SELECTIVE VEHICLE DECREASE

Abstract

A system for initiating an automated deceleration process in a vehicle comprises a system control unit designed to detect a request to initiate an automated deceleration process, a human-machine interface (HMI) wherein the system control unit is designed to prompt the driver of the vehicle to confirm the initiation of the automated deceleration process via the HMI, and a vehicle control module wherein the system control unit is designed to initiate the automated deceleration process via the vehicle control module when either the driver provides confirmation of the initiation of the automated deceleration process via the HMI or no response is received from the driver within a specified time period.

Description

INTRODUCTION

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

[0002] Vehicles are equipped with numerous sensors to monitor the driver and take action if they detect that the driver is distracted or otherwise unable to operate the vehicle properly. However, current systems do not provide the driver or a passenger in the vehicle with the ability to initiate automated deceleration of the vehicle if they detect that the driver is no longer able to operate the vehicle properly.

[0003] Although current systems and methods serve their intended purpose, there is a need for a novel and improved system and method that enables the driver or a passenger in the vehicle to initiate an automated deceleration of the vehicle when they determine that the driver is no longer able to operate the vehicle properly. SUMMARY

[0004] According to several aspects of the present disclosure, a method for initiating an automated deceleration event in a vehicle includes providing control of the vehicle to a driver of the vehicle with a system controller, wherein the driver of the vehicle continues to drive the vehicle, detecting a request to initiate an automated deceleration event by the system controller, prompting the driver of the vehicle for confirmation of initiation of the automated deceleration event with the system controller via a human machine interface (HMI), and initiating the automated deceleration event with the system controller via a vehicle control module if either the driver provides confirmation of initiation of the automated deceleration event via the HMI or no response from the driver is received within a predetermined period of time.

[0005] In another aspect, the method further comprises activating an automated driving mode prior to initiating the automated deceleration event if the vehicle is not already in an automated driving mode.

[0006] According to another aspect, the method further comprises, after initiating the automated deceleration event, prompting the driver of the vehicle with an option to selectively override the automated deceleration event with the system controller via the HMI, and one of continuing the automated deceleration event if the driver of the vehicle does not selectively override the automated deceleration event via the HMI, or returning control of the vehicle to the driver of the vehicle with the system controller if the driver of the vehicle selectively overrides the automated deceleration event via the HMI.

[0007] According to another aspect, the method further comprises, before providing control of the vehicle with the system controller to the driver of the vehicle and the driver of the vehicle proceeds to drive, receiving driver preferences regarding initiation of the automated deceleration process with the system controller via the HMI.

[0008] According to another aspect, the method further comprises, after receiving driver preferences regarding initiation of the automated deceleration event with the system controller via the HMI, detecting the presence and position of passengers in addition to the driver in the vehicle with an occupant monitoring system, identifying at least one passenger located in a rear seat area of ​​the vehicle with the occupant monitoring system, and determining, based on the driver preferences, whether the at least one passenger located in the rear seat area of ​​the vehicle is authorized to request initiation of the automated deceleration event with the system controller.

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

[0010] According to another aspect, detecting a request to initiate an automated deceleration process with the system controller further comprises receiving a request to initiate the deceleration process from the at least one passenger located in the rear seat area with the system controller via a rear seat actuator if the system controller determines, based on the driver's preferences, that the at least one passenger located in the rear seat area of ​​the vehicle is authorized to request initiation of the automated deceleration process.

[0011] In another aspect, receiving driver preferences regarding initiation of the automated deceleration event with the system controller via the HMI further includes receiving driver preferences that include at least one of disabling the rear seat area actuator, disabling the rear seat area actuator and the front seat actuator; disabling one or both of the front seat actuator and the rear seat area actuator for a single ignition cycle, disabling the authorization of a particular passenger to initiate a request for the vehicle deceleration event, and disabling the authorization of all passengers who are under a particular age.

[0012] According to another aspect, the front seat actuator and the rear seat area actuator are each a mechanical actuator and / or an icon displayed on an HMI.

[0013] In another aspect, initiating the automated deceleration process with the system controller via the vehicle control module further comprises activating automated driving algorithms in the vehicle control module with the system controller, disabling driver control of the vehicle, and causing the vehicle to decelerate, exit active lanes of a roadway in which the vehicle is traveling, and stop with the vehicle control module.

[0014] According to several aspects of the present disclosure, a system for initiating an automated deceleration process in a vehicle comprises a system controller configured to detect a request to initiate an automated deceleration process, a human-machine interface (HMI), wherein the system controller is configured to request, via the HMI, the driver of the vehicle to confirm initiation of the automated deceleration process, and a vehicle control module, wherein the system controller is configured to initiate the automated deceleration process via the vehicle control module if either the driver provides confirmation of initiation of the automated deceleration process via the HMI or no response from the driver is received within a predetermined period of time.

