Vehicle control system including related methods and components
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method for providing an operator of a vehicle with a plurality of control modes, wherein the system is configured to support transitioning between control modes during operation of the vehicle, the method comprising:
- receiving a first operator input that corresponds to a first control mode;
generating a first directional representation of the first operator input;
processing the first directional representation through a unified autopilot system so as to generate a first control output;
mechanically adjusting a control component associated with the vehicle based on the first control output;
receiving a second operator input that corresponds to a request to transition from the first control mode to a second control mode;
transitioning from the first control mode to the second control mode;
receiving a third operator input that corresponds to the second control mode;
generating a second directional representation of the third operator input;
processing the second directional representation through the unified autopilot system so as to generate a second control output; and
mechanically adjusting a control component associated with the vehicle based on the second control output.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments are disclosed for a vehicle control system and related sub-components that together provide an operator with a plurality of specific modes of operation, wherein various modes of operation incorporate different levels of autonomous control. Through a control user interface, an operator can move between certain modes of control even after vehicle deployment. Specialized autopilot system components and methods are employed to ensure smooth transitions between control modes. Empowered by the multi-modal control system, an operator can even manage multiple vehicles simultaneously.
-
Citations
35 Claims
-
1. A computer-implemented method for providing an operator of a vehicle with a plurality of control modes, wherein the system is configured to support transitioning between control modes during operation of the vehicle, the method comprising:
-
receiving a first operator input that corresponds to a first control mode; generating a first directional representation of the first operator input; processing the first directional representation through a unified autopilot system so as to generate a first control output; mechanically adjusting a control component associated with the vehicle based on the first control output; receiving a second operator input that corresponds to a request to transition from the first control mode to a second control mode; transitioning from the first control mode to the second control mode; receiving a third operator input that corresponds to the second control mode; generating a second directional representation of the third operator input; processing the second directional representation through the unified autopilot system so as to generate a second control output; and mechanically adjusting a control component associated with the vehicle based on the second control output. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A multi-modal variable autonomy control system configured to support transitioning between control modes during operation of a vehicle, the system comprising:
-
a first control mode component configured to respond to a first user input by generating a first control mode command; a second control mode component configured to respond to a second user input by generating a second control mode command; a control mode selection component for responding to an operator control mode selection input by transitioning between a first mode of control that corresponds to the first control mode component and a second mode of control that corresponds to the second control mode component; and a unified autopilot system for processing the first or second control mode commands depending on which of the first and second modes of control has been selected. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
-
-
31. A multi-modal variable autonomy control system, the system comprising:
-
a plurality of control mode components each corresponding to a different mode of control and being configured to respond to command inputs by generating directionally descriptive control commands; and a unified autopilot component for processing said directionally descriptive control commands; a vehicle control component for receiving processed commands from the unified autopilot system and actuating control devices accordingly. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35)
-
Specification