MULTI-LEVEL VEHICLE INTEGRITY AND QUALITY CONTROL MECHANISM

摘要

The processor-implemented control system for automotive vehicles assigns master control functionality separately to each controlled direction of motion. Within each master control, a multi-layered control architecture is implemented. At control level 0 multiple localized actuators associated with the controlled motion direction are monitored to ensure integrity but are otherwise allowed to operate on their own. At control level 1 the master control plays a supervisory role, coordinating behavior of the multiple actuators. At levels 2 and 3 the master control assesses trustworthiness of the driver and factors that trustworthiness into the control equation.

主权项

1. A multi-level control system for controlling multiple actuators associated with at least one motion dimension within an automotive vehicle having plural sensors and actuators for effecting changes in vehicle motion in at least said one motion direction, where at least some of the sensors provide driver correlated input signals corresponding to actions performed by the driver, comprising:
a master control circuit coupled to receive input signals from said sensors and coupled to monitor the state of said actuators; the master control circuit being configured to provide multiple levels of control over vehicle motion in said one motion direction; the multiple levels including: (a) an actuator monitoring level in which the integrity of said actuators is assessed; (b) a first actuator controlling level that interprets input signals from said sensors, including driver correlated input signals and provides supervisory control over said actuators; (c) a second actuator controlling level that assesses a level of driver trustworthiness by interpreting said input signals and that provides supervisory control over said actuators in a manner different from that effected by the first actuator controlling level when driver trustworthiness is below a predetermined level.