Autonomous vehicle automatic parking

• US 9,944,282 B1
• Filed: 11/06/2015
• Issued: 04/17/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company (State Farm)
• Original Assignee: State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company (State Farm)
• Inventors: Fields, Brian Mark, Huang, Chien Che, Wazeer, Mohamed A., Bennett, Shawn C., Cielocha, Steven C., Bryant, Ronny S., Kohaus, Stephen, Quakenbush, Terry, Novak, Richard A., Chan, Aaron Scott, Main, Craig M., Wu, Weixin, Wollenschlager, Torri, Csanda, Carol Marie, Gorsuch, Stacey, Binion, Todd
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas G
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nolan, Peter D
• Application Number:
  US14/934,405
• Time in Patent Office: 893 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02028 Determining haemodynamic parameters not otherwise provided for, e.g. cardiac contractility or left ventricular ejection fraction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4064 Evaluating the brain A61B5/031, A61B5/369, A61B5/14553 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4094 Diagnosing or monitoring seizure diseases, e.g. epilepsy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6893 Cars
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7282 Event detection, e.g. detecting unique waveforms indicative of a medical condition A61B5/4094, A61B5/4818, A61B5/349, A61B5/0823 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/04 including control of propulsion units
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2040/0809 Driver authorisation; Driver identity check
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2040/0818 Inactivity or incapacity of driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0071 Controller overrides driver automatically
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0073 Driver overrides controller
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0075 Automatic parameter input, automatic initialising or calibrating means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0215 Sensor drifts or sensor failures
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/046 involving external transmission of data to or from the vehicle, e.g. via telemetry, satellite, Global Positioning System [GPS]
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/143 Alarm means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2420/403 Image sensing, e.g. optical camera
• 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 2540/26 Incapacity
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/45 : External transmission of data to or from the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2756/10 : Involving external transmission of data to or from the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2900/00 : Indexing codes relating to the purpose of, or problem solved of road vehicle drive control systems not otherwise provided for in groups B60W30/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/06 : Automatic manoeuvring for parking
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/09 : Taking automatic action to avoid collision, e.g. braking and steering
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/0956 : the prediction being responsive to traffic or environmental parameters
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/02 : related to ambient conditions
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/08 : related to drivers or passengers
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/09 : Driving style or behaviour
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/02 : Ensuring safety in case of control system failures, e.g. by diagnosing, circumventing or fixing failures
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/0205 : Diagnosing or detecting failures; Failure detection models
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/045 : Monitoring control system parameters
• 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 50/14 : Means for informing the driver, warning the driver or prompting a driver intervention
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 60/0053 : from vehicle to occupant
• 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: B60W 60/007 : Emergency override Handing over between remote control and on-board control or handing over between remote control arrangements G05D1/227
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 15/0285 : Parking performed automatically
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3407 : specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0055 : with safety arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0214 : in accordance with safety or protection criteria, e.g. avoiding hazardous areas monitoring the location of vehicles within a certain area, e.g. forbidden or allowed areas, in traffic control systems for road vehicles G08G1/13
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0278 : using satellite positioning signals, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 : Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0206 : Price or cost determination based on market factors
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 : Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0217 : involving input on products or services in exchange for incentives or rewards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 : Insurance
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/02 : Registering or indicating driving, working, idle, or waiting time only apparatus forming part of taximeters G07B13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0808 : Diagnosing performance data testing of vehicles G01M17/00; testing of electrical installation on vehicles G01R31/005
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 : using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/091 : Traffic information broadcasting broadcasting communication H04H
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0962 : having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/14 : indicating individual free spaces in parking areas

Abstract

A computer-implemented method of enhancing safe vehicle operation may include, one or more processors, (1) determining a preferred parking spot for an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle; (2) determining a route to the preferred parking spot from a driver drop off point; and (3) causing the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle to travel from the driver drop off point to the preferred parking spot following the route controlled by one or more autonomous operation features. The preferred parking spot may be a covered parking spot, a parking spot in a parking structure, or a parking spot in a residential garage. An autonomous vehicle owner may remotely direct the autonomous vehicle to autonomously return to the driver drop off point, such as via their mobile device. Insurance discounts may be provided to autonomous vehicle owners having the self-parking functionality that mitigates or prevents risk of damage to, or theft of, the vehicle.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of enhancing safe vehicle operation, the method comprising:

determining, by one or more processors, that an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle is currently parked in an unprotected parking spot;

receiving, at one or more processors via a communication network, a message from a parking facility, wherein the message includes information indicating availability of one or more parking spaces within the parking facility and information indicating locations of the one or more parking spaces within the parking facility;

determining, by one or more processors, a preferred parking spot for the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle from among the one or more parking spaces indicated in the received message;

determining, by one or more processors, a route to the preferred parking spot from the unprotected parking spot; and

causing, by one or more processors, the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle to travel from the unprotected parking spot to the preferred parking spot following the route controlled by one or more autonomous operation features.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein determining the preferred parking spot further includes determining the preferred parking spot based upon a user preference for one or more of the following types of parking spots:

