Redundant-controls system for an automated vehicle

• US 9,864,374 B2
• Filed: 05/04/2016
• Issued: 01/09/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aptiv Technologies AG (Aptiv PLC)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Hilnbrand, Brian R., Mangal, Nandita, Pendleton, Nathan A., Wieskamp, Jonathan L., Pitambare, Uday
• Primary Examiner(s): RINK, RYAN J
• Application Number:
  US15/146,504
• Publication Number:
  US 20170322552A1
• Time in Patent Office: 615 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/148 Instrument input by voice
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/149 Instrument input by detecting viewing direction not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/197 Blocking or enabling of input functions
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/21 using cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/741 Instruments adapted for user detection
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• 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: B60K 35/65 Instruments specially adapted for specific vehicle types or users, e.g. for left- or right-hand drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/654 the user being the driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/656 the user being a passenger
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2040/0818 Inactivity or incapacity of driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2040/0881 Seat occupation; Driver or passenger presence
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/043 Identity of occupants
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/22 Psychological state; Stress level or workload
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/221 Physiology, e.g. weight, heartbeat, health or special needs
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/09 Driving style or behaviour
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/08 Interaction between the driver and the control system
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 60/0054 Selection of occupant to assume driving tasks
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0077 using redundant signals or controls

Abstract

A redundant-controls system suitable for use an automated vehicle includes a primary-control-device, a secondary-control-device, an occupant-detection-device, and a controller. The primary-control-device is installed in a vehicle. The primary-control-device is selectively enabled to allow operation from an operator-seat of the vehicle by an operator of the vehicle to control movement of the vehicle. The secondary-control-device is installed in the vehicle. The secondary-control-device is selectively enabled to allow operation from a passenger-seat of the vehicle by a passenger of the vehicle to control movement of the vehicle. The occupant-detection-device is used to determine an operator-state-of-awareness of the operator and a passenger-state-of-awareness of the passenger. The controller is in communication with the primary-control-device, the secondary-control-device, and the operator-detection-device. The controller is configured to selectively enable the secondary-control-device to override the primary-control-device when the passenger-state-of-awareness indicates greater awareness than the operator-state-of-awareness.

Claims

1. A redundant-controls system suitable for use by an automated vehicle, said system comprising:

a primary-control-device installed in a vehicle, said primary-control-device selectively enabled to allow operation from an operator-seat of the vehicle by an operator of the vehicle to control movement of the vehicle;

a secondary-control-device installed in the vehicle, said secondary-control-device selectively enabled to allow operation from a passenger-seat of the vehicle by a passenger of the vehicle to control movement of the vehicle;

an occupant-detection-device used to determine an operator-state-of-awareness of the operator and a passenger-state-of-awareness of the passenger;

a controller in communication with the primary-control-device, the secondary-control-device, and the operator-detection-device, said controller configured to selectively enable the secondary-control-device to override the primary-control-device when the passenger-state-of-awareness indicates greater awareness than the operator-state-of-awareness.

2. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the controller disables the primary-control-device when the secondary-control-device is enabled.

3. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the secondary-control-device is disabled when the primary-control-device is enabled.

4. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the system includes an authorization-device used to determine that one of the operator and the passenger is authorized to operate the vehicle.

5. The system in accordance with claim 4, wherein the authorization-device determines that the passenger is authorized to operate the vehicle based on one of facial-recognition of the passenger, voice-recognition of the passenger, or operator-authorization by the operator.