公开(公告)号：US08954217B1

公开(公告)日：2015-02-10

申请号：US14220653

申请日：2014-03-20

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Michael Steven Montemerlo ,  Hyman Jack Murveit ,  Christopher Paul Urmson ,  Dmitri A. Dolgov ,  Philip Nemec

IPC: G05D1/00 ,  B60W30/00

CPC classification number: G05D1/0061 ,  B60W30/00 ,  G05D2201/0213

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to determining whether an autonomous vehicle should be driven in an autonomous or semiautonomous mode (where steering, acceleration, and braking are controlled by the vehicle's computer). For example, a computer may maneuver a vehicle in an autonomous or a semiautonomous mode. The computer may continuously receive data from one or more sensors. This data may be processed to identify objects and the characteristics of the objects. The detected objects and their respective characteristics may be compared to a traffic pattern model and detailed map information. If the characteristics of the objects deviate from the traffic pattern model or detailed map information by more than some acceptable deviation threshold value, the computer may generate an alert to inform the driver of the need to take control of the vehicle or the computer may maneuver the vehicle in order to avoid any problems.

Abstract translation: 本公开的方面通常涉及确定自主车辆是否应以自主或半自主模式（其中转向，加速和制动由车辆的计算机控制）驱动。 例如，计算机可以以自主或半自主的方式操纵车辆。 计算机可以连续地从一个或多个传感器接收数据。 可以处理该数据以识别对象和对象的特征。 可以将检测到的对象及其各自的特征与交通模式模型和详细地图信息进行比较。 如果物体的特征偏离交通模式模型或详细地图信息超过一些可接受的偏差阈值，则计算机可以产生警报以通知驾驶员需要控制车辆，或者计算机可以操纵 车辆为了避免任何问题。

公开(公告)号：US20140358331A1

公开(公告)日：2014-12-04

申请号：US14467201

申请日：2014-08-25

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Luis Ricardo Prada Gomez ,  Nathaniel Fairfield ,  Andy Szybalski ,  Philip Nemec ,  Christopher Urmson

IPC: G05D1/00

CPC classification number: G05D1/0022 ,  B62D15/0285 ,  G05D1/0061 ,  G05D2201/02

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for transitioning a mixed-mode autonomous vehicle from a human driven mode to an autonomously driven mode. Transitioning may include stopping a vehicle on a predefined landing strip and detecting a reference indicator. Based on the reference indicator, the vehicle may be able to know its exact position. Additionally, the vehicle may use the reference indictor to obtain an autonomous vehicle instruction via a URL. After the vehicle knows its precise location and has an autonomous vehicle instruction, it can operate in autonomous mode.

公开(公告)号：US20140330478A1

公开(公告)日：2014-11-06

申请号：US14333839

申请日：2014-07-17

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Brian Cullinane ,  Philip Nemec ,  Manuel Christian Clement ,  Robertus Christianus Elisabeth Mariet ,  Lilli Ing-Marie Jonsson

IPC: G05D1/00

CPC classification number: B60W50/082 ,  B60K35/00 ,  B60K2350/1076 ,  B60R1/00 ,  B60R16/023 ,  B60R22/48 ,  B60R2022/4866 ,  B60R2300/105 ,  B60W30/00 ,  B60W2050/0002 ,  B60W2050/0077 ,  B60W2050/146 ,  B60W2540/04 ,  B60W2540/16 ,  B60W2550/12 ,  B60W2550/14 ,  B60W2550/143 ,  B60W2550/146 ,  B60W2550/308 ,  B60W2550/402 ,  B60W2600/00 ,  G05D1/0061 ,  G05D1/0212 ,  G05D1/0223 ,  G05D2201/0213

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate switching between autonomous and manual driving modes. In order to do so, the vehicle's computer may conduct a series of environmental, system, and driver checks to identify certain conditions. The computer may correct some of these conditions and also provide a driver with a checklist of tasks for completion. Once the tasks have been completed and the conditions are changed, the computer may allow the driver to switch from the manual to the autonomous driving mode. The computer may also make a determination, under certain conditions, that it would be detrimental to the driver's safety or comfort to make a switch from the autonomous driving mode to the manual driving mode.

