Vehicle, device provided to vehicle, and method performed by the device

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a vehicle, a device provided to the vehicle, and a method performed by the device. The device can include a processor and a memory storing at least one instruction configured to, when executed by the processor in communication with the memory, cause the device to: release vehicle control associated with a first autonomous driving mode stored in the memory; based on the release, output, via a user interface of the vehicle, a prompt for user input; based on user input received via the user interface in response to the prompt, generate a signal indicating activation of vehicle control associated with a second autonomous driving mode stored in the memory; and based on the signal and the activation of the vehicle control associated with the second autonomous driving mode, control autonomous driving of the vehicle.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0180460, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on December 6, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] Various examples of this disclosure relate to vehicle driving systems that replace or assist vehicle driver control. Background Technology

[0004] The descriptions in this Background section are intended only to enhance the understanding of the background of this disclosure and should not be construed as an admission that they correspond to prior art known to those skilled in the art.

[0005] Various systems are being introduced to support driving control for autonomous vehicles. These systems help improve driving safety and convenience and are designed to automatically perform vehicle control under specific conditions.

[0006] However, when a particular autonomous driving function is deactivated, there may be an inconvenience: the driver may have to perform complex maneuvers to reactivate the necessary control functions.

[0007] For example, when an autonomous driving system is deactivated while driving, the driver may have to go through several steps to re-set or reactivate the system, which can cause a shift in the driver's attention and affect safety. Summary of the Invention

[0008] This disclosure has been made to address the aforementioned problems, and is intended to enable rapid activation of the second autonomous driving system under specific conditions, so as to restore the functionality operated by the existing system even after the first autonomous driving system has been deactivated.

[0009] The problems to be solved by this disclosure are not limited to those described above, and those skilled in the art will clearly understand from the following description other problems not mentioned.

[0010] According to this disclosure, a device disposed in a vehicle may include a processor and a memory storing at least one instruction, wherein the at least one instruction, when executed by the processor communicating with the memory, is configured to cause the device to: disengage vehicle control associated with a first autonomous driving mode stored in the memory; output a prompt for user input via a user interface of the vehicle based on the disengagement of vehicle control associated with the first autonomous driving mode; generate a signal indicating activation of vehicle control associated with a second autonomous driving mode stored in the memory based on user input received via the user interface in response to the prompt; and control the autonomous driving of the vehicle based on the signal and the activation of vehicle control associated with the second autonomous driving mode.

[0011] In the device, at least one instruction, when executed by a processor communicating with memory, is configured to cause the device to: activate at least one control function among the functions supported by the second autonomous driving mode that operates in the first autonomous driving mode, wherein the first autonomous driving mode is configured to operate by a first autonomous driving system associated with a first autonomous driving level, and wherein the second autonomous driving mode is configured to operate by a second autonomous driving system associated with a second autonomous driving level different from the first autonomous driving level.

[0012] In this device, at least one control function operating in the first autonomous driving mode may include at least one of longitudinal control and lateral control of the vehicle. In this device, the first autonomous driving mode and the second autonomous driving mode are two modes that support at least one function in different ways. In this device, at least one instruction, when executed by a processor communicating with memory, is configured to cause the device to output the prompt via a user interface in response to at least one of the following: the vehicle's destination route has been set, the vehicle is traveling on a road of a predefined type, and accumulated data about the vehicle's driver meets predetermined conditions.

[0013] In this device, at least one instruction, when executed by a processor communicating with memory, is configured to cause the device to activate vehicle control associated with a second autonomous driving mode based on user input received via the user interface for a predetermined duration from the time the prompt is output via the user interface. In this device, user input may include at least one of the following: input received via a physical button on the vehicle, input received via a selection area displayed on a touchscreen display on the vehicle, user voice input, and user gesture input.

[0014] In this device, physical buttons or selection areas are configured to provide multiple input interfaces, each configured to activate one of a first and a second autonomous driving mode, or to provide a single input interface configured to selectively activate either the first or the second autonomous driving mode. User input is received via an input interface located on the vehicle's steering wheel. The user interface is configured to output optional options for activating preset functions, which are among the functions supported by the second autonomous driving mode.

[0015] In this device, at least one instruction, when executed by a processor communicating with memory, is configured to cause the device to: output a graphical area via a user interface for selecting multiple functions supported by a second autonomous driving mode, and activate a specific function based on receiving a selection input for that specific function.

[0016] According to this disclosure, a method performed by a device installed in a vehicle may include: disengaging vehicle control associated with a first autonomous driving mode; outputting a prompt for user input via a user interface of the vehicle based on the disengagement of vehicle control associated with the first autonomous driving mode; generating a signal indicating activation of vehicle control associated with a second autonomous driving mode based on user input received via the user interface in response to the prompt; and controlling the autonomous driving of the vehicle based on the signal and the activation of vehicle control associated with the second autonomous driving mode.

[0017] In this method, generating a signal indicating the activation of vehicle control associated with the second autonomous driving mode may include: activating at least one control function among the functions supported by the second autonomous driving mode that operates in the first autonomous driving mode, wherein the first autonomous driving mode is configured to operate by a first autonomous driving system associated with a first autonomous driving level, and wherein the second autonomous driving mode is configured to operate by a second autonomous driving system associated with a second autonomous driving level different from the first autonomous driving level.

[0018] In this method, at least one control function operating in the first autonomous driving mode may include at least one of longitudinal control and lateral control of the vehicle. In this method, the first autonomous driving mode and the second autonomous driving mode are two modes that support at least one function in different ways. In this method, output prompts may include prompts output via a user interface in response to at least one of the following: the vehicle's destination route has been set, the vehicle is traveling on a predefined type of road, and accumulated data about the vehicle's driver meets predetermined conditions.

[0019] In this method, generating a signal indicating the activation of vehicle control associated with the second autonomous driving mode may include: activating vehicle control associated with the second autonomous driving mode based on receiving user input via the user interface within a predetermined duration from the time the prompt is output via the user interface.

[0020] According to this disclosure, a vehicle may include: a driving control circuit configured to control autonomous driving of the vehicle; a processor; and a memory storing at least one instruction, wherein the at least one instruction, when executed by the processor in communication with the memory, is configured to cause the vehicle to: detect the deactivation of a first autonomous driving mode, wherein the vehicle is configured to perform at least one of longitudinal control and lateral control of autonomous driving in the first autonomous driving mode; based on the detected deactivation, obtain user input via the vehicle's user interface for activating a second autonomous driving mode different from the first autonomous driving mode; based on determining that the user input was received within a predetermined time from the time associated with the deactivation, output a signal indicating activation of the second autonomous driving mode; activate the second autonomous driving mode following the first autonomous driving mode based on the signal, wherein at least one control function previously performed by the first autonomous driving mode is restored in the second autonomous driving mode; and control the autonomous driving of the vehicle based on the activated second autonomous driving mode.

[0021] In the vehicle, at least one instruction, when executed by a processor in communication with memory, is configured to cause the vehicle to present a prompt for user input via a user interface in response to at least one of the following: the vehicle's destination route has been set, the vehicle is traveling on a road of a predefined type, and accumulated data associated with the vehicle's driver meets predetermined conditions.

[0022] In the vehicle, at least one instruction, when executed by a processor in communication with the memory, is configured to cause the vehicle to obtain user input via at least one of the following: physical buttons of the vehicle, selection areas displayed on the vehicle's display, user voice input, and user gesture input. Attached Figure Description

[0023] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of this disclosure will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description of examples of this disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] Figure 1 An example of a vehicle is shown.