[0015] According to a further aspect, the system controller is configured to activate an automated driving mode prior to initiating the automated deceleration process if the vehicle is not already in an automated driving mode.

[0016] According to another aspect, after initiating the automated deceleration process, the system controller is further configured to prompt the driver of the vehicle via the HMI with an option to selectively override the automated deceleration process and either continue the automated deceleration process if the driver of the vehicle does not selectively override the automated deceleration process via the HMI, or return control of the vehicle to the driver of the vehicle if the driver of the vehicle selectively overrides the automated deceleration process via the HMI.

[0017] According to a further aspect, the system controller is configured to receive, via the HMI, driver preferences regarding the initiation of the automated deceleration process prior to detecting a request to initiate an automated deceleration process.

[0018] According to another aspect, the system controller is further configured, after receiving driver preferences regarding initiation of the automated deceleration process via the HMI, to use an occupant monitoring system to detect the presence and position of passengers in addition to the driver in the vehicle, to identify at least one passenger located in a rear seat area of ​​the vehicle with the occupant monitoring system, and to determine, based on the driver's preferences, whether the at least one passenger located in the rear seat area of ​​the vehicle is authorized to request initiation of the automated deceleration process.

[0019] According to a further aspect, upon detecting a request to initiate an automated deceleration process, the system controller is further configured to receive, at least either via a front seat actuator, a request to initiate the deceleration process from at least one of the driver of the vehicle and a front passenger of the vehicle, and to receive, via a rear seat area actuator, a request to initiate the deceleration process from the at least one passenger located in the rear seat area if the system controller determines, based on the driver's preferences, that the at least one passenger located in the rear seat area of ​​the vehicle is authorized to request the initiation of the automated deceleration process.

[0020] In another aspect, the system controller is configured to receive preferences from the driver via the HMI regarding initiation of the automated deceleration event, including at least one of disabling the rear seat area actuator, disabling the rear seat area actuator and the front seat actuator; disabling one or both of the front seat actuator and the rear seat area actuator for a single ignition cycle, disabling the authorization of a particular passenger to initiate a request for the vehicle deceleration event, and disabling the authorization of all passengers under a particular age.

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

[0022] According to another aspect, upon initiating the automated deceleration process via the vehicle control module, the system controller is further configured to activate automated driving algorithms in the vehicle control module, deactivate driver control of the vehicle, and cause the vehicle to decelerate, exit active lanes of a roadway on which the vehicle is traveling, and stop with the vehicle control module.

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

[0024] The drawings described in this specification are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle having a system for providing a warning of a hazardous object to an occupant before the occupant exits the vehicle, according to an exemplary embodiment; Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the system according to an exemplary embodiment; Fig. 3 is a schematic plan view of a vehicle having a front seat actuator and a rear seat actuator for requesting initiation of an automated deceleration event; Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle dashboard including a system according to the present disclosure, a front seat actuator, and a driver HMI; Fig. 5 is a schematic view of an HMI displaying an icon for either the front seat actuator or the rear seat area actuator according to an exemplary embodiment; Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of an HMI displaying a driver confirmation prompt for initiating an automated deceleration event; Fig. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of an HMI displaying an override request to the driver; Fig. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing the driver or a passenger in the vehicle with the ability to initiate an automated deceleration procedure of the vehicle; Fig. 9 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of detecting with the system controller whether a request to initiate an automated deceleration process by the system controller at block 104 of Fig. 8 was received; and Fig. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary embodiment of initiating the automated deceleration process with the system controller via the vehicle control module at block 112 of Fig. 8 illustrates.

[0025] The figures are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be shown larger or smaller to show details of particular components. In some cases, well-known components, systems, materials, or methods have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present disclosure. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be considered limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The following description is merely exemplary and is not intended to limit the disclosure, application, or uses. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any of the theories presented in the preceding technical field, background, summary, or the following detailed description, either expressed or implied. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference characters designate like 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, without limitation, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (collectively, dedicated, or as a group), and memory executing one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and / or other suitable components that provide the described function. Although the figures shown herein represent an example with particular arrangements of elements, in actual embodiments, additional intermediate elements, devices, features, or components may be present. The figures are for illustrative purposes only and may not be drawn to scale.

[0027] The term "vehicle" as used herein is not limited to motor vehicles. Although the present technology is primarily described in the context of motor vehicles, it is not limited to motor vehicles. The concepts can be used in a wide variety of applications, including aircraft, watercraft, other vehicles, and consumer electronics components.

