Vehicle Control Interface for Secure Autonomous Activation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle control systems lack robustness in transitioning between manual and autonomous driving modes, particularly when an autonomous driving system is integrated with a vehicle platform, leading to potential misuse or unintended vehicle operation.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle control interface that includes a processor and memory to manage activation commands from both an autonomous driving system and manual operations, implementing a standby mode that restricts manual operations such as shifting, accelerating, and braking to ensure secure transition to autonomous mode.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If the vehicle platform is activated in response to a command from the autonomous driving system, then autonomous driving functionality is enabled, but the risk of unintended manual operation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautonomous driving functionalityVSAvoidrobustness against unintended operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the responsiveness of manual operations dynamic based on the activation source. When the vehicle platform is activated by the autonomous driving system, manual operations are made unresponsive or restricted. When activated by manual operation itself, full responsiveness is maintained. This dynamic adjustment of operation responsiveness resolves the contradiction between enabling autonomous functionality and preventing unintended manual operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The processor acts as an intermediary between the activation commands and the vehicle platform operations. It mediates by determining the source of activation (autonomous driving system vs. manual operation) and accordingly controlling whether manual operations are transmitted to the vehicle platform. This intermediary control mechanism enables autonomous functionality while filtering out potentially harmful manual operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the vehicle platform responds to both autonomous driving commands and manual operations, then operational flexibility is maintained, but system robustness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidsystem robustness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts its operational mode based on the activation source. In autonomous activation mode, manual operations are restricted. In manual activation mode, full operational flexibility is maintained. This dynamic switching allows the system to maintain adaptability when needed while ensuring robustness when operating in autonomous mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by making different parts of the control system have different responsiveness characteristics based on activation source. When activated by autonomous driving system, the control interface becomes unresponsive to manual operations. When activated by manual operation, it remains fully responsive. This localized differentiation of responsiveness resolves the contradiction between flexibility and robustness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If manual operations remain fully responsive during autonomous driving activation, then ease of operation is maintained, but the risk of misuse increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual operation responsivenessVSAvoidmisuse risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by preemptively restricting manual operations when the vehicle platform is activated by the autonomous driving system. Before any harmful manual operation can occur, the system has already prevented it by making manual operations unresponsive in autonomous activation mode. This preliminary protective measure eliminates misuse risk while preserving ease of operation in appropriate contexts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The responsiveness of manual operations is made dynamic rather than static. It adjusts based on the activation source: fully responsive when manually activated, unresponsive when autonomously activated. This dynamic behavior allows the system to maintain ease of operation when appropriate while preventing misuse in autonomous mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20250276719A1Vehicle control interface, vehicle, and control method for vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.09.04 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

A vehicle control interface includes: a memory in which a program including a predetermined API defined for each of signals is stored; and a processor configured to perform interfacing between an autonomous driving system and a vehicle platform by executing the program. The vehicle platform is configured to be activated in response to one of a first and second activation commands. The first activation command is a command transmitted from the autonomous driving system to the vehicle platform via the vehicle control interface. The second activation command being a command in response to a manual operation on the vehicle platform. The processor is configured to, when the vehicle platform is activated in response to the first activation command, reduce effectiveness of the manual operation on the vehicle platform compared to when the vehicle platform is activated in response to the second activation command.