US 12037004

Summary of US Patent 12037004

Title: Controlling driving modes of self-driving vehicles

Assignee: Granite Vehicle Ventures LLC

Inventors: Michael S. Gordon, James R. Kozloski, Ashish Kundu, Peter K. Malkin, Clifford A. Pickover

Filing Date: July 17, 2023 (for application number US18/222,774)

Issue Date: July 16, 2024

Abstract:
A computer-implemented method, system, and/or computer program product for controlling a driving mode of a self-driving vehicle (SDV) is disclosed. One or more processors determine a competence level for an on-board SDV control processor and for a human driver in controlling the SDV while it experiences a current operational anomaly. These competence levels are then compared, and control of the SDV is selectively assigned to either the SDV control processor or the human driver based on which entity has a relatively higher competence level for handling the specific operational anomaly.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

Independent Claim 1 (Method):
This claim describes a computer-implemented method for switching a self-driving vehicle (SDV) between autonomous and manual driving modes. The method involves several steps performed by one or more processors:

1. Detecting an Anomaly: The system receives sensor readings that identify an abnormal condition or issue with the SDV (an "operational anomaly").
2. Evaluating AI Competence: It determines how capable the SDV's on-board control processor is at handling the vehicle while that specific anomaly is occurring.
3. Evaluating Human Competence: It also receives information from a human driver's profile to determine how capable the human driver is at controlling the vehicle under the same anomalous condition.
4. Comparing Competence: The system then compares the competence level of the on-board control processor to that of the human driver.
5. Assigning Control: Based on which entity (the processor or the human driver) is deemed more competent to handle the vehicle with the current anomaly, control of the SDV is assigned to that entity.

Independent Claim 11 (System):
This claim describes a system, including memory and one or more processors, designed to perform the same method outlined in Claim 1. The processors are configured to:

1. Receive sensor readings detailing an SDV's current operational anomaly.
2. Determine the on-board SDV control processor's competence level in controlling the SDV during that anomaly.
3. Receive a human driver's profile, which indicates their competence level for controlling the SDV during the anomaly.
4. Compare these two competence levels.
5. Selectively assign control of the SDV to either the on-board control processor or the human driver, based on which has the higher competence level.

Independent Claim 19 (Computer Program Product):
This claim covers a computer program product stored on a computer-readable medium. The program instructions, when executed by a processor, carry out the same method as described in Claim 1. Specifically, the instructions enable the processor to:

1. Receive sensor readings about an SDV's current operational anomaly.
2. Determine the control processor's competence level for handling the SDV during the anomaly.
3. Receive a human driver's profile to ascertain their competence level for managing the SDV during the anomaly.
4. Compare the control processor's competence level to the human driver's competence level.
5. Assign control of the SDV to the control processor or the human driver, choosing the one with the relatively higher competence level for that specific anomalous situation.

Litigation Status:
US Patent 12037004 is currently active and involved in litigation. Granite Vehicle Ventures LLC, the assignee, filed a lawsuit against Tesla Inc. on December 6, 2024, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, alleging infringement of this patent, along with US Patent Nos. 11,597,402 and 11,738,765. Tesla subsequently moved to dismiss some of the infringement claims and requested a transfer of the case. The case was transferred from the Eastern District of Texas to the Northern District of California on February 13, 2026.

While a direct CAFC docket specifically detailing an appeal for this patent in 2026 was not found in the live search results, the patent's information on Google Patents (as provided in the prompt) indicates a "US case filed in Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit" with case number 26-116. Given the recent transfer of the district court case, it is likely that any CAFC activity might be a related or prior procedural matter, or an appeal yet to fully develop from the ongoing district court proceedings.