[0028] According to an exemplary embodiment, Fig. 1 shows a vehicle 10 with an associated system 11 that provides the driver or a passenger of the vehicle 10 with the ability to initiate an automated deceleration process of the vehicle, according to various embodiments, upon detecting that the driver is no longer able to properly operate the vehicle 10. In general, the system 11 cooperates with other systems within the vehicle 10 to display various information and infotainment content to the passenger. The vehicle 10 generally includes a chassis 12, a body 14, front wheels 16, and rear wheels 18. The body 14 is disposed on the chassis 12 and substantially encloses the components of the vehicle 10. The body 14 and the chassis 12 together may form a frame. The front wheels 16 and the rear wheels 18 are each rotatably coupled to the chassis 12 near a corner of the body 14.

[0029] In various embodiments, the vehicle 10 is an autonomous vehicle, and the system 11 is integrated into the autonomous vehicle 10. An autonomous vehicle 10 is, for example, a vehicle 10 that is automatically controlled to transport passengers from one location to another. The vehicle 10 is a passenger car in the illustrated embodiment, but it is understood that any other vehicle, including motorcycles, trucks, sport utility vehicles (SUVs), recreational vehicles (RVs), etc., may be used. In an exemplary embodiment, the vehicle 10 is equipped with a so-called level four or level five automation system. A level four system indicates a "high degree of automation" and refers to the drive mode-specific execution of all aspects of the dynamic driving task by an automated driving system, even if a human driver does not appropriately respond to a request for intervention.A Level Five system indicates "full automation" and refers to an automated driving system fully executing all aspects of the dynamic driving task under all road and environmental conditions that can be handled by a human driver. The novel aspects of the present disclosure are also applicable to non-autonomous vehicles.

[0030] As illustrated, the vehicle 10 generally includes a drive 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, a transmission system 22 may not be present. The drive system 20, in various embodiments, may include an internal combustion engine, an electric machine such as a traction motor, and / or a fuel cell propulsion system. The transmission system 22 is configured to transfer the power of the drive system 20 to the front wheels 16 and the rear wheels 18 of the vehicle according to selectable gear ratios. According to various embodiments, the transmission system 22 may be a stepped automatic transmission, a continuously variable transmission, or other suitable transmission.The braking system 26 is configured to transfer braking torque to the front wheels 16 and the rear wheels 18 of the vehicle. In various embodiments, the braking system 26 may include friction brakes, brake-by-wire, a regenerative braking system such as an electric machine, and / or other suitable braking systems. The steering system 24 influences a position of the front wheels 16 and the rear wheels 18. Although a steering wheel is shown for illustrative purposes, the steering system 24 may not include a steering wheel in some embodiments contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0031] The sensor system 28 includes one or more sensing devices 40a-40n that sense observable conditions of the external environment and / or the internal environment of the vehicle 10. The sensing devices 40a-40n may include, among others, radars, lidars, global positioning systems, optical cameras, thermal cameras, ultrasonic sensors, and / or other sensors. The cameras may include two or more digital cameras arranged a selected distance apart, wherein the two or more digital cameras are used to acquire stereoscopic images of the environment to create a three-dimensional image or map. The plurality of sensing devices 40a-40n are used to determine information about the environment of the vehicle 10.In one exemplary embodiment, the plurality of sensing devices 40a-40n includes an engine speed sensor, an engine 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 / or a transmission oil temperature sensor. In another exemplary embodiment, the plurality of sensing devices 40a-40n further includes sensors for determining information about the surroundings of the vehicle 10, for example, an ambient air temperature sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, and / or a photo and / or video camera positioned to view the surroundings 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 surroundings of the vehicle 10.

[0032] In one non-limiting example, where the plurality of sensing devices 40a-40n includes a camera, the plurality of sensing devices 40a-40n measure distances using an image processing algorithm configured to process images from the camera and determine distances between objects. In another non-limiting example, the plurality of vehicle sensors 40a-40n includes a stereoscopic camera with distance measurement capabilities. In one example, at least one of the plurality of sensing devices 40a-40n is mounted inside the vehicle 10, for example, in a headliner of the vehicle 10, and has a view through the windshield of the vehicle 10.In another example, at least one of the plurality of sensing devices 40a-40n is a camera mounted outside the vehicle 10, for example, on a roof of the vehicle 10, overlooking the surroundings of the vehicle 10, and capable of collecting information (images) related to the surroundings outside the vehicle 10. It is understood that various additional types of sensing devices, such as LiDAR sensors, ultrasonic 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 42a-42n that control one or more functions of the vehicle 10, such as, among others, the drive system 20, the transmission system 22, the steering system 24, and the braking system 26.

[0033] The vehicle control device 34 includes at least one processor 44 and a computer-readable storage device or storage medium 46. The at least one data processor 44 may be any custom-built or off-the-shelf processor, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an auxiliary processor among a plurality of processors associated with the vehicle control device 34, a semiconductor-based microprocessor (in the form of a microchip or chipset), a macroprocessor, any combination thereof, or generally any device for executing instructions. The computer-readable storage device or storage medium 46 may include volatile and non-volatile memory, for example, 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 while the at least one data processor 44 is powered off. The computer-readable storage device or storage medium 46 can be implemented using any number of known storage devices, such as PROMs (programmable read-only memories), EPROMs (erasable PROMs), EEPROMs (electrically erasable PROMs), flash memory, or any other electrical, magnetic, optical, or combination storage devices capable of storing data, some of which may represent executable instructions used by the controller 34 in controlling the vehicle 10.

