Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to notifying a pedestrian of the intent of a self-driving vehicle. For example, the vehicle may include sensors which detect an object such as a pedestrian attempting or about to cross the roadway in front of the vehicle. The vehicle\'s computer may then determine the correct way to respond to the pedestrian. For example, the computer may determine that the vehicle should stop or slow down, yield, or stop if it is safe to do so. The vehicle may then provide a notification to the pedestrian of what the vehicle is going to or is currently doing. For example, the vehicle may include a physical signaling device, an electronic sign or lights, a speaker for providing audible notifications, etc.

Claims

18 · 2 independent · depth 3

18 granted claims

›1.independentA method comprising:nmaneuvering, by one or more processors, a vehicle along a route including a roadway in an autonomous driving mode without continu…+10

›2.↳ 1The method of claim 1, further comprising:ndetermining that a projected path of the object will cross with a projected path of the vehicle, wherein th…d2+1

›4.↳ 1The method of claim 1, wherein determining that the object is likely to cross the roadway is further based on a proximity of the object to the roadway…d2

›5.↳ 1The method of claim 1, wherein determining that the object is likely to cross the roadway is further based on a location of the object relative to a c…d2

›6.↳ 1The method of claim 1, wherein selecting the plan of action includes determining whether if the vehicle slows down or continues on a current path of t…d2

›7.↳ 1The method of claim 1, wherein selecting the plan of action includes determining, by the one or more processors, whether the vehicle is able to come t…d2+1

›9.↳ 1The method of claim 1, wherein the notification includes playing an audible instruction message indicative of the selected plan through a speaker of t…d2

›10.↳ 1The method of claim 1, wherein the notification is provided by displaying an image indicative of the selected plan of action on an electronic sign mou…d2

›11.↳ 1The method of claim 1, wherein the notification is provided by displaying text indicative of the selected plan of action on an electronic sign mounted…d2

›12.independentA system comprising one or more processors configured to:nmaneuver a vehicle along a route including a roadway in an autonomous driving mode without c…+6

›13.↳ 12The system of claim 12, wherein the notification is provided by displaying an image indicative of the selected plan of action on an electronic sign mo…d2

›14.↳ 12The system of claim 12, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to determine that the object is likely to cross the roadway further …d2

›15.↳ 12The system of claim 12, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to determine that the object is likely to cross the roadway further …d2

›16.↳ 12The system of claim 12, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to select the plan of action that includes determining whether if th…d2

›17.↳ 12The system of claim 12, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to select the plan of action includes determining whether the vehicl…d2+1

Classifications

11 codes

IPC · International Patent Classification

Section G — Physics

G08G1/16

USPC · US Patent Classification

701/70701/25340/436180/167340/933340/901701/301340/435340/903701/36

Claim changes

Soon

Coming soonHow the claims changed between publication and grant

See which claims were amended, added or cancelled during examination, with every added and removed word marked.

AmendedAddedCancelledUnchanged

The published claims of this patent are not paired with the granted ones in what we hold.

File wrapper

⤢ drag to zoom

USPTOApplicanthover for detail · click to open

Pendency

1.0 y

378 days filing → grant

Office actions

non-final + final

Responses

no RCE

Examiner

Thomas G Black

art unit 3661 · TC 3600

Law firm

Law firm · Log in to unlock

Citations: 27 back · 0 forward

See the full prosecution history — every USPTO and applicant action on this file, in order.

Term & fees

See the term timeline — pendency span, in-force span, the maintenance fees paid and both computed expiry dates.

Validity challenges

See the validity challenges on record — reexaminations, IPRs and PGRs, with their institution decisions and outcomes.

Citations

See every patent this one cites and every patent that cites it back — publication, assignee, and how each one was found.