[0025] Figure 2 An example of control operations for function reuse after the autonomous driving system has ended is shown;

[0026] Figure 3An example of a specific control operation is shown for function reuse after the autonomous driving system has ended;

[0027] Figure 4 An example of a user interface is shown;

[0028] Figure 5 An example of control operations for function reuse after the autonomous driving system has ended is shown; and

[0029] Figure 6 An example of control operations for function reuse after the autonomous driving system has ended is shown.

[0030] Figure 7 An example computing system (e.g., a vehicle's computing device or any other device) is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0031] Preferred examples of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0032] However, the technical concept of this disclosure is not limited to the few examples described, but can be implemented in a variety of different forms, and one or more components in the examples can be selectively combined or replaced and used within the scope of the technical concept of this disclosure.

[0033] Furthermore, the terms used in the examples of this disclosure (including technical and scientific terms) may be interpreted as having meanings that can be commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains, unless explicitly and specifically defined and described, and the meaning of commonly used terms, such as terms defined in a dictionary, may be interpreted in consideration of the contextual meaning of the prior art.

[0034] Furthermore, the terminology used in the examples of this disclosure is intended to describe examples and is not intended to limit this disclosure.

[0035] For the purposes of this application and claims, the exemplary phrases “at least one: A; B; or C” or “at least one of A, B, or C” are used, which means “at least one A, or at least one B, or at least one C”, or “any combination of at least one A, at least one B, and at least one C”. Furthermore, as used herein, exemplary phrases such as “A, B, or C”, “at least one of A, B, and C”, “at least one of A, B, or C”, etc., may represent each listed item or all possible combinations of listed items. For example, “at least one of A or B” may refer to (1) at least one A; (2) at least one B; or (3) at least one A and at least one B.

[0036] In addition, terms such as “first”, “second”, “A”, “B”, “(a)” and “(b)” may be used to describe components in the examples of this disclosure.

[0037] These terms are intended only to distinguish these components from other components and do not limit the nature, order, or sequence of these components.

[0038] When a component is described as being “connected,” “coupled,” or “joined” to another component, this can include not only cases where the component is directly connected, coupled, or joined to another component, but also cases where the component is “connected,” “coupled,” or “joined” to another component through yet another component between that component and the other component.

[0039] Furthermore, when a component is described as being formed or positioned "above or below" another component, the term "above or below" includes not only cases where the two components are in direct contact with each other, but also cases where one or more other components are formed or positioned between the two components. Additionally, when expressing the term "above or below," it can refer not only to an upward direction relative to a component but also to a downward direction.

[0040] In the flowcharts of this disclosure, at least some steps may be omitted or the order of steps may be changed, and at least some of the various examples of this disclosure may be executed at specific points in time within each step of the flowchart. The flowcharts of this disclosure may be executed by at least one of the control device 100, the processor 130, and the vehicle 10. Furthermore, redundant content in the accompanying drawings of this disclosure may be omitted.

[0041] As used in this specification, the terms "module" or "unit" refer to software components and / or hardware components, and a "module" or "unit" performs certain operations / functions / actions. However, a "module" or "unit" is not to be construed as limited to software or hardware. A "module" or "unit" may be configured to reside in addressable storage media or to execute on one or more processors. Thus, by way of example, a "module" or "unit" may include at least one of the following: software components, object-oriented software components, class components, and task components; processes, functions, attributes, programs, subroutines, program code segments, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuits, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, and variables. The functionality provided in a component, "module," or "unit" may be combined into a smaller number of components, "modules," or "units" or further divided into additional components, "modules," or "units."

[0042] In this disclosure, a "module" or "unit" can be implemented as a processor and a memory. "Processor" should be broadly interpreted to include general-purpose processors, central processing units (CPUs), microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), microcontrollers, state machines, etc. In some contexts, "processor" can refer to application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), or field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). For example, "processor" can refer to a combination of processing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a combination of multiple microprocessors, a combination of one or more microprocessors combined with a DSP core, or any other such combination. Furthermore, "memory" should be broadly interpreted to include any electronic component capable of storing electronic information. "Memory" can refer to various types of processor-readable media, such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), EEPROM, flash memory, magnetic or optical data storage devices, and registers. The memory can be in a state of electronic communication with the processor when the processor can read information from the memory and / or record information in the memory. The memory integrated into the processor is in a state of electronic communication with the processor.

[0043] One or more features described herein can be provided as a computer program stored in a computer-readable recording medium for execution on a computer. This medium can persistently store a computer-executable program or temporarily store a program for execution or download. Furthermore, the medium can be a variety of recording or storage instruments in the form of a single hardware device or multiple combined hardware devices, and is not limited to media directly connected to some computer systems, but can also be distributed across a network. Examples of such media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, or magnetic tapes; optical recording media such as CD-ROMs or DVDs; magneto-optical media such as floppy disks; and ROMs, RAMs, or flash memory configured to store program instructions. Additional examples of such media include media or storage media managed by application stores that distribute applications or by different other sites or servers that provide or distribute software.

[0044] In a hardware implementation, the processing unit for performing these techniques may be implemented in one or more ASICs, DSPs, digital signal processing devices, programmable logic devices, field-programmable gate arrays, processors, controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, electronic devices, or computers or combinations thereof, designed to perform the functions described in this disclosure.

[0045] The term "driving control assistance system" or "driving assistance system" as used in this disclosure refers to hardware and software that can assist a driver in continuously controlling the longitudinal and lateral movements of a vehicle. The term "driving control assistance system" or "driving assistance system" may be referred to in this disclosure as either a "first automated driving system" or a "second automated driving system."

[0046] According to the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), the automation levels of autonomous vehicles can be classified as follows: At Level 0, the SAE classification corresponds to "No Automation," where the autonomous driving system intervenes only temporarily in emergency situations (e.g., automatic emergency braking) and / or only provides warnings (e.g., blind spot warning, lane departure warning, etc.), and expects the driver to operate the vehicle. At Level 1, the SAE classification corresponds to "Driver Assistance," where the system performs some driving functions (e.g., steering, acceleration, braking, lane centering, adaptive cruise control, etc.) when the driver operates the vehicle in normal operating conditions, and expects the driver to determine the system's operating status and / or timing, perform other driving functions, and handle (e.g., resolve) emergency situations. At Level 2, the SAE classification corresponds to "Partial Automation," where the system performs steering, acceleration, and / or braking under driver supervision, and expects the driver to determine the system's operating status and / or timing, perform other driving functions, and handle (e.g., resolve) emergency situations. At Level 3 of Automated Driving, the SAE classification standard can correspond to "Conditional Automation," where the system drives the vehicle under limited conditions (e.g., performing driving functions such as steering, acceleration, and / or braking), but when the required conditions are not met, it transfers driving control to the driver, expecting the driver to determine the system's operating state and / or timing, and to take over control in emergency situations without performing other vehicle operations (e.g., steering, acceleration, and / or braking). At Level 4 of Automated Driving, the SAE classification standard can correspond to "High Automation," where the system performs all driving functions, and expects the driver to control the vehicle only in emergency situations. At Level 5 of Automated Driving, the SAE classification standard can correspond to "Full Automation," where the system performs all driving functions without any assistance from the driver, including in emergency situations, and expects the driver to perform any driving functions other than determining the system's operating state. While this disclosure applies the SAE classification standard to the classification of automated driving, other classification methods and / or algorithms can be used in one or more configurations described herein.

[0047] One or more features associated with autonomous driving control can be activated based on configured autonomous driving control settings (e.g., based on at least one of autonomous driving classification, selection of the vehicle's autonomous driving level, etc.). Based on one or more features described herein (e.g., a feature for seamless switching between autonomous driving modes based on user input and driving conditions), vehicle operation can be controlled. Vehicle control can include various operational controls associated with the vehicle (e.g., autonomous driving control, sensor control, braking control, braking time control, acceleration control, acceleration rate of change control, warning time control, forward collision warning time control, etc.).

