Autonomous vehicle control assessment and selection

US10416670B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company · US

Inventors

• Brian Mark Fields · Phoenix, US
• Chien Che Huang · Normal, US
• Mohamed A. Wazeer · Normal, US
• Shawn C. Bennett · Le Roy, US
• Steven C. Cielocha · Bloomington, US
• Ronny S. Bryant · Bloomington, US
• Stephen Kohaus · Normal, US
• Terry Quakenbush · Bloomington, US
• Richard A. Novak · Bloomington, US
• Aaron Scott Chan · San Jose, US
• Craig M. Main · Allen, US
• Weixin Wu · Seattle, US
• Torri Wollenschlager · Bloomington, US
• Carol Marie Csanda · Hudson, US
• Stacey Gorsuch · Bloomington, US
• Todd Binion · Bloomington, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 6, 2015
• Grant date: Sep 17, 2019
• Expiry date: Jun 21, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60W2900/00
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

According to certain aspects, a computer-implemented method for operating an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle may be provided. With the customer's permission, an identity of a vehicle operator may be identified and a vehicle operator profile may be retrieved. Operating data regarding autonomous operation features operating the vehicle may be received from vehicle-mounted sensors. When a request to disable an autonomous feature is received, a risk level for the autonomous feature is determined and compared with a driver behavior setting for the autonomous feature stored in the vehicle operator profile. Based upon the risk level comparison, the autonomous vehicle retains control of vehicle or the autonomous feature is disengaged depending upon which is the safer driver—the autonomous vehicle or the vehicle human occupant. As a result, unsafe disengagement of self-driving functionality for autonomous vehicles may be alleviated. Insurance discounts may be provided for autonomous vehicles having this safety functionality.