Providing trip status in a vehicle

Abstract

A computer programmed to do the following: Determining an overall driving parameter that is related to a goal of a vehicle occupant; Determining a progress parameter since the start of an occupant journey; and Controlling a light output of a status assembly, wherein the output represents the parameters non-alphanumerically, wherein the parameters are a total travel time and a time since the start, or the parameters are a total travel distance and a distance since the start, where the computer is further programmed to: identify in which of a plurality of vehicle seats the occupant is located; and, based on the identification, control a light color of at least one part of the seat to a predetermined color and wherein the predetermined color corresponds to a color of the light output on the status assembly.

Description

GENERAL STATE OF THE ART

[0001] When a passenger boards a taxi and specifies a destination, the passenger may not know how long the journey will take—for example, in regions with heavy traffic congestion—where alternative routes may be used and / or the length of the delay may be difficult to estimate. Additionally, if the taxi first drops off another passenger at a different destination, the second passenger may not know how much additional time will be spent before the taxi reaches the second passenger's destination.

[0002] US 2016 / 0 018 230 A1 discloses a computer programmed to output status messages, which may also include a progress parameter, for each occupant of a vehicle. The display is alphanumeric on a user device.

[0003] Also relevant to the state of the art are US 6 748 319 B2, DE 10 2012 111 214 A1, EP 2 674 931 A1, US 9 442 888 B2 and US 3 953 720 A. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a trip status system including a computer and a status assembly located in a cab of a vehicle. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional diagram of an example of the status assembly. Fig. Figure 3 is another schematic diagram of the example status assembly. Fig. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing a lighting smoothing algorithm executed by the trip status system computer. Fig. Figure 5 is a graphical representation illustrating a smoothing effect of a status assembly diffuser. Fig. 6 is another example of the Fig. 3 shown status module. Fig. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process for using the trip status system to provide trip data to occupants of the Fig. 1 shown vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0004] A trip status system is described that includes a computer and a status assembly. According to one illustrative example, the computer is programmed to: determine an overall trip parameter associated with a destination of an occupant of a vehicle; determine a progress parameter since the start of a passenger's trip; and control a light output of a status assembly, the output representing the parameters.

[0005] According to the at least one example set forth above, the parameters are a total travel time and a time since the start or the parameters are a total travel distance and a distance since the start.

[0006] According to the at least one example set forth above, the computer may be further programmed to redetermine the parameters and change the output based on the recalculation.

[0007] According to the at least one example set forth above, the computer may be further programmed to: identify which of a plurality of vehicle seats the occupant is in; and based on the identification, control a light color of at least a portion of the seat.

[0008] According to the at least one example set forth above, the bright color may correspond to a color of the light output of the status assembly.

[0009] According to the at least one example set forth above, the computer may be further programmed to: determine a second occupant in the vehicle, determine an overall trip parameter and a progress parameter associated with the second occupant, and control the light output based on the two occupants, the respective outputs representing the respective parameters.

[0010] According to the at least one example set forth above, the output differs in color depending on whether the parameters are related to the first occupant or the second occupant.

[0011] According to the at least one example set forth above, the output cycles between a first light output associated with the first occupant and a second light output associated with the second occupant.

[0012] According to the at least one example set forth above, a color of the first light output corresponds to a color of a vehicle seat within which the first occupant is located, wherein a color of the second light output corresponds to a color of a vehicle seat within which the second occupant is located, wherein the colors of the first and second outputs differ.

[0013] According to the at least one example set forth above, the output includes a first light output associated with the first occupant and a second light output associated with the second occupant, wherein the first and second light outputs are set forth simultaneously.

[0014] According to the at least one example set forth above, the computer is further programmed to receive the destination from a mobile device.

[0015] According to the at least one example set forth above, the computer may be further programmed to generate the light output by controlling illumination of a plurality of light sources arranged linearly between a first end and a second end, wherein the controlled illumination is based on repeatedly updating the progress parameter, wherein a visual appearance of the controlled illumination appears as a bar of light, wherein the computer is further programmed to execute a smoothing algorithm such that the controlled illumination from the plurality of light sources appears as a smoothly extending bar.

[0016] According to the at least one example set forth above, the computer may be further programmed to control the intensity of a leading edge region including some of the plurality of light sources when executing the algorithm.

[0017] According to another illustrative example, a system may include the computer and status assembly described above, wherein the computer is electrically coupled to the status assembly, wherein the assembly may include a plurality of linearly arranged light sources and a light guide.

[0018] According to the at least one example set forth above, the light guide includes a plurality of linearly arranged protrusions, each protrusion positioned to receive light from a light source.

[0019] According to at least one example set forth above, the light guide includes a base from which the plurality of linearly arranged protrusions extend, the base including a surface through which the received light exits, the light guide including a mixing region between the surface and the plurality of linearly arranged protrusions, the mixing region being sized to allow light received via adjacently arranged protrusions to mix.

[0020] According to the at least one example set forth above, wherein the mixing range is less than a predetermined threshold, the threshold being defined by a ratio of a first distance (m) to a second distance (L), the length (L) being defined as a distance between the surface and a distal end of the respective protrusions, the length (m) being defined as a distance between the surface and a proximal end of the respective protrusions, the proximal ends being adjacent to the base.

[0021] According to the at least one example set forth above, wherein the threshold value (m / L) is less than 0.5.

[0022] According to the at least one example, the computer is programmed to perform any combination of the examples set forth above.

[0023] According to another illustrative example, a method may include: determining an overall trip parameter associated with a destination of an occupant of a vehicle; determining a progress parameter since the beginning of an occupant trip; and controlling a light output of a status assembly, the output representing the parameters.

[0024] According to the at least one example set forth above, the method may further include: based on controlling the light output, actuating a light-emitting element in a vehicle seat in which the occupant is located, causing the element to emit a color in the visible spectrum, wherein the controlled light output has the same color.

[0025] According to the at least one example, a computer programmed to perform any combination of the examples of the method(s) set forth above is disclosed.

[0026] According to the at least one example, a computer program product is disclosed that includes a computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by a computer processor, the instructions including any combination of the instruction examples set forth above.

[0027] Further, according to the at least one example, a computer program product is disclosed that includes a computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions executable by a computer processor, wherein the instructions include any combination of the examples of the method(s) set forth above.

[0028] Referring now to the figures, wherein like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the several views, a trip status system 10 for a vehicle 12 is shown, including a status assembly 14 (in a cab 16 of the vehicle 12) and a computer 18 that controls the status assembly 14. As described below, in at least one example, the vehicle 12 may be a fully autonomous passenger vehicle, such as an autonomous taxi, an autonomous bus, etc. For example, using the system 10, an occupant may provide the computer 18 with a desired destination for their trip, and while traveling and within the vehicle 12, the status assembly 14 may provide a visual indication of the occupant's progress—e.g., displaying a current progress of the trip relative to a total travel time (or a total travel distance) to the destination. The computer 18 may further control a vehicle seat (e.g.,The vehicle may determine a seat (e.g., one of S1-S4) in which the occupant may be seated, and in response to that determination, actuate a light-emitting element 20 of the respective seat, causing at least a portion of the seat (e.g., S1) to emit or reflect light of a predetermined visible wavelength. The perceived color of the respective seat may correspond to a visible wavelength (and perceived color) emitted at the status assembly 14, allowing the occupant in seat S1 to associate status assembly information with their trip and destination. When transporting multiple occupants—each with a different destination—the status assembly 14 may provide trip data (e.g., progress information) associated with each occupant. And the intuitive nature of the color-customization scheme may enhance the users' trip experience.