[0048] For example, based on one or more features described herein (e.g., the feature of seamless switching between autonomous driving modes based on user input and driving conditions), one or more auxiliary devices (e.g., engine braking, exhaust braking, hydraulic decelerators, electric decelerators, regenerative braking, etc.) can also be controlled. Similarly, based on one or more features described herein (e.g., the feature of seamless switching between autonomous driving modes based on user input and driving conditions), one or more communication devices (e.g., modems, network adapters, radio transceivers, antennas, etc.) capable of communicating via one or more wired or wireless communication protocols (such as Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Near Field Communication (NFC), Bluetooth, Long Term Evolution (LTE), 5G New Radio (NR), Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X), etc.) can also be controlled.

[0049] For example, based on one or more features described herein (e.g., the feature of seamless switching between autonomous driving modes based on user input and driving conditions), minimum risk maneuvering (MRM) operations can also be controlled. Minimum risk maneuvering operations (e.g., minimum risk maneuvering, lowest risk maneuvering) can be vehicle maneuvers aimed at minimizing (e.g., reducing) the risk of collisions with surrounding vehicles to achieve a reduced (e.g., minimum) risk state. Minimum risk maneuvering can be an operation activated during autonomous driving when the driver is unable to respond to an intervention request. During minimum risk maneuvering, one or more processors in the vehicle can control the vehicle's driving operations for a set duration.

[0050] For example, bias driving operations can also be controlled based on one or more features described herein (e.g., the feature of seamless switching between autonomous driving modes based on user input and driving conditions). A driving control unit can perform bias driving control. To perform bias driving, the driving control unit can control the vehicle to travel within the lane by maintaining a lateral distance between the vehicle's center position and the lane center. For example, the driving control unit can control the vehicle to remain within the lane, but not in the lane center. The driving control unit can identify or determine a target lateral distance for bias driving control. For example, the target lateral distance may include an intentionally adjusted lateral distance that the vehicle can maintain from a reference point (such as the center of the lane or another vehicle) during maneuvers such as lane changes. This adjustment can be made to improve the vehicle's stability, safety, and / or performance under changing driving conditions. For example, during lane changes, the driving control system can bias the lateral distance to maintain a safer clearance with adjacent vehicles, taking into account factors such as vehicle speed, road conditions, and / or the presence of obstacles.

[0051] For example, based on one or more features described herein (e.g., the feature of seamless switching between autonomous driving modes based on user input and driving conditions), one or more sensors (e.g., IMU sensors, cameras, LiDAR, RADAR, blind spot monitoring sensors, lane departure warning sensors, parking sensors, light sensors, rain sensors, traction control sensors, anti-lock braking system sensors, tire pressure monitoring sensors, seat belt sensors, airbag sensors, fuel sensors, emission sensors, throttle position sensors, inverters, converters, motor controllers, power distribution units, high-voltage wiring and connectors, auxiliary power modules, charging interfaces, etc.) can also be controlled. Operational control for autonomous driving of a vehicle can include various driving controls of the vehicle by the vehicle control unit (e.g., acceleration, deceleration, steering control, gear shifting control, braking system control, traction control, stability control, cruise control, lane keeping assist control, collision avoidance system control, emergency braking assist control, traffic sign recognition control, adaptive headlight control, etc.).

[0052] For example, based on one or more features described herein (e.g., the feature of seamless switching between autonomous driving modes based on user input and driving conditions), the level of autonomous driving and / or activation / deactivation of autonomous driving can also be controlled. The driving control unit can perform autonomous driving level control (e.g., changes in the level of autonomous driving, changes in required user attention, etc.) or cause deactivation of autonomous driving operation. For example, by changing the required user attention, the driver can be required to place his / her hands on the steering wheel more frequently (e.g., at least once within a threshold time period (e.g., 5 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute, etc.)). By changing the required user attention, the driver can be required to look ahead more frequently (e.g., at least once within a threshold time period (e.g., 5 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute, etc.)). By changing the level of autonomous driving, one or more video contents may not be displayed on the vehicle's display.

[0053] The first and second automated driving systems can each correspond to SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) Level 2, 2.5, 3, or 4, respectively. For example, a system corresponding to SAE Level 2 may include features such as lane keeping assist and cruise control with distance keeping, and may require continuous driver supervision.

[0054] Systems corresponding to SAE Level 2.5 can be similar to SAE Level 2, but may be supplemented with limited lane-changing capabilities under certain conditions. Systems corresponding to SAE Level 3 can perform conditional automated driving, where the system performs all dynamic driving tasks under specific conditions without driver intervention. Systems corresponding to SAE Level 4 can provide fully automated driving within a restricted operating domain (e.g., a geofenced area), where no driver intervention is required under defined conditions.

[0055] The first and second automated driving systems can be systems at different levels of automated driving, or they can be systems at the same level of automated driving. Even when the systems correspond to the same level, the first and second automated driving systems can support at least some functions in functionally different ways.

[0056] For example, the first-level automated driving system may correspond to SAE Level 2.5 and support features such as lane keeping assist, cruise control with distance control, and curve following. The first-level automated driving system may also conditionally support lane changes when the driver activates a turn signal. However, the first-level automated driving system may not support highway merge / exit recognition or automatic lane changing in congested traffic conditions.

[0057] The second autonomous driving system may also correspond to SAE Level 2.5, but supports features different from the first system. For example, the second autonomous driving system may include traffic jam assist and automatic highway merge / exit guidance, and be able to initiate or recommend lane changes dynamically based on surrounding vehicles without explicit driver input. On the other hand, compared to the first system, the second system may provide relatively less precise lane keeping assist on curves. The term "feature" as used in this disclosure can refer to the functionality of a specific system that assists the driver within defined traffic scenarios, situations, and system boundaries.

[0058] The term "dynamic control" as used in this disclosure can refer to the real-time execution of operational and tactical functions required for a moving vehicle. This can include lateral and longitudinal movement control of the vehicle, monitoring of the road environment, handling events in the road traffic environment, operational planning, signal transmission, etc.

[0059] The term “system boundary” as used in this disclosure may refer to verifiable or measurable limitations or conditions set by the manufacturer that affect the system being designed to assist the driver, or the functionality of the system, the system’s ability to operate as intended, or the settings within those conditions.

[0060] In the following description, examples will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Throughout the drawings, the same or corresponding components will be indicated by the same reference numerals, and their redundant descriptions will be omitted.

[0061] Figure 1 An example of a vehicle 10 according to an embodiment is shown.

[0062] The vehicle 10 may include a control unit 100, a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, a processor 130, an input / output interface 140, a sensor unit 150, and a drive unit 160. This can be implemented within the vehicle. Figure 1 Each of these components.

[0063] The vehicle 10 can be dynamically controlled in various driving situations through an autonomous driving system. For example, the autonomous driving system or driver assistance system can simultaneously provide driving safety and convenience through longitudinal control (acceleration and deceleration) and lateral control (lane keeping and lane changing) of the vehicle 10. The autonomous driving system can monitor the driving environment through sensors and control devices and process the data in real time to adjust the vehicle's position, speed, direction and other operational parameters (e.g., steering angle, braking pressure or throttle level).

[0064] In the following text, the autonomous driving system and the driver assistance system will be collectively referred to as the autonomous driving system, and it should be noted that the functions provided by each system can be selectively activated depending on driving conditions (e.g., city roads, highways, or built-up areas).

