Selective traffic vehicle deceleration

Abstract

A system for initiating an automatic deceleration procedure within a traffic vehicle includes: a system controller adapted to detect a request to initiate an automatic deceleration procedure; a human-machine interface (HMI), where the system controller is adapted to prompt a driver of the traffic vehicle to verify through the HMI to initiate an automatic deceleration program; and a traffic vehicle control module wherein the system controller is adapted to start the automatic deceleration program through the traffic vehicle control module when the driver performs verification through the HMI to start the automatic deceleration program or does not receive a response from the driver within a predetermined time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a system and method for allowing a driver or passenger in a vehicle to initiate automatic vehicle deceleration when the driver or passenger determines that the driver is no longer able to properly operate the vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Vehicles are equipped with many sensors that monitor the driver and take action when they detect that the vehicle driver is distracted or otherwise no longer able to properly operate the vehicle. However, current systems do not provide the driver or passengers in the vehicle with the ability to initiate automatic vehicle deceleration when they realize that the driver is no longer able to properly operate the vehicle.

[0003] Therefore, while current systems and methods achieve their intended purposes, a new and improved system and method is still needed for providing a driver or passenger in a vehicle with the ability to initiate automatic vehicle deceleration when it is realized that the driver is no longer able to properly operate the vehicle. Summary of the invention

[0004] According to several aspects of the present disclosure, a method for starting an automatic deceleration program in a traffic vehicle includes: using a system controller to provide control of the traffic vehicle to a traffic vehicle driver, wherein the traffic vehicle driver drives the traffic vehicle; using the system controller to detect a request to start the automatic deceleration program; using the system controller to prompt the traffic vehicle driver to verify through a human-machine interface (HMI) to start the automatic deceleration program; and, when the driver verifies through the HMI, or no response from the driver is received within a predetermined time, using the system controller to start the automatic deceleration program through a traffic vehicle control module.

[0005] According to another aspect, the method further includes: before initiating the automatic deceleration procedure, when the vehicle is not already in the automatic driving mode, enabling the automatic driving mode.

[0006] According to another aspect, the method further includes: after starting the automatic deceleration program, using the system controller to prompt the vehicle driver through the HMI to choose whether to selectively turn off the automatic deceleration program, and when the vehicle driver does not selectively turn off the automatic deceleration program through the HMI, choosing to continue the automatic deceleration program; or, when the vehicle driver selectively turns off the automatic deceleration program through the HMI, choosing to return control of the vehicle to the vehicle driver using the system controller.

[0007] According to another aspect, the method further includes receiving, via the HMI, a preference from the driver regarding initiating the automatic deceleration procedure before providing the driver of the vehicle with control of the vehicle with the system controller and the driver of the vehicle driving.

[0008] According to another aspect, the method further includes: after receiving, by the system controller through the HMI, a preference from the driver regarding initiating the automatic deceleration program, detecting, by the occupant monitoring system, the presence and position of passengers other than the driver in the transport vehicle; identifying, by the occupant monitoring system, at least one passenger located in the rear seat area of ​​the transport vehicle; and determining, by the system controller based on the driver's preference, the eligibility of at least one passenger located in the rear seat area of ​​the transport vehicle to request initiation of the automatic deceleration program.

[0009] According to another aspect, detecting, by the system controller, a request to initiate the automatic deceleration process further comprises: receiving, by the system controller, via a front seat actuator, a request to initiate the automatic deceleration process from at least one of a vehicle driver and a front seat passenger of the vehicle.

[0010] According to another aspect, detecting, by the system controller, a request to initiate the automatic deceleration program further comprises: when the system controller determines, based on a driver's preference, that at least one passenger located in the rear seat area is eligible to request initiation of the automatic deceleration program, receiving, by the system controller, a request to initiate the automatic deceleration program from at least one passenger located in the rear seat area via a rear seat area actuator.

[0011] According to another aspect, receiving preferences from the driver related to initiating an automatic deceleration program using the system controller through the HMI also includes: receiving the driver's preferences including at least one of the following items: disabling rear seat area actuators, disabling both rear seat area actuators and front seat actuators, disabling one or both of the front seat actuators and rear seat area actuators for a single ignition cycle, disabling the eligibility of specific passengers to initiate a request for a transportation vehicle deceleration program, and disabling the eligibility of any passenger below a preset age.

[0012] According to another aspect, the front seat actuator and the rear seat zone actuator are each at least one of a mechanical actuator and an icon presented on the HMI.

[0013] According to another aspect, using the system controller through the traffic vehicle control module to start the automatic deceleration program also includes: using the system controller to start the automatic driving algorithm in the traffic vehicle control module; prohibiting the driver from controlling the traffic vehicle; and, using the traffic vehicle control module, slowing down the traffic vehicle, leaving the active lane of the road on which the traffic vehicle is traveling, and stopping.

[0014] According to several aspects of the present disclosure, a system for initiating an automatic deceleration program in a traffic vehicle includes: a system controller adapted to detect a request to initiate the automatic deceleration program; a human-machine interface (HMI), wherein the system controller is adapted to prompt a traffic vehicle driver to verify, via the HMI, to initiate the automatic deceleration program; and a traffic vehicle control module, wherein the system controller is adapted to initiate the automatic deceleration program via the traffic vehicle control module when the driver verifies, via the HMI, to initiate the automatic deceleration program or when no response is received from the driver within a predetermined time.