[0034] The instructions may comprise one or more separate programs, each comprising an ordered list of executable instructions for implementing logical functions. When executed by the at least one processor 44, the instructions receive and process signals from the sensor system 28, perform logic, calculations, methods, and / or algorithms to automatically control the components of the vehicle 10, and generate control signals for the actuator system 30 to automatically control the components of the vehicle 10 based on the logic, calculations, methods, and / or algorithms. Fig. 1, embodiments of the vehicle 10 may include any number of controllers 34 that communicate and cooperate via any suitable communication medium or combination of communication media to process the sensor signals, perform logic, calculations, methods and / or algorithms, and generate control signals to automatically control features of the autonomous vehicle 10.

[0035] In various embodiments, one or more instructions of the vehicle controller 34 are embodied in a trajectory planning system and, when executed by the at least one data processor 44, generate a trajectory output that accounts for kinematic and dynamic constraints of the environment. The instructions receive, for example, process sensor and map data as input. The instructions are based on a graph-based approach with an adapted cost function for dealing with various road scenarios, both urban and highway.

[0036] The wireless communication module 36 is configured to wirelessly communicate information to and from other remote units 48, such as, but not limited to, other vehicles ("V2V" communication), infrastructure ("V2I" communication), 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 via a wireless local area network (WLAN) using IEEE 802.11 standards or via cellular data communication. However, additional or alternative communication methods, such as Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC), are also considered within the scope of the present disclosure.DSRC channels refer to short- to medium-range, one-way or two-way wireless communication channels specifically designed for use in vehicles, along with a corresponding set of protocols and standards.

[0037] The vehicle control device 34 is a non-general electronic control device including a preprogrammed digital computer or processor, a memory or non-transitory computer-readable medium used to store data such as control logic, software applications, instructions, computer code, data, lookup tables, etc., and a transceiver (or input / output ports). Computer-readable media includes any type of media accessible by a computer, such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), hard disk drive, compact disc (CD), digital video disc (DVD), or any other type of storage. A "non-transitory" computer-readable medium excludes wired, wireless, optical, or other communication connections that carry transitory electrical or other signals.Non-transitory computer-readable media includes media on which data can be permanently stored and media on which data can be stored and later overwritten, such as a rewritable optical disk or an erasable storage device. Computer code includes all types of program code, including source code, object code, and executable code.

[0038] Referring to Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of system 11. System 11 includes a system controller 34A communicatively coupled to the plurality of sensing devices (on-board sensors) 40a-40n. System controller 34A may be the vehicle controller 34, or system controller 34A may be a separate controller communicatively coupled to vehicle controller 34.In addition to the plurality of on-board sensors 40a-40n, the system controller 34A is communicatively coupled to an occupant monitoring system 50, a vehicle control module 52, a front seat actuator 54 configured to enable a driver 56 or a passenger 58A to provide inputs to the system 11 to request an automated deceleration event, a rear seat area actuator 60 configured to enable a passenger 62 seated in a rear seat area 64 of the vehicle 10 to provide inputs to the system 11 to request an automated deceleration event of the vehicle, and a human-machine interface (HMI) 66 having a touchscreen display configured to enable interaction between the driver 56 and the system 11.

[0039] Referring to Fig. 3, an example of a vehicle 10 having a system 11 according to the present disclosure is shown, wherein the vehicle 10 includes a driver seat 66 for the driver 56 of the vehicle 10, a front passenger seat 68 for the front passenger 58A of the vehicle 10, and two rear passenger seats 70 for two rear passengers 58B seated in the rear seating area 62 of the vehicle 10. In an exemplary embodiment, the vehicle 10 includes a front seat actuator 54, which is a mechanical button or knob 54A centrally located on the instrument panel, armrest, or headliner (as in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, is arranged centrally on the instrument panel) within the vehicle 10, with the front seat actuator 54, 54A being accessible to either the driver 56 or the front passenger 58A. The vehicle 10 further includes a rear seat area actuator 60, which is a mechanical button or knob 60A centrally arranged in the rear seat area 62, with the rear seat area actuator 60, 60A being accessible to each of the rear seat passengers 58B. The system controller 34A is configured to receive, via the front seat actuator 54, a request to initiate the deceleration operation from at least one of the driver 56 of the vehicle 10 and the front passenger 58A of the vehicle 10, and to receive, via the rear seat area actuator 60, a request to initiate the deceleration operation from the at least one rear seat passenger 58B located in the rear seat area 62.

