System, method, and apparatus to mitigate and or prevent autonomous vehicle misuse through the use of security enabled sensors

Abstract

Methods and systems for implementing autonomous vehicle security features. The present invention details an effective and secure methodology to implement the external management and control of autonomous vehicles by authorized personnel, usually law enforcement, through the use of intelligent sensors that can override an autonomous vehicle controller's functionality as necessary.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16 / 244,092, filed Aug. 1, 2019 which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 710,221, filed Feb. 14, 2018, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 762,453, filed May 7, 2018, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The present invention relates generally to an improved data processing system and in particular to a method and apparatus for implementing security features using Autonomous Vehicle (AV) sensors. Still more particularly, the present invention provides for dedicated or integrated sensors that allow override of vehicle functions by authorized personnel, specifically allowing the shutdown and / or management of an AV by external means.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]The field of autonomous vehicle control is currently emerging as a promising technology that can reduce costs, redu...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is about a system, method, and device that stops people from using autonomous vehicles improperly. The invention uses intelligent sensors to control and shut down the vehicles if they are being misused. This can only be done by authorized personnel. Overall, the invention ensures the safe and secure use of autonomous vehicles.

Problems solved by technology

Because of this recent technology's development, there are currently few commercially available autonomous vehicles available for sale worldwide, however, the very nature of an autonomous vehicle provides a large measure of anonymity and therefore the possibility of subsequent misuse.

Additionally, a majority of the AVs under development are electric AVs that are much easier to drive and therefore will provide a larger potential for misuse.

Misuse can be intentional as in the case of a terrorist's use of an autonomous truck to deliver explosive devices or mow down pedestrians in crowded venues; however, misuse can also be accidental as in the case of sensor failure, environmental conditions that interfere with sensor operations, driver medical issues, failure of mechanisms to secure vehicle loads, or third party misuse such as skitching or hooky bobbing, as well as any other of a multitude of real-world problems yet to be discovered.

At Level 2 after a driver has relinquished control, the driver could possibly have an incapacitating medical event that prevents proper control of the vehicle and if no external stimulus can provide access to the vehicle, the driver may not receive medical treatment promptly.

Additionally, law enforcement is frequently required to pull these vehicles over (lawfully stop) to issue violations for overweight loads, safety violations, or to alert the driver there are issues with vehicle or load.

Currently, the lawful stop of a vehicle depends on visual verification of law enforcement, i.e., the police vehicle, police uniform and the badge; unfortunately, unmarked police cars and a rising mistrust of law enforcement makes these inadequate, if a computer could perform these actions.

They certainly don't disclose the dangers posed to the public by AVs used responsibly, or under normal misuse cases, or much less, the use of these vehicles by terrorists.

When contemplating the use of Class 8 AVs as a weapon, the true gravity of the situation appears clear, an 80,000 lb weapon is frightening and cannot be ignored.

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