[0029] With reference to Fig. 1, the vehicle 12 is shown as a passenger car; however, the vehicle 12 may also be a truck, a sports utility vehicle (SUV), a motor home, a bus, a train, a watercraft, an aircraft, or the like, incorporating the trip status system 10. The vehicle 12 may operate in any of a number of autonomous modes. In at least one example, as discussed above, the vehicle 12 may operate as an autonomous taxi, autonomous bus, or the like; however, this is not required. In at least one example, the vehicle 12 is operable in a fully autonomous mode (e.g., Level 5) as defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) (which has defined Levels 0-5 operation). For example, in Levels 0-2, a human driver monitors or controls the majority of the driving tasks, often without assistance from the vehicle 12.For example, at Level 0 ("no automation"), a human driver is responsible for all vehicle operations. At Level 1 ("driver assistance"), the vehicle 12 occasionally assists with steering, acceleration, or braking, but the driver is still responsible for the majority of vehicle control. At Level 2 ("partial automation"), the vehicle 12 can control steering, acceleration, and braking under certain circumstances without human interaction. At Levels 3-5, the vehicle 12 performs more driving-related tasks. At Level 3 ("conditional automation"), the vehicle 12 can handle steering, acceleration, and braking under certain conditions, as well as monitoring the driving environment. However, at Level 3, driver intervention may be required occasionally.At Level 4 ("high automation"), vehicle 12 can perform the same tasks as at Level 3, but does not require driver intervention in certain driving modes. At Level 5 ("full automation"), vehicle 12 can perform all tasks without driver intervention.

[0030] The vehicle 12 may have any number of seats. Four (S1-S4) are shown only as an illustrative example in Fig. 1; other quantities are possible. Furthermore, the arrangement of seats S1-S4 may be in any suitable positions and / or orientations, e.g., facing one another or the like. Each seat S1-S4 may include an occupant-actuable switch (24, 26, 28, or 30, respectively) that allows an occupant to provide input to the trip status system 10. Each of the switches may be similar or identical; thus, only one is discussed here. And, as further explained below, in a first position, the switch 24 may be OFF, and when actuated to a second position, the switch 24 may provide an electrical indication to the computer 18 that the occupant of the respective seat S1-S4 wishes to view their trip progress information on the status assembly 14.

[0031] Additionally, each seat S1-S4 may include a seat occupancy sensor 31-1, 31-2, 31-3, 31-4. Occupancy sensors 31-1 to 31-4 may provide an indication of whether a person is present in the associated seat. Such occupancy sensors include pressure sensors, proximity sensors, and the like. These and other such devices are known in the art and will not be described in detail here.

[0032] Each seat S1-S4 may also include one or more lighting elements 20 that can be actuated by the computer 18. As a non-limiting example, the lighting element(s) 20 include one or more light guides sewn or attached to the seats S1-S4—e.g., in a cord or piping of the seat (S1-S4). Fig. Figure 1 shows a portion of the piping illuminated to illustrate an example. In this example, the light guide may be coupled to a light engine (not shown), and the light engine may, as is known in the art, include a printed circuit board having a control circuit and a light-emitting diode (LED) arranged to emit light through the light guide.

[0033] According to another non-limiting example of one or more light-emitting elements 20, the light-emitting element 20 may include a light source that emits light onto one or more of the seats S1-S4, wherein the light has at least a predetermined wavelength (e.g., in the ultraviolet light band). In this example, the fabric of the seat, the piping of the seat, etc., may include a paint, dye, or other luminescent material known to emit light within the visible spectrum (e.g., as used herein, between 390 and 700 nanometers) when exposed to the predetermined wavelength. Thus, when the light from the light-emitting element 20 emits light onto the fabric or piping, the paint, dye, or luminescent material may react to the light and emit a predetermined color in the visible spectrum.As explained below, this color may correspond to a perceived color on the status assembly 14 (e.g., according to the one or more wavelengths emitted therefrom).

[0034] According to at least one example, status assembly 14 may be any suitable lighting device controlled by computer 18 to emit light, wherein the emitted light includes non-alphanumeric data representing both an overall trip parameter and a progress parameter. The overall trip parameter may be a total trip duration (e.g., an expected total trip duration as determined by computer 18) or a total trip duration (e.g., an expected total trip distance as determined by computer 18). And the progress parameter may be a percentage of the total trip time or an elapsed portion of the total trip time since the start of an associated trip (e.g., as determined by computer 18), or a percentage of the total trip distance or a traveled (or driven) portion of the total trip distance since the start of the associated trip (e.g., as determined by computer 18).In at least one example, the progress parameter could instead include a remaining time or distance (e.g., countdown or total time / distance less the time / distance since the start). As explained below, the total trip and progress parameters may be calculated by or reported to the computer 18 (e.g., sometimes in response to a request from the computer 18 to a navigation unit 130 onboard the vehicle 12, as described below).

[0035] In at least one example, the status assembly 14 may be located within the cab 16 above a vehicle instrument panel 32—e.g., mounted and / or suspended from a vehicle headliner 34 (e.g., in a horizontal orientation); however, other locations and orientations are possible. The status assembly 14 may face one or more vehicle seats S1-S4 within the cab 16 so that occupants can view the illuminated trip data. Thus, in the illustrated example, the status assembly 14 provides trip data in a vehicle-rearward direction because the four illustrated seats S1-S4 face a vehicle-forward direction. This, of course, is only one example; the status assembly 14 could also be mounted in other locations—e.g., in other locations on the vehicle headliner 34.In one example, status assembly 14 may be disposed midway between seats S1-S2 and seats S3-S4, with seats S1-S2 facing rearward toward the vehicle (and facing the illustrated seats S3-S4, which face in a vehicle forward direction); in such an implementation, status assembly 14 may emit light from two sides (e.g., emit light in a vehicle forward direction and a vehicle rearward direction). Other examples exist.

[0036] Fig. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example of the status assembly 14. In the illustrated example, the status assembly 14 includes a printed circuit board (PCB) 42 carrying a plurality of light sources 44 coupled to an alternator controller 46, an optic or light guide 48 for receiving and redirecting light from the sources 44, and a diffuser 50 for distributing and / or scattering light passing through the light guide 48. The light sources 44 may be arranged linearly; e.g., in a row forming a curve and / or straight line on the PCB 42—e.g., as schematically shown in Fig. 3 (where only twenty (20) light sources 44 are shown for illustrative purposes; however, it should be understood that in other examples (and as explained below), more or fewer light sources 44 could be used). In at least one example (e.g., to minimize construction costs), the light sources 44 are light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and the adjacent LEDs (in the given row) are evenly spaced apart by a gap 52 (e.g., the gap 52 could be 1 / 4 inch). The total span of the LEDs 44 on the PCB 42 may approximate a width of the vehicle cab 16. In some examples, it could be two and a half (2.5) to four (4.0) feet long; thus, if the status assembly 14 were, for example, three (3) feet long, it could have an array of one hundred forty-four (144) light sources 44 (e.g.,(where adjacent LEDs are spaced ¼ inch apart); this is of course just one example, and other examples exist.

