Systems and methods for centralized control of autonomous vehicles

Abstract

Disclosed are systems, methods and devices for centralized control of autonomous vehicles. In some embodiments, a system and method allow an autonomous control system on-board an autonomous vehicle to pass control of the autonomous vehicle to an offboard panel of experts upon encountering an anomaly. In some embodiments, a system and method allow a regulatory entity to proactively distribute rules and requirements to autonomous vehicles while operating within a regulated space.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method implemented with an autonomous control system that includes a processor and a memory, the method comprising:
 autonomously operating a vehicle;   monitoring an internal state of the vehicle and an environment in which the vehicle is operating;   based on the monitoring, upon detecting an anomaly, determining if it is safe to pass control of the vehicle to an external entity; and   passing the control of the vehicle to the external entity when it is determined to be safe.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the anomaly includes any of an environmental condition or an attained internal state of the vehicle under which the autonomous control system cannot ensure safe control of the vehicle within a predetermined level of uncertainty. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 once the anomaly is resolved by the external entity, resuming autonomous operation of the vehicle.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the external entity includes a panel of one or more experts. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the passing control of the vehicle to the external entity is determined to be safe when the anomaly does not require resolution within a predetermined period of time. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the passing control of the vehicle to the external entity is determined to be safe after the autonomous control system maneuvers the vehicle to a passively safe state. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 passing control to a driver of the vehicle to resolve the anomaly when it is determined that it is not safe to pass control over to the external entity.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 once the anomaly is resolved by the driver, resuming autonomous operation of the vehicle.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving information from a regulatory entity; and   operating the vehicle in any of a region or space based on the received information.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the received information includes any of a rule or regulation for operation of the vehicle in the region or space. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 storing the received information in the memory for operation of the vehicle in the region or space.   
     
     
         12 . A method for operating a vehicle over a wireless communication network with an external system that includes a processor, the method comprising:
 receiving information at the external system over the wireless communication network from an autonomous control system integral with the vehicle, wherein the received information includes an anomaly detected by the autonomous control system, wherein the anomaly is based on information monitored by the autonomous control system regarding any of an internal state of the vehicle and the environment in which the vehicle is operating;   remotely operating the vehicle over the wireless communication network, while:
 assessing the anomaly based on the received information, and 
 resolving the anomaly based on the assessment; and 
   returning the control of the vehicle to the autonomous control system when the anomaly is resolved.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the anomaly includes any of an environmental condition or an attained internal state of the vehicle under which the autonomous control system cannot ensure safe control of the vehicle within a predetermined level of uncertainty. 
     
     
         14 . A system for operating one or more autonomous vehicles, the method comprising:
 a transceiver for communication with the autonomous vehicles over a wireless communication network;   a communication link to an expert system;   a processor linked to the transceiver and to the communication link, wherein the processor includes instructions for:
 receiving information over the wireless communication network from an autonomous control system integral with a particular autonomous vehicle of the autonomous vehicles, wherein the received information includes an anomaly detected by the autonomous control system, wherein the anomaly is based on information monitored by the autonomous control system regarding any of the internal state of the particular autonomous vehicle and the environment in which the particular autonomous vehicle is operating; 
 over the communication link:
 passing control of the particular autonomous vehicle to the external system; and 
 transmitting information regarding the anomaly to the external system, wherein the external entity can:
 assess the anomaly based on the received information, and 
 resolve the anomaly based on the assessment; and 
 
 
 over the wireless communication network, returning the control of the particular autonomous vehicle to the autonomous control system when the anomaly is resolved. 
   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the anomaly includes any of an environmental condition or an attained internal state of the vehicle under which the autonomous control system cannot ensure safe control of the vehicle within a predetermined level of uncertainty. 
     
     
         16 . A method implemented by a central authority, comprising:
 transmitting information over a wireless communication channel from the central authority to an autonomous vehicle regarding operation of the autonomous vehicle within any of a region or space;   wherein the autonomous vehicle includes an autonomous system controller associated therewith; and   wherein subsequent operation of the autonomous vehicle within the region or space is based on compliance with the transmitted information.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the transmitted information includes any of a rule or regulation for operation of the autonomous vehicle within the region or space. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the transmitted information is required to be locally stored for and accessible by the autonomous system controller for operation of the autonomous vehicle within the region or space. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the transmitted information ensures that the autonomous vehicle has paid a regulatory fee for operation within the region or space. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 transmitting a fallback set of rules over the wireless communication channel from the central authority to the autonomous vehicle regarding operation of the autonomous vehicle within the region or space;   wherein subsequent operation of the autonomous vehicle within the region or space is based on compliance with the fallback set of rules if the central authority cannot be reached over the wireless communication channel.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the communication channel is any of a secure or private communication channel. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 receiving information at the central authority regarding operation of the autonomous vehicle within the region or space.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 monitoring the communication channel for a condition related to any of an environment, or the space or region in which the autonomous vehicle is operating; and   taking an action to interact with any of the autonomous system controller or an occupant of the autonomous vehicle based on a monitored condition.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the monitored condition is an approaching accident. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the action includes any of issuing a special announcement, declaring an emergency, or issuing an amber alert. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the action includes establishing remote access to a live feed of a camera associated with the autonomous vehicle, for any of viewing, recording, or storing the live feed.