[0015] According to another aspect, prior to initiating the automatic deceleration procedure, the system controller is adapted to enable the automatic driving mode when the vehicle is not already in the automatic driving mode.

[0016] According to another aspect, after starting the automatic deceleration program, the system controller is also suitable for prompting the vehicle driver through the HMI to choose whether to selectively turn off the automatic deceleration program, and when the vehicle driver does not selectively turn off the automatic deceleration program through the HMI, choosing to continue the automatic deceleration program; or, when the vehicle driver selectively turns off the automatic deceleration program through the HMI, returning control of the vehicle to the vehicle driver.

[0017] According to another aspect, prior to detecting the request to initiate the automatic deceleration program, the system controller is adapted to receive, via the HMI, a preference from the driver related to initiating the automatic deceleration program.

[0018] According to another aspect, after receiving preferences related to initiating the automatic deceleration program from the driver through the HMI, the system controller is further adapted to utilize an occupant monitoring system to detect the presence and position of passengers other than the driver in the transportation vehicle; utilize the occupant monitoring system to identify at least one passenger located in the rear seat area of ​​the transportation vehicle; and, based on the driver's preferences, determine the eligibility of at least one passenger located in the rear seat area of ​​the transportation vehicle to request initiation of the automatic deceleration program.

[0019] According to another aspect, when a request to initiate an automatic deceleration program is detected, the system controller is further adapted to at least one of the following: receiving, via a front seat actuator, a request to initiate an automatic deceleration program from at least one of a vehicle driver and a front seat passenger of the vehicle; and receiving, via a rear seat area actuator, a request to initiate an automatic deceleration program from at least one passenger located in a rear seat area when the system controller determines, based on the driver's preference, that at least one passenger located in a rear seat area is eligible to request to initiate an automatic deceleration program.

[0020] According to another aspect, the system controller is adapted to receive preferences from the driver, via the HMI, related to initiating an automatic deceleration program, including at least one of: disabling rear seat area actuators, disabling both rear seat area actuators and front seat actuators, disabling one or both of the front seat actuators and rear seat area actuators for a single ignition cycle, disabling the eligibility of a particular passenger to initiate a request for a transportation vehicle deceleration program, and disabling the eligibility of any passenger below a preset age.

[0021] According to another aspect, the front seat actuator and the rear seat zone actuator are each at least one of a mechanical actuator and an icon presented on the HMI.

[0022] According to another aspect, when the automatic deceleration program is initiated through the traffic vehicle control module, the system controller is also suitable for starting the automatic driving algorithm within the traffic vehicle control module; prohibiting the driver from controlling the traffic vehicle; and, using the traffic vehicle control module, slowing down the traffic vehicle, leaving the active lane of the road on which the traffic vehicle is traveling, and stopping.

[0023] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein.It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

[0025] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a transportation vehicle having a system for providing a hazardous object warning to an occupant before the occupant exits the transportation vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0026] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a system according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0027] Figure 3 is a top view schematic diagram of a transportation vehicle including a front seat actuator and a rear seat area actuator for requesting initiation of an automatic deceleration procedure;

[0028] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an instrument panel of a vehicle having a system, front seat actuators, and a driver HMI according to the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of an HMI displaying icons of front seat actuators or rear seat area actuators according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0030] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of an HMI displaying a prompt for a driver to verify in order to initiate an automatic deceleration procedure;

[0031] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of the HMI displaying a shutdown prompt to the driver;

[0032] Figure 8 is a flow chart illustrating a method of providing a driver or passenger in a vehicle with the functionality to initiate an automatic vehicle deceleration procedure;

[0033] Fig. 9 It is shown in Figure 8 A flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of using a system controller to detect whether the system controller has received a request to initiate an automatic deceleration procedure at block 104 of FIG.

[0034] Fig.10 It is shown in Figure 8 A flow chart of an exemplary embodiment of initiating an automatic deceleration procedure via a traffic vehicle control module using a system controller at block 112 of FIG.

[0035] The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and certain features may be exaggerated or minimized, for example, to show details of a particular component. In some cases, well-known components, systems, materials, or methods have not been described in detail to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art to employ the present disclosure in different ways. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application or use. In addition, it is not intended to be constrained by any express or implied theory presented in the aforementioned technical field, background technology, content of the invention or the following specific embodiments. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals represent similar or corresponding parts and features. As used herein, the term "module" refers to any hardware, software, firmware, electronic control component, processing logic and / or processor device, individually or in any combination, including but not limited to: application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), electronic circuits, (shared, dedicated or grouped) processors and memories that execute one or more software or firmware programs, combinational logic circuits and / or other suitable components that provide the described functions. Although the drawings shown herein depict examples with certain element arrangements, additional intermediate elements, devices, features or components may be present in actual embodiments. It should also be understood that the drawings are merely illustrative and may not be drawn to scale.

[0037] As used herein, the term "vehicle" is not limited to automobiles. Although this article mainly describes the present technology in conjunction with automobiles, the present technology is not limited to automobiles. These concepts can be used in a variety of applications, such as aircraft, ships, other transportation vehicles, and consumer electronic components.