[0037] The control 46 (in Fig. 2) can selectively control the wavelength and intensity of the light emitted by the light sources 44. For example, the light sources 44 can be commercially available RGB LEDs—that is, each LED 44 can emit different amounts of red, green, and blue light to form potentially thousands of different colors of light in the visible spectrum. As described below, each of the illuminated LEDs 44 can emit a first color when the status assembly 14 emits light associated with the overall travel and progress parameters of a first occupant. Referring again to Fig. 3 As an example, the total travel parameter may be associated with all illuminated and unilluminated LEDs 44 in a status assembly row (e.g., twenty (20) LEDs in this example); and the progress parameter may be associated with only the illuminated LEDs 44 in the row (e.g., five LEDs in Fig. 3). Thus, the trip data for the first occupant can be represented as a ratio of the progress parameter to the total trip parameter. Thus, in this example, Fig. 3, that the vehicle 12 has traveled 25% of the time (or distance) to the destination of the associated occupant.

[0038] As discussed above, the status assembly 14 can provide trip data for multiple occupants. Thus, when setting forth trip and progress parameters associated with a second occupant, each of the illuminated LEDs 44 can emit a second wavelength (color) different from the first color (e.g., different wavelengths (colors) can be used for a third, fourth, fifth, etc., occupant in a similar manner). As discussed above, progress information can again be provided to the second occupant according to a ratio of illuminated LEDs 44 to the total of illuminated and unilluminated LEDs 44.

[0039] Additionally, for each representation of travel and progress parameters (e.g., per occupant), the controller 46 may selectively control an intensity of the illuminated LEDs 44 to create an appearance of a smoothly extending light bar. The light bar consists of the light output of a series of at least partially illuminated LEDs 44; it may appear as a bar graph that extends smoothly between the ends of the status assembly 14—e.g., again, where the length of the illuminated and unilluminated LEDs 44 may correspond to the overall travel parameter, and the illuminated, smoothly extending light bar may correspond to the progress parameter. The smoothness of the extending light bar may be based on a light smoothing algorithm executed by the controller 46, as well as the shape of the light guide 48. Each will be discussed in turn.

[0040] The controller 46 may include a processor 54 coupled to the memory 56, which stores instructions executable by the processor 54. The processor 54 may be any type of device capable of processing electronic instructions, including, but not limited to, a microprocessor, a microcontroller or controller, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc., to name a few. In general, the controller 46 may be programmed to execute digitally stored instructions that may be stored in the memory 56, thereby enabling the controller 46 to, among other things, selectively control the light sources 44 in response to instructions from the computer 18, selectively control the wavelength emitted by the light sources 44, selectively control the intensity of the light emitted by the light sources 44, and execute the lighting smoothing algorithm (e.g.,by controlling the light source intensities).

[0041] The memory 56 may include any persistent computer-usable or readable medium, which may include one or more storage devices or products. Example persistent computer-usable storage devices include RAM (random access memory), ROM (read-only memory), EPROM (erasable programmable ROM), EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable ROM) of conventional computer systems, as well as any other volatile or non-volatile media. Non-volatile media includes, for example, optical or magnetic disks and other persistent storage. Volatile media includes dynamic random access memory (DRAM), which is typically main memory. As discussed above, one or more computer program products, which may be embodied as software, firmware, or the like, may be stored on the memory 56.

[0042] Fig. Figure 4 shows an example of how the controller 46 can control the intensity of the LEDs 44 during execution of the smoothing algorithm. As described above, the wavelength(s) emitted by the respective LEDs 44 can remain constant; thus, in at least one example, a smoothing effect of the extending light bar can be achieved by varying the intensities of a leading edge region 57 of the extending light bar. To illustrate an intensity pattern, Fig. 4 illustrates the intensity states of the first seven LEDs 44 at one end 58 of the status assembly 14 at several different instantaneous times (t)—e.g., when the time (t) is 0 milliseconds (ms), 100 ms, 200 ms, and 300 ms. In this example, a predetermined time interval of 100 ms is used; however, other predetermined interval values ​​may be used instead. It should be understood that in the pattern described below, the intensity of each LED 44 may vary linearly between 0 and 15, where "0" is LED OFF and "15" is an LED at full brightness 44. Thus, in this example, each LED 44 has an intensity resolution that includes sixteen (e.g., 2^4) possible intensity states. Of course, other resolutions may be used instead. Referring again to the Fig. In the example shown in Figure 4, at time t = 0 ms, the first four LEDs (e.g., 1, 2, 3, and 4) comprise the leading edge region 57 and illuminate with brightnesses corresponding to intensities 11, 3, 2, and 1, respectively, while the state of LEDs 5-7 is OFF (0). In the next interval (t = 100 ms), LEDs 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 comprise the leading edge region 57 and illuminate with brightnesses corresponding to intensities 15, 11, 3, 2, and 1, respectively, while LEDs 6-7 are OFF (0). At the next interval (t = 200 ms), LEDs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 illuminate with brightnesses corresponding to intensities 15, 15, 11, 3, 2, and 1, respectively, while LED 7 is OFF (0). Here, the leading edge region 57 includes LEDs 2-6 - e.g., if region 57 has shifted toward an opposite end of the status assembly 14. And at the next interval (t = 300 ms), LEDs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 illuminate with brightnesses corresponding to intensities 15, 15, 15, 11, 3, 2, and 1, respectively.1 (and LED 8, if shown, would be OFF (0)). Here, too, the leading edge region 57 has shifted and now includes LEDs 3-7. If the pattern were to be repeated, region 57 could, of course, continue to shift in the same direction, giving the appearance of a smoothly extending light bar.

[0043] In at least one example, the larger the advance parameter, the longer the light bar extends from end 58. If an occupant's destination is relatively close (e.g., several blocks away), the light bar may extend relatively quickly between the first and second ends 58, 59 of status assembly 14, and this smoothly extending light bar may be more aesthetically pleasing to the occupant.

[0044] If there are multiple occupants in the vehicle 12, a light bar of a first color may extend according to the smoothing algorithm—e.g., for the first occupant, then all LEDs 44 may turn off (0 intensity). Thereafter, the process described above may be repeated for additional occupants, alternating by illuminating the respective light bars associated with the additional occupants—e.g., with the exception that a different color may be used for each occupant. And, of course, the respective overall trip and progress parameters associated with these other occupants may result in light bars of different lengths. The duration of each light bar illumination cycle may vary; regardless, it may be sufficiently long for each occupant to identify that the light bar applies to them (e.g., by color) and also approximately recognize how much time or distance remains in their respective trip.Further, the computer 18 may cause the light output to be presented long enough for the occupants to observe how the light bar extends (e.g., according to the displacement of the leading edge region 57 described above). This, again, is just one example of a smoothing algorithm that may be executed by the controller 46; other examples are also possible.

