Systems and methods for operating an autonomous vehicle in a guardian mode

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10780888-B2
Application number	US-201816006536-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 12, 2018
Priority date	Jun 12, 2018
Publication date	Sep 22, 2020
Grant date	Sep 22, 2020

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided herein for operating an autonomous vehicle. A destination is received from a user. A mode selection input is also received from a user. A selected route is determined based on the destination input. In response to determining that the mode selection input identifies a regular driving mode, the autonomous vehicle is operated to travel along the selected route in the regular driving mode. In the regular driving mode at least one capability of a first plurality of capabilities of the autonomous vehicle is enabled. Further, in response to determining that the selection of the mode identifies a guardian mode, the autonomous vehicle is operated to travel along the selected route in the guardian mode. In the guardian mode at least one capability of a first plurality of capabilities of the autonomous vehicle is disabled.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method for operating an autonomous vehicle, the method comprising:
receiving a destination input from a user;
receiving a mode selection input from the user that identifies a driving mode;
determining a selected route based on the destination input;
in response to determining that the mode selection input identifies a regular driving mode:
operating the autonomous vehicle to travel along the selected route in the regular driving mode, wherein at least one capability of a first plurality of capabilities of the autonomous vehicle is enabled and at least one capability of a second plurality of capabilities of the autonomous vehicle is disabled in the regular driving mode; and

in response to determining that the selection of the mode identifies a guardian mode:
operating the autonomous vehicle to travel along the selected route in the guardian mode, wherein the at least one capability of the first plurality of capabilities of the autonomous vehicle is disabled and at least one capability of the second plurality of capabilities of the autonomous vehicle is enabled in the guardian mode.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of capabilities of the autonomous vehicle comprises at least two of: window control capability, route selection control capability, music or radio selection control capability, door opening/closing control capability, climate control capability, e-commerce capability, Internet access capability, and seat belt unlocking capability.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second plurality of capabilities of the autonomous vehicle comprises at least two of: autonomous vehicle location reporting capability, geofence violation warning capability, password control capability, and camera feed capability.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, during the operation of the autonomous vehicle in the guardian mode:
receiving a request to enable a requested capability of the first plurality of capabilities or disable a requested capability of the second plurality of capabilities;
forwarding the request to the user; and
in response to receiving an authorization from the user, enabling the requested capability of the first plurality of capabilities or disabling the requested capability of the second plurality of capabilities.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, during the operation of the autonomous vehicle in the guardian mode:
receiving a request to enable a requested capability of the first plurality of capabilities or disable a requested capability of the second plurality of capabilities;
prompting a user to enter a password; and
in response to receiving a correct password from the user, enabling the requested capability of the first plurality of capabilities or disabling the requested capability of the second plurality of capabilities.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving a first user selection, wherein the first user selection identifies which capabilities of the autonomous vehicle are to be disabled in the guardian mode;
receiving a second user selection, wherein the second user selection identifies which capabilities of the autonomous vehicle are be enabled in the guardian mode; and
defining the guardian mode based on the first user selection and the second user selection.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein operating of the autonomous vehicle in the guardian mode comprises:
disabling door opening/closing control capability while the autonomous vehicle travels along the selected route; and
opening a door of the autonomous vehicle when the autonomous vehicle reaches the end of the selected route.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining that the selection of the mode identifies the guardian mode comprises determining that the mode selection input comprises a request to transport at least one of: a child user, a senior citizen user, and a mentally handicapped user.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining that the selection of the mode identifies the guardian mode comprises determining that the route selection input comprises a geographical location associated with at least one of: a child user, a senior citizen user, and a mentally handicapped user.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, when operating the autonomous vehicle to travel along the selected route in guardian mode:
determining that the autonomous vehicle was stopped for longer than a threshold amount of time; and
in response to determining that the autonomous vehicle was stopped for longer than a threshold amount of time, transmitting a stoppage notification to the user.

11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, when operating the autonomous vehicle to travel along the selected route in guardian mode:
determining that a seat belt has been disengaged; and
in response to determining that a seat belt has been disengaged, transmitting a seat belt disengagement notification to the user.

12. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, when operating the autonomous vehicle to travel along the selected route in guardian mode:
determining that a vehicle was involved in a traffic accident; and
in response to determining that a vehicle was involved in a traffic accident, transmitting a traffic accident notification to the user.

13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, when operating the autonomous vehicle to travel along the selected route in guardian mode:
receiving a second destination input from that identifies a geographical destination;
comparing the geographical destination of the second destination input to a set of authorized geographical destinations;
in response to determining that the geographical destination of the second destination input matches at least one of the set of authorized geographical destinations:
determining a second selected route based on the second destination input; and
operating the autonomous vehicle to travel along the second selected route in the guardian mode; and

in response to determining that the geographical destination of the second destination input does not match at least one of the set of authorized geographical destinations:
continuing operating the autonomous vehicle to travel along the selected route in the guardian mode.

14. A system for operating an autonomous vehicle, the system comprising:
circuitry configured to:
receive a destination input from a user;
receive a mode selection input from the user that identifies a driving mode;
determine a selected route based on the destination input;
in response to determining that the mode selection input identifies a regular driving mode:
operate the autonomous vehicle to travel along the selected route in the regular driving mode, wherein at least one capability of a first plurality of capabilities of the autonomous vehicle is enabled and at least one capability of a second plurality of capabilities of the autonomous vehicle is disabled in the regular driving mode; and

in response to determining that the selection of the mode identifies a guardian mode:
operate the autonomous vehicle to travel along the selected route in the guardian mode, wherein the at least one capability of the first plurality of capabilities of the autonomous vehicle is disabled and at least one capability of the second plurality of capabilities of the autonomous vehicle is enabled in the guardian mode.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the circuitry is configured to, during the operation of the autonomous vehicle in the guardian mode:
receive a request to enable a requested capability of the first plurality of capabilit

Assignees

• Rivian Ip Holdings Llc
• Rivian Ip Holidings Llc

Inventors

• Hunt Patrick
• Wade Justin
• Trelfa Lacey

Classifications

• B60W50/08 Primary

  Interaction between the driver and the control system · CPC title

• G05D1/0212

  with means for defining a desired trajectory (involving a plurality of land vehicles G05D1/0287) · CPC title

• B60W2540/043

  Identity of occupants · CPC title

• B60W2540/215

  Selection or confirmation of options · CPC title

• B60W50/0098

  Details of control systems ensuring comfort, safety or stability not otherwise provided for · CPC title