HAILING A VEHICLE

• US 20180053412A1
• Filed: 08/18/2016
• Published: 02/22/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Motional AD, LLC (Aptiv PLC)
• Original Assignee: nuTonomy, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Iagnemma, Karl, Robbel, Philipp
• Granted Patent: US 10,244,094 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/175 Autonomous driving
• 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: 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 1/228 Command input arrangements located on-board unmanned vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/56 exterior to a vehicle by using sensors mounted on the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/005 including pedestrian guidance indicator
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/202 Dispatching vehicles on the basis of a location, e.g. taxi dispatching
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality

Abstract

In general, an indication is received through a user interface of an intention of a potential rider to use an autonomous vehicle. In response to the receipt of the indication, a hailing request is sent by a signaling mode to at least one autonomous vehicle that can receive the hailing request directly in accordance with the signaling mode.

Claims

1. A method comprising

receiving through a user interface an indication of an intention of a potential rider to use an autonomous vehicle, and

in response to the receipt of the indication, sending a hailing request by a signaling mode to one or more autonomous vehicles that can receive the hailing request directly in accordance with the signaling mode.

2. The method of claim 1 comprising

presenting the user interface through the display of a mobile device.

3. The method of claim 1 in which the indication is received through an input feature of a mobile device.

4. The method of claim 1 in which the indication is received through an input feature of a device in a fixed location.

5. The method of claim 1 in which the hailing request is sent from a mobile device.

6. The method of claim 1 in which the hailing request is sent from a device in a fixed location.

7. The method of claim 1 in which the hailing request is sent by a combination of two or more signaling modes.

8. The method of claim 1 in which the signaling mode comprises a visual mode.

9. The method of claim 8 in which the visual mode comprises a display of graphical elements.

10. The method of claim 8 in which the visual mode comprises an emission of light.

11. The method of claim 1 in which the signaling mode comprises an audible mode.

12. The method of claim 1 in which the signaling mode comprises a gestural mode.

13. The method of claim 11 in which the audible mode comprises a sound.

14. The method of claim 11 in which the audible mode comprises an utterance.

15. The method of claim 1 comprising

configuring the hailing request to include hailing information related to the intended use of the autonomous vehicle.

16. The method of claim 15 in which the hailing information comprises a destination location,

17. The method of claim 15 in which the hailing information comprises a class or type of service.

18. The method of claim 17 in which the type of service comprises a use by a potential rider.

19. The method of claim 17 in which the type of service comprises a user for a parcel delivery.

20. The method of claim 15 in which the hailing information comprises a number of passengers.

21. The method of claim 15 in which the hailing information comprises information about the potential rider or a parcel to be delivered.

22. The method of claim 15 in which the hailing information comprises information about a parcel to be carried in the vehicle.

23. The method of claim 15 in which the hailing information comprises a priority of service.

24. The method of claim 1 comprising receiving from the autonomous vehicle a receipt confirmation.

25. The method of claim 24 comprising

in response to receiving the receipt confirmation, sending a hailing confirmation to the autonomous vehicle.

26. An apparatus comprising

a device for hailing an autonomous vehicle, the device comprising

an input feature to receive an indication of an intention of a potential rider to use the autonomous vehicle, and

an output feature to send a hailing request by a signaling mode to at least one autonomous vehicle that can receive the hailing request directly in accordance with the signaling mode.

27. The apparatus of claim 26 in which the device comprises a mobile device.

28. The apparatus of claim 26 in which the device is fixed in a location.

29. The apparatus of claim 26 in which the input feature comprises a touch-sensitive display.

30. The apparatus of claim 26 in which the input feature comprises a microphone.

31. The apparatus of claim 26 in which the input feature comprises a button.

32. The apparatus of claim 26 in which the hailing request carries hailing information related to the use of the autonomous vehicle and the device comprises a processor to embed at least some of the hailing information in the hailing request.

33. The apparatus of claim 32 in which the hailing information comprises a destination location.

34. The apparatus of claim 32 in which the information comprises a class or type or priority of service.

35. The apparatus of claim 32 in which the hailing information comprises a number of passengers.

36. The apparatus of claim 32 in which the hailing information comprises information about the potential rider or a parcel to be delivered.

37. The apparatus of claim 26 in which the output feature comprises a transmitter.

38. The apparatus of claim 26 in which the output feature comprises a display.

39. The apparatus of claim 26 in which the output feature comprises a light emitter.

40. The apparatus of claim 26 in which the output feature comprises a sound emitter.

41. The apparatus of claim 26 in which the signaling mode comprises a visual mode.

42. The apparatus of claim 41 in which the visual mode comprises a display of graphical elements.

43. The apparatus of claim 41 in which the visual mode comprises an image or light.

44. The apparatus of claim 26 in which the signaling mode comprises an audible mode.

45. The apparatus of claim 44 in which the audible mode comprises a sound.

46. The apparatus of claim 44 in which the audible mode comprises an utterance.

47. The apparatus of claim 26 in which the signaling mode comprises a human gesture or facial expression or both.

48. The apparatus of claim 26 in which the hailing request is sent by a combination of two or more signaling modes.

49. The apparatus of claim 26 in which the device comprises

a receiver feature to receive a receipt confirmation from the autonomous vehicle after the hailing request has been sent.