Method and device for automatically operating a vehicle in an autonomous driving mode requiring no user action

• US 8,606,455 B2
• Filed: 10/05/2010
• Issued: 12/10/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Boehringer, Michael, Dubiella-Zimmermann, Stefanie, Jansen, Stefan, Lockhart, Julie, Sengewald, Erik, Stiebert, Fabian
• Primary Examiner(s): Cheung, Mary
• Assistant Examiner(s): BERNS, MICHAEL ANDREW
• Application Number:
  US13/501,019
• Publication Number:
  US 20120277947A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,162 Days
• Field of Search: 701/23, 701/200, 701/301
• US Class Current: 701/23
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/186 Displaying information according to relevancy
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1868 according to driving situations
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/195 Blocking or enabling display functions
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/29 Instruments characterised by the way in which information is handled, e.g. showing information on plural displays or prioritising information according to driving conditions
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/146 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/17 with provision for special action when the preceding vehicle comes to a halt, e.g. stop and go
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/04 Traffic conditions
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/082 Selecting or switching between different modes of propelling
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/12 Limiting control by the driver depending on vehicle state, e.g. interlocking means for the control input for preventing unsafe operation
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 60/00136 for intellectual activities, e.g. reading, gaming or working
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 60/0059 Estimation of the risk associated with autonomous or manual driving, e.g. situation too complex, sensor failure or driver incapacity
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/166 for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/167 Driving aids for lane monitoring, lane changing, e.g. blind spot detection

Abstract

A method for the automatic operation of a vehicle in an autonomous driving mode not requiring user action is provided. This involves detection of a present traffic situation, a check whether the traffic situation fulfills a first criterion, and a blocking of a functionality which offers to a driver during the autonomous driving mode a secondary activity not related to driving the vehicle if the first criterion is fulfilled. A device for the automatic operation of a vehicle in an autonomous driving mode not requiring user action includes devices designed for carrying out the method for the automatic operation of a vehicle in an autonomous driving mode not requiring user action.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

operating a vehicle in an autonomous driving mode;

detecting, by a sensor, a present traffic situation while operating the vehicle in the autonomous driving mode, the present traffic situation being a distance between the vehicle and another vehicle;

providing, on a screen in the vehicle, a driver of the vehicle with a secondary activity not related to driving the vehicle while in the autonomous driving mode;

checking whether the present traffic situation fulfils a first criterion while in the autonomous driving mode; and

blocking the driver from accessing the secondary activity not related to driving the vehicle while in the autonomous driving mode if the first criterion is fulfilled, wherein the first criterion is fulfilled when the distance between the vehicle and the another vehicle increases above a predetermined distance.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

checking at least one warning criterion during the autonomous driving mode.

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising:

warning the driver if the at least one warning criterion is fulfilled.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the warning criterion comprises several warning criteria, and the warning comprises a multi-stage warning to the driver on the basis of the several warning criteria.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the present traffic situation is a traffic jam.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined distance is between 40 and 50 meters.

7. A method comprising:

detecting, by a sensor, a present traffic situation while operating the vehicle in the autonomous driving mode, the present traffic situation being a distance between the vehicle and another vehicle;

checking whether the present traffic situation fulfils a second criterion; and

providing or signalling a control opportunity for the driver of the vehicle for activation of the autonomous driving mode if the present traffic situation fulfils the second criterion;

operating a vehicle in an autonomous driving mode;

providing, on a screen in the vehicle, a driver of the vehicle with a secondary activity not related to driving the vehicle while in the autonomous driving mode;

checking whether the present traffic situation fulfils a first criterion while in the autonomous driving mode; and

blocking the driver from accessing the secondary activity not related to driving the vehicle while in the autonomous driving mode if the first criterion is fulfilled, wherein the first criterion is fulfilled when the distance between the vehicle and the another vehicle increases above a predetermined distance.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined distance is between 40 and 50 meters.

9. A method comprising:

monitoring, by a sensor, present traffic conditions of the vehicle;

activating an autonomous driving mode of a vehicle when the present traffic conditions are a traffic jam;

providing, on a screen in the vehicle, a driver of the vehicle with a secondary activity not related to driving the vehicle when the vehicle is operated in the autonomous driving mode and the present traffic conditions are the traffic jam;

blocking the driver from accessing the secondary activity not related to driving the vehicle while in the autonomous driving mode when the present traffic conditions indicate that the traffic jam is resolving.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the present traffic conditions are a traffic jam when a traveling speed of the vehicle is less than or equal to 39 km/h and a distance between the vehicle and another vehicle is less than or equal to 30 m.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein the present traffic conditions indicate that the traffic jam is resolving when a distance between the vehicle and another vehicle is less greater than a predetermined distance, wherein the predetermined distance is between 40 and 50 meters.

12. The method according to claim 9, wherein when the traffic conditions indicate that the traffic jam is resolving a warning is provided to the driver.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the warning comprises a multi-stage warning to the driver on the basis of several warning criteria.