[0038] According to an exemplary embodiment, Figure 1 A vehicle 10 having an associated system 11 according to various embodiments is shown for providing a function for a driver or passenger in the vehicle 10 to start an automatic vehicle deceleration program when realizing that the driver is no longer able to properly operate the vehicle 10. Generally speaking, the system 11 works in conjunction with other systems in the vehicle 10 to display various information and infotainment content for passengers. The vehicle 10 typically includes a chassis 12, a body 14, a front wheel 16, and a rear wheel 18. The body 14 is disposed on the chassis 12 and substantially surrounds the components of the vehicle 10. The body 14 and the chassis 12 can form a frame together. The front wheel 16 and the rear wheel 18 are each rotatably connected to the chassis 12 near the corresponding corners of the body 14.

[0039] In various embodiments, the vehicle 10 is an autonomous vehicle, and the system 11 is incorporated into the autonomous vehicle 10. For example, the autonomous vehicle 10 is a vehicle 10 that is automatically controlled to transport passengers from one location to another. The vehicle 10 is depicted as a passenger car in the illustrated embodiment, but it should be understood that any other vehicle may also be used, including motorcycles, trucks, sport utility vehicles (SUVs), recreational vehicles (RVs), etc. In an exemplary embodiment, the vehicle 10 is equipped with a so-called level 4 or level 5 automation system. The level 4 system represents "high automation" and refers to the driving mode-specific performance of the autonomous driving system for various aspects of dynamic driving tasks, even if the human driver does not respond appropriately to the intervention request. The level 5 system represents "full automation" and refers to the full-time performance of the autonomous driving system for various aspects of dynamic driving tasks under all road and environmental conditions that the human driver can manage. The novel aspects of the present disclosure are also applicable to non-autonomous driving vehicles.

[0040] As shown, the vehicle 10 generally includes a propulsion system 20, a transmission system 22, a steering system 24, a braking system 26, a sensor system 28, an actuator system 30, at least one data storage device 32, a vehicle controller 34, and a wireless communication module 36. In an embodiment where the vehicle 10 is an electric vehicle, the transmission system 22 may not be present. In various embodiments, the propulsion system 20 may include an internal combustion engine, an electric motor such as a traction motor, and / or a fuel cell propulsion system. The transmission system 22 is configured to transmit power from the propulsion system 20 to the front wheels 16 and rear wheels 18 of the vehicle according to a selectable speed ratio. According to various embodiments, the transmission system 22 may include a stepped automatic transmission, a continuously variable transmission, or other suitable transmissions. The braking system 26 is configured to provide braking torque to the front wheels 16 and rear wheels 18 of the vehicle. In various embodiments, the braking system 26 may include friction brakes, wire control brakes, regenerative braking systems (such as motors), and / or other suitable braking systems. The steering system 24 affects the position of the front wheels 16 and rear wheels 18. Although depicted as including a steering wheel for illustrative purposes, in some embodiments contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure, the steering system 24 may not include a steering wheel.

[0041] The sensor system 28 includes one or more sensing devices 40a-40n, which sense observable conditions of the external environment and / or internal environment of the autonomous driving vehicle 10. The sensing devices 40a-40n may include, but are not limited to, radar, lidar, global positioning system, optical camera, thermal camera, ultrasonic sensor and / or other sensors. The camera may include two or more digital cameras spaced a selected distance from each other, wherein the two or more digital cameras are used to obtain stereo images of the surrounding environment in order to obtain a three-dimensional image or map. The plurality of sensing devices 40a-40n are used to determine information about the environment surrounding the vehicle 10. In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of sensing devices 40a-40n include at least one of a motor speed sensor, a motor torque sensor, an electric drive motor voltage and / or current sensor, an accelerator pedal position sensor, a coolant temperature sensor, a cooling fan speed sensor, and a transmission oil temperature sensor. In another exemplary embodiment, the plurality of sensing devices 40a-40n also include sensors to determine information about the environment surrounding the vehicle 10, such as an ambient air temperature sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, and / or a camera and / or a video camera positioned to observe the environment in front of the vehicle 10. In another exemplary embodiment, at least one of the plurality of sensing devices 40a-40n is capable of measuring distances in the environment surrounding the vehicle 10.

[0042] In a non-limiting example, where the plurality of sensing devices 40a-40n include cameras, the plurality of sensing devices 40a-40n use an image processing algorithm configured to process images from the cameras and determine the distance between objects to measure the distance. In another non-limiting example, the plurality of traffic vehicle sensors 40a-40n include a stereo camera with distance measurement capabilities. In one example, at least one of the plurality of sensing devices 40a-40n is fixed to the interior of the traffic vehicle 10, for example, fixed in the roof lining of the traffic vehicle 10, with a field of view visible through the windshield of the traffic vehicle 10. In another example, at least one of the plurality of sensing devices 40a-40n is a camera fixed to the exterior of the traffic vehicle 10 (for example, fixed on the top of the traffic vehicle 10), with a field of view of the environment surrounding the traffic vehicle 10, and is suitable for collecting information (images) related to the environment outside the traffic vehicle 10. It should be understood that various additional types of sensing devices, such as LiDAR sensors, ultrasonic ranging sensors, radar sensors, and / or time-of-flight sensors are within the scope of the present disclosure. The actuator system 30 includes one or more actuator devices 42 a - 42 n that control one or more features of the transportation vehicle 10 , such as, but not limited to, the propulsion system 20 , the transmission system 22 , the steering system 24 , and the braking system 26 .

