Autonomous Mode Transition Control Unit for Driver Assistance Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

The proliferation of driving assistance modes in vehicles leads to user confusion and safety risks as drivers struggle to select the appropriate mode according to circumstances, often resulting in abandonment of these systems due to complexity and uncertainty about their responsibilities.

Innovation Solution

A method implemented by a control unit in a driving assistance system that detects the need to transition between autonomous modes, determines the tasks to be transferred between driver and vehicle, and automatically activates the appropriate mode, providing clear signals to the driver through visual and audio cues, ensuring safety and simplifying mode selection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple driver assistance modes are provided to handle different driving situations, then the system's adaptability and functionality are improved, but the device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate as drivers struggle to select the appropriate mode

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving assistance mode coverageVSAvoidmode selection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit automatically detects the current driving situation and autonomously selects the most appropriate autonomous mode without requiring manual driver input. The system monitors driving conditions, compares them against predefined criteria for different modes, and automatically activates the suitable mode, making the system self-configuring and eliminating the burden of manual mode selection from the driver.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If manual mode selection is required, then the driver has control over mode choice, but the ease of operation deteriorates and driver confusion increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemode activation simplicityVSAvoiddriver awareness of system state
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit provides continuous feedback to the driver through a signal output that indicates the currently active autonomous mode and the driving situation it addresses. This feedback mechanism keeps the driver informed about system operations, maintains driver awareness, and eliminates confusion by clearly communicating what mode is active and why.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If automatic mode transition is implemented, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability may deteriorate if tasks are not properly transferred between driver and vehicle

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemode transition smoothnessVSAvoidtask transfer safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit performs preliminary analysis of the driving situation and pre-determines the appropriate autonomous mode before automatic transition occurs. By evaluating current conditions against predefined criteria in advance, the system ensures that mode transitions are based on thorough assessment, and task transfers between driver and vehicle are planned and executed safely, maintaining reliability while enabling automatic operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3344508B1Method for assisting a driver in transitioning from a first autonomous mode to a second autonomous mode
Publication Date: 2022.06.08 PSA AUTOMOBILES SA
  • EP3344508B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3344508B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3344508B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for assisting a driver of a vehicle, said method being implemented by a unit controlling a driver assistance system, comprising an enabled first autonomous mode that performs a first set of driving tasks. The invention is characterized in that it comprises steps of: - detecting (210) future disabling of the first autonomous mode, - determining (220) an available second autonomous mode that performs a second set of driving tasks, - determining (230) the tasks performed by only one of the two autonomous modes, - sending (240) a signal to the driver to indicate the predetermined tasks, - enabling (250) the second autonomous mode.