[0045] As discussed above, the shape of the light guide 48 can also contribute to the smoothing effect of the extending light bar. Referring again to Fig. 2, the light guide 48 may include a body 64 formed from a single unitary piece of material (e.g., in a mold and / or cut from a molded part); non-limiting material examples include acrylic, polycarbonate, etc. The body 64 may include a base 66 and a plurality of protrusions 68 extending from a side 70 of the base 66. Each protrusion 68 may be identical; therefore, only one is described herein.

[0046] In at least one example, a surface 71 on an opposite side of the base 66 may define a contour of the status assembly 14 (e.g., Fig. 1 a curved contour; however, other examples exist (e.g., flat, square, etc.). The protrusions 68 may be linearly arranged and spaced to correspond to the spaced light sources 44 mounted on the PCB 42 (e.g., the body 64 of the light guide 48 may contact or be spaced from the PCB 42 and / or the light sources 44 when assembled, as shown in Fig. 2). Each protrusion 68 may be conical, pyramidal, dome-shaped, or the like. Thus, a cavity 72 may be present between adjacent protrusions 68, and the cavity 72 may extend between a distal end 76 of the protrusion 68 and an end 75 near (or adjacent to) the base 66. In the illustrated example, the cavities 72 are angular (e.g., defined by an outer surface 73 of the respective protrusions 68); however, in other examples, they may be curved. The surface 73 may have an angular slope α relative to a central axis A of a respective protrusion 68 (e.g., the axis A also passes through the center for a corresponding light source 44). The slope α may be within a suitable range of angles to promote the total internal reflectance (TIR) ​​of the light rays within the protrusion 68. Furthermore, each projection 68 at the distal end 76 (e.g.along the central axis A) have a cavity 74. In . Fig. 2, a surface 78 of the cavity 74 defines a frustoconical volume 80; however, this is only an example. For example, the cavities 74 may have any suitable shape. When installed, the distal end 76 of the projection 68 may be suitably close enough to the corresponding light source 44 that light emitted by the source 44 predominantly enters the light guide 48 via the surface 78 and exits the light guide 48 at the surface 71—e.g., light from the source 44 may be prevented from escaping into an adjacent cavity 72 or into the cavity 74 of an adjacently disposed projection 68. In this way, the light distribution is further controlled to achieve a desired smoothing effect according to the properties of the light guide 48.

[0047] In at least one example, the light guide 48 may also include a mixing region 82; e.g., the mixing region 82 may be a region of the body 64 where light received by one protrusion 68 may be mixed with light received by another protrusion 68 (e.g., via an adjacent protrusion). As explained below, the size of the mixing region 82 may influence the smoothing effect of the light output. According to one example, the size of the mixing region 82 is defined by a ratio of a distance m to a distance L, where m / L is less than a predetermined threshold. The length (L) may be a distance between the surface 71 and the distal end 76 of the protrusions 68. The length (m) may be a distance between the surface 71 and the end 75 of the protrusions 68. In at least one example, the predetermined threshold is 0.5 (e.g., other ratios may, of course, be used in other examples).According to one example, the smoothing effect of the extending light bar may be achieved by executing the smoothing algorithm at the controller 46 with a light guide 48 having the mixing region 82 described above.

[0048] The diffuser 50 may be disposed adjacent to or near the surface 71. The diffuser 50 may be made of any suitable plastic. In at least one example, the diffuser is opaque (e.g., milky white or the like). Fig. Figure 5 shows two light intensity curves 86, 88—the stepped curve 86 representing the instantaneous light intensity of the first five LEDs 44 of the status assembly 14 without diffuser 50, and the calculated curve 88 representing the light intensity of the same LEDs in which light received by the light guide 48 also passes through the diffuser 50. The smoother continuous curve 88 illustrates an additional smoothing contribution of the diffuser 50.

[0049] Fig. 6 shows another example of the status module 14. In Fig. 6, the status assembly 14' includes multiple rows r1, r2, r3, r4 of light sources 44 on one or more PCBs 42' (e.g., only four rows are shown for exemplary purposes). More or fewer rows are also possible. In this example, the status assembly 14' can provide progress information to multiple occupants simultaneously (e.g., in some cases without cycling through trip data, as discussed above). For example, in the vehicle 12 (having four seats), the trip data of each occupant sitting in the respective seats S1-S4 can be provided in one of the corresponding rows r1-r4 of the status assembly 14'. Again, each of these illustrative rows r1-r4 shows only twenty light sources 44 extending from one end 58 of the assembly 14'; in other examples, more or fewer sources 44 may exist.

[0050] In the Fig. 1 may be a single computer 18 (or multiple computing devices—e.g., shared with other vehicle systems and / or subsystems). In at least one example, the computer 18 is a body control module (BCM); however, this is only one example. The computer 18 may include a processor or processing circuit 92 coupled to the memory 94. For example, the processor 92 may be any type of device capable of processing electronic instructions, with non-limiting examples including a microprocessor, a microcontroller or controller, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc.—to name a few.In general, the computer 18 may be programmed to execute digitally stored instructions that may be stored in the memory 94 and enable the computer 18 to perform, among other things, one or more of the following functions: receiving a message from a mobile device; determining a location of a mobile device within the vehicle cabin 16; based on the determined location of the mobile device, determining (e.g., by inferring) that an occupant is in a particular seat (S1-S4); receiving a destination of the occupant (e.g., via a mobile device, via a human machine interface (HMI) in the vehicle 12, etc.); determining at least one overall trip parameter; determining at least one progress parameter; controlling and / or actuating the controller 46 of the status assembly 14; in some examples, selectively controlling a light output (e.g.,wavelength(s), intensity, etc.) of the light sources 44 of the status assembly 14; in some examples, controlling a smoothness of the light output extended on the status assembly 14; controlling the lighting elements 20 of the seats S1-S4; providing an additional indication that the vehicle 12 is approaching a destination of the occupant; and performing a number of other functions related to the status assembly 14 and a trip of the occupant, as further described below.

[0051] Memory 94 may include any persistent computer-usable or readable medium, which may include one or more storage devices or articles. Example persistent computer-usable storage devices include RAM (random access memory), ROM (read-only memory), EPROM (erasable programmable ROM), EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable ROM) of conventional computer systems, as well as any other volatile or non-volatile media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical or magnetic disks and other persistent storage. Volatile media includes dynamic random access memory (DRAM), which is typically main memory.Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a film disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, a DVD, any other optical medium, punched cards, punched tape, any other physical medium with hole patterns, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH EEPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, or any other medium readable by a computer. As explained above, one or more computer program products, which may be embodied as software, firmware, or the like, may be stored on memory 94.

