VEHICULAR EXTERNAL CONTROL COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

The invention enables traffic controller to instruct autonomous vehicles in the event of emergencies or congestion. A vehicular external communication and control system includes a Traffic Control Module (TCM) based in a traffic control device such as a smart traffic light or and emergency services vehicle. The invention also includes a Traffic Control Electronic Control Unit (TCECU) installed in a vehicle that is communicatively linked to a TCM and to the vehicle computer bus. The TCM broadcasts to all TCECU-equipped vehicles within range. The TCECU-equipped vehicle provides status data to the traffic control device and the traffic control device issues instructions to the vehicle.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to automated systems, and more particularly to a system for providing external communications and control of an automated or semi-automated vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Vehicle automation is the use of computer based control systems to augment or replace human input to operate a vehicle. The need for such systems is exemplified by our overburdened highway systems, where the differences in human reaction time cause sluggish traffic and deadly accidents each and every day.

In recent years, automobile manufacturers have begun incorporating many semi-autonomous features into their new vehicle offerings, such as brake assist, forward collision avoidance, lane departure warnings and adaptive cruise control, for example, with the goal of creating commercially viable automobiles that can operate in a sustained and fully automated capacity. Although this progress will undoubtedly lead to a safer transport system one day in the future, the advent of autonomous vehicles will undoubtedly lead to situations where there is an over-riding public interest in having an external authority, such as an emergency vehicle or a traffic routing system, to issue instructions to an autonomous vehicle in a standardized way.

Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide a control mechanism that enables a duly constituted authority to transmit instructions, warnings and other information to an operating autonomous vehicle and for such an authority to receive relevant information about the status of a vehicles. It would also be beneficial if this communication mechanism conforms to an industry and/or government standard.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a vehicular communication system that enables external traffic control systems and emergency services to acquire travel information and vehicle status data from vehicles, and to transmit instructions and information to those vehicles.

In one embodiment, this system enables emergency services such as fire, rescue, and police services to direct autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles to make way.

In another embodiment, this system enables traffic routing devices to optimize the flow of traffic on the roadways by directing vehicles to specific routes and speeds.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As described herein, the term “active control mode” and derivatives thereof shall refer to the automation status/level of computer based control that is augmenting a human driver and/or assuming full control of a vehicle at any given time. In the preferred embodiment, an active control mode level can be defined by a standardized set of nomenclature which may be formed by the automobile industry and/or various government agencies so as to be universally recognized. One suitable nonlimiting example can include the 5-level automation nomenclature provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, as shown in Table 1.

FIGS. 1-2illustrate one embodiment of a vehicle external control communication system that are useful for understanding the inventive concepts disclosed herein. As will be described below, the system can be configured to allow for a variety of communication modes.

FIG. 1is a simplified block diagram of the system100that includes a Traffic Control Electronic Control Unit (TCECU)140, and a Traffic Control Module (TCM). As shown, the TCECU140can include, a main body having a processor142that is conventionally connected to a vehicle communication unit141, an internal memory144, a power unit146, and an external communication interface unit148. The TCM150can include, a main body having a processor152that is conventionally connected to a traffic control interface151, an internal memory154, a power unit156, and an external communication interface unit158. The TCM150and the TCECU140are connected in this embodiment by a radio frequency network, although alternative communication options can be utilized.

Although illustrated as separate elements, those of skill in the art will recognize that one or more system components may comprise, or include one or more printed circuit boards (PCB) containing any number of integrated circuit or circuits for completing the activities described herein. The CPU may be one or more integrated circuits having firmware for causing the circuitry to complete the activities described herein. Of course, any number of other analog and/or digital components capable of performing the below described functionality can be provided in place of, or in conjunction with the below described controller elements.

The main bodies of both the TCEDU140and the TCM150can include any number of different shapes and sizes, and can be constructed from any number of different materials suitable for encompassing each of the controller elements. In one preferred embodiment, the main body can be constructed from lightweight injection molded plastic having a plurality of internal connectors for securely housing each of the device elements. Of course, any number of other known construction materials such as PVC and composites, for example, are also contemplated. The main body of the TCECU140can be secured at any desirable location within or along the vehicle, and can preferably be positioned at or adjacent to the vehicle's automated control system. The main body of the TCM150can be secured at any desirable location within or adjacent to the connected Traffic Control System.

Within the TCECU140, the CPU142can act to execute program code stored in the memory144, in order to allow the device to perform the functionality described herein. Memory144can act to store operating instructions in the form of program code for the CPU142to execute. Although illustrated inFIG. 1as a single component, memory144can include one or more physical memory devices such as, for example, local memory and/or one or more bulk storage devices. As used herein, local memory can refer to random access memory or other nonpersistent memory device(s) generally used during actual execution of program code, whereas a bulk storage device can be implemented as a persistent data storage device such as a hard drive, for example, containing programs that permit the CPU142to perform the traffic control communications and vehicle interactions described below. Additionally, memory144can also include one or more cache memories that provide temporary storage of at least some program code in order to reduce the number of times program code must be retrieved from the bulk storage device during execution. Each of these devices are well known in the art.

