Method and apparatus for selective drive-mode enablement

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2019294162-A1
Application number	US-201815934142-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 23, 2018
Priority date	Mar 23, 2018
Publication date	Sep 26, 2019
Grant date	—

Abstract

A system includes a processor configured to determine a driver identity. The processor is also configured to receive a request for a change to a driving mode and responsive to the request, enable or deny the driving mode based on mode-correlation to one of a predefined set of permissible driving modes pre-associated with the driver identity

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A system comprising:
a processor configured to: determine a driver identity; receive a request for a change to a driving mode; and responsive to the request, enable or deny the driving mode based on mode-correlation to one of a predefined set of permissible driving modes pre-associated with the driver identity.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the driver identity includes a generic identity for an unknown driver.

3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to determine the driver identity based on a driver mobile device.

4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to determine the driver identity based on visual recognition.

5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to determine the driver identity based on a driver biometric.

6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the request includes a request to change from autonomous driving to manual driving.

7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the request includes a request to change from a standard driving mode to an environmentally specific driving mode.

8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the request includes a request to change from a standard driving mode to a race-related driving mode.

9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the race-related driving mode includes a drift mode.

10 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the race-related driving mode includes a line-lock mode.

11 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to present an override option, including a secure authorization input request, in conjunction with denying the driving mode.

12 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to present an override option, including contacting a prespecified contact for override permission, in conjunction with denying the driving mode.

13 . A computer-implemented method comprising:
disabling a driving mode subset of possible driving modes, responsive to driver identification and based on a predefined subset pre-associated with an identified driver's profile; and selectively denying a request for disabled driving modes when a valid override condition does not accompany the request.

14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the override condition includes at least one of a passcode, a biometric or a bio-recognition of an individual.

15 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the override condition is a remote communication with a predesignated primary control contact providing remote approval for the request.

16 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the override condition is a remaining travelable distance that would be improved by enabling the denied driving mode.

17 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the override condition includes detecting the presence of a known primary control entity as a vehicle passenger.

18 . A system comprising:
a processor configured to: detect a vehicle driver identity; load a profile associated with the driver identity, the profile including a defined set of enabled and disabled driving modes for an identified driver; and process driving control mode change requests in accordance with the defined set, such that changes to enabled driving modes are permitted and changes to disabled driving modes are rejected.

19 . The system of claim 18 , wherein the processor is further configured to use a vehicle HMI to display enabled driving modes for driver selection.

20 . The system of claim 19 , wherein the processor is further configured to display disabled driving modes via the HMI, with an indicator that the modes are disabled, and to process a request to change to a disabled driving mode responsive to selection of the disabled mode and input of an override code.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Sikorski Ryan
• Shaffer Christian Edward

Classifications

• B60W60/005

  Handover processes (Handing over between remote control and on-board control or handing over between remote control arrangements G05D1/227) · CPC title

• B60W50/12

  Limiting control by the driver depending on vehicle state, e.g. interlocking means for the control input for preventing unsafe operation · CPC title

• B60W2540/043

  Identity of occupants · CPC title

• B60W50/0098 Primary

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

• B60W2050/0064

  using a remote, e.g. cordless, transmitter or receiver unit, e.g. remote keypad or mobile phone · CPC title