[0043] The traffic vehicle controller 34 includes at least one processor 44 and a computer readable storage device or medium 46. The at least one data processor 44 can be any custom or commercially available processor, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an auxiliary processor of multiple processors associated with the traffic vehicle controller 34, a semiconductor based on a microprocessor (in the form of a microchip or chipset), a macroprocessor, any combination thereof, or any device generally used to execute instructions. The computer readable storage device or medium 46 can include volatile and non-volatile storage devices such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), and keep alive memory (KAM). KAM is a persistent or non-volatile memory that can be used to store various operating variables when the at least one data processor 44 is powered off. The computer readable storage device or medium 46 may be implemented using any of a variety of known storage devices, such as a PROM (programmable read-only memory), an EPROM (electrically programmable read-only memory), an EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory), a flash memory, or any other electrical, magnetic, optical, or combination storage device capable of storing data used by the controller 34 in controlling the transportation vehicle 10, some of which represents executable instructions.

[0044] The instructions may include one or more separate programs, each of which includes an ordered list of executable instructions for implementing logical functions. When executed by at least one processor 44, signals from the sensor system 28 are received and processed, logic, calculations, methods and / or algorithms for automatically controlling components of the transportation vehicle 10 are executed, and control signals are generated to the actuator system 30 to automatically control components of the transportation vehicle 10 based on the logic, calculations, methods and / or algorithms. Although Figure 1 Only one controller 34 is shown, but embodiments of the vehicle 10 may include any number of controllers 34 that communicate via any suitable communication medium or combination of communication media and collaborate to process sensor signals, execute logic, calculations, methods and / or algorithms, and generate control signals to automatically control the functions of the autonomous vehicle 10.

[0045] In various embodiments, one or more instructions of the traffic vehicle controller 34 are embedded in the trajectory planning system and, when executed by at least one data processor 44, generate trajectory outputs that solve the kinematic and dynamic constraints of the environment. For example, the instructions receive processing sensor and map data as input. These instructions implement a graph-based approach and a custom cost function to handle different road scenarios for cities and highways.

[0046] The wireless communication module 36 is configured to wirelessly communicate information with other remote entities 48, such as, but not limited to, other vehicles ("V2V" communications), infrastructure ("V2I" communications), remote systems, remote servers, cloud computers, and / or personal devices. In an exemplary embodiment, the communication system 36 is a wireless communication system configured to communicate using the IEEE 802.11 standard or through a wireless local area network (WLAN) using cellular data communications. However, additional or alternative communication methods such as dedicated short-range communication (DSRC) channels are also considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure. A DSRC channel refers to a one-way or two-way short-range to medium-range wireless communication channel designed specifically for automotive use, and a set of corresponding protocols and standards.

[0047] The traffic vehicle controller 34 is a non-universal electronic control device having a pre-programmed digital computer or processor, a memory or non-transitory computer-readable medium for storing data such as control logic, software applications, instructions, computer code, data, look-up tables, etc., and a transceiver [or input / output port]. Computer-readable media include any type of media that can be accessed by a computer, such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), hard drive, compact disk (CD), digital video disk (DVD), or any other type of memory. "Non-transitory" computer-readable media excludes wired, wireless, optical or other communication links that transmit temporary electrical or other signals. Non-transitory computer-readable media include media that can permanently store data and media that can store data and then be rewritten, such as rewritable optical disks or erasable storage devices. Computer code includes any type of program code, including source code, object code, and executable code.

[0048] refer to Figure 2 , a schematic diagram of the system 11 is shown. The system 11 includes a system controller 34A in communication with a plurality of sensing devices (onboard sensors) 40a-40n. The system controller 34A may be the vehicle controller 34, or the system controller 34A may be a separate controller in communication with the vehicle controller 34. In addition to the plurality of onboard sensors 40a-40n, the system controller 34A communicates with an occupant monitoring system 50, a vehicle control module 52, a front seat actuator 54 (suitable for allowing a driver 56 or a front seat passenger 58A to provide input to the system 11 to request an automatic vehicle deceleration procedure), a rear seat area actuator 60 (suitable for allowing a passenger 62 seated in a rear seat area 64 of the vehicle 10 to provide input to the system 11 to request an automatic vehicle deceleration procedure), and a human machine interface (HMI) 66 having a touch screen display (suitable for allowing interaction between the driver 56 and the system 11).

