Patent Application
20180050689
The invention relates generally to automated driver assistance systems for host vehicles, and more particularly to automated driver assistance systems for engaging and controlling automatic valet functions of a host vehicle.
The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may or may not constitute prior art.
Smart car technologies such as free-ranging on grid navigation, as well as parking guidance and information systems, aid in the prevention of human error when drivers operate a vehicle. Such technologies have been used to improve navigation of roadways, and to augment the parking abilities of motor vehicle drivers while the drivers are present within the motor vehicle. For example, rear view camera systems and impact alert systems have been developed to assist the operator of the motor vehicle while parking to avoid collisions. In addition, autonomous parking systems have been developed that autonomously park the motor vehicle in a parallel parking spot once the operator of the motor vehicle has positioned the motor vehicle in a predefined location proximate the parking spot.
While these systems are useful for their intended purpose, they require that the operator of the motor vehicle locate the parking spot and drive to the parking spot. Thus, there is a need in the art for improved smart car technologies that utilize preexisting infrastructure to autonomously park a motor vehicle. Moreover, there is a need to implement automatic parking systems in motor vehicles that do not increase cost, and which also increase the accuracy and robustness of parking systems while providing additional redundant ease of access and safety features.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention a method for directing a host vehicle to perform automatic valet functions includes receiving a first input to access an automatic valet system. The method further includes presenting an automatic valet system management interface having at least two selectable functions including an autonomous park function and an autonomous un-park function. The method further includes receiving a second input to select one of the at least two functions of the automatic valet system. The method further includes presenting information related to the selected function. The method further includes receiving a third input to direct the automatic valet system to perform the selected function. The method further includes presenting an option to cancel the selected function for a predetermined period of time; and presenting a status of the host vehicle as it performs the selected function.
In another aspect of the present invention receiving a first input further includes selecting an automatic valet system in an HMI of a host vehicle and selecting an automatic valet system management interface on a mobile device.
In yet another aspect of the present invention presenting an automatic valet system management interface further includes presenting a primary menu portion, a secondary menu portion, and a display portion on the mobile device.
In yet another aspect of the present invention presenting a primary menu portion further includes presenting a plurality of buttons, each button providing access to one of the selectable functions of the automatic valet system.
In yet another aspect of the present invention receiving a second input further includes pressing a first of the plurality of buttons for an extended duration the receiving a third input further comprises pressing a confirmation button, and the confirmation button is displayed in the secondary menu portion only after the first of the plurality of buttons is pressed for the extended duration.
In yet another aspect of the present invention in response to receiving the third input to the automatic valet system management interface, the method further includes directing the automatic valet system to perform an action corresponding to one or more of the inputs received.
In yet another aspect of the present invention in response to receiving a second input to select one of the at least two functions of the automatic valet system, the method further includes displaying within the display portion automatic valet system data corresponding to a plurality of vehicle position characteristics, the plurality of vehicle position characteristics includes at least one of a distance measurement, a target location, an estimated time to the target location, a map, and a depiction of objects detected by a sensor array equipped to the vehicle.
In yet another aspect of the present invention a method for directing a host vehicle to perform automatic valet functions includes receiving a first input to an HMI to access an automatic valet system in a host vehicle. The method further includes presenting an automatic valet system management interface on a mobile device in wireless communication with the host vehicle, the automatic valet system management interface having a primary menu bar, a secondary menu bar, and a display portion. The method further includes presenting at least two selectable functions within the primary menu bar including an autonomous park function and an autonomous un-park function. The method further includes receiving a second input to select one of the at least two functions of the automatic valet system. The method further includes presenting information related to the selected function within the display portion. The method further includes presenting a secondary menu bar. The method further includes receiving a third input to direct the automatic valet system to perform the selected function. The method further includes presenting within the secondary menu bar an option to cancel the selected function for a predetermined period of time, and presenting within the display portion a status of the host vehicle as it performs the selected function.
In yet another aspect of the present invention presenting at least two selectable functions further includes presenting a plurality of buttons for selecting automatic valet system functions, and the primary menu bar is persistent.
In yet another aspect of the present invention the plurality of buttons include a first button for receiving the second input to command the host vehicle to initiate a park function, a second button for receiving the second input to command the host vehicle to initiate an un-park function, and a third button for receiving the second input to command the host vehicle to initiate the park and/or un-park functions based on a voice command from a user.
In yet another aspect of the present invention the receiving the second input to select one of the at least two functions further includes requiring a user to press the first button or the second button for a predetermined duration of time to activate the automatic valet system to command the vehicle to perform the selected function.