a covered parking spot, a parking spot in a parking structure, or a parking spot in a residential garage.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising adjusting, by one or more processors, one or more costs associated with an insurance policy associated with the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle based upon the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle traveling to the preferred parking spot controlled by the one or more autonomous operation features.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, wherein the one or more costs associated with the insurance policy include at least one of:

a premium, a rate, a reward program benefit, a reward program point, or a discount.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, by one or more processors, a request to the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle to return to a driver drop off point; and

causing, by one or more processors, the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle to return from the preferred parking spot to the driver drop off point controlled by one or more autonomous operation features.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein causing the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle to return from the preferred parking spot to the driver drop off point includes:

causing a motor or engine of the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle to automatically start;

determining a return route from the preferred parking spot to the driver drop off point; and

causing the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle to drive itself along the determined return route to the driver drop off point using the one or more autonomous operation features.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein the request is received from a mobile device associated with a vehicle operator via a wireless communication network.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the one or more autonomous operation features of the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle is related to at least one of the following:

steering;

accelerating;

braking;

monitoring blind spots;

presenting a collision warning;

adaptive cruise control;

parking;

driver alertness monitoring;

driver responsiveness monitoring;

pedestrian detection;

artificial intelligence;

a back-up system;

a navigation system;

a positioning system;

a security system;

an anti-hacking measure;

a theft prevention system;

or

remote vehicle location determination.

9. A computer system for enhancing vehicle operation safety, comprising:

one or more processors;

one or more communication components communicatively connected to the one or more processors and configured to communicate data via a communication network;

one or more sensors communicatively connected to the one or more processors; and

a program memory coupled to the one or more processors and storing executable instructions that when executed by the one or more processors cause the computer system to;

determine that an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle is currently parked in an unprotected parking spot;

receive a message from a parking facility via the one or more communication components, wherein the message includes information indicating availability of one or more parking spaces within the parking facility and information indicating locations of the one or more parking spaces within the parking facility;

determine a preferred parking spot for the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle from among the one or more parking spaces indicated in the received message;

determine a route to the preferred parking spot from the unprotected parking spot; and

cause the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle to travel from the unprotected parking spot to the preferred parking spot following the route controlled by one or more autonomous operation features using the one or more sensors.

10. The computer system of claim 9, wherein the executable instructions that cause the computer system to determine the preferred parking spot further cause the computer system to determine the preferred parking spot based upon a user preference for one or more of the following types of parking spots:

a covered parking spot, a parking spot in a parking structure, or a parking spot in a residential garage.

11. The computer system of claim 9, wherein the program memory further includes executable instructions that cause the computer system to adjust one or more costs associated with an insurance policy associated with the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle based upon the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle traveling to the preferred parking spot controlled by the one or more autonomous operation features.

12. The computer system of claim 9, wherein the program memory further includes executable instructions that cause the computer system to:

receive a request to the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle to return to a driver drop off point; and

cause the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle to return from the preferred parking spot to the driver drop off point controlled by one or more autonomous operation features.

13. The computer system of claim 12, wherein the executable instructions that cause the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle to return from the preferred parking spot to the driver drop off point include executable instructions that cause the computer system to:

cause a motor or engine of the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle to automatically start;

determine a return route from the preferred parking spot to the driver drop off point; and

cause the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle to drive itself along the determined return route to the driver drop off point using the one or more autonomous operation features.

14. The computer system of claim 12, further comprising a communication component communicatively connected to the one or more processors, wherein the request is received by the communication component from a mobile device associated with a vehicle operator via a wireless communication network.

15. A tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium storing executable instructions for enhancing vehicle operation safety that, when executed by at least one processor of a computer system, cause the computer system to:

determine that an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle is currently parked in an unprotected parking spot;

receive a message from a parking facility via a communication network, wherein the message includes information indicating availability of one or more parking spaces within the parking facility and information indicating locations of the one or more parking spaces within the parking facility;

determine a preferred parking spot for the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle from among the one or more parking spaces indicated in the received message;

determine a route to the preferred parking spot from the unprotected parking spot; and

cause the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle to travel from the unprotected parking spot to the preferred parking spot following the route controlled by one or more autonomous operation features using.

16. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the executable instructions that cause the computer system to determine the preferred parking spot further cause the computer system to determine the preferred parking spot based upon a user preference for one or more of the following types of parking spots:

a covered parking spot, a parking spot in a parking structure, or a parking spot in a residential garage.

17. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, further comprising executable instructions that cause the computer system to adjust one or more costs associated with an insurance policy associated with the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle based upon the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle traveling to the preferred parking spot controlled by the one or more autonomous operation features.

18. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, further comprising executable instructions that cause the computer system to:

receive a request to the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle to return to a driver drop off point; and

cause the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle to return from the preferred parking spot to the driver drop off point controlled by one or more autonomous operation features.

19. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 18, wherein the executable instructions that cause the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle to return from the preferred parking spot to the driver drop off point include executable instructions that cause the computer system to:

cause a motor or engine of the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle to automatically start;

determine a return route from the preferred parking spot to the driver drop off point; and

cause the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle to drive itself along the determined return route to the driver drop off point using the one or more autonomous operation features.

20. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 18, wherein the request is received by from a mobile device associated with a vehicle operator via a wireless communication network.