[0049] refer to Figure 3 , shows an example of a transportation vehicle 10 having a system 11 according to the present disclosure, wherein the transportation vehicle 10 includes a driver seat 66 for a driver 56 of the transportation vehicle 10, a front passenger seat 68 for a front passenger 58A of the transportation vehicle 10, and two rear passenger seats 70 for two rear passengers 58B seated in a rear seat area 62 of the transportation vehicle 10. In an exemplary embodiment, the transportation vehicle 10 includes a front seat actuator 54, which is located in the center of the dashboard, armrest, or headliner of the transportation vehicle 10 (e.g., Figure 3 and Figure 41, the front seat actuator 54, 54A is accessible by the driver 56 or the front seat passenger 58A. The transportation vehicle 10 also includes a rear seat area actuator 60, which is a mechanical button or knob 60A located in the center of the rear seat area 62, wherein the rear seat area actuator 60, 60A is accessible by any rear seat passenger 58B. The system controller 34A is adapted to receive a request to initiate the automatic deceleration procedure from at least one of the driver 56 of the transportation vehicle 10 and the front seat passenger 58A of the transportation vehicle 10 through the front seat actuator 54, and is adapted to receive a request to initiate the automatic deceleration procedure from at least one rear seat passenger 58B located in the rear seat area 62 through the rear seat actuator 60.

[0050] refer to Figure 5 In another exemplary embodiment, the front seat actuator 54 is an icon 54B or "soft button" displayed on a driver HMI 64A located in the center of the instrument panel, wherein the front seat actuators 54, 54B are accessible by the driver 56 or the front seat passenger 58A. Alternatively, the front seat actuator 54 includes an icon 54B displayed on a touch screen 72A of the driver HMI 64A, as discussed above, to allow the driver 56 to request an automatic traffic vehicle deceleration program, and the front seat actuator 54 also includes an icon 54C displayed on a touch screen 72B of the front seat passenger HMI 64B to allow the front seat passenger 58A to request an automatic traffic vehicle deceleration program. The rear seat area 62 includes a rear seat passenger HMI 64C for each rear seat passenger 58B, wherein the rear seat area actuator 60 includes an icon 60B displayed on a touch screen 72C of each rear seat passenger HMI 64C to allow each rear seat passenger 58B to request initiation of the automatic traffic vehicle deceleration program. It should be understood that Figure 5 A schematic diagram representing each of the driver HMI 64A, the front passenger HMI 64B, and the rear passenger HMI 64C is shown, wherein the displayed icons 54B, 54C, 60B are the same for the front seat actuators 54 and the rear seat zone actuators 60. It should be understood that the displayed icons 54B, 54C, 60B may be different without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0051] In yet another exemplary embodiment, the driver HMI 64A, the front passenger HMI 64B, and the rear passenger HMI 64C each include a microphone 74 adapted to allow the driver 56, the front passenger 58A, and the rear passenger 58B to provide voice input to the system 11, and the microphone 74 acts as a front seat actuator 54 and a rear seat zone actuator 60 to allow the driver 56, the front passenger 58A, or the rear passenger 58B to verbally request initiation of an automatic traffic vehicle deceleration procedure.

[0052] The system controller 34A detects when the driver 56 or the front seat passenger 58A requests the automatic deceleration process by actuating the front seat actuator 54, or detects when the rear seat area passenger 58B requests the automatic deceleration process by actuating the rear seat area actuator 60. When the system controller 34A detects that a request for the automatic deceleration process has been requested, the system controller 34A prompts the driver 56 for verification via the driver HMI 64A to initiate the automatic deceleration process. Figure 6 In an exemplary embodiment, the system controller 34A displays a prompt 76 asking the driver 56 "Do you want to activate automatic traffic vehicle deceleration?", wherein the driver can respond to the prompt by touching the touch screen display 72A to select "yes", "no" or "disable". In the case where the driver 56 has requested the automatic deceleration program, after seeing the prompt 76, by selecting "yes" to verify or by selecting "no" to refuse, this provides the driver 56 with an opportunity that the driver 56 wants to allow the automatic deceleration program to be initiated; and in the case where the front seat passenger 58A or the rear seat passenger 58B has requested the automatic deceleration program, by selecting "yes" to verify or by selecting "no" to refuse, the driver 56 is provided with an opportunity that the driver 56 wants to allow the automatic deceleration program to be initiated. In addition, the displayed prompt 76 provides the driver with an opportunity to disable the function of the system 11 by selecting "disable" when seeing the prompt 76, thereby rejecting the current request for the automatic deceleration program and disabling the function of further requests. Therefore, if the driver 56 accidentally actuates the front seat actuator 54, the displayed prompt 76 allows the driver 56 to cancel the request before the system controller 34A activates the automatic deceleration program. Furthermore, if the driver 56 sees that another passenger 58A, 58B has made a request, the driver may realize that they are no longer able to properly operate the transportation vehicle 10 and allow the automatic deceleration procedure, or the driver 56 may not consider the request reasonable and deny the request.

[0053] When the system controller 34A displays the prompt 76, if the system controller 34A does not receive a response from the driver 56 through the driver HMI 64A within a predetermined time frame, the system controller 34A will treat the lack of response as acceptance of the request. Therefore, when the driver 56 provides verification of acceptance of initiating the automatic deceleration program through the driver HMI 64A, or when a response from the driver 56 is not received within a predetermined time, the system controller 34A will initiate the automatic deceleration program. For example, the rear seat passenger 58B requests the automatic deceleration program, and the system controller 34A displays the prompt 76 through the driver HMI 64A for verification by the driver 56. If the driver 56 does not see and respond to the prompt 76 within a predetermined time frame (e.g., 10 seconds), the system controller 34A will initiate the automatic deceleration program.

