Control arrangement for autonomously driven vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9950568-B2
Application number	US-201514600055-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 20, 2015
Priority date	Jan 30, 2014
Publication date	Apr 24, 2018
Grant date	Apr 24, 2018

Abstract

An interface arrangement is provided for use in a vehicle having an autonomous drive (AD) system. The interface arrangement is an interface between a user of the vehicle and the autonomous drive (AD) system. The interface arrangement includes a manually operated communication device movable between multiple predetermined positions and configured to input commands into the autonomous drive (AD) system. Each predetermined position of the manually operated communication device codes for a command to the autonomous drive system.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An interface arrangement for use in a vehicle having an autonomous drive (AD) system, the interface arrangement being an interface between a user of the vehicle and the autonomous drive (AD) system, the interface arrangement comprising:
a manually operated communication device movable between multiple predetermined positions and configured to input commands into the autonomous drive (AD) system;
wherein each predetermined position of the manually operated communication device codes for a command to the autonomous drive system, and wherein the communication device comprises a joystick which functions as a gear stick of an automatic transmission for selection of a transmission state when the vehicle is in a manual driving mode.

2. The interface arrangement of claim 1 wherein the multiple predetermined positions include discrete resting positions and continuously arranged positions, the continuously arranged positions being arranged non-stepwise along a line of movement of the communication device.

3. The interface arrangement of claim 1 wherein the interface arrangement is arranged to output a haptic signal from the autonomous drive (AD) system to the communication device in response to an input command received by the autonomous drive (AD) system from the communication device.

4. The interface arrangement of claim 3 wherein the communication device is arranged to output a haptic signal as an indication of acceptance of an input command.

5. The interface arrangement of claim 1 wherein the pre-determined positions of the communication device are arranged to code for one or more of the following commands:
a vehicle stop;
a lane change;
a left turn;
a right turn;
a change in vehicle speed;
an overtaking of a preceding vehicle; and
entering or exiting autonomous drive (AD) mode.

6. The interface arrangement of claim 3 wherein the haptic signal is chosen from one or more of:
a vibration;
a resistance to movement;
a play around a resting position or a control position;
a snap-in function; and
a failure to retain the communication device in a new position.

7. The interface arrangement of claim 1 wherein the autonomous drive system is arranged to overrule an accepted command received through the communication device if changing driving conditions has made execution of the command unsuitable.

8. The interface arrangement of claim 1 wherein the communication device is arranged to communicate an autonomous drive (AD) performance loss to a user of the interface arrangement when the conditions for using the autonomous drive (AD) system are below a predetermined optimal level, the performance loss being perceptible as a haptic signal from the communication device when the communication device is in an autonomous drive (AD) resting position (A).

9. The interface arrangement of claim 8 wherein the autonomous drive (AD) resting position (A) is arranged to be perceived as a distinct position when gripping the communication device when no performance loss is detected by the autonomous drive system, and wherein the autonomous drive (AD) resting position (A) is arranged to be perceived as having a play around the autonomous drive (AD) resting position (A) and being freely movable within a limited zone surrounding the autonomous drive (AD) resting position (A) when gripping the communication device when a performance loss is detected by the autonomous drive (AD) system.

10. The interface arrangement of claim 8 wherein the communication device is arranged to vibrate when a performance loss is detected by the autonomous drive (AD) system.

11. A vehicle comprising the interface arrangement of claim 1 .

12. The vehicle of claim 11 further comprising controls for manual drive (MD) of the vehicle.

13. The vehicle of claim 12 wherein the communication device is configured for use as an automatic gearstick when the vehicle is in manual drive (MD) mode.

14. A method for communication between a user and an autonomous drive (AD) system of a vehicle, the vehicle having an interface arrangement comprising a manually operated communication device movable between multiple predetermined positions and configured to input commands into the autonomous drive (AD) system, wherein each predetermined position of the manually operated communication device codes for a command to the autonomous drive (AD) system, the method comprising:
inputting a command into the autonomous drive (AD) system by moving the manually operated communication device from a first one of the predetermined positions to a second one of the predetermined positions; and
receiving a haptic response from the autonomous drive (AD) system through the communication device;
wherein the communication device comprises a joystick which functions as a gear stick of an automatic transmission for selection of a transmission state when the vehicle is in a manual driving mode.

15. A method for communication between a user and an autonomous drive (AD) system of a vehicle, the vehicle having an interface arrangement comprising a manually operated communication device movable between multiple predetermined positions and configured to input commands into the autonomous drive (AD) system, wherein each predetermined position of the manually operated communication device codes for a command to the autonomous drive (AD) system, the method comprising:
receiving a command at the autonomous drive (AD) system in response to the user moving the manually operated communication device from a first one of the predetermined positions to a second one of the predetermined positions; and
providing a haptic response from the autonomous drive (AD) system through the communication device;
wherein the communication device comprises a joystick which functions as a gear stick of an automatic transmission for selection of a transmission state when the vehicle is in a manual driving mode.

Assignees

• Volvo Car Corp

Inventors

• Edgren Claes

Classifications

• B60W60/007

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

• B60C9/00 Primary

  Reinforcements or ply arrangement of pneumatic tyres (inserts having reinforcing means B60C5/08; bead structure, e.g. turnup or overlap construction, B60C15/00) · CPC title

• B60Q9/00

  Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 {, e.g. haptic signalling} · CPC title

• G06F3/016

  Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user · CPC title

• G08B6/00

  Tactile signalling systems, e.g. tactile personal calling systems · CPC title