Autonomous Vehicle Input Device Disabling via Mode Detection

Solution Overview

Problem

Autonomous vehicles face interference and safety risks when users attempt to control input devices during fully autonomous operations, which can disrupt navigation and pose safety hazards.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method and system that identifies the operating mode of an autonomous vehicle and disables specific input devices, such as steering, braking, and acceleration mechanisms, to prevent user interference, ensuring the vehicle operates independently and safely.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If input devices are enabled during autonomous operation, then user control and flexibility are improved, but safety and operational reliability deteriorate due to potential interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser controlVSAvoidoperational safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the state of input devices based on the autonomous vehicle's operating mode. When operating in fully autonomous mode, the computing system disables input devices to prevent user interference. When operating in manual or semi-autonomous modes, the input devices are enabled for user control. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction by adapting device availability to the current operational context.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If input devices are disabled during autonomous operation, then safety and operational reliability are improved, but user control and ease of operation worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational safetyVSAvoiduser control

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the state of input devices based on the autonomous vehicle's operating mode. When operating in fully autonomous mode, the computing system disables input devices to prevent user interference. When operating in manual or semi-autonomous modes, the input devices are enabled for user control. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction by adapting device availability to the current operational context.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the system monitors and disables input devices based on operating mode, then operational reliability is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The computing system continuously monitors the operating mode of the autonomous vehicle and provides feedback control by enabling or disabling input devices accordingly. The system detects the current operating mode and adjusts the state of input devices based on this feedback, ensuring that user input is accepted only when appropriate for the current operational context.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The computing system acts as an intermediary between the input devices and the vehicle's control systems. It intercepts and evaluates user inputs, determining whether to pass them through to the control systems based on the current operating mode. This intermediary function provides a controlled interface that maintains reliability while managing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11167772B2Disabling onboard input devices in an autonomous vehicle

Publication Date: 2021.11.09 VOLVO CAR CORP

AI summary

Systems and methods for disabling autonomous vehicle input devices are provided. In one example embodiment, a computer implemented method includes identifying an operating mode of an autonomous vehicle. The method includes determining one or more vehicle input devices to be disabled based at least in part on the operating mode of the autonomous vehicle. The vehicle input devices are located onboard the autonomous vehicle. The method includes disabling the one or more vehicle input devices based at least in part on the identified operating mode of the autonomous vehicle such that an input by a user with respect to the one or more vehicle input devices does not affect an operation of the autonomous vehicle.