[0054] The initiation of the automatic deceleration procedure requires the system controller 34A to take over control of the vehicle 10 from the driver 56 and autonomously operate the vehicle 10. In an exemplary embodiment, the system controller 34A is adapted to enable the automatic driving mode when the vehicle 10 is not already in the automatic driving mode before initiating the automatic deceleration procedure. When the automatic deceleration procedure is initiated by the vehicle control module 52, the system controller 34A is further adapted to activate the automatic driving algorithm within the vehicle control module 52, disable the driver's control of the vehicle 10, and use the vehicle control module 52 to decelerate the vehicle 10, leave the active lane of the road on which the vehicle 10 is traveling, and stop the vehicle 10. When the automatic deceleration procedure is initiated, the vehicle control module 52 is adapted to maneuver the vehicle 10 by immediately causing the vehicle 10 to use an autonomous driving algorithm (such as, but not limited to, an adaptive cruise control (ACC) and a lane keeping assistance (LKA) algorithm) to quickly and safely drive the vehicle 10 to a safe position, for example, to the rightmost lane of the highway, and ultimately off the shoulder of the highway, and then stop the vehicle 10.

[0055] In an exemplary embodiment, after the automatic deceleration program is initiated, the system controller 34A is further adapted to prompt the driver 56 of the vehicle 10 through the driver HMI 64A to select whether to selectively disable the automatic deceleration program. Figure 7 , the system controller 34A displays a cancel prompt 78 "Stop Automatic Traffic Vehicle Slowdown", wherein the driver 56 can selectively turn off the automatic slowdown process by touching the prompt 78 on the touch screen display 72A of the driver HMI 64A, wherein the system controller 34A will stop the automatic slowdown process and return control of the traffic vehicle 10 to the driver 56. As long as the driver 56 does not selectively turn off the automatic slowdown process, the system controller 34A will continue the automatic slowdown process.

[0056] In an exemplary embodiment, prior to detecting a request to initiate the automatic deceleration procedure, the system controller 34A is adapted to receive the driver 56's preferences related to initiating the automatic deceleration procedure via the driver HMI 64A. Thus, the driver 56 can customize the system 11 as to when and how to allow initiation of the automatic deceleration procedure.

[0057] For example, the driver 56 may be traveling with young children who are seated in the rear seating area 62 and do not want them to be able to request initiation of the automatic vehicle deceleration procedure. The driver may provide a preference that includes disabling the rear seating area actuator 60. Thus, young children who are seated in the rear seating area 62 of the vehicle 10 will not be able to request the automatic vehicle deceleration procedure.

[0058] After receiving the driver's 56 preference related to initiating the automatic deceleration program through the driver HMI 64A, the system controller 34A is also suitable for using the occupant monitoring system 50 to detect the presence and position of passengers 58A, 58B other than the driver 56 in the transportation vehicle 10; using the occupant monitoring system 50, identifying at least one rear seat passenger 58B located in the rear seat area 62 of the transportation vehicle 10; and based on the driver's 56 preference, determining the eligibility of at least one rear seat passenger 58B located in the rear seat area 62 of the transportation vehicle 10 to request initiation of the automatic deceleration program.

[0059] The occupant monitoring system 50 includes sensors known in the art to capture images of the rear seat passengers 58B and use computer vision algorithms to identify the rear seat passengers 58B. The identification of the rear seat passengers 58B may include estimating the age of such rear seat passengers 58B using computer vision algorithms, or determining the specific identity of such rear seat passengers 58B by using computer vision algorithms in conjunction with machine learning algorithms and previous data on the driver 56 and passengers 58A, 58B.

[0060] Thus, in an exemplary embodiment, the driver 56 may provide preferences including disabling the rear seat area actuator 60 for rear seat passengers 58B who are less than a certain age (e.g., ten years old), wherein the system controller 34A determines using the occupant monitoring system 50 that the age of the rear seat passenger 58B is approximately less than ten years old and disables the rear seat area actuator 60. In another exemplary embodiment, the driver 56 may provide preferences including disabling the rear seat area actuator 60 when two young children (specifically, Johnny and Susie) are seated in the rear seat area 62. The system controller 34A uses the occupant monitoring system 50 to identify Johnny and Susie seated in the rear seat area 62 and disables the rear seat area actuator 60.

[0061] Such preferences may be permanently applied, wherein the rear seat area actuator 60 is always disabled until the driver 56 changes the preference, or such preferences may apply only to the current ignition cycle of the vehicle 10, wherein the next time the vehicle 10 is used, such preferences no longer apply and the system 11 will operate at the default settings.

[0062] The system controller 34A is adapted to receive a request to initiate the automatic deceleration procedure from at least one of the driver 56 of the vehicle 10 and the front seat passenger 58A of the vehicle 10 via the front seat actuator 54, and is adapted to receive a request to initiate the automatic deceleration procedure from at least one rear seat passenger 58B located in the rear seat area 62 via the rear seat area actuator 60 when the system controller 34A determines that the at least one rear seat passenger 58B is eligible to request the initiation of the automatic deceleration procedure based on the preferences of the driver 56. Thus, in an exemplary embodiment, the driver 56 may provide preferences that include disabling the rear seat area actuator 60 for rear seat passengers 58B who are less than a certain age (e.g., ten years old), wherein the system controller 34A determines using the occupant monitoring system 50 that the age of the rear seat passenger 58B is approximately greater than ten years old, and enables the rear seat passenger 58B to use the rear seat area actuator 60 to request the automatic deceleration procedure.