Abstract translation: 本公开的方面涉及自主和手动驾驶模式之间的切换。 为了做到这一点，车辆的电脑可以进行一系列环境，系统和驾驶员检查，以确定某些条件。 计算机可能会纠正这些情况中的一些，并为驾驶员提供完成任务清单。 一旦任务完成并且条件改变，计算机可以允许驾驶员从手动切换到自主驾驶模式。 在某些情况下，计算机还可以确定驾驶员从自主驾驶模式切换到手动驾驶模式的安全性或舒适性是不利的。

公开(公告)号：US08818682B1

公开(公告)日：2014-08-26

申请号：US14096613

申请日：2013-12-04

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Dmitri A. Dolgov ,  Philip Nemec ,  Anne Aula

IPC: G05D1/00 ,  G08G1/14 ,  G08G9/02

CPC classification number: G05D1/021 ,  B60W30/16 ,  B60W2550/30 ,  B60W2550/308 ,  B60W2750/308 ,  B62D15/025 ,  B62D15/0255 ,  G05D1/00 ,  G05D1/0055 ,  G05D1/0287

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle detects a tailgating vehicle and uses various response mechanisms. For example, a vehicle is identified as a tailgater based on whether its characteristics meet a variable threshold. When the autonomous vehicle is traveling at slower speeds, the threshold is defined in distance. When the autonomous vehicle is traveling at faster speeds, the threshold is defined in time. The autonomous vehicle may respond to the tailgater by modifying its driving behavior. In one example, the autonomous vehicle adjusts a headway buffer (defined in time) from another vehicle in front of the autonomous vehicle. For example, if the tailgater is T seconds too close to the autonomous vehicle, the autonomous vehicle increases the headway buffer to the vehicle in front of it by some amount relative to T.

Abstract translation: 自主车辆检测尾随车辆并使用各种响应机制。 例如，基于其特性是否满足可变阈值，将车辆识别为尾舱。 当自主车辆以较慢的速度行驶时，阈值以距离定义。 当自主车辆以更快的速度行驶时，阈值被及时定义。 自主车辆可以通过修改其驾驶行为来响应尾舱。 在一个示例中，自主车辆在自主车辆前面从另一车辆调整前进缓冲器（在时间上限定）。 例如，如果尾座T秒太靠近自主车辆，则自主车辆将其前方的车辆的前进缓冲器增加相对于T的一定量。

公开(公告)号：US08738213B1

公开(公告)日：2014-05-27

申请号：US13781173

申请日：2013-02-28

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Andrew Szybalski ,  Luis Ricardo Prada Gomez ,  Philip Nemec ,  Christopher Paul Urmson ,  Sebastian Thrun

IPC: G05D1/02

CPC classification number: G06T11/20 ,  B60K35/00 ,  B60K2350/1076 ,  B60W30/12 ,  B60W30/16 ,  B60W50/14 ,  B60W2050/146 ,  B60W2550/14 ,  B60W2550/30 ,  B60W2550/402 ,  G01C21/367 ,  G01C21/3676 ,  G06T11/001 ,  G06T2207/30252

Abstract: Autonomous vehicles use various computing systems to transport passengers from one location to another. A control computer sends messages to the various systems of the vehicle in order to maneuver the vehicle safely to the destination. The control computer may display information on an electronic display in order to allow the passenger to understand what actions the vehicle may be taking in the immediate future. Various icons and images may be used to provide this information to the passenger.

公开(公告)号：US08433470B1

公开(公告)日：2013-04-30

申请号：US13707937

申请日：2012-12-07

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Andrew Szybalski ,  Luis Ricardo Prada Gomez ,  Christopher Paul Urmson ,  Sebastian Thrun ,  Philip Nemec

IPC: G05D1/02

CPC classification number: G05D1/0061 ,  B60W10/04 ,  B60W10/18 ,  B60W10/20 ,  B60W10/30 ,  B60W50/10 ,  B62D1/286 ,  B62D15/025 ,  G01S19/10 ,  G05D2201/0213 ,  G06F3/04842 ,  G06F3/04847

Abstract: A passenger in an automated vehicle may relinquish control of the vehicle to a control computer when the control computer has determined that it may maneuver the vehicle safely to a destination. The passenger may relinquish or regain control of the vehicle by applying different degrees of pressure, for example, on a steering wheel of the vehicle. The control computer may convey status information to a passenger in a variety of ways including by illuminating elements of the vehicle. The color and location of the illumination may indicate the status of the control computer, for example, whether the control computer has been armed, is ready to take control of the vehicle, or is currently controlling the vehicle.