[0052] As also in Fig. 1, the trip status system 10 may also include additional components, including, among others, a vehicle network connection 100, a wireless communication module 110 for communicating with a mobile device 120, a navigation unit 130 for determining total trip time and / or distance, as well as trip history, an interactive human-machine interface (HMI) 140 for vehicle occupants, an audio module 150 for alerting occupants when the vehicle 12 approaches their desired destinations, a sensor 160 for providing data to the computer 18 regarding ambient lighting, and a number of seat modules 170, 180, 190, 200 that control, among other things, the lighting elements 20 of the seats S1-S4. Each will be discussed in turn.

[0053] The vehicle network connection 100 may include any suitable wired or wireless in-vehicle communication network that enables communication between electronic devices such as the computer 18, the wireless communication module 110, the navigation unit 130, the HMI 140, the audio module 150, the sensor 160, and / or the modules 170-200. In at least one example, the computer 18, the communication module 110, the navigation unit 130, and the HMI 140 are communicatively connected via a first network connection N1 (e.g., a CAN (controller area network) bus, Ethernet, a fiber optic connection, or the like), and the computer 18, the audio module 150, the sensor 160, the seat modules 170-200, and the alternator controller 46 are communicatively connected via a second network connection N2 (e.g., including a local interconnect network (LIN) or the like).These are, of course, only examples; other network connection examples may exist, such as the use of one or more discrete wired or wireless connections.

[0054] A wireless communication module 110 may be any suitable telematics computing device configured for wireless communication with other electronic devices, including a mobile device 120. Such wireless communication may include the use of cellular technology (e.g., LTE, GSM, CDMA, and / or other cellular communication protocols), short-range wireless communication (SRWC) technology (e.g., using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC), and / or other short-range wireless communication protocols), or a combination thereof. Such communication also includes vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication, all of which will be understood by those skilled in the art.For example, module 110 may include an embedded cellular chipset, an embedded SRWC chipset, or the like; further, module 110 may facilitate cellular communication and / or SRWC communication using the chipset of a mobile device (not shown) carried by a user of vehicle 12 (e.g., a cellular phone, a smartphone, etc.). Module 110 may be programmed to receive a message with reservation data from mobile device 120 and transmit it to computer 18 via connection 100. In at least one example, computer 18 shares physical components or logic with module 110—e.g., in one example, module 110 may be part of computer 18.

[0055] The mobile device 120 may be any portable electronic device having two-way communication capability. In at least one example, the device 120 is a smartphone having application software thereon that allows a user to send reservation data to the vehicle 12—e.g., requesting a ride to a predetermined destination. The reservation message may include one or more pickup locations, the desired destination, time and date information, fare or fee information, and even a seat selection. In response to the selection of a vehicle seat (e.g., S1), the mobile device 120 may display a colored vehicle seat graphic, where the graphic is a color that corresponds to an actual color of the seat S1 when the user becomes an occupant of the vehicle 12.The same color may also correspond to the light output (on assembly 14) associated with the occupant during the occupant's travel. Other non-limiting examples of mobile device 120 include a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a laptop or tablet computer, a netbook computer, and the like.

[0056] The navigation unit 130 includes any suitable electronic device used to determine position data and / or heading data of the vehicle 12. Non-limiting examples of the unit 130 include a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit and a Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) device. As described below, navigation data may be used to: determine one or more routes to an occupant's desired destination; determine traffic conditions (e.g., traffic congestion, accidents, closed roads, etc.); determine a distance from a start of an occupant's journey to their destination; and / or determine a travel time from the start of the occupant's journey to their destination. In at least one example, the computer 18 shares physical components or logic with the module 130—e.g.,In one example, module 130 may be part of computer 18. Further, reservation data and navigation data may be received by computer 18, and the determinations set forth above (e.g., based in part on the reservation data) may instead be performed there.

[0057] The human-machine interface (HMI) 140 may include any suitable input and / or output devices such as switches, knobs, controls, etc.—e.g., on an instrument panel, steering wheel, etc. of the vehicle 12—communicably coupled to the computer 18 via the network 100. In one non-limiting example, the HMI 140 may include an interactive touchscreen or display that allows an occupant to select a destination for the vehicle 12 to travel and / or to select a seat S1-S4 in which the occupant wishes to sit. As will be apparent from the description below, an occupant is not required to carry a mobile device 120 to perform the process described below.

[0058] The audio module 150 may be any electronic device that can be triggered by the computer 18 to emit an audible tone. As described below, as the vehicle 12 approaches an occupant's destination, the computer 18 may actuate the status assembly 14 and the module 150 to alert the occupant that the vehicle 12 will soon stop at its destination.

[0059] Sensor 160 may be any sensor that measures ambient light intensity and provides an output to computer 18. For example, the output of sensor 160 may switch based on detection of a first, or illuminated, condition (e.g., direct sunlight, diffused sunlight, bright artificial light, etc.) and a second, or dim light condition (e.g., twilight, evening, darkness, etc.). According to one example, computer 18 may control a relative gain of the intensity of light sources 44 based on data received from sensor 160. For example, if sensor 160 indicates the first condition, computer 18 may operate LEDs 44 as described in the algorithm above; however, if the data from sensor 160 indicates the second condition, computer 18 may deactivate status assembly 14 or decrease the relative gain of all selectively actuated LEDs 44 (e.g.,the maximum intensity can be 10 instead of 15 and all remaining intensities can be scaled and / or normalized accordingly).

[0060] The seat modules 170-200 may include any number of electronic devices associated with seats S1-S4 (respectively). For example, the modules 170-200 may each serve as an interface between the switches 24-30 and the computer 18. Similarly, the modules 170-200 may each serve as an interface between the occupancy sensors 31-1, 31-2, 31-3, and 31-4, respectively, and the computer 18. In at least one example, the modules 170-200 may be used to identify a location within the vehicle cabin 16 of an occupant using a wireless signal from the occupant's mobile device 120. For example, each module 170-200 may include a wireless transceiver (operable, for example, using a suitable short-range wireless protocol—e.g., BLE).Thus, in at least one example, computer 18 may receive a BLE signal from each of modules 170-200, and modules 170-200 may be located in different areas of vehicle cabin 16 (e.g., known to computer 18). Based on the relative signal strengths from mobile device 120 received at each of modules 170-200, the positions of modules 170-200, and triangulation techniques, computer 18 may determine the position of device 120. Based on this determination, computer 18 may infer which seat S1-S4 the occupant is sitting in—e.g., and, in some examples, actuate the respective seat module, thereby illuminating the corresponding seat. This technique could be used alone or in combination with other sensed information—e.g., including information from occupancy sensors 31-1, 31-2, 31-3, 31-4.Additionally, the computer 18 may use similar data received from the.

[0061] Modules 170-200 may also determine that an occupant has transferred or changed seats during travel—and, as explained further below, if this is determined, computer 18 may stop illuminating the previous seat (e.g., S1) and cause the new seat (e.g., S2) to be illuminated instead. Further, in response to this determination, computer 18 may cause status assembly 14 to also provide a light output of a correspondingly different color.