[0063] In various embodiments, the system controller 34A is adapted to receive preferences of the driver 56 related to initiating an automatic deceleration program via the driver HMI 64A, including, but not limited to, at least one of: disabling the rear seat area actuator 60, disabling both the rear seat area actuator 60 and the front seat actuator 54, disabling one or both of the front seat actuator 54 and the rear seat area actuator 60 for a single ignition cycle, or disabling the eligibility of a specific passenger identified by the occupant monitoring system 50 to initiate a transportation vehicle deceleration program request until the driver 56 changes the preference, and disabling the eligibility of any passenger 58A, 58B below a preset age.

[0064] refer to Figure 8The method 100 for initiating an automatic deceleration process in a transportation vehicle 10 includes, starting at box 102, providing control of the transportation vehicle 10 to the driver 56 of the transportation vehicle 10 using the system controller 34A, wherein the driver 56 of the transportation vehicle 10 continues to drive the transportation vehicle 10; moving to box 104, detecting a request to initiate the automatic deceleration process using the system controller 34A, wherein if at box 104, the system controller does not detect a request to initiate the automatic deceleration process, then moving from box 104 to box 106, no action is taken, And moving from box 106 to 102, the control of the traffic vehicle 10 is still controlled by the driver 56; and, if the system controller does detect a request to start the automatic deceleration program at box 104, then moving from box 104 to box 108, the method 100 includes using the system controller 34A to prompt the driver 56 of the traffic vehicle 10 for verification through the human-machine interface (HMI) 64A to start the automatic deceleration program and moving to box 110; when at box 110, the system controller determines any of the following situations: 1) the driver 56 provides verification through the HMI 64A to start the automatic deceleration program, or 2) no response from the driver 56 is received within a predetermined time, using the system controller 34A to start the automatic deceleration program through the traffic vehicle control module 52.

[0065] In an exemplary embodiment, the method 100 further includes, at box 114 , prior to initiating the automatic deceleration procedure at box 112 , enabling the autonomous driving mode when the vehicle 10 is not already in the autonomous driving mode.

[0066] In an exemplary embodiment, the method 100 further includes, after starting the automatic deceleration program at frame 112, moving to frame 116, using the system controller 34A to prompt the driver 56 of the traffic vehicle 10 through the HMI 64A to select whether to selectively turn off the automatic deceleration program, and moving to frame 118; when the driver 56 of the traffic vehicle 10 does not selectively turn off the automatic deceleration program through the HMI 64A, it is possible to move from frame 118 to frame 112 to continue the automatic deceleration program; or when the driver 56 of the traffic vehicle 10 selectively turns off the automatic deceleration program through the HMI 64A, it is possible to move from frame 118 to frame 120 to return control of the traffic vehicle 10 to the driver 56 of the traffic vehicle 10 using the system controller 34.

[0067] In an exemplary embodiment, method 100 also includes moving to box 122 to receive preferences related to initiating an automatic deceleration program from the driver 56 using the system controller 34A through the HMI 64A before providing control of the vehicle 10 to the driver 56 of the vehicle 10 at box 102 using the system controller 34A and the driver 56 of the vehicle 10 continues driving.

[0068] In an exemplary embodiment, the method 100 also includes, after receiving a preference related to initiating the automatic deceleration program from the driver 56 via the HMI 64A using the system controller 34A at box 122, moving to box 124, using the occupant monitoring system 50 to detect the presence and position of passengers 58A, 58B other than the driver 56 in the transportation vehicle 10; moving to box 126, using the occupant monitoring system 50 to identify at least one rear seat passenger 58B located in the rear seat area 62 of the transportation vehicle 10; and moving to box 128, using the system controller 34A, based on the preference of the driver 56, determining the eligibility of at least one rear seat passenger 58B located in the rear seat area 62 of the transportation vehicle 10 to request initiation of the automatic deceleration program.

[0069] In an exemplary embodiment, detecting, using the system controller 34A at box 104, whether the system controller 34A has received a request to initiate the automatic deceleration program also includes: moving to box 130, using the system controller 34A to detect whether the system 11 is in an active mode. If the system 11 is not active, then moving from box 130 to box 106, no action is taken. If the system 11 is active, then the method also includes: moving from box 130 to box 132, using the system controller 34A to receive a request to initiate the automatic deceleration program from at least one of the driver 56 of the transportation vehicle 10 and the front seat passenger 58A of the transportation vehicle 10 through the front seat actuator 54. If at box 132, the system controller 34A receives a request to initiate the automatic deceleration program from at least one of the driver 56 of the transportation vehicle 10 and the front seat passenger 58A of the transportation vehicle 10 through the front seat actuator 54, then the method proceeds to box 108, using the system controller 34A to prompt the driver 56 for verification through the human-machine interface (HMI) 64A to initiate the automatic deceleration program. If at box 132, the system controller 34A does not receive a request through the front seat actuator 54, the method 100 further includes moving from box 132 to box 134, receiving, by the system controller 34A, a request to initiate the automatic deceleration procedure from at least one passenger 58B located in the rear seat area 62 through the rear seat area actuator 60. If at box 134, no request is received from the rear seat area actuator 60, then moving from box 134 to box 106, no action is taken. If at box 134, a request is received from the rear seat area actuator 60, then moving from box 134 to box 136, the system controller 34A determines the eligibility of at least one passenger 58B located in the rear seat area actuator 60 to request the initiation of the automatic deceleration procedure based on the driver's preferences. If at box 136, the system controller 34A determines that the rear seat passenger 58B is not eligible to request the automatic deceleration procedure based on the driver's 56 preferences, then moving from box 136 to box 106, no action is taken. If at box 136, the system controller 34A determines that the rear seat passenger 58B is eligible to request the automatic deceleration program based on the driver's 56 preferences, the method 100 proceeds to box 108 to prompt the driver 56 for verification via the human machine interface (HMI) 64A using the system controller 34A to initiate the automatic deceleration program.