In yet another aspect of the present invention presenting the secondary menu bar further includes presenting a confirmation button and a cancel button.
In yet another aspect of the present invention the method further includes presenting within the display portion a status of the host vehicle automatic valet system; the status includes at least a target location, a time to the target location, and a distance to the target location.
In yet another aspect of the present invention a system for controlling parking functions of a host vehicle includes a human machine interface (HMI) disposed within the host vehicle. The system further includes a parking system configured to autonomously park or un-park the host vehicle. The system further includes an application accessible through the HMI, the application including a primary menu bar, a secondary menu bar, and a display portion and having a selectable feature disposed in the primary menu bar for selecting a parking system function, and having a selectable feature disposed in the secondary menu bar for engaging the parking system of the host vehicle to perform the parking system function.
In yet another aspect of the present invention the primary menu bar further includes a plurality of buttons for selecting parking system functions, and the primary menu bar is persistent throughout the application.
In yet another aspect of the present invention the plurality of buttons includes a first button for priming the parking system to command the host vehicle to initiate a park function, a second button for priming the parking system to command the host vehicle to initiate an un-park function, and a third button for priming the parking system to initiate the park and/or un-park functions based on a voice command from a user.
In yet another aspect of the present invention the first button and second button further include a predetermined time, and upon being pressed by a user, the first button and/or the second button only activate the parking system to command the vehicle to park and/or un-park if the first and/or second button has been pressed for the predetermined time.
In yet another aspect of the present invention the secondary menu bar is displayed after the predetermined time has been reached, and the secondary menu bar provides a confirmation button and a cancel button.
In yet another aspect of the present invention the display portion includes a status of the host vehicle parking system, and the status includes at least a target location, a time to the target location, and a distance to the target location.
The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the views. In the drawings:
The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application or uses.
With reference to
The automatic parking system 16 is operable to autonomously park and un-park the host vehicle 12. The automatic parking system 16 may have various configurations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure but generally includes a sensor sub-system 22 and a communication sub-system 24 in communication with a controller 26. The controller 26 communicates with a vehicle control system 27. The sensor sub-system 22 includes a plurality of sensors 28A-D mounted along the periphery of the host vehicle 12. It should be appreciated that the sensor sub-system 22 may have any number of sensors 28 without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Each of the sensors 28A-D is operable to collect or sense information in a predefined area surrounding the host vehicle 12. Information from the sensors 28A-D is communicated to the controller 26. In a preferred embodiment, the sensors 28A-D are Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensors. However, the sensors 28A-D may be cameras, radar or sonar sensors, or any other type of proximity sensors. The communications sub-system 24 includes a receiver/transmitter operable to receive and/or transmit wireless data to the mobile device 14. The wireless data is communicated to the controller 26. The controller 26 is a non-generalized, electronic control device having a preprogrammed digital computer or processor, memory or non-transitory computer readable medium used to store data such as control logic, instructions, image data, lookup tables, etc., and a plurality of input/output peripherals or ports. The processor is configured to execute the control logic or instructions. The controller 26 may have additional processors or additional integrated circuits in communication with the processor, such as perception logic circuits for analyzing the sensor data.
The vehicle control system 27 includes any systems that implement an autonomous valet functions including an autonomous park function and an autonomous un-park function. For example, the vehicle control system 27 may include a braking control system, throttle control system, steering control system, body control system, etc. The vehicle control system 27 may also include any advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) functions that automate, adapt, or enhance vehicle systems in order to increase vehicle safety and/or operator driving performance. For example, the vehicle control system 27 may include ADAS technologies that alert the driver to potential problems or to avoid collisions by implementing safeguards, such as autonomously controlling the host vehicle 12. The vehicle control system 27 may also include ADAS features that enhance certain systems, such as automated lighting, adaptive cruise control, automated braking, or improved blind spot elimination using camera technology.
The HMI 18 is disposed within the cabin of the host vehicle 12 and is in communication with the controller 26. The HMI 18 is preferably a touch screen accessible by an operator of the host vehicle 12. However, the HMI 18 may be any haptic, verbal, or gesture controls without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The HMI 18 is equipped with the automatic valet application 20. In a preferred embodiment, an operator of the host vehicle 12 accesses the automatic valet application 20 through selecting an icon corresponding to the automatic valet application 20 on the HMI 18. The mobile device 14 is also equipped with the automatic valet application 20. In one aspect, the operator of the host vehicle 12 accesses the automatic valet application 20 through the HMI 18, and/or the mobile device 14.