[0065] The control unit 100 can be integrally formed with the vehicle's internal components. It can be implemented as a separate device from other components within the vehicle 10 and can communicate with these components via various connectivity methods, such as CAN bus, wireless network, and wired connections like Ethernet or USB. The control unit 100 may include a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a processor 130 to manage the vehicle's longitudinal and lateral control. It may also include other components such as an input / output interface 140, a sensor unit 150, and a drive unit 160 to perform complex control functions based on driving conditions, such as merging onto a highway, responding to pedestrians, or navigating a roundabout.

[0066] According to the example, the control unit 100 can store data collected by the sensor unit 150 during driving in the storage unit 120 and process the data in real time to control the vehicle's safety and convenience functions. For example, the control unit can perform overall control and management of autonomous driving systems and driver assistance systems, such as adjusting the vehicle's speed and lane keeping function based on environmental data detected by the sensor unit, or providing notifications when driver intervention is required (e.g., sudden obstacle detection, lane departure, or system malfunction).

[0067] In addition, the control device 100 can control driving functions by displaying the vehicle control status or receiving driver input through a user interface linked to a human-machine interface (HMI) based on various driver settings and driving conditions (e.g., driving mode preferences, weather settings, or comfort levels).

[0068] The communication unit 110 can communicate with other control devices inside the vehicle to share inter-system data or send or receive various types of information via a connection to the outside of the vehicle. The communication unit 110 can use various in-vehicle communication schemes such as CAN communication and Ethernet to send control signals and data between internal components, and can link driving information and external data in real time through communication with user terminals, other vehicles (vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V)), infrastructure (vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I)), or external servers (e.g., cloud-based navigation or traffic monitoring servers).

[0069] The communication unit 110 can perform short-range communication, GPS signal reception, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, optical communication, broadcast transmission and reception, and Intelligent Transmission System (ITS) communication functions. It can use wireless communication technologies such as Bluetooth, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra-Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, Near Field Communication (NFC), Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, and Wireless USB (e.g., for keyless entry, firmware updates, or infotainment control) to support stable data transmission over short ranges. Furthermore, the communication unit 110 may include a mobile communication module based on a mobile communication network (e.g., LTE, 5G, or 6G) and a wireless internet module for accessing the wireless internet to receive real-time data via remote communication and, in conjunction with the cloud, improve the performance of the autonomous driving system (e.g., for map updates, remote diagnostics, or air signature activation).

[0070] Storage unit 120 may include various types of memory capable of storing data and may be integrated into control device 100 or processor 130 or configured as a separate module. Storage unit 120 may include non-volatile memory (e.g., hard disk drive, flash memory, EEPROM, SRAM, FRAM, PRAM, or MRAM) and volatile memory (e.g., DRAM, SDRAM, or DDR-SDRAM), which may be combined to implement memory systems with different capacities and performance levels (e.g., cache, power loss recovery, or parallel data streaming).

[0071] According to the example, storage unit 120 can store data related to multiple autonomous driving systems and can include instructions and setting information for driving a first and a second autonomous driving system. Furthermore, storage unit 120 can store data such as driver preference settings, driving records, and system diagnostic data to support vehicle control and system management functions (e.g., updating driving profiles, recording error reports, or storing route history).

[0072] The processor 130 can communicate with the communication unit 110, storage unit 120, input / output interface 140, sensor unit 150, drive unit 160, and various internal components of the vehicle 10 via electrical or operational connections, and can control the operation of each component and perform data processing. The processor 130 is a central processing unit for command execution and data computation, and can collect, process, and analyze data in real time according to the vehicle's current driving environment to perform vehicle control. This allows for smooth signal transmission between the internal systems of the vehicle 10 and allows for the management of each component so that it can exhibit optimal performance (e.g., coordinated braking and steering, smooth acceleration, or adaptive cruise control, etc.).

[0073] The processor 130 can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of both, and can execute vehicle control logic, such as that of a microcontroller, FPGA, or ASIC. Furthermore, the processor 130 can include a multiprocessor configuration for controlling complex autonomous driving and driver assistance systems. This processor configuration can support comprehensive vehicle control and stability by enabling autonomous driving and assistance system execution, sensor data processing, communication data management, and driving-related decision-making functions (e.g., triggering lane change logic, detecting pedestrian approach, or adjusting traffic conditions).

[0074] The input / output interface 140 is used to receive vehicle control-related inputs from the user and send vehicle control status and system operation information to the user.

[0075] The input / output interface 140 can perform functions such as receiving various inputs from the user and sending vehicle control status to the user. For example, the input / output interface 140 may include at least one of the following: input via physical buttons located inside the vehicle 10, input via a selection area displayed on a display of the vehicle 10, user voice input, and user gesture input (e.g., waving, tapping, or verbal commands).

[0076] Input methods may include physical buttons, selection areas on a touch display (e.g., touch areas), voice recognition, gesture recognition, etc., and this allows users to input commands, such as requesting activation of the autonomous driving system, switching between functions, or setting driving assistance (e.g., adjusting the following distance, enabling highway mode, or toggling driver alerts, etc.).

[0077] Furthermore, input can be received from the user via an input device mounted on the steering wheel of vehicle 10. For example, the driver can input commands to activate or deactivate the autonomous driving system during driving via buttons mounted on the steering wheel. This steering wheel-based input allows the user to quickly control autonomous driving functions through an intuitive interface, such as thumb presses, scroll wheels, or push-and-hold gestures.

[0078] Output methods include displays, audio modules (e.g., speakers), haptic modules, etc., and can provide users with the status of the autonomous driving system, control switching request notifications, and function activation status in a visual, auditory, or tactile manner (e.g., flashing icons, voice prompts, or steering wheel vibrations). For example, a guidance message can be displayed on the screen to notify the user to switch from a first autonomous driving system to a second autonomous driving system, or voice guidance can be provided to receive switching requests, allowing the driver to easily perform system switching.

[0079] Furthermore, the status of the autonomous driving system can be visually confirmed through a head-up display (HUD), instrument panel, audio-visual navigation (AVN), and displays built into the rearview or side mirrors (e.g., LED indicators or text overlays). Additionally, the status of the autonomous driving system can be confirmed through displays on the consoles installed in each row of the vehicle 10, user terminal applications, etc. (e.g., smartphone applications, tablet interfaces, or smart key displays).

[0080] Sensor unit 150 may include multiple sensors that detect various types of driving and environmental information in real time to support the stable operation of autonomous driving and driver assistance systems. Sensor unit 150 may measure the distance and speed of nearby objects using remote detection sensors such as radio detection and ranging (RADAR) and light detection and ranging (LIDAR), and may detect objects near vehicle 10 using ultrasonic sensors (e.g., for parking assistance or blind spot detection).

[0081] In addition, sensor unit 150 may include a position sensor (such as GPS) to collect the location information of vehicle 10, and a light sensor to provide ambient light information, enabling the system to respond to changes in light (e.g., entering a tunnel, sunset, or glare conditions). Furthermore, sensor unit 150 may include an accelerator pedal sensor and a deceleration pedal sensor, a steering wheel detection sensor, a seating sensor, etc., to monitor the driving control status and user operations of vehicle 10, such as sudden braking, hand-off-steering-wheel detection, or seat occupancy sensing.

[0082] Sensor unit 150 may include cameras. Cameras can be categorized as external cameras and internal cameras. External cameras can identify the road and surrounding environment (e.g., lane markings, road signs, or adjacent vehicles), while internal cameras can detect driver condition (e.g., eye tracking or drowsiness detection) or interior conditions to comprehensively determine the situation inside and outside the vehicle (e.g., driver attention level, hand position, or passenger activity). Sensor unit 150 may include heart rate sensors, pressure sensors, infrared sensors, etc., to collect driver biometric information or various types of environmental data (e.g., stress levels, fatigue indicators, or cabin temperature).