[0070] In an exemplary embodiment, initiating the automatic deceleration procedure at box 112 using the system controller 34A through the traffic vehicle control module 52 also includes: moving to box 138, using the system controller 34A to actuate the automatic driving algorithm within the traffic vehicle control module 52; moving to box 140, disabling the driver control of the traffic vehicle 10; and, moving to box 142, using the traffic vehicle control module 52 to decelerate the traffic vehicle 10, exit the active lane of the road on which the traffic vehicle 10 is traveling, and stop.

[0071] The systems and methods of the present disclosure have the advantage of allowing a driver 56 or passenger 58A, 58B within a vehicle 10 to request initiation of an automatic deceleration procedure to autonomously maneuver the vehicle 10 off the road and bring the vehicle 10 to a stop.

[0072] The description of the present disclosure is merely exemplary in nature, and variations that do not depart from the gist of the present disclosure are intended to fall within the scope of the present disclosure. These variations should not be regarded as departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A method for initiating an automatic deceleration procedure in a traffic vehicle, comprising: providing control of the transportation vehicle to a driver of the transportation vehicle using a system controller, wherein the driver of the transportation vehicle drives the transportation vehicle; detecting, using the system controller, a request to initiate an automatic deceleration procedure; Using the system controller to prompt the driver of the vehicle to verify through a human-machine interface (HMI) to start the automatic deceleration program; and When any of the following situations occurs, the system controller starts the automatic deceleration program through the traffic vehicle control module: The driver authenticates through the HMI to start the automatic deceleration procedure; or No response is received from the driver within a predetermined time.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Before initiating the automatic deceleration procedure, when the vehicle is not already in the automatic driving mode, the automatic driving mode is enabled.

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising, after initiating the automatic deceleration procedure: The system controller prompts the driver of the vehicle to select whether to selectively turn off the automatic deceleration program through the HMI, so that: When the driver of the vehicle does not selectively turn off the automatic deceleration process through the HMI, continuing the automatic deceleration process; or When the driver of the vehicle selectively turns off the automatic deceleration program via the HMI, control of the vehicle is returned to the driver of the vehicle using the system controller.

4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising: Prior to providing the driver of the vehicle with control of the vehicle and the driver of the vehicle driving, receiving a preference from the driver via the HMI with the system controller related to initiating the automatic deceleration procedure.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising, after receiving, with the system controller via the HMI, a preference from the driver related to initiating the automatic deceleration procedure: Using an occupant monitoring system, detecting whether there are passengers other than the driver in the vehicle and their locations; identifying, using the occupant monitoring system, at least one passenger located in a rear seating area of ​​the vehicle; as well as The eligibility of at least one passenger located in a rear seating area of ​​the vehicle to request initiation of the automatic deceleration procedure is determined, using the system controller, based on the driver's preference.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein: Detecting, with the system controller, a request to initiate an automatic deceleration procedure further includes receiving, with the system controller, a request to initiate the automatic deceleration procedure from at least one of a driver of the vehicle and a front seat passenger of the vehicle via a front seat actuator.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein: Detecting a request to initiate an automatic deceleration program using the system controller also includes: when the system controller determines that at least one passenger located in the rear seat area is eligible to request to initiate the automatic deceleration program based on the driver's preference, receiving a request to initiate the automatic deceleration program from at least one passenger located in the rear seat area via a rear seat area actuator using the system controller.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein: Receiving, by the system controller through the HMI, preferences from the driver related to initiating the automatic deceleration procedure further comprises: receiving preferences of the driver including at least one of the following: disabling the rear seating area actuator; disabling both the rear seating area actuator and the front seat actuator; disabling one or both of the front seat actuator and the rear seat zone actuator for a single ignition cycle; Disqualifying a particular passenger from initiating a request for said transportation vehicle speed reduction procedure; and Any passenger below the preset age is prohibited from eligibility.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein: The front seat actuator and the rear seat area actuator are each at least one of the following: Mechanical actuators; and Icon presented on the HMI.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein: Using the system controller through the vehicle control module to start the automatic deceleration program also includes: Utilizing the system controller to activate the autonomous driving algorithm in the vehicle control module; prohibiting the driver from controlling the vehicle; and The traffic vehicle control module is utilized to slow down the traffic vehicle, drive it out of the active lane of the road on which the traffic vehicle is traveling, and stop the vehicle.

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