[0040] Referring to Fig. 5, in another exemplary embodiment, the front seat actuator 54 is an icon 54B or "soft button" displayed on the centrally located driver HMI 64A, wherein the front seat actuator 54, 54B is accessible to either the driver 56 or the front passenger 58A. Alternatively, the front seat actuator 54 includes the icon 54B displayed on a touchscreen 72A of the driver HMI 64A, as described above, to allow the driver 56 to request an automated deceleration event, and the front seat actuator 54 further includes an icon 54C displayed on a touchscreen 72B of a passenger HMI 64B to allow the front passenger 58A to request an automated deceleration event.The rear seat area 62 includes a rear seat passenger HMI 64C for each of the rear seat passengers 58B, wherein the rear seat area actuator 60 includes an icon 60B displayed on a touchscreen 72C of each of the rear seat passenger HMIs 64C to provide each of the rear seat passengers 58B with the ability to request the initiation of an automated vehicle braking event. It should be noted that. Fig. 5 depicts a schematic representation of each of the driver HMI 64A, the front passenger HMI 64B, and the rear passenger HMI 64C, wherein the displayed symbols 54B, 54C, 60B are the same for the front seat actuator 54 and the rear seat area actuator 60. It should be understood that the displayed symbols 54B, 54C, 60B may be different without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0041] In yet another exemplary embodiment, the driver HMI 64A, the passenger HMI 64B, and the rear seat passenger HMI 64C each include a microphone 74 configured to enable the driver 56, the front passenger 58A, and the rear seat passengers 58B to provide verbal inputs to the system 11, and the microphone 74 serves as the front seat actuator 54 and the rear seat area actuator 60 to enable the driver 56, the front passenger 58A, or the rear seat passengers 58B to verbally request the initiation of an automated deceleration event of the vehicle.

[0042] The system controller 34A detects when a request for an automated deceleration event has been requested by the driver 56 or the front passenger 58A by actuating the front seat actuator 54, or by a rear seat passenger 58B by actuating the rear seat actuator 60. When the system controller 34A detects that a request for an automated deceleration event has been requested, the system controller 34A requests the driver 56 via the driver HMI 64A to confirm the initiation of the automated deceleration event. Referring to Fig. 6, in an exemplary embodiment, the system controller 34A displays a prompt 76 asking the driver, "Automatic vehicle deceleration?", where the driver can respond to the prompt by selecting either "YES," "NO," or "DISABLE" by touching the touchscreen display 72A. This provides the driver 56 with the opportunity, upon seeing the prompt 76, to either confirm by selecting "YES" or deny by selecting "NO" that the driver 56 wishes to allow the initiation of an automated deceleration event if the driver 56 has requested the automated deceleration event, and to either confirm by selecting "YES" or deny by selecting "NO" that the driver 56 wishes to allow the initiation of an automated deceleration event if the automated deceleration event was requested by a front passenger 58A or a rear seat passenger 58B.Furthermore, the displayed prompt 76 provides the driver with the opportunity to deactivate the system 11 by denying the current automated deceleration request and disabling the possibility of further requests by selecting "DISABLE." Thus, if the driver 56 inadvertently activates the front seat actuator 54, the displayed prompt 76 allows the driver 56 to cancel the request before the controller 34A initiates the automated deceleration process. If the driver 56 sees that another passenger 58A, 58B has made a request, the driver may determine that they are no longer able to properly operate the vehicle 10 and allow the automated deceleration, or the driver 56 may deem the request unwarranted and reject it.

[0043] If the system controller 34A displays the request 76 and the system controller 34A does not receive a response from the driver 56 via the driver HMI 64A within a predetermined time frame, the system controller 34A considers the lack of a response as acceptance of the request. Thus, the system controller 34A proceeds with initiating an automated deceleration event if either the driver 56 confirms consent to initiate the automated deceleration event via the driver HMI 64A or if no response is received from the driver 56 within a predetermined time. For example, a rear seat passenger 58B requests an automated deceleration event, the system controller 34A displays a request 76 via the driver HMI 64A for confirmation from the driver 56.If the driver 56 does not see and respond to the prompt 76 within the specified time frame, for example, 10 seconds, the system controller 34A initiates the automated deceleration process.

[0044] Initiating an automated deceleration event requires system controller 34A to remove control of vehicle 10 from driver 56 and operate vehicle 10 autonomously. In an exemplary embodiment, system controller 34A is configured to activate an automated driving mode prior to initiating the automated deceleration event if vehicle 10 is not already in an automated driving mode. When system controller 34A initiates the automated deceleration event via vehicle control module 52, it is further configured to activate automated driving algorithms in vehicle control module 52, deactivate driver control of vehicle 10, and, with vehicle control module 52, cause vehicle 10 to decelerate, exit the active lanes of a roadway in which vehicle 10 is traveling, and stop.Upon initiating an automated deceleration event, the vehicle control module 52 is configured to quickly and safely maneuver the vehicle 10 to a safe location by immediately causing the vehicle 10 to utilize automated driving algorithms, such as, but not limited to, adaptive cruise control (ACC) and lane keeping assistance (LKA) algorithms, to maneuver the vehicle 10, for example, into the rightmost lane of a freeway and eventually onto the shoulder of the freeway, and then bring the vehicle 10 to a stop.