[0083] The drive unit 160 may include various components that provide the driving force required to drive the vehicle 10 and control the operation of the vehicle according to commands output from the control unit 100. The drive unit 160 may consist of devices that generate and transmit power to the vehicle (such as an engine, an electric motor, a gearbox, and a wheel drive system) and controllers that control these devices, and acceleration, deceleration, and direction changes of the vehicle 10 may be performed through these components (e.g., torque vectoring, shifting, or regenerative braking).

[0084] By performing longitudinal control (acceleration and deceleration) and lateral control (lane keeping and changing), the drive unit 160 is controlled to maintain driving safety. For example, the drive unit 160 receives commands from the control unit 100 and adjusts the output of the motor or the speed and direction of the wheels so that the vehicle can follow the driving route (e.g., highway cruising, city turning or emergency lane changing).

[0085] In addition, the drive unit 160 may include a braking system to reduce the speed of the vehicle or stop the vehicle during driving. The drive unit 160 may control the vehicle 10 based on the control of the electric motor in the case of an electric vehicle or based on the engine output in the case of an internal combustion engine vehicle (e.g., a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or fuel cell system).

[0086] Figure 2 An example of control operations for function reuse after the end of an autonomous driving system, according to an embodiment, is shown.

[0087] The control device 100 can release vehicle control according to the first automatic driving system (S210).

[0088] Specifically, if vehicle control terminates according to the first automated driving system, the control device 100 can recognize this state and release control of the vehicle 10. For example, when the driver requests manual control or when changes in driving conditions make it unsuitable to continue using the functions of the first automated driving system, the control device 100 can automatically deactivate the automated driving system (e.g., sharp bends, construction zones, or sensor blockages).

[0089] When the first automated driving system is deactivated by the control unit 100, the longitudinal and lateral controls of the vehicle can be deactivated. In other words, the first automated driving system must be deactivated before the second automated driving system can be activated later via driver input.

[0090] For example, a first-class autonomous driving system is a system that can support longitudinal and lateral control of a vehicle by providing basic driving assistance functions, and can be designed to allow the driver to intervene immediately when vehicle control is needed (e.g., by steering intervention, braking, or manual acceleration).

[0091] For example, the first automated driving system can monitor the driver's actions and the driving environment in real time to support safe driving, and perform functions such as lane keeping, speed adjustment, and vehicle distance maintenance in various situations, such as urban driving (e.g., stop-and-go traffic, intersections, or multi-lane roads). The first automated driving system assists in the constant control of the vehicle during driving, but it is a system that requires continuous driver intervention and may include basic control functions to improve driving convenience on highways and general roads (e.g., cruise assist, limited lane centering, or slight steering input).

[0092] When the vehicle control according to the first autonomous driving system is deactivated, the control device 100 may present a prompt via the user interface (S230).

[0093] Specifically, the control device 100 can output via a user interface to guide the driver within a predetermined time (e.g., three seconds) from the time when the first automatic driving system is deactivated, so that the driver can easily identify the control transition (e.g., from assisted to manual or between modes).

[0094] For example, the control unit 100 may display a pop-up message on the display or provide a message via audio output asking whether to activate the second automated driving system via voice guidance. Such a user interface is designed to allow the driver to make selections intuitively, enabling the driver to quickly activate the functions of the second automated driving system by touch, button input, or voice commands (e.g., “Activate Highway Assist”, or tapping the dashboard icon, etc.).

[0095] The control device 100 can activate the second automatic driving system (S250) based on the user input received.

[0096] Specifically, if the control device 100 receives user input, the control device 100 can activate the second autonomous driving system according to the input to restore some dynamic control functions of the vehicle (e.g., steering assist, adaptive cruise control, or lane keeping, etc.).

[0097] For example, if a user requests to activate the second autonomous driving system by pressing a button on the display or by using a voice command, the control unit 100 can recognize the request and run the second autonomous driving system to continue automatic control without requiring multiple steps.

[0098] In this scenario, control device 100 can continuously provide driving convenience by activating at least one of the control functions (e.g., longitudinal control and lateral control) previously performed by the first autonomous driving system, among the functions provided by the second autonomous driving system (e.g., lane centering, distance keeping, or adaptive acceleration). For example, if the first autonomous driving system is activated while the lane keeping function is being performed, control device 100 can restore the lane keeping function as is or additionally activate the speed keeping function through the second autonomous driving system to continuously provide the previously used functions without requiring additional configuration from the driver.

[0099] For example, a second autonomous driving system could be a system that provides driving assistance functions optimized for highway driving. The second autonomous driving system could include functions such as lane change assist, cornering assist, and driving assistance when entering and exiting highways (e.g., automatic merging, hill-start assist, or lane changes triggered by turn signals), and could provide improved driving convenience for the driver by integrating various driving assistance functions such as maintaining distance between vehicles, lane keeping, and lane change automation while driving on highways.

[0100] The control device 100 can provide feedback to the user, either visually or audibly, regarding the activated control function. This allows the user (such as a driver) to clearly understand the currently activated function and system status (e.g., via dashboard indicators, audible ringtones, or HUD overlays).

[0101] In this disclosure, the first and second autonomous driving systems are not limited to specific systems and may include various systems that provide different autonomous driving functions (e.g., city assistance, highway assistance, or congestion-aware cruise control). These different autonomous driving systems support the driver, enabling the driver to reactivate and restore existing driver assistance functions during driving through a series of linked functions.

[0102] For example, after the first automated driving system terminates, the driver can activate the second automated driving system using simple input through the user interface to quickly resume using previously used control functions (e.g., by pressing a button on the steering wheel, tapping the center console screen, or issuing a voice command). This allows the driver to easily resume assistance functions in various driving situations and selectively activate and use desired automated driving functions when necessary.

[0103] Figure 3 An example of a specific control operation for function reuse after the end of an autonomous driving system, according to an embodiment, is shown.

[0104] The control device 100 can release vehicle control according to the first automatic driving system (S310) and determine whether the predetermined conditions for function reuse are met by the second automatic driving system (S320).

[0105] According to the example, the predetermined conditions may include whether a destination route for vehicle 10 has been set. For example, when a driver sets a destination on a navigation device, thereby specifying a particular route, control device 100 can detect the specification and determine that the conditions for activating the second autonomous driving system are met. The condition of whether a route has been set may be a condition that assumes and reflects the intention to utilize driving assistance functions in situations such as long-distance driving or entering a highway (e.g., prediction of an upcoming highway segment or rest area, etc.).

[0106] According to the example, the predetermined conditions may include the type of road on which vehicle 10 is traveling. For example, when the vehicle is traveling on a road suitable for utilizing a driver assistance system (such as a highway or a car-only road (e.g., a highway, toll road, or car-only lane)), control device 100 may detect this state and determine that the conditions for activating the second autonomous driving system are met.

[0107] Specifically, highways are environments where automated driving functions such as lane keeping and automatic speed adjustment can operate effectively because there are no intersections or traffic lights, and second automated driving systems are activated on this type of road, making it easier and safer for drivers to use driving assistance functions (e.g., maintaining consistent spacing and lane position over long distances).

[0108] The control device 100 can refer to map data from a GPS or navigation device, or receive information from road infrastructure via V2X communication, to determine whether the vehicle 10 is traveling on a highway or a dedicated motorway (e.g., a toll road, expressway, or smart lane). Furthermore, road sign recognition technology using cameras can be utilized (e.g., detecting speed limit signs, highway entrance signs, or lane restrictions).

[0109] The predetermined conditions can be determined not only based on the type of road but also on the remaining distance on that type of road. For example, the control device 100 can confirm whether the remaining driving distance is more than a predetermined distance (e.g., 10 km) as one of the conditions for reactivating the automatic driving system on highways or dedicated motor vehicle roads (e.g., to ensure sufficient usage duration of the automatic mode, etc.).

