Method and system for preventing automatic re-engagement of automatic vehicle control

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention recite a method and system for implementing automatic vehicle control with parameter-driven disengagement. In one embodiment, a course for a vehicle is determined along which the vehicle is to be automatically guided. An indication is received that a pre-defined parameter has been exceeded. In response to receiving the indication, the generation of steering commands is then suspended. Furthermore, the generation of steering commands is suspended until an engagement signal is received.

1 . A method for preventing automatic re-engagement of automatic vehicle control, said method comprising: 
 determining a course for a vehicle wherein said vehicle is to be automatically guided along said course between a first geographic position and a second geographic position using an automatic vehicle control system;    receiving an indication that a pre-defined parameter of said automatic vehicle control system has been exceeded;    suspending the generation of steering commands via said automatic vehicle control system in response to said receiving of said indication; and    preventing said automatic re-engagement of said automatic vehicle control system wherein the suspension of the generation of steering commands is continued until an engagement signal is received.    
   
   
       2 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein said engagement signal indicates that said vehicle is being controlled by an operator.  
   
   
       3 . The method as recited in  claim 2  wherein said engagement signal indicates that said operator is seated in said vehicle.  
   
   
       4 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein said engagement signal indicates that said vehicle is within a defined work area.  
   
   
       5 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein said engagement signal indicates excessive vehicle movement with respect to at least one axis selected from the group consisting essentially of a roll axis, a pitch axis, and a yaw axis.  
   
   
       6 . The method as recited in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 receiving an indication of excessive vehicle acceleration from said automatic vehicle control system.    
   
   
       7 . The method as recited in  claim 6  wherein receiving said indication of excessive vehicle acceleration comprises receiving said indication from a position determining system coupled with said automatic vehicle control system.  
   
   
       8 . A computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for causing a computer system to perform a method for preventing automatic re-engagement of automatic vehicle control, said method comprising: 
 determining a course for a vehicle wherein said vehicle is to be automatically guided along said course between a first geographic position and a second geographic position using an automatic vehicle control system;    receiving an indication that a pre-defined parameter of said automatic vehicle control system has been exceeded;    suspending the generation of steering commands via said automatic vehicle control system in response to said receiving of said indication; and    preventing said automatic re-engagement of said automatic vehicle control system wherein the suspension of the generation of steering commands is continued until an engagement signal is received.    
   
   
       9 . The computer usable medium of  claim 8  wherein said engagement signal indicates that said vehicle is being controlled by an operator.  
   
   
       10 . The computer usable medium of  claim 9  wherein said engagement signal indicates that said operator is seated in said vehicle.  
   
   
       11 . The computer usable medium of  claim 8  wherein said engagement signal indicates that said vehicle is within a defined work area.  
   
   
       12 . The computer usable medium of  claim 8  wherein said engagement signal indicates excessive vehicle movement with respect to at least one axis selected from the group consisting essentially of a roll axis, a pitch axis, and a yaw axis.  
   
   
       13 . The computer usable medium of  claim 8  further comprising: 
 receiving an indication of excessive vehicle acceleration from said automatic vehicle control system.    
   
   
       14 . The computer usable medium of  claim 13  wherein receiving said indication of excessive vehicle acceleration comprises receiving said indication from a position determining system coupled with said automatic vehicle control system.  
   
   
       15 . A system for implementing automatic vehicle control, said system comprising: 
 a position determining component for determining the geographic position of said vehicle;    a steering component for controlling the steering mechanism of said vehicle; and    a control component coupled with said position determining component and with said steering component, said control component for generating a course correction in response to receiving position data from said position determining component, said control component further for suspending the generation of said course correction in response to said receiving an indication that a pre-defined parameter has been exceeded until an engagement signal is received.    
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15  further comprising: 
 a seat switch for indicating that an operator is seated in said vehicle.    
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 15  further comprising: 
 a time out sensor for indicating that said vehicle is being controlled by an operator.    
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 15  further comprising: 
 a brake sensor switch for indicating when the braking mechanism of said vehicle is engaged.    
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 15  further comprising: 
 a component for indicating when said vehicle has exceeded a parameter with respect to at least one axis selected from the group consisting essentially of a roll axis, a pitch axis, and a yaw axis.    
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 15  further comprising: 
 a component for indicating when said vehicle has exceeded an acceleration parameter.