[0045] In an exemplary embodiment, after initiating the automated deceleration process, the system controller 34A is further configured to prompt the driver 56 of the vehicle 10 via the driver HMI 64A with an option to selectively override the automated deceleration process. Referring to Fig. 7, for example, the system controller 34A displays an override prompt 78 "End automated vehicle deceleration," wherein the driver 56 can selectively override the automated deceleration process by touching the prompt 78 on the touchscreen display 72A of the driver HMI 64A, wherein the system controller 34A ends the automated deceleration process and returns control of the vehicle 10 to the driver 56. As long as the driver 56 does not selectively override the automated deceleration process, the system controller 34A continues with the automated deceleration process.

[0046] In an exemplary embodiment, the system controller 34A is configured to receive preferences from the driver 56 regarding the initiation of the automated deceleration event prior to detecting a request to initiate an automated deceleration event via the driver HMI 64A. In this way, the driver 56 can adjust the system 11 regarding when and how it should allow the initiation of automated deceleration events.

[0047] For example, the driver 56 may be traveling with small children in the rear seat area 62 and does not want them to be able to request the initiation of an automated deceleration event. The driver may specify preferences that include deactivating the rear seat area actuator 60. Thus, the small children sitting in the rear seat area 62 of the vehicle 10 cannot request an automated deceleration event of the vehicle.

[0048] After receiving preferences of the driver 56 regarding the initiation of the automated deceleration process via the driver HMI 64A, the system controller 34A is further configured to detect, with the occupant monitoring system 50, the presence and position of passengers 58A, 58B in addition to the driver 56 in the vehicle 10, to identify, with the occupant monitoring system 50, at least one rear seat passenger 58B located in the rear seat area 62 of the vehicle 10, and to determine, based on the preferences of the driver 56, whether the at least one rear seat passenger 58B located in the rear seat area 62 of the vehicle 10 is authorized to request the initiation of the automated deceleration process.

[0049] The occupant monitoring system 50 includes known sensors for capturing images of the rear seat passengers 58B and for identifying the rear seat passengers 58B using computer vision algorithms. Identifying the rear seat passengers 58B may include using computer vision algorithms to estimate the age of these rear seat passengers 58B or determining a specific identity of these rear seat passengers 58B by using computer vision algorithms in conjunction with machine learning algorithms and data from previous drivers 56 and passengers 58A, 58B.

[0050] For example, in one exemplary embodiment, the driver 56 may specify preferences that include disabling the rear seat area actuator 60 for rear seat passengers 58B who are younger than a certain age, for example, ten years old. The system controller 34A, using the occupant monitoring system 50, determines that the age of the rear seat passengers 58B is estimated to be less than ten years old and disables the rear seat area actuator 60. In another exemplary embodiment, the driver 56 may specify preferences that include disabling the rear seat area actuator 60 when the two young children (specifically, Johnny and Susie) are seated in the rear seat area 62. The system controller 34A, using the occupant monitoring system 50, identifies that Johnny and Susie are seated in the rear seat area 62 and disables the rear seat area actuator 60.

[0051] These preferences may be permanent, with the rear seat area actuator 60 being deactivated until the driver 56 changes the preferences, or these preferences may only apply to the current ignition cycle of the vehicle 10, with the next time the vehicle 10 is used, these preferences no longer applying and the system 11 operating with the default settings.

[0052] The system controller 34A is configured to receive, via the front seat actuator 54, a request to initiate the deceleration process from the driver 56 of the vehicle 10 and / or a passenger 58A of the vehicle 10, and to receive, via the rear seat area actuator 60, a request to initiate the deceleration process from the at least one rear seat passenger 58B located in the rear seat area 62, if the system controller 34 determines, based on the preferences of the driver 56, that the at least one rear seat passenger 58B is authorized to request initiation of the automated deceleration process.Thus, in one exemplary embodiment, the driver 56 may indicate preferences that include disabling the rear seat area actuator 60 for rear seat passengers 58B who are younger than a certain age, for example, ten years old, wherein the system controller 34A determines, using the occupant monitoring system 50, that the age of the rear seat passengers 58B is estimated to be greater than ten years old and enables the use of the rear seat area actuator 60 by those rear seat passengers 58B to request an automated deceleration event.