[0110] According to the example, predetermined conditions can be determined based on the driver's accumulated data. For example, control device 100 can collect and analyze personalized data, such as the driver's frequency of use of driver assistance functions, highway driving frequency, driving habits and driving preferences, and predict whether there is a high demand to reactivate the autonomous driving system under specific circumstances (e.g., based on frequent use during the morning commute, frequent lane assist use, or historical manual intervention).

[0111] For example, when a driver tends to frequently activate driver assistance functions while driving on highways or prefers automated driving assistance functions above a certain speed, the control unit 100 can take into account this accumulated data to determine if the conditions for activating the second automated driving system are met. This allows automated driving functions to be provided more effectively based on the driver's driving style and preferences (e.g., aggressive lane-changing behavior can trigger more proactive lane guidance, etc.).

[0112] If any of the predetermined conditions are met, the control device 100 can determine that the second autonomous driving system can be activated and prepare for function reuse. In other words, if any of the following conditions are met: whether the vehicle's destination route is set, the type of road the vehicle is traveling on, and the driver's accumulated data, then the control device 100 can identify the need to reactivate the second autonomous driving system and perform the relevant controls.

[0113] Next, the control device 100 can confirm whether the limit count for function reuse has been exceeded (S330).

[0114] For example, if a specific control function is deactivated by the currently activated first autonomous driving system, the control device 100 can activate the second autonomous driving system to restore the existing control function, but the restoration of this function may be limited to a set number of times. For example, a limit count for function reuse can be set for specific driving periods (e.g., per trip, per day, or per battery cycle), but the limit count is not limited to this and can be flexibly adjusted according to specific periods or user settings (e.g., monthly reset, usage tier, or subscription level).

[0115] If the function reuse limit count has been exceeded (S330: Yes), the control operation ends. On the other hand, if the function reuse limit count has not been exceeded (S330: No), the control device 100 can also output via the user interface (S340).

[0116] In this scenario, the user interface can be used to output within a predetermined time (e.g., three seconds) from the point of deactivation of the first autonomous driving system, guiding the driver to select additional functions to activate (e.g., lane centering, adaptive cruise control, or blind spot monitoring).

[0117] The control device 100 can confirm whether user input has been received within a preset time period from the point when the user interface is used to output (S350). For example, the control device 100 can confirm whether the driver has requested to activate the second automatic driving system within a preset time (e.g., 5 seconds) after the user interface is used to output a message (e.g., "Yes, continue assistance" or tap "restore" on the display).

[0118] If user input to the user interface is received within a preset time (S350: Yes), the control device 100 can activate the second automatic driving system (S360). In this case, at least one of the specific functions controlled by the first automatic driving system (e.g., longitudinal control and lateral control) can be operated again by the second automatic driving system (e.g., maintaining speed, lane centering, or curve handling, etc.).

[0119] At least some of the specific functions controlled by the first autonomous driving system and the functions supported by the second autonomous driving system can be the same. For example, if the first autonomous driving system, which dynamically controls lateral and longitudinal control, is deactivated, then longitudinal control can be reactivated by the second autonomous driving system (e.g., adaptive cruise control, smooth deceleration, or stop-forward assist, etc.).

[0120] Figure 4 An example of a user interface according to an implementation method is shown.

[0121] Figure 4 An example of a user interface according to this implementation is shown. Figure 4 The user interface is shown as a visual element displayed on the display 41, but the user interface is not limited to this and can also be provided through auditory information such as voice guidance (e.g., verbal prompts or alarm tones).

[0122] Figure 4 Screen 41 is a screen that is displayed for a predetermined time (e.g., three seconds) after the first autonomous driving system is deactivated by a specific operation (e.g., due to user intervention such as braking, steering, or disabling the assist mode). This screen can be displayed on display screens in various locations within the vehicle 10 (e.g., the center console, instrument panel display, or head-up display).

[0123] On screen 41, the guidance message "The first autopilot system has been deactivated. Do you want to activate the second autopilot system and reuse the existing control functions?" can be output in text form.

[0124] In this user interface, if user input for selecting confirmation area 43 is received, the control device 100 can activate the second autonomous driving system and restore at least some of the functions previously supported by the first autonomous driving system (e.g., restore lane keeping, speed adjustment, or steering assist).

[0125] If user input for selecting the end area 45 is received within the time limit indicated in the counting area 47 (e.g., 5 seconds), or if no user input is received, the function recovery is not performed. In this case, the control device 100 can stop the activation of the second automatic driving system and keep the system in standby mode until the driver reactivates the automatic driving function (e.g., via manual button pressing or menu selection).

[0126] Although not in Figure 4 As shown, the user interface may include information for selecting preset specific functions from a variety of functions provided by the second autonomous driving system. For example, functions frequently used by the driver during driving can be prioritized and displayed on screen 41 (e.g., lane centering, follow distance adjustment, or cornering assist). This allows the driver to quickly activate the autonomous driving assistance function appropriate for the current situation.

[0127] User input to the user interface can be made via physical buttons located inside the vehicle or soft buttons displayed on the display (such as capacitive steering wheel buttons, touchscreen widgets, or dashboard triggers).

[0128] According to the example, multiple input means (e.g., buttons or touch selection areas) can be provided for each of the first, second, and additional autonomous driving systems to be executed independently, which allows the driver to quickly select and activate a specific autonomous driving system based on route conditions or driving preferences.

[0129] Furthermore, when a single input interface is provided, it can be programmed to selectively activate either a first or second autonomous driving system to support the driver, allowing the driver to easily switch to the desired autonomous driving mode through additional input or selection processes on the user interface. For example, a short press of a single input interface (e.g., a button or selection area on the display) can activate the first autonomous driving system, and a prolonged press can activate the second autonomous driving system. Additionally, the driver can easily select the autonomous driving mode using a single input interface through various interaction schemes, such as pressing the button twice consecutively or pressing and holding the button for a specific duration (e.g., holding for 2 seconds in highway mode or double-clicking in city assist).

[0130] Furthermore, despite Figure 4The user interface is not shown, but the control device 100 can be configured to output an area for selecting multiple functions supported by the second autonomous driving system through the user interface, and to activate a specific function in response to receiving a selection input for a specific function (e.g., the user taps the "lane change assist" slice and the system activates the corresponding logic, etc.).

[0131] For example, such as Figure 4 The user interface of screen 41 can provide an interface for selectively activating multiple functions (e.g., lane keeping function, distance maintenance function, or automatic speed adjustment function). When the user makes a selection input for a specific function, the control device 100 recognizes the input, activates the selected function, and performs the necessary controls during driving (e.g., automatic braking, steering correction, or speed maintenance). In this case, the function selection area can be accessed via a touch area of ​​the display, and alternative input schemes such as voice input or gesture input can also be supported (e.g., saying "activate cruise control" or swiping on the display).

[0132] Figure 5 An example of control operations for function reuse after the end of an autonomous driving system, according to an embodiment, is shown.

[0133] The control device 100 can terminate the first automatic driving system and activate the second automatic driving system based on user input (S510). In this operation, it can be assumed that, as described above... Figure 3 The predetermined conditions, the limit count, and the conditions for receiving user input within a preset time are all met (e.g., the vehicle is on a highway, the function reuse limit has not been exceeded, and driver confirmation has been received within five seconds).

[0134] The control unit 100 can receive additional user input for the currently active autonomous driving system (S530).

[0135] For example, control unit 100 can receive additional user input for the currently activated second autonomous driving system and adjust system operation according to the driver's intention (e.g., disable speed control, change lane mode, or deactivate assistance, etc.).

[0136] The control device 100 can terminate the control function operated by the second automatic driving system based on additional user input (S550).