Turning now to
Once the automatic valet application 20 has been selected on the HMI 18, the HMI 18 displays an automatic valet system management interface 100, shown in
In order to engage the autonomous park function of the host vehicle 12, the operator presses a corresponding park button 108 within the primary menu bar 102 at block 56. Similarly, when the operator wishes to engage the autonomous un-park or retrieval function, the operator presses a corresponding un-park button 110 within the primary menu bar 102. In one aspect, a voice button 116 is also presented within the primary menu bar 102. The voice button 116 engages a microphone (not shown) of the host vehicle 12 or the mobile device 14 for receiving from the host vehicle operator voice commands to direct the automated valet system 10 to park or un-park the host vehicle 12. To reduce the likelihood of unintentional activation of the autonomous park or un-park functions, at block 58 the automatic valet application 20 requires a deliberate button press on the part of the operator. If the deliberate button press is not detected by the automatic valet application 20, the method returns to block 56. The automatic valet application 20 deliberate button press requires the operator to press and hold the park or un-park button 108, 110 for a predetermined duration. The predetermined duration is a period of time for a button press that has been determined to be of greater duration than a majority of unintentional button presses. For example, the button press may be in the range of 0-10 seconds. During the deliberate button press, the display portion 106 of the system management interface 100 displays data corresponding to the button being pressed. For example, the display portion 106 displays a counter 118, or message corresponding to the park function 108. In one aspect, the counter 118 is a semi-circular, radially-expanding shaded portion of the system management interface 100. In the example, the counter 118 remains on-screen and a counter radius 120 extends until the predetermined duration for the deliberate button press has been met. Additionally, the display portion 106 displays a message 122 corresponding to the function being accessed. In the example in which the park function 108 is being selected by the operator, the message 122 includes the text, “Activate Parking.” Additional information corresponding to the function being selected during the deliberate button press may be displayed without departing form the scope or intent of this disclosure. For example, while the display portion 106 is described as displaying a counter 118, and a message 122, the display portion 106 may also display a warning semaphore, color-coded message, etc. corresponding to the function being selected. Furthermore, while the deliberate button press is discussed as having an extended duration, it should be understood that the deliberate button press may also be a button press having a specific pattern, such as multiple short-duration button presses within a predetermined period of time, without departing from the scope or intent of this disclosure.
At block 60, once the deliberate button press has been detected, the park or un-park function on the automated valet system management interface 100 has been selected. Selecting the park or un-park function on the system management interface 100 causes the secondary menu bar 104 to be displayed on-screen on the HMI 18. The secondary menu bar 104 is a supplemental menu bar that is non-persistent. That is, the secondary menu bar 104 is only displayed on-screen for certain portions of the duration during which the system management interface 100 is in use. In one aspect, the secondary menu bar 104 is displayed after the selection of the park or un-park functions from within the primary menu bar 102. At block 62, the secondary menu bar 104 presents at least two selectable functions including a confirmation function and a first cancellation function. The confirmation function is activated by pressing a corresponding confirmation button 126, and the first cancellation function is engaged by pressing a corresponding first cancellation button 128. The confirmation function activates the automatic valet system 10 to perform an autonomous park or un-park function selected by the deliberate button press of the park or un-park button 108, 110 within the primary menu bar 102. The first cancellation function 128 cancels the activation of the autonomous park or un-park function selected by the deliberate button press of the park or un-park button 108, 110 within the primary menu bar 102. If the first cancellation function is chosen, the method returns to block 56, and the automatic valet system management interface 100 awaits further operator input. However, if the confirmation function is selected, the method proceeds to block 64.
Turning now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
As the host vehicle 12 proceeds to complete the park or un-park function, the secondary menu bar 104 is presented to the operator. The secondary menu bar 104 presents at least one selectable function at block 76, including a third cancellation function. When the operator selects the third cancellation function by pressing a corresponding third cancellation button 142, the host vehicle 12 returns to the position from which the host vehicle 12 originated, and the method returns to block 56. That is, for an example in which the automated park function has been engaged, pressing the third cancellation button 142 will cause the host vehicle 12 to return to the operator rather than proceeding to park. Similarly, for an example in which the automated un-park function has been engaged, pressing the third cancellation button 142 will cause the host vehicle 12 to return to a parking location from which the host vehicle 12 had departed. However, when the operator does not select the third cancellation function, the method proceeds to block 78.
Referring now to
By utilizing the automated valet system 10 in conjunction with the plurality of host vehicle 12 sensors 28, an operator of the host vehicle 12 is able to more efficiently, safely, and accurately park and/or un-park the host vehicle 12. Moreover, the automated valet system 10 can be used by the host vehicle 12 operator to provide increased levels of autonomous driving.
The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.
