US 12,487,609 B2
Control unit and method therein for operating an autonomous vehicle
Stefan Bergquist, Gothenburg (SE); Linus Hagvall, Gothenburg (SE); and Christian Grante, Västra Frölunda (SE)
Assigned to VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION, Gothenburg (SE)
Appl. No. 18/700,560
Filed by VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION, Gothenburg (SE)
PCT Filed Oct. 15, 2021, PCT No. PCT/EP2021/078595
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Apr. 11, 2024,
PCT Pub. No. WO2023/061608, PCT Pub. Date Apr. 20, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2024/0427345 A1, Dec. 26, 2024
Int. Cl. G05D 1/247 (2024.01); G05D 105/05 (2024.01); G05D 105/28 (2024.01); G05D 111/30 (2024.01)
CPC G05D 1/247 (2024.01) [G05D 2105/05 (2024.01); G05D 2105/28 (2024.01); G05D 2111/30 (2024.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method performed by a control unit for operating an autonomous vehicle, the control unit is arranged to communicate via at least one antenna, wherein the method comprise:
obtaining, based on a signal from the at least one antenna, information relating to at least one geographical zone associated with a transponder as the autonomous vehicle moves in proximity of the transponder;
determining an autonomous operating mode of the autonomous vehicle based on the obtained information relating to the at least one geographical zone associated with the transponder; and
operating the autonomous vehicle in accordance with the determined autonomous operating mode, wherein the obtained information relating to the at least one geographical zone associated with the transponder comprise a time limit and/or maximum driving distance, which in case of expiration before any information relating to another geographical zone associated with a subsequent transponder is obtained will cause the control unit to switch to another autonomous operating mode of the autonomous vehicle.