Systems and methods for enhancing operator vigilance

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12589765-B2
Application number	US-202318095286-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 10, 2023
Priority date	Jan 10, 2023
Publication date	Mar 31, 2026
Grant date	Mar 31, 2026

Abstract

System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to enhancing operator vigilance without causing an adverse reaction. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a disengagement likelihood; selecting a stimulus pattern that if executed adjusts a vehicle function; and executing the stimulus pattern if the disengagement likelihood is above a first threshold and below a second threshold.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A system for a vehicle, comprising:
a processor; and a memory storing machine-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:
receive a disengagement likelihood of an autonomous vehicle function ceasing operative control;
select a time-varying stimulus pattern that if executed adjusts a vehicle function;
execute the stimulus pattern if when the disengagement likelihood is within a numerical range bounded by a lower threshold and an upper threshold above which an alert is issued;
detect an action by the driver countering the stimulus pattern; and
adjust the stimulus pattern to avoid a repeat of the action.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the machine-readable instructions further includes an instruction that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:
alter how the stimulus pattern adjusts the vehicle function if the disengagement likelihood changes.

3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein to adjust the stimulus pattern to avoid a repeat of the action only occurs when the action satisfies a relationship condition specified in the stimulus pattern.

4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the machine-readable instructions further includes an instruction that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:
prohibit the execution of the stimulus pattern if a restriction condition exists.

5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle function controls an actuator.

6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle function controls climate functions.

7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the the vehicle function affects physical window settings.

8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the machine-readable instructions to select or execute the stimulus pattern occurs regardless of any estimates of an operator vigilance.

9 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium including instructions that when executed by one or more processors cause the one or more processors to:
receive a disengagement likelihood of an autonomous vehicle function ceasing operative control; select a time-varying stimulus pattern that if executed adjusts a vehicle function; execute the stimulus pattern if the disengagement likelihood is within a numerical range bounded by a lower threshold and an upper threshold above which an alert is issued; detect an action by the driver countering the stimulus pattern; and adjust the stimulus pattern to avoid a repeat of the action.

10 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the instructions to execute the stimulus pattern further includes to alter how the stimulus pattern adjusts the vehicle function if the disengagement likelihood changes.

11 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9 , wherein to adjust the stimulus pattern to avoid a repeat of the action only occurs when the action satisfies a relationship condition specified in the stimulus pattern.

12 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the instructions to execute the stimulus pattern include instructions prohibiting the execution of the stimulus pattern if a restriction condition exists.

13 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the vehicle function controls an actuator.

14 . A method for enhancing operator vigilance, the method comprising:
receiving a disengagement likelihood of an autonomous vehicle function ceasing operative control; selecting a time-varying stimulus pattern that if executed adjusts a vehicle function; executing the stimulus pattern if the disengagement likelihood is within a numerical range bounded by a lower threshold and an upper threshold above which an alert is issued; detect an action by the driver countering the stimulus pattern; and adjust the stimulus pattern to avoid a repeat of the action.

15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein executing the stimulus pattern includes altering how the stimulus pattern adjusts the vehicle function if the disengagement likelihood changes.

16 . The method of claim 14 , wherein to adjust the stimulus pattern to avoid a repeat of the action only occurs when the action satisfies a relationship condition specified in the stimulus pattern.

17 . The method of claim 14 , wherein executing the stimulus pattern includes prohibiting the execution of the stimulus pattern if a restriction condition exists.

18 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the vehicle function controls an actuator.

19 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the vehicle function controls climate functions.

20 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the vehicle function affects physical window settings.

Assignees

• Woven By Toyota Inc

Inventors

• Kuehner Manuel Ludwig
• Yasuda Hiroshi
• Sharma Gyanendra

Classifications

• B60W40/08 Primary

  related to drivers or passengers · CPC title

• B60W2040/0818

  Inactivity or incapacity of driver · CPC title

• B60W2540/229

  Attention level, e.g. attentive to driving, reading or sleeping · CPC title

• B60W50/16 Primary

  Tactile feedback to the driver, e.g. vibration or force feedback to the driver on the steering wheel or the accelerator pedal · CPC title