[0137] Specifically, if the control device 100 receives additional user input, the control device 100 can terminate the control function currently being performed by the second autonomous driving system (e.g., disable lane keeping, turn off automatic speed adjustment, or deactivate inter-vehicle distance control, etc.) based on the input.

[0138] For example, if a user inputs a command to stop the autonomous driving function, the control unit 100 can recognize the input, activate the second autonomous driving system, and transfer vehicle control back to the driver. This operation supports flexible adjustments to the functions of the autonomous driving system based on driving conditions or the driver's intentions (e.g., in congested traffic, on local roads, or near intersections).

[0139] Figure 6 An example of control operations for function reuse after the end of an autonomous driving system, according to an embodiment, is shown. Figure 6 Some steps and Figure 5 The steps are the same, and Figure 6 An example of switching back to the first autonomous driving system based on received additional user input is shown.

[0140] The control device 100 can terminate the first automatic driving system and activate the second automatic driving system (S610), and can receive additional user input for the currently activated automatic driving system (S630) (e.g., via steering wheel buttons, touch screen input, or voice commands).

[0141] Next, the control device 100 can terminate the currently activated second automatic driving system and switch back to the first automatic driving system based on additional user input (S650) (e.g., when the driver prefers to restore a simpler assistance mode or re-enable the manual intervention function).

[0142] According to the example, the second autonomous driving system can only be activated when the first autonomous driving system is deactivated, but when the second autonomous driving system is in use, the driver can switch back to the first autonomous driving system at any time by manipulating the system (e.g., by pressing the steering button or controlling the touch interface).

[0143] Specifically, if the control device 100 receives additional user input, the control device 100 can terminate the currently activated second autonomous driving system and switch to the first autonomous driving system based on the input (e.g., button press, touch selection, or voice command).

[0144] For example, if the user inputs a command to deactivate the second autonomous driving system and return to the first autonomous driving system, the control unit 100 detects the input, quickly deactivates the second autonomous driving system, and then reactivates the first autonomous driving system (e.g., restoring basic assistance functions such as lane keeping or cruise control). Through such switching operations, the driver can select the desired autonomous driving system according to various driving situations and flexibly switch functions as needed (e.g., switching from highway assistance to low-speed assistance near city exits).

[0145] The above-disclosed autonomous driving system provides a flexible control method that allows the driver to easily reuse and switch autonomous driving functions as needed during driving, enabling the driver to effectively utilize autonomous driving functions while quickly handling various situations that may occur during driving (e.g., changes between road types, changes in traffic density, or changes in driver preferences).

[0146] Figure 7 An example computing system (e.g., a vehicle's computing device or any other device) is illustrated. One or more controllers, processors, etc., described herein (such as one or more components of vehicle 10 or any other components and devices disclosed herein) can be provided by... Figure 7 The computing system shown is implemented or Figure 7 This is implemented in the computing system shown.

[0147] The computing system 1000 may include at least one processor 1100, a memory 1300, a user interface input device 1400, a user interface output device 1500, a storage device 1600, and a network interface 1700 connected to each other via a bus 1200.

[0148] Processor 1100 may be a central processing unit (CPU) or semiconductor device that processes instructions stored in memory 1300 and / or storage device 1600. Each of memory 1300 and storage device 1600 may include various types of volatile or non-volatile storage media. For example, memory 1300 may include read-only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM).

[0149] A communication interface (also known as a communication device, communicator, communication module, communication unit, etc.), such as a network interface 1700, allows software and / or data to be transmitted between the device and one or more external devices, and / or between one or more components of the device. A communication interface may include a receiver, transmitter, transceiver, modem, network interface and / or adapter (such as an Ethernet adapter), radio transceiver, antenna, communication port, PCMCIA card slot and card, etc. Software and data transmitted via the communication interface may be in the form of signals, which may be electronic, electromagnetic, optical, infrared, or other signals that can be received by the communication interface. These signals may be provided to the communication interface via a communication path of the device, which may be implemented using, for example, wires or cables, optical fibers, cellular links, radio frequency (RF) links, and / or other communication channels. The communication interface can communicate using one or more communication protocols, such as Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Near Field Communication (NFC), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Zigbee, Long Term Evolution (LTE), 5G New Radio (NR), Vehicle to Everything (V2X), Controller Area Network (CAN), or Local Interconnect Network (LIN), etc.

[0150] Therefore, the operation of the methods or algorithms described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments disclosed in the specification can be directly implemented by processor 1100 using hardware modules, software modules, or a combination of hardware and software modules. Software modules may reside on storage media (e.g., memory 1300 and / or storage device 1600), such as RAM, flash memory, ROM, erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically EPROM (EEPROM), registers, hard disk drives, removable disks, or optical disc ROMs (CD-ROMs).

[0151] The storage medium can be coupled to the processor 1100. The processor 1100 can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. Alternatively, the storage medium can be integrated with the processor 1100. The processor and storage medium can be implemented using an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The ASIC can be located in the user terminal. Alternatively, the processor and storage medium can be implemented using separate components in the user terminal.

[0152] According to an example of this disclosure, there is a control device comprising: a memory configured to store a first autonomous driving system and a second autonomous driving system; and a processor configured to output and activate vehicle control according to the second autonomous driving system via a user interface if vehicle control according to the first autonomous driving system is deactivated, in response to receiving user input to the output user interface.

[0153] In control devices according to some examples, the processor can be configured to activate at least one control function that operates under the first autonomous driving system, among functions supported by the second autonomous driving system.

[0154] In control devices according to some examples, the control functions operating under the first autonomous driving system may include at least one of longitudinal control and lateral control of the vehicle.

[0155] In control devices according to some examples, the first automatic driving system and the second automatic driving system can be systems in which at least some functions are supported in different ways from each other.

[0156] In control devices according to some examples, the processor can be configured to output via a user interface if at least one of the following conditions is met: whether the vehicle's destination route is set, the type of road the vehicle is traveling on, and the driver's accumulated data.

[0157] In some examples of control devices, the processor can be configured to activate vehicle control according to a second autonomous driving system if user input to the user interface is received within a predetermined time from the point in time when the user interface is used for output.

[0158] In control devices according to some examples, user input to the user interface may include at least one of the following: input via physical buttons located inside the vehicle; input via a selection area displayed on a display in the vehicle; user voice input; and user gesture input.

[0159] In control devices according to some examples, input via physical buttons or selection areas can be configured as separate input means for executing a first and a second autonomous driving system, or as a single input interface for selectively executing a first or a second autonomous driving system.

[0160] In some example control devices, user input to the user interface can be received via an input method located on the vehicle's steering wheel.

[0161] In some example control devices, a user interface can be output to allow selection of specific functions among those supported by a second autonomous driving system.

[0162] In some example control devices, the processor can be configured to, after activating vehicle control according to a second autonomous driving system, in response to receiving additional user input, either activate vehicle control according to the second autonomous driving system or perform a switch to vehicle control according to the first autonomous driving system.

[0163] In control units according to some examples, the processor can be configured to output a region for selecting multiple functions supported by a second autonomous driving system via a user interface, and to activate a specific function in response to receiving a selection input for a specific function.

[0164] According to an example of this disclosure, there is a method for controlling a vehicle, comprising: disengaging vehicle control according to a first automated driving system; outputting a user interface upon disengaging vehicle control; and activating vehicle control according to a second automated driving system in response to receiving user input from the output user interface.

[0165] In some example methods, activation of vehicle control according to the second autonomous driving system may include activating at least one control function among those supported by the second autonomous driving system that operates under the first autonomous driving system.

[0166] In some of the example methods, the control functions operating under the first autonomous driving system may include at least one of longitudinal control and lateral control of the vehicle.