[0053] In various embodiments, the system controller 34A is configured to receive preferences from the driver 56, via the driver HMI 64A, regarding initiation of the automated deceleration event, including, but not limited to, at least one of disabling the rear seat area actuator 60; disabling 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 until the driver 56 changes the preferences; disabling the eligibility of a particular passenger identified by the occupant monitoring system 50 to initiate a request for the vehicle deceleration event; and disabling the eligibility of all passengers 58A, 58B who are under a particular age.

[0054] Referring to Fig.8 comprises a method 100 for initiating an automated deceleration process in a vehicle 10, beginning at block 102, providing control of the vehicle 10 to a driver 56 of the vehicle 10 with a system controller 34A, wherein the driver 56 of the vehicle 10 continues to drive the vehicle 10, continuing with block 104, detecting a request to initiate an automated deceleration process with the system controller 34A, wherein, if the system controller does not detect a request to initiate an automated deceleration process at block 104, no action is taken transitioning from block 104 to block 106, and transitioning from block 106 to 102, control of the vehicle 10 remains with the driver 56, and if the system controller detects a request to initiate an automated deceleration process at block 104,wherein the method then comprises, transitioning from block 104 to block 108, requesting the driver 56 of the vehicle 10 with the system controller 34A via a human-machine interface (HMI) 64A to confirm initiation of the automated deceleration process, and continuing with block 112, initiating the automated deceleration process with the system controller 34A via a vehicle control module 52 if, at block 110, the system controller determines that either 1) the driver 56 provides confirmation of initiation of the automated deceleration process via the HMI 64A, or 2) no response is received from the driver 56 within a predetermined time period.

[0055] In an exemplary embodiment, the method 100 further includes, at block 114, prior to initiating the automated deceleration process at block 112, activating an automated driving mode if the vehicle 10 is not already in an automated driving mode.

[0056] In an exemplary embodiment, the method 100 further comprises, after the automated deceleration process has been initiated in block 112, proceeding to block 116, prompting the driver 56 of the vehicle 10 with the system controller 34A via the HMI 64A with an option to selectively override the automated deceleration process, and proceeding to block 118, one of, transitioning from block 118 to block 112, continuing the automated deceleration process if the driver 56 of the vehicle 10 does not selectively override the automated deceleration process via the HMI 64A, or, transitioning from block 118 to block 120, returning control of the vehicle 10 to the driver 56 of the vehicle 10 with the system controller 34A if the driver 10 of the vehicle selectively overrides the automated deceleration process via the HMI 64A. overrides.

[0057] In an exemplary embodiment, before providing control of the vehicle 10 with the system controller 34A to the driver 56 of the vehicle 10 and the driver 56 of the vehicle 10 proceeding to block 102, the method 100 further includes receiving preferences of the driver 56 regarding initiation of the automated deceleration event with the system controller 34A via the HMI 64A, proceeding to block 122.

[0058] In an exemplary embodiment, the method 100 further comprises, after receiving preferences from the driver 56 regarding initiation of the automated deceleration process at block 122 with the system controller 34A via the HMI 64A, proceeding to block 124, detecting the presence and position of passengers 58A, 58B in addition to the driver 56 within the vehicle 10 with an occupant monitoring system 50, proceeding to block 126, identifying at least one passenger 58B located in a rear seat area 62 of the vehicle 10 with the occupant monitoring system 50, and proceeding to block 128, determining the eligibility of the at least one passenger 58B located in the rear seat area 62 of the vehicle 10 to request initiation of the automated deceleration process with the system controller 34A based on the preferences of the Driver 56.

[0059] In an exemplary embodiment, detecting with the system controller 34A whether a request to initiate an automated deceleration event has been received from the system controller 34A at block 104 further comprises, proceeding to block 130, detecting with the system controller 34A whether the system 11 is in an active mode. If the system 11 is not active, no action is taken, transitioning from block 130 to block 106. If the system 11 is active, the method further comprises, transitioning from block 130 to block 132, receiving a request to initiate the deceleration event by the system controller 34A via the front seat actuator 54 from the driver 56 of the vehicle 10 and / or the front passenger 58A of the vehicle 10.If, at block 132, the system controller 34A receives a request to initiate the deceleration process from the driver 56 of the vehicle 10 and / or the passenger 58A of the vehicle 10 via the front seat actuator 54, the method proceeds to block 108, where the driver 56 is prompted by the system controller 34A via the human-machine interface (HMI) 64A to confirm initiation of the automated deceleration process. If, at block 132, the system controller 34A does not receive a request via the front seat actuator 54, the method 100 further includes, transitioning from block 132 to block 134, receiving by the system controller 34A a request to initiate the deceleration process from the at least one passenger 58B located in the rear seat area 62 via a rear seat area actuator 60.If no request is received from the rear seat area actuator 60 at block 134, no action is taken transitioning from block 134 to block 106. If a request is received from the rear seat area actuator 60 at block 134, the system controller 34A determines, based on the driver's preferences, the eligibility of the at least one passenger 58B located in the rear seat area 60 to request initiation of the automated deceleration event, transitioning from block 134 to block 136. If the system controller 34A determines, based on the driver's preferences, that the rear seat passenger 58B is not eligible to request an automated deceleration event, transitioning from block 136 to block 106.If the system controller 34A determines at block 136, based on the preferences of the driver 56, that the rear seat passenger 58B is authorized to request an automated deceleration event, the method 100 proceeds to block 108 where the driver 56 is prompted by the system controller 34A via the human machine interface (HMI) 64A to confirm initiation of the automated deceleration event.