[0062] According to another example, one or more of the modules 170-200 may use other techniques to determine a location of the mobile device 120 (and its owner / occupant). For example, at least one of the modules may use an SRWC protocol such as BLE and use one or more of a signal strength measurement technique, a time-of-flight technique, an angle-of-arrival technique, or the like to determine a location of an occupant within the vehicle 12. Of course, short-range wireless communication protocols other than BLE could also be used to locate mobile devices in these examples.

[0063] Now with reference to Fig.7, a flowchart illustrating a process 700 for using the trip status system 10 to provide trip data to occupants of the vehicle 12 is shown. In the following example, the vehicle 12 is a fully autonomous vehicle providing a taxi service to the passengers it transports. In such an example, there may be no driver or attendant to answer questions such as: Are we there yet? And how long until we get there? The intuitiveness of the trip status system 10 and its operation can provide occupants with answers to such questions. Of course, a fully autonomous vehicle is not required in all examples. Further, the cabin 16 of the vehicle 12 may be arranged to carry any suitable quantity(s) of occupants (e.g., with respect to the illustrated vehicle 12, the quantity n = 4).

[0064] Process 700 begins with blocks 710A, 720A (or 710B, 720B). According to the first flow path, at block 710A, computer 18 receives reservation data from mobile device 120 via wireless communication module 110 and vehicle network connection 100. The reservation data may include one or more of a user's pickup location, the user's desired destination, time and date information of the pickup, fare or fee information, and even a user-selected seat selection. In this way, vehicle 12 may autonomously travel to the pickup location and allow the user to board vehicle 12.

[0065] At block 720A, the occupant who sent the reservation data via mobile device 120 enters vehicle 12 carrying mobile device 120 and sits in their preselected seat (e.g., S1). In at least one example, device 120 may be programmed to communicate with module 110 via an SRCW protocol such as BLE—e.g., mobile device 120 may operate in a discoverable mode when the occupant enters vehicle 12. Thereafter, process 700 proceeds to block 730.

[0066] According to the alternative path (710B, 720B), the user may first enter the vehicle 12 and then provide reservation data. Blocks 710B, 720B may be appropriate if the user does not have a mobile device 120 or does not use the device 120 to hail the autonomous taxi 12. In block 710B, the user enters the vehicle 12, e.g., by stopping or finding the vehicle 12 in any suitable manner. During boarding, the occupant could also be sitting in seat S1.

[0067] At block 720B, which follows, the occupant may provide at least some of the same reservation data to the computer 18—e.g., via the mobile device 120, via the HMI 140, or the like. At a minimum, the occupant may specify a destination, and the computer 18 may store a user origin location (e.g., data corresponding to a location where the occupant entered the vehicle 12). Thereafter, the process 700 proceeds to block 730.

[0068] Block 730, which follows block 720A or 720B, includes a computer 18 controlling a light output at the status assembly 14, wherein the light output (e.g., a light bar) is associated with the occupant who entered the vehicle in block 720A or 720B. Before providing the light output, the computer 18 may make any number of determinations, calculations, etc., associated with the occupant's initial location, the occupant's desired destination, and other circumstances, as illustrated below.

[0069] It should be understood that block 730 may occur any time after computer 18 has received a destination for the occupant and has received or determined the occupant's starting location (e.g., based on a pickup location (according to the reservation data) or a location where the occupant actually entered vehicle 12—e.g., where no reservation data was received). Thus, in one example, route determination may begin before the occupant enters vehicle 12 (e.g., after block 710A but before block 720A).

[0070] At block 730, the computer 18 may determine one or more routes from the origin location to the destination location, e.g., including data associated with the overall trip parameter (e.g., total trip distance, total trip duration, etc.). This may include using the navigation unit 130 to calculate associated trip distances, travel times, traffic congestion, crash conditions, etc.—e.g., associated with the one or more possible routes. The computer 18 may also use the wireless communication module 110 to communicate with remotely located data servers (not shown) via an internet connection to collect traffic, weather, and other data that may affect the overall trip parameter. Further, this determination by the computer 18 may take into account other occupant destinations that may cause the computer 18 to select a route other than the most direct route to the occupant destination.For example, another occupant could be sitting in the vehicle 12 prior to blocks 710A, 710B. And the vehicle 12 may be transporting that other occupant to a different destination. Thus, the computer 18 may consider one or more indirect routes to the present occupant's destination—which includes stopping for the currently transported occupant.

[0071] Considering any combination of these circumstances (at block 730), the computer 18 may select a desired route from the one or more possible routes (for the occupant described in blocks 710A-720A or 710B-720B). Based on this, the computer 18 may determine the occupant's overall trip parameter.

[0072] Once the total trip parameter has been determined, the progress parameter can be determined. The progress parameter can be considered a percentage or ratio of the total trip parameter (e.g., 0% ≤ total trip parameter ≤ 100%). For example, if the occupant has not yet been picked up, the progress parameter may be 0% (since the trip has not yet begun, the progress with respect to the occupant is zero). Furthermore, the progress parameter may also be 0% at the starting location for similar reasons (e.g., if the parameter is based on distance). Alternatively, if the progress parameter is based on time and the vehicle 12 must wait at the starting location, the progress parameter could be greater than 0% (when the trip time begins to run). Regardless, the progress parameter may be a value greater than 0% once the occupant is transported by the vehicle 12 away from the starting location.And once the occupant reaches their destination, the progress parameter may be 100%. Once the occupant begins their journey, the computer 18 may calculate the total journey and progress parameter in block 730 and control the light output of the status assembly 14 based on the journey data.

[0073] At least one example of controlling light output has been described above—e.g., computer 18 may instruct alternator controller 46 to provide a light bar of a predetermined color, where a length of the light bar (e.g., illuminated light sources 44) corresponds to the progress parameter and where a length of illuminated and unilluminated light sources 44 corresponds to the overall trip parameter. In some examples, the light bar may extend smoothly—e.g., based on the properties of light guide 48, diffuser 50, etc., and based on controller 46 and / or computer 18 executing the smoothing algorithm described above. In examples where the occupant has sent reservation data via mobile device 120, the color of the light bar may correspond to a graphic of a seat selected by the occupant on their mobile device 120.

[0074] At block 740, the computer 18 may determine an occupant's seating location. This may be determined at least in part based on the seat selection transmitted from the mobile device 120. Further, as described above, the computer 18 may also determine this in other ways—e.g., using seat occupancy sensors (e.g., such as 31-1), using signal reception at the seat modules 170-200, a triangulation technique using one or more transceivers (in modules 170-200 or even radio communication module 110), and time-of-flight techniques, angle-of-arrival techniques, etc., or any combination thereof.

[0075] Once the occupant seat location is determined in block 740, the computer 18 may actuate the lighting element 20 in the appropriate seat (e.g., seat S1) in block 750 to illuminate at least a portion of the respective seat (e.g., seat S1). As described above, this may include illuminating a light guide in vehicle seats, shining UV light onto the seat fabric to cause a visible spectrum reflection, or the like.

[0076] After block 750, the computer 18 may determine whether an updated occupant input has been received (block 760). This may be received via the mobile device 120 (and module 110) and / or via the network connection 100. For example, the occupant may select a new destination via the mobile device 120. Or the occupant may provide an updated destination via the HMI 140. Or the occupant may actuate the switch 24 on the seat S1 to queue the status assembly 14, indicating that they would like to see an updated light bar on the status assembly 14. If the computer 18 determines that one of these examples has occurred, the process 700 may proceed to block 780. Otherwise, the process proceeds to block 770.