Within the TCECU140, the vehicle communication unit141can include any number of components capable of communicating with a vehicle104, either directly or over a network. In the preferred embodiment, the communication unit can include or comprise a Controller Area Network (CAN) Bus transceiver capable of providing two-way communication with the vehicle CAN110. Moreover, other embodiments are contemplated wherein the vehicle communication unit includes functionality for communicating directly with other portions of the vehicle, such as the vehicles automated control system, that performs one or more automated functions within the vehicle.

Within the TCECU140, the vehicle communication unit141can function to request and receive information from one or more of the other vehicle systems so as to allow the TCECU140to determine and/or recognize the current status and future intent of the vehicle. As will be described below, upon receiving such information, the TCECU140can selectively provide some or all of the vehicle status to the external traffic control device.

Within the TCECU140, the vehicle communication unit141can function to issue instructions to other vehicle control systems in order to comply with requests and commands from duly authorized traffic control systems.

Within the TCECU140, the power unit146can include any number of different components capable of providing the necessary power requirements to each element of the signaling system. To this end, the power unit can include or comprise any number of different batteries and/or can include an electrical power transformer and/or cord capable of allowing the signaling system to be powered by the vehicle's onboard electrical system.

Within the TCECU140, the External Communications Interface unit148can function to provide a communicative link between the TCECU140and the TCM150. In this regard, the External Communications Interface148can include any number of different elements such as one or more wireless transceivers, one or more PIC microcontrollers, one or more cellular network connections, and visual and audio signaling mechanisms. Of course, any other means for providing the two-way communication between the TCECU and the TCM are also contemplated. The External Communications Interface148is capable of multiple simultaneous connections to different TCM150systems across any of the available connection methods.

Within the TCM150, the CPU152can act to execute program code stored in the memory154, in order to allow the device to perform the functionality described herein. Memory154can act to store operating instructions in the form of program code for the CPU152to execute. Although illustrated inFIG. 1as a single component, memory154can include one or more physical memory devices such as, for example, local memory and/or one or more bulk storage devices. As used herein, local memory can refer to random access memory or other nonpersistent memory device(s) generally used during actual execution of program code, whereas a bulk storage device can be implemented as a persistent data storage device such as a hard drive, for example, containing programs that permit the CPU152to perform the traffic control communications and vehicle interactions described below. Additionally, memory154can also include one or more cache memories that provide temporary storage of at least some program code in order to reduce the number of times program code must be retrieved from the bulk storage device during execution. Each of these devices are well known in the art.

Within the TCM150, the power unit156can include any number of different components capable of providing the necessary power requirements to each element of the signaling system. To this end, the power unit can include or comprise any number of different batteries and/or can include an electrical power transformer and/or cord capable of allowing the signaling system to be powered by the vehicle's onboard electrical system.

Within the TCM150, the Vehicle Communications Interface158can function to provide a communicative link between any number of TCECU140component installed on vehicles and the TCM150. In this regard, the Vehicle Communications Interface158can include any number of different elements such as one or more wireless transceivers, one or more PIC microcontrollers, one or more cellular network connections, and visual and audio signaling mechanisms. Of course, any other means for providing the two-way communication between the TCECU and the TCM are also contemplated. The communications link is a one-to-many link between the TCM150and one or more vehicles across any of the available connection methods.

Within the TCM150, the Traffic Control Interface (TCI)151can include any number of components capable of communicating with a Traffic Control Device (TCD)102, either directly or over a network. In the preferred embodiment, the TCI151can incorporate a direct connection or a wired or wireless network connection to the TCD102. Moreover, other embodiments are contemplated wherein the TCI151is connected over a long-haul communications network to a remote TCD102. In addition, embodiments are contemplated wherein the TCD102is not a single system but a collection of systems connected via a network.

Within the TCM150, the Traffic Control Interface (TCI)151can function to send and receive information between the TCEDU140systems installed on one or more vehicles and the TCD102system.

FIG. 2is a simplified sequence diagram illustrating one embodiment of the communication between a TCM204and a TCECU206.

In this embodiment, the TCM204sends periodic radio frequency broadcasts210advertising its presence and including identifying information. All TCECU206systems that receive this broadcast validate the identifying information212. In this embodiment, each TCM204system has a set of permissions which determine what information the TCECU206provides to the TCM204, and also determine what actions and instructions the TCECU206will respond to. The validation process conducted by the TCECU206uses the identifying information received from the TCM204to generate the permissions. The TCECU206responds to the TCM204with vehicle-unique identifying information, as well as the relevant permissions214.

The TCM204can then request vehicle status data from the TCECU206. In this embodiment the TCECU206, in turn, requests this information either from its internal memory or by querying other vehicle systems across the CANBus220. This information is processed218according to the permissions previously identified for the TCM204, and validated vehicle status data is returned222to the TCM204. This vehicle status data is then sent224by the TCM204to the TCD202.

The TCD202can initiate an instruction for the vehicle to modify its behavior228. These instructions are then transmitted230by the TCM204to the vehicle TCECU206. If the instructions are in accordance with the previously identified permissions232, the TCECU206sends appropriate messages to other vehicle systems to modify the vehicles' behavior234.

In the preferred embodiment, the Vehicle Communication Interface158and the External Communication Interface148can include a variable radio wave transmitter having a unique radio frequency chip capable of transmitting a plurality of independent radio frequencies, which are stored in the memory (154and/or144). Of course, the transmitter is not limited to the use of a radio transmitter, as any number of other devices and/or transmission methodologies can also be utilized herein.