the first vehicle and the second vehicle, wherein; the communication link comprises a first communication layer operable to transmit safety critical data but not video, and a second communication layer operable to transmit video but not safety critical data, and information received by the computerized controller on the first vehicle includes information generated at the second vehicle via the first communication layer capable of causing actuation of brakes on the first vehicle, wherein the communication link additionally provides video from a camera located in the second vehicle to the first vehicle via the second communication layer. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method for distributing video information between vehicles, comprising:
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receiving, by a computerized controller on a first vehicle from among a plurality of vehicles, information about a second vehicle from among the plurality of vehicles via a communication link between the first vehicle and the second vehicle, wherein; the communication link comprises a first communication layer operable to transmit safety critical data but not video, and a second communication layer operable to transmit video but not safety critical data, and information received by the computerized controller on the first vehicle includes information generated at the second vehicle via the first communication layer capable of causing actuation of brakes on the first vehicle, wherein the communication link additionally provides video from a camera located in the second vehicle to the first vehicle via the second communication layer. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29)
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Specification