[0060] In an exemplary embodiment, initiating the automated deceleration process at block 112 with the system controller 34A via the vehicle control module 52 further comprises, proceeding to block 138, activating automated driving algorithms within the vehicle control module 52 with the system controller 34A, proceeding to block 140, deactivating driver control of the vehicle 10, and proceeding to block 142, causing the vehicle 10 to decelerate, exit active lanes of a roadway in which the vehicle 10 is traveling, and stop with the vehicle control module 52.

[0061] A system and method of the present disclosure provides the advantage that a driver 56 or passengers 58A, 58B of a vehicle 10 can request the initiation of an automated deceleration procedure to autonomously maneuver the vehicle 10 off the roadway and bring it to a stop.

[0062] The description of the present disclosure is merely exemplary, and variations that do not depart from the gist of the present disclosure are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. Such variations should not be construed as a departure from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

[1] A method for initiating an automated deceleration process in a vehicle, comprising: Providing control of the vehicle to a driver of the vehicle with a system control device, wherein the driver of the vehicle continues to drive the vehicle; Detecting a request to initiate an automated slowdown process by the system controller; Requesting the driver of the vehicle to confirm the initiation of the automated deceleration process with the system controller via a human-machine interface (HMI); and Initiating the automated deceleration process with the system controller via a vehicle control module when one of the following applies: the driver provides confirmation of the initiation of the automated deceleration process via the human-machine interface; or no response from the driver is received within a certain period of time. [2] The method of claim 1, further comprising activating an automated driving mode prior to initiating the automated deceleration process if the vehicle is not already in an automated driving mode. [3] The method of claim 2, further comprising, after initiating the automated slowdown process: Prompting the driver of the vehicle with an option to selectively override the automated deceleration process using the system controller via the HMI, and one of: Continuing the automated deceleration process if the vehicle driver does not selectively override the automated deceleration process via the HMI; or Returning control of the vehicle to the vehicle driver using the system controller when the vehicle driver selectively overrides the automated deceleration process via the HMI. [4] The method of claim 3, further comprising, before providing control of the vehicle with the system controller to the driver of the vehicle and the driver of the vehicle continues driving, receiving driver preferences regarding initiation of the automated deceleration process with the system controller via the HMI. [5] The method of claim 4, further comprising, after receiving driver preferences regarding initiation of the automated deceleration process with the system controller via the HMI: Detecting the presence and position of passengers in addition to the driver in the vehicle using an occupant monitoring system; Identifying at least one passenger located in a rear seat area of ​​the vehicle with the occupant monitoring system; and Determine, based on the driver's preferences, whether the at least one passenger located in the rear seat area of ​​the vehicle is authorized to request initiation of the automated deceleration process with the system controller. [6] The method of claim 5, wherein detecting a request to initiate an automated deceleration process with the system controller further comprises receiving a request to initiate the deceleration process from the driver of the vehicle and / or a passenger of the vehicle with the system controller via a front seat actuator. [7] The method of claim 6, wherein detecting a request to initiate an automated deceleration event with the system controller further comprises receiving a request to initiate the deceleration event from the at least one passenger located in the rear seat area with the system controller via a rear seat actuator when the system controller determines, based on the driver's preferences, that the at least one passenger located in the rear seat area of ​​the vehicle is authorized to request initiation of the automated deceleration event. [8] The method of claim 7, wherein receiving driver preferences regarding initiation of the automated deceleration process with the system controller via the HMI further comprises receiving driver preferences comprising at least one of the following: Deactivating the rear seat area actuator; Deactivating the rear seat area actuator and the front seat actuator; Disabling one or both of the front seat actuator and the rear seat area actuator for a single ignition cycle; Disabling the authority of a specific passenger to initiate a request for the vehicle deceleration process; and Deactivate the authorization of all passengers who are under a certain age. [9] The method of claim 8, wherein the front seat actuator and the rear seat area actuator are each at least one of the following: a mechanical actuator; and a symbol displayed on an HMI. [10] The method of claim 1, wherein initiating the automated deceleration process with the system controller via the vehicle control module further comprises: Activating automated driving algorithms in the vehicle control module using the system control device; Disabling the driver’s control of the vehicle; and Causing the vehicle to slow down, exit active lanes of a roadway the vehicle is traveling on, and stop using the vehicle control module.

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