System for controlling a vehicle to selectively allow operation in either an autonomous mode or a manual mode
US5469356A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 1, 1994 |
| Grant date | Nov 21, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 1, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05D1/0038
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system for controlling autonomous operation of a vehicle in response to speed and steering angle request signals from a navigator allows manual operation of the vehicle. The system includes a machine control module, an engine control module, and a transmission control module. An auto/manual select signal indicates to the machine control module whether operation should be in a fully autonomous mode or a manual mode. In the autonomous mode, a navigator produces a speed request signal and a steering angle request signal for the vehicle. The machine control module receives the speed and steering angle request signals from the navigator. From these inputs, the machine control module produces an engine RPM (revolutions per minute) control signal for the engine control module, a transmission control signal for the transmission control module, a brake control signal, and a steering angle control signal. In the manual mode, the machine control module will not interfere with normal, manual (i.e., manned) control of all vehicle systems.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.