Autonomous vehicle with driver presence and physiological monitoring
US8874301B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 9, 2013 |
| Grant date | Oct 28, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 11, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60Y2302/05
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A transportation vehicle with an autonomous driving control has a set-up mode, an active drive mode, a safe shutdown mode, and an emergency response mode. The active drive mode autonomously navigates along a driving route specified in the set-up mode. A driver sensing system senses a driver presence in the driver seat and a driver's physiological state. Active drive mode is not entered from set-up mode unless the driver is present in the driver seat and the physiological state matches a normal condition. While in active driving mode, an elapsed time period is measured whenever the driver presence is not detected. If the time period increases above a first threshold then a notice is given to the driver that the active drive mode may be interrupted. If the time period increases above a second threshold then the active drive mode is terminated and the safe shutdown mode is initiated. A sensed physiological state is compared to a predetermined emergency condition and if a match is found then the autonomous driving control terminates the active drive mode and the emergency response mode is initiated.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.