[0077] At block 770, computer 18 may determine whether data from sensor 160 indicates a low illumination condition. If computer 18 determines the low illumination condition, process 700 may also proceed to block 780. Otherwise, block 790 may follow block 770.

[0078] At block 780, the computer 18 may perform one or more suitable functions. For example, if the occupant has changed their destination, the computer 18 may perform the same determination made at block 730—including providing an updated light output via the status assembly 14. The light output associated with a new destination may treat the location of the vehicle 12 (at the time the computer 18 received the new destination data) as the new start location—e.g., for the purpose of determining a new progress parameter. Or, the computer 18 may use the original start location. Regardless of which start location is used, the computer 18 may cause the light bar to reflect the new total time and progress parameters (e.g., in the manner described above).

[0079] If switch 24 was actuated in block 760, computer 18 may redetermine (e.g., update) the progress parameter in block 780 and provide an updated light output (e.g., display an updated light bar). Or, if the low illumination condition was determined in block 770, computer 18 may either reduce the overall gain (e.g., intensity) of the illuminated light sources 44 (or even turn off all light sources 44) in block 780.

[0080] At block 790 (which may follow block 770), the computer 18 may determine whether the occupant has changed seats (e.g., from seat S1 to seat S2), e.g., using one or more of the techniques described above. If the computer 18 determines that the occupant has changed seats, the process 700 proceeds to block 800. Otherwise, the process proceeds to block 810.

[0081] In block 800, the computer executes instructions similar to those executed in block 750, except that the light element 20 actuated by the computer 18 corresponds to the new seat (e.g., seat S2). After block 800, the process proceeds to block 780. In this case of block 780, the computer 18 changes the color of the light bar associated with the occupant to match the color of the light element 20 on the new seat (e.g., seat S2). After block 780, the process 700 may proceed to block 810 as discussed above.

[0082] At block 810, computer 18 determines whether the occupant has reached their desired destination. For example, computer 18 may receive updated navigation data from unit 130 and compare this data with the location data associated with the occupant's desired destination. If computer 18 determines at block 810 that the occupant has reached their destination, process 700 proceeds to block 820. Otherwise, process 700 proceeds to block 830.

[0083] At block 830, the computer 18 may determine whether an additional occupant is boarding the vehicle 12. If so, at least a portion of process 700 may be repeated—e.g., and the computer 18 may return to and repeat blocks 710A or 710B, depending on whether or not the new occupant sends reservation data via a mobile device. Regarding providing two different light outputs for the two respective occupants, as described above, the computer 18 may cause the controller 46 to repeat or sequence the light outputs using two different colors—each corresponding to an associated occupant seat.For example, computer 18 may cause controller 46 to illuminate a first uniformly extending light bar for the first occupant for a predetermined interval and then illuminate a second uniformly extending light bar for the second occupant according to a similar interval. Computer 18 may execute similar instructions regardless of the number (n) of occupants in vehicle 12.

[0084] If no new passenger enters the vehicle 12 (at block 830), the process may return to block 730 and update the light output of the status assembly 14. For example, the computer 18 may receive updated data from the navigation unit 130 and redetermine the progress parameter. Then, the computer 18 may cause the light bar to smoothly extend across it according to the change in the progress parameter, as previously described.

[0085] In block 820, which may follow block 810, the computer 18 may update the light output if at least one occupant has exited (or is exiting) the vehicle cabin 16. For example, the computer 18 may stop actuating the light bar associated with the exiting occupant. If there are multiple occupants in the vehicle 12, the computer 18 may omit—e.g., omit from repeating (or the sequence)—the light bar associated with the exiting occupant. After block 820, the process 700 may end.

[0086] Other examples of process 700 also exist. As a non-limiting example, switches 24-30 may be or include an occupant-initiated privacy mode. For example, according to the mode, in response to receiving an indication of the desired privacy mode, computer 18 may not execute instructions that would cause a light output associated with the particular occupant. This may be desirable if the occupant does not want to share trip information with other passengers of vehicle 12.

[0087] As another non-limiting example, one or more of the lightbars may be given higher priority by computer 18 as lightbars cycle through different sets of overall trip and progress parameters (e.g., associated with multiple occupants). For example, as vehicle 12 approaches the destination of a first occupant, the lightbar associated with the first occupant may be illuminated more frequently (e.g., out of sequence) or for a longer interval. During the interval, the associated lightbar may flash or have an increased intensity. Or, during the interval, audio module 150 may sound or emit an appropriate audible tone. Or, in another example, computer 18 may instruct module 110 to call or notify the occupant's mobile device.

[0088] As another non-limiting example, if the low-light condition is determined by computer 18 (e.g., block 770), the light sources 44 of status assembly 14 may be dimmed or turned off within 1 to 2 minutes before the occupant reaches a destination. Still other examples are also possible.

[0089] Thus, a trip status system for a vehicle has been described. The system includes a computer and a status assembly that can use discrete light sources to provide a visual display of both a progress parameter and an overall trip parameter. The parameters can be linked to time or distance; however, this is not required. The system can provide these parameters to multiple occupants—e.g., sequentially or simultaneously. Furthermore, the status assembly can provide an illuminated light bar with a color corresponding to the color of an illuminated seat—thus making the system user-friendly.

[0090] In general, the described computing systems and / or devices may employ any of a variety of computer operating systems, including, but not limited to, versions and / or variants of Ford's SYNC® application, AppLink / Smart Device Link middleware, the Microsoft® Automotive operating systems, Microsoft Windows®, Unix (e.g., the Solaris® operating system distributed by Oracle Corporation of Redwood Shores, California), AIX UNIX distributed by International Business Machines of Armonk, New York, Linux, Mac OSX and iOS distributed by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, California, BlackBerry OS distributed by Blackberry Ltd. of Waterloo, Canada, and Android developed by Google Inc. and the Open Handset Alliance, or the QNX® CAR for Infotainment platform offered by QNX Software Systems.Examples of computing devices include, but are not limited to, an on-board vehicle computer, a computer workstation, a server, a desktop, notebook, laptop, or handheld computer, or other computing system and / or device.

[0091] Computing devices generally include computer-executable instructions, where the instructions may be executable by one or more computing devices, such as those listed above. Computer-executable instructions may be compiled or interpreted by computer programs created using a variety of programming languages ​​and / or techniques, including, but not limited to, Java™, C, C++, Visual Basic, Java Script, Perl, etc., either alone or in combination. Some of these applications may be compiled and executed on a virtual machine such as the Java Virtual Machine, the Dalvik Virtual Machine, or the like. In general, a processor (e.g., a microprocessor) receives instructions from, e.g., memory, a computer-readable medium, etc., and executes those instructions, thereby performing one or more processes, including one or more of the processes described herein.Such instructions and other data may be stored and transmitted using a variety of computer-readable media.

