Driver Assistance Alerts for Autonomous Mode Call Handover

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current driver assistance systems do not effectively manage communication disruptions during transitions from autonomous driving modes, failing to notify drivers and interlocutors of impending mode changes and resulting communication interruptions.

Innovation Solution

A method that detects ongoing communication and impending deactivation of autonomous driving modes, alerts the driver and interlocutor of the duration of deactivation, activates a second driving mode, and allows the interlocutor to record messages, ensuring seamless communication transitions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the driver assistance system transitions from autonomous driving mode to manual mode, then the driver's safety and control are improved, but the ongoing communication with the interlocutor is interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving safetyVSAvoidcommunication continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by detecting the transition condition in advance and sending alert messages to the interlocutor before the actual mode transition occurs. This allows the communication to be properly concluded or transferred before the driver must take control, preventing abrupt interruption and information loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes a feedback loop where the driver assistance system monitors both driving conditions and communication status, then provides feedback to the interlocutor about the upcoming transition. This feedback mechanism ensures the interlocutor is informed and can adjust accordingly, maintaining communication quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If the system sends multiple alert messages to the driver and interlocutor, then the communication transition is smoothed, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication transitionVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The driver assistance system performs multiple functions: it monitors driving conditions, detects mode transitions, manages communication status, generates alert messages, and sends notifications to the interlocutor. By making the system universal and multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated components for each function, thus managing complexity while achieving smooth communication transitions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the transition management and communication management functions into a unified process. The alert message generation and sending is merged with the existing mode transition logic, rather than being a separate independent system. This merging reduces overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to smoothly manage communication transitions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3900409B1Method, computer program and device for configuring a radio connection
Publication Date: 2024.05.08 STELLANTIS AUTO SAS
  • EP3900409B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3900409B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

One subject of the invention is a method for assisting a driver of a vehicle including a driver-assistance system, comprising an activated autonomous first driving mode, characterized in that it includes steps of: - detecting (21) an ongoing communication of the driver; - detecting (22) a future deactivation of the autonomous first mode; - sending (23) a first warning to the driver, so as to warn them of the future deactivation of the autonomous first mode.