초록 ▼

In a vehicle designed for the execution of a mission, a programmable decision unit capable of managing and controlling the execution of the mission by utilizing a plurality of subsystems and database capable of holding and managing data including pre-stored data and data acquired by and received fro

In a vehicle designed for the execution of a mission, a programmable decision unit capable of managing and controlling the execution of the mission by utilizing a plurality of subsystems and database capable of holding and managing data including pre-stored data and data acquired by and received from the plurality of subsystems. The programmable decision unit includes a mission plan (MP) for accomplishing the execution of the mission includes a succession of iterations that include each assignment of a mission segment associated with a current mission stated to one or more of the subsystems. Each iteration further includes receipt from the subsystems report data which include data indicative of the execution status of the mission segment by the corresponding subsystem; and evaluation of the report data for determining either normal behavior or an exceptional event. The programmable decision unit is capable of managing and controlling the execution of the mission in an autonomous fashion whereby the vehicle becomes an autonomous vehicle.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] In a vehicle designed for the execution of a mission, a programmable decision unit for managing and controlling the execution of the mission by utilizing a plurality of subsystems and database means for holding and managing data including pre-stored data and data acquired

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] In a vehicle designed for the execution of a mission, a programmable decision unit for managing and controlling the execution of the mission by utilizing a plurality of subsystems and database means for holding and managing data including pre-stored data and data acquired by and received from said plurality of subsystems, which programmable decision unit comprises a mission plan (MP), for accomplishing the execution of said mission that utilizes said database, the MP comprising:(a) a plurality of states each being a mission state representing a mission segment to be executed by at least one of the subsystems and including mission states that are defined as "mission start", "mission complete" and "mission failed"; and(b) a plurality of arcs linking said states and each signifying transition conditions between two mission states which it links;the operation of managing and controlling the execution of the mission includes a succession of iterations that include each:(i) assignment of a mission segment associated with a current mission state to at least one of said subsystems;(ii) receipt from the subsystems of report data which include data indicative of the execution status of said mission segment by said at least one subsystem;(iii) evaluation of said report data for determining at least either of normal behavior and exceptional event; and(iii.1) in response to normal behavior, either staying in current mission state of the MP or transiting from the current mission state of the MP to another in the case that said report data, or portion thereof, satisfy said transition conditions; or(iii.2) in response to exceptional event eliciting a responsive action in order to accomplish the execution of said mission;said programmable decision unit manages and controls the execution of said mission in essentially autonomous fashion.