Autonomous vehicle mode regulator

Abstract

An autonomous vehicle mode regulator system and method comprise transmitting authorization signals from autonomous driving infrastructure on a roadway to a controller module to authorize or inhibit operation of a vehicle in different levels of automation. The controller module controls the level of automation under which the autonomous driving system of the vehicle operates based on the signals received from the autonomous driving infrastructure. In this regard, the controller module can prevent the autonomous driving system of the vehicle from operating in certain levels of automation unless appropriate authorizations signals are received. Similarly, the controller module can permit or even require operation of the vehicle in certain levels of automation upon receipt of certain authorization signals. Still further, the controller module can inhibit or disengage operation of a vehicle in certain levels of automation upon receipt of signals from autonomous driving infrastructure associated with certain driving hazards on the roadway.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An Autonomous Vehicle Mode Regulator (AVMR) comprising:
 a controller module adapted to wirelessly receive authorization and/or control signals from autonomous driving infrastructure;   wherein the controller module is operatively connected to an autonomous driving system of a vehicle adapted to operate in different levels of automation;   wherein the controller module controls the level of automation under which the autonomous driving system of the vehicle operates based on the signals received from the autonomous driving infrastructure.   
     
     
         2 . The AVMR according to  claim 1 , wherein the signals received from the autonomous driving infrastructure indicate the level of automation under which the vehicle is permitted or is required to operate. 
     
     
         3 . The AVMR according to  claim 1 , wherein the signals received from the autonomous driving infrastructure indicate driving conditions, including weather, road conditions, traffic or accidents. 
     
     
         4 . The AVMR according to  claim 1 , wherein the level of authorized automation is defined by a government agency, including the Department of Transportation or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the United States. 
     
     
         5 . The AVMR according to  claim 1 , wherein the controller module comprises a switch that controls the level of automation under which the autonomous driving system of the vehicle operates. 
     
     
         6 . The AVMR according to  claim 1 , wherein the controller module comprises a programmable logic device. 
     
     
         7 . The AVMR according to  claim 1 , wherein the controller module prevents manual control of the level of automation under which the autonomous driving system of the vehicle operates. 
     
     
         8 . The AVMR according to  claim 2 , wherein the controller module prevents the autonomous driving system of the vehicle from operating in one or more of the different levels of automation upon receiving signals from autonomous driving infrastructure indicating that only certain levels of automation are permitted. 
     
     
         9 . The AVMR according to  claim 2 , wherein the controller module controls the autonomous driving system of the vehicle to operate in one or more of the different levels of automation upon receiving signals from autonomous driving infrastructure indicating that a certain level of automation is required. 
     
     
         10 . The AVMR according to  claim 3 , wherein the controller module prevents the autonomous driving system of the vehicle from operating in one or more of the different levels of automation upon receiving signals from autonomous driving infrastructure indicating dangerous driving conditions. 
     
     
         11 . The AVMR according to  claim 1 , wherein the controller module receives a signal from the autonomous driving system indicating an operational status of the vehicle, including failure of one of a plurality of operational systems. 
     
     
         12 . The AVMR according to  claim 11 , wherein the controller module controls the level of automation under which the autonomous driving system of the vehicle operates based on the signal received from the autonomous driving system indicating the operational status of the vehicle. 
     
     
         13 . The AVMR according to  claim 11 , wherein the controller module prevents the autonomous driving system of the vehicle from operating in one or more of the different levels of automation upon receiving the signal from the autonomous driving system indicating failure of one of a plurality of operational systems. 
     
     
         14 . A method of regulating an operational mode of an autonomous vehicle, comprising the steps of:
 wirelessly receiving signals from autonomous driving infrastructure;   communicating with an autonomous driving system of a vehicle adapted to operate in different levels of automation;   controlling the level of automation under which the autonomous driving system of the vehicle operates based on the signals received from the autonomous driving infrastructure.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the signals received from the autonomous driving infrastructure indicate the level of automation under which the vehicle is permitted or is required to operate. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the signals received from the autonomous driving infrastructure indicate driving conditions, including weather, road conditions, traffic or accidents. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the level of automation is defined by a government agency, including the Department of Transportation or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the United States. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 14 , further comprising the step of: preventing manual control of the level of automation under which the autonomous driving system of the vehicle operates. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising the step of: preventing the autonomous driving system of the vehicle from operating in one or more of the different levels of automation upon receiving signals from autonomous driving infrastructure indicating that only certain levels of automation are permitted. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising the step of: controlling the autonomous driving system of the vehicle to operate in one or more of the different levels of automation upon receiving signals from autonomous driving infrastructure indicating that a certain level of automation is required.