[0092] A computer-readable medium (also called a processor-readable medium) includes any non-transitory (e.g., physical) medium involved in providing data (e.g., instructions) that can be read by a computer (e.g., by a computer's processor). Such a medium may take many forms, including, but not limited to, non-volatile media and volatile media. Non-volatile media may include, for example, optical or magnetic disks and other persistent storage. Volatile media may include, for example, dynamic random access memory (DRAM), which is typically main memory. Such instructions may be conveyed through one or more transmission media, including coaxial cable, copper wire, and optical fiber, including the wires comprising a system bus coupled to a computer's processor.Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a film disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, a DVD, any other optical medium, punched cards, punched tape, any other physical medium with hole patterns, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH EEPROM, any other memory chip or any other memory cartridge, or any other medium that can be read by a computer.

[0093] Databases, data repositories, or other data stores described herein may include various types of mechanisms for storing, accessing, and retrieving different types of data, including a hierarchical database, a group of files in a file system, an application database in a proprietary format, a relational database management system (RDBMS), and so on. Each of these data stores is generally embodied in a computing device employing a computer operating system, such as one of those listed above, and is accessed over a network in one or more possible ways. A file system may be accessed by a computer operating system and may include files stored in various formats.An RDBMS generally uses the Structured Query Language (SQL) in addition to a language for creating, storing, manipulating, and executing stored procedures, such as the PL / SQL language mentioned above.

[0094] In some examples, system elements may be implemented as computer-readable instructions (e.g., software) on one or more computing devices (e.g., servers, personal computers, etc.) stored on associated computer-readable media (e.g., disks, memories, etc.). A computer program product may include such instructions stored on computer-readable media for performing the functions described herein.

[0095] The processor is implemented using circuits, chips, or other electronic components and may include one or more microcontrollers, one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), one or more application-specific circuits (ASICs), one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), one or more custom integrated circuits, etc. The processor may be programmed to process the sensor data. Processing the data may include processing the video input or other data stream acquired by the sensors to determine the lane of the host vehicle and the presence of any target vehicles. As described below, the processor instructs vehicle components to perform an actuation according to the sensor data. The processor may be integrated with a controller, e.g.,a control for an autonomous mode, must be integrated.

[0096] The memory (or data storage device) is implemented via circuits, chips, or other electronic components and may include one or more of read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), flash memory, electrically programmable memory (EPROM), electrically programmable and erasable memory (EEPROM), embedded multimedia cards (eMMC), a hard disk, or any volatile or non-volatile media, etc. The memory may store data acquired by the sensors.

[0097] The disclosure has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is understood that the terminology used is intended to be of a descriptive rather than a limiting nature. Many modifications and variations of the present disclosure are possible in light of the above teachings, and the disclosure may be practiced other than as specifically described.

Claims

[1] Computer programmed to: Determining an overall trip parameter associated with a destination of an occupant of a vehicle; Determining a progress parameter since the start of a passenger journey; and Controlling a light output of a status module, the output representing the parameters non-alphanumerically, where the parameters are a total travel time and a time since the start or the parameters are a total travel distance and a distance since the start, where the computer is further programmed to: identify which of a plurality of vehicle seats the occupant is in; and based on the identification, control a light color of at least a portion of the seat to a predetermined color, and wherein the predetermined color corresponds to a color of the light output on the status module. [2] Computer programmed to: Determining an overall trip parameter associated with a destination of an occupant of a vehicle; Determining a progress parameter since the start of a passenger journey; and Controlling a light output of a status module, the output representing the parameters, where the computer is further programmed to generate the light output by controlling illumination of a plurality of light sources arranged linearly between a first end and a second end, wherein the controlled illumination is based on repeatedly updating the progress parameter, wherein a visual appearance of the controlled illumination appears as a light bar, wherein the computer is further programmed to execute a smoothing algorithm varying the light intensity along a curve, so that the controlled illumination from the multitude of light sources appears as a smoothly extending bar. [3] The computer of claim 1, wherein the computer is further programmed to redetermine the parameters and change the output based on the recalculation. [4] The computer of claim 1, wherein the computer is further programmed to: determine, as a second seat, in which of the plurality of vehicle seats a second occupant is located in the vehicle, control a light color of at least a portion of the second seat to a second predetermined color, determine an overall trip parameter and a progress parameter associated with the second occupant, and control the light output based on the two occupants, wherein the respective outputs represent the respective parameters and the second predetermined color corresponds to a second color of the light output representing the parameters of the second occupant on the status assembly, and wherein the first predetermined color and the second predetermined color are different. [5] The computer of claim 4, wherein the output differs in color depending on whether the parameters are related to the first occupant or the second occupant. [6] The computer of claim 4, wherein the output cycles between a first light output associated with the first occupant and a second light output associated with the second occupant. [7] The computer of claim 4, wherein the output comprises a first light output associated with the first occupant and a second light output associated with the second occupant, the first and second light outputs being displayed simultaneously. [8] The computer of claim 1, wherein the computer is further programmed to receive the destination from a mobile device. [9] The computer of claim 1, wherein the computer is further programmed to generate the light output by controlling illumination of a plurality of light sources arranged linearly between a first end and a second end, wherein the controlled illumination is based on repeatedly updating the progress parameter, wherein a visual appearance of the controlled illumination appears as a bar of light, wherein the computer is further programmed to execute a smoothing algorithm such that the controlled illumination from the plurality of light sources appears as a smoothly extending bar. [10] The computer of claim 2 or 9, wherein the computer is further programmed to, in executing the algorithm, control the intensity of a leading edge region including some of the plurality of light sources. [11] A system comprising the computer and status assembly of claim 1, wherein the computer is electrically coupled to the status assembly, the assembly comprising a plurality of linearly arranged light sources and a light guide. [12] A system according to the preceding claim, wherein the light guide comprises a plurality of linearly arranged projections, each projection being positioned to receive light from a light source. [13] The system of the preceding claim, wherein the light guide comprises a base from which the plurality of linearly arranged protrusions extend, the base including a surface through which the received light exits, the light guide including a mixing region between the surface and the plurality of linearly arranged protrusions, the mixing region being sized to allow light received via adjacently arranged protrusions to mix. [14] The system of the preceding claim, wherein the mixing range is less than a predetermined threshold, the threshold being defined by a ratio of a first distance (m) to a second distance (L), the length (L) being defined as a distance between the surface and a distal end of the respective projections, the length (m) being defined as a distance between the surface and a proximal end of the respective projections, the proximal ends being adjacent to the base. [15] System according to the preceding claim, wherein the threshold value (m / L) is less than 0.

5. [16] Procedure comprising: Determining an overall trip parameter associated with a destination of an occupant of a vehicle; Determining a progress parameter since the start of a passenger journey; Controlling a light output of a status module, where the output represents the parameters non-alphanumerically and based on controlling the light output, actuating a light-emitting element in a vehicle seat in which the occupant is located, causing the element to emit a predetermined color in the visible spectrum, where the controlled light output of the status module corresponds to the predetermined color and where the parameters are a total travel time and a time since the start or the parameters are a total travel distance and a distance since the start.

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