[0167] In some of the example methods, the first autonomous driving system and the second autonomous driving system can be systems in which at least some of the functions are supported in different ways from each other.

[0168] In some example methods, the output of the user interface may include: outputting via the user interface if at least one of the following conditions is met: whether the vehicle's destination route is set, the type of road the vehicle is traveling on, and the driver's accumulated data.

[0169] In some example methods, activating vehicle control according to the second autonomous driving system may include: activating vehicle control according to the second autonomous driving system if user input is received from the user interface within a predetermined time period from the point at which the user interface is used for output.

[0170] In some of the example methods, user input to the user interface may include at least one of the following: input via physical buttons located inside the vehicle; input via a selection area displayed on a display in the vehicle; user voice input; and user gesture input.

[0171] In some example methods, input via physical buttons or selection areas can be configured as multiple independent input means for executing the first and second autonomous driving systems, or as a single input interface for selectively executing the first or second autonomous driving system.

[0172] In some example methods, user input to the user interface can be received via an input method set on the vehicle's steering wheel.

[0173] In some example methods, a user interface can be output that allows selection of specific functions among those supported by the second autonomous driving system.

[0174] The method, according to some examples, may also include: receiving additional user input after activating vehicle control according to the second automated driving system; and deactivating vehicle control according to the second automated driving system or performing a switch to vehicle control according to the first automated driving system based on the additional user input. According to examples of this disclosure, by rapidly activating the second automated driving system based on specific driving conditions after deactivating the first automated driving system, driver convenience can be improved and driving assistance functions can be utilized more effectively.

[0175] Furthermore, because drivers can quickly reuse necessary driver assistance functions without complicated operations, inconvenience during driving can be minimized and safety improved.

[0176] The effects of this disclosure are not limited to those described above, and those skilled in the art can clearly understand from the above description other effects not mentioned.

[0177] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and changes may be made to the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A device installed in a vehicle, the device comprising: processor; as well as A memory that stores at least one instruction, which, when executed by a processor communicating with the memory, is configured to cause the device to: Deactivate vehicle control associated with the first autonomous driving mode stored in the memory. Based on the release of vehicle control associated with the first autonomous driving mode, prompts for user input are output via the vehicle's user interface. Based on the user input received via the user interface in response to the prompt, a signal is generated indicating the activation of vehicle control associated with a second autonomous driving mode stored in the memory, and The vehicle's autonomous driving is controlled based on the signal and the activation of vehicle control associated with the second autonomous driving mode.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein, When executed by the processor communicating with the memory, the at least one instruction is configured to cause the device to: activate at least one control function among the functions supported by the second autonomous driving mode that operates in the first autonomous driving mode. Wherein, the first autonomous driving mode is configured to be operated by a first autonomous driving system associated with the first autonomous driving level, and The second autonomous driving mode is configured to be operated by a second autonomous driving system associated with a second autonomous driving level that is different from the first autonomous driving level.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein, The at least one control function operating in the first autonomous driving mode includes at least one of the longitudinal control of the vehicle and the lateral control of the vehicle.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The first autonomous driving mode and the second autonomous driving mode are two modes that support at least one function in different ways.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein, When executed by the processor communicating with the memory, the at least one instruction is configured to cause the device to output the prompt via the user interface in response to at least one of the following: The vehicle's destination route has been set. The vehicle travels on roads of a predefined type, and The accumulated data regarding the driver of the vehicle meets the predetermined conditions.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein, When the at least one instruction is executed by the processor communicating with the memory, it is configured to cause the device to activate vehicle control associated with the second autonomous driving mode based on receiving the user input via the user interface for a predetermined duration from the time the prompt is output via the user interface.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The user input includes at least one of the following: Input received via the vehicle's physical buttons; Input received via a selection area displayed on the vehicle's touchscreen display; User voice input; as well as User gesture input.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein, The physical button or the selection area is configured as follows: Multiple input interfaces are provided, each configured to activate one of the first autonomous driving mode and the second autonomous driving mode, or A single input interface is provided, which is configured to selectively activate either the first autonomous driving mode or the second autonomous driving mode.

9. The device according to claim 7, wherein, The user input is received via an input interface located on the steering wheel of the vehicle.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The user interface is configured to output optional options for activating preset functions, which are among the functions supported by the second autonomous driving mode.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein, When executed by the processor communicating with the memory, the at least one instruction is configured to cause the device to: The user interface outputs a graphical area for selecting multiple functions supported by the second autonomous driving mode, and Based on the received selection input for a specific function, the specific function is activated.

12. A method performed by a device disposed in a vehicle, the method comprising: Release vehicle controls associated with the first autonomous driving mode; Based on the release of vehicle control associated with the first autonomous driving mode, prompts for user input are output via the vehicle's user interface. Based on the user input received via the user interface in response to the prompt, a signal is generated indicating the activation of vehicle control associated with the second autonomous driving mode; as well as The vehicle's autonomous driving is controlled based on the signal and the activation of vehicle control associated with the second autonomous driving mode.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein, The generation of the signal indicating activation of vehicle control associated with the second autonomous driving mode includes: activating at least one control function among the functions supported by the second autonomous driving mode that operates in the first autonomous driving mode. Wherein, the first autonomous driving mode is configured to be operated by a first autonomous driving system associated with the first autonomous driving level, and The second autonomous driving mode is configured to be operated by a second autonomous driving system associated with a second autonomous driving level that is different from the first autonomous driving level.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The at least one control function operating in the first autonomous driving mode includes at least one of the longitudinal control of the vehicle and the lateral control of the vehicle.

15. The method according to claim 12, wherein, The first autonomous driving mode and the second autonomous driving mode are two modes that support at least one function in different ways.

16. The method according to claim 12, wherein, Outputting the prompt includes outputting the prompt via the user interface in response to at least one of the following: The vehicle's destination route has been set. The vehicle travels on roads of a predefined type, and The accumulated data regarding the driver of the vehicle meets the predetermined conditions.

17. The method according to claim 12, wherein, The generation of the signal indicating activation of vehicle control associated with the second autonomous driving mode includes: activating vehicle control associated with the second autonomous driving mode based on receiving user input via the user interface within a predetermined duration from the time point at which the prompt is output via the user interface.

18. A vehicle comprising: A driving control circuit is configured to control the automatic driving of the vehicle; processor; as well as A memory that stores at least one instruction, which, when executed by a processor in communication with the memory, is configured to cause the vehicle to: Detecting the deactivation of a first autonomous driving mode, wherein the vehicle is configured to perform at least one of longitudinal control and lateral control of the autonomous driving in the first autonomous driving mode. Based on the detected deactivation, user input for activating a second autonomous driving mode different from the first autonomous driving mode is obtained via the vehicle's user interface. Based on determining that the user input is received within a predetermined time from the time associated with the deactivation, a signal indicating activation of the second autonomous driving mode is output. Based on the signal, a second autonomous driving mode is activated following the first autonomous driving mode, wherein at least one control function previously executed by the first autonomous driving mode is restored in the second autonomous driving mode; and The vehicle's autonomous driving is controlled based on the activated second autonomous driving mode.

19. The vehicle according to claim 18, wherein, When executed by the processor communicating with the memory, the at least one instruction is configured to cause the vehicle to present a prompt for the user input via the user interface in response to at least one of the following: The vehicle's destination route has been set. The vehicle travels on roads of a predefined type, and The accumulated data associated with the driver of the vehicle meets predetermined conditions.

20. The vehicle according to claim 18, wherein, When executed by the processor communicating with the memory, the at least one instruction is configured to cause the vehicle to obtain the user input via at least one of the following: physical buttons of the vehicle, selection areas displayed on the vehicle's display, user voice input, and user gesture input.

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