System, method, and apparatus to mitigate and or prevent autonomous vehicle misuse through the use of security enabled sensors

Abstract

Methods and systems for implementing autonomous vehicle security features. The present invention details an effective and secure methodology to implement the external management and control of autonomous vehicles by authorized personnel, usually law enforcement, through the use of intelligent sensors that can override an autonomous vehicle controller's functionality as necessary.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A Lawful Stop and Search (LSS) Override Controller for an autonomous vehicle, the controller comprising:
 a first communication channel to a LSS Illuminator or a LSS Manual Controller;   a second communication channel to the LSS Manual Controller;   a logical command communications link coupled to the first and second communication channels that employs a secure communication protocol configured to concurrently communicate to said LSS Illuminator and said LSS Manual Controller;   an AV Computer interface to an automated driving system (ADS) controller providing default control of said autonomous vehicle;   an Emergency Override Interface, bypassing said ADS, coupled to at least one of a drive motor system, a braking system, and a steering system of said autonomous vehicle;   a dispatch interface configured to communicate with said autonomous vehicle's dispatch;   a memory configured to securely store program code and a data set wherein the data set includes: operational data, critical security parameters (CSPs), and a set of usage records; and   a processor.   
     
     
         2 . The LSS Override Controller of  claim 1 , wherein said LSS Override Controller is logically distinct and independent from said ADS controller and may assert unconditional control over said ADS controller via the AV Computer interface, and may bypass said ADS controller to assert unconditional control over at least one of said vehicle steering, braking and propulsion systems via the Emergency Override Interface. 
     
     
         3 . The LSS Override Controller of  claim 1 , wherein said the first communication channel utilize at least one of ultrasonic, optical, and radio frequency energy and the second communication channel utilize a direct wired connection. 
     
     
         4 . The LSS Override Controller of  claim 1 , wherein the set of usage records contain a minimum content including: a notification that a law enforcement entity has performed an LSS interdiction, a date, time, and location of said interdiction, an identity and jurisdiction of said law enforcement entity and evidence of non-repudiation of message origin for said interaction. 
     
     
         5 . The LSS Override Controller of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to record each interaction with the LSS Illuminator or the LSS Manual Controller within said set of usage records and later transmit via said dispatch interface a message comprising a plurality of said usage records and receive acknowledgment that said message was successfully received. 
     
     
         6 . The LSS Override controller of  claim 1 , wherein said secure communication protocol performs an identification and authentication of an entity using the LSS Illuminator or the LSS Manual Controller, and contingent on the determination said entity is an authorized member of law enforcement, said entity is granted access of the LSS override controller to assert control over said autonomous vehicle. 
     
     
         7 . The LSS Override controller of  claim 1 , further comprising an external casing wherein said casing provides a set of protections against unauthorized physical access to the memory. 
     
     
         8 . The LSS Override controller of  claim 7 , wherein the set of protections includes at least one of, evidence of tampering, pick-resistant locks, and tamper-detection/response circuitry. 
     
     
         9 . The LSS Override Controller of  claim 1 , wherein the CSPs includes at least one of the following: cryptographic key, public key certificate, password, PIN, token, or biometric data. 
     
     
         10 . A lawful stop and search (LSS) Illuminator comprising:
 a command communications link configured to communicate using a secure communication protocol to the LSS Override controller via at least one of, a focused beam of ultrasonic, optical, or radio frequency energy;   a dispatch interface configured to communicate with law enforcement dispatch;   a memory configured to securely store program code and a data set wherein the data set includes: operational data, critical security parameters (CSPs), and a set of usage records; and   a processor.   
     
     
         11 . The LSS Illuminator of  claim 10 , wherein the processor is configured to record each interaction with the LSS Override Controller within said set of usage records and later transmit via said dispatch interface a message comprising a plurality of said usage records and receive acknowledgment that said message was successfully received. 
     
     
         12 . The LSS Illuminator of  claim 10 , wherein said set of usage records containing a minimum content including: notification that a law enforcement entity has performed a LSS interdiction, a date, time, and location of said interdiction, the interdicted vehicle ownership, and evidence of non-repudiation of message receipt for said interaction. 
     
     
         13 . The LSS Illuminator of  claim 10 , further comprising an external casing that renders the LSS Illuminator operable as a handheld device wherein said casing provides a set of protections against unauthorized physical access to the memory. 
     
     
         14 . The LSS Illuminator of  claim 13 , wherein the set of protections includes at least one of, evidence of tampering, pick-resistant locks on all casing covers, and tamper-detection/response circuitry. 
     
     
         15 . The LSS Illuminator of  claim 10 , wherein the CSPs includes at least one of the following: cryptographic key, public key certificate, password, PIN, token, or biometric data. 
     
     
         16 . A lawful stop and search (LSS) Manual Controller that comprises:
 a first communication channel to a LSS Override Controller;   a second communication channel to the LSS Override Controller;   a logical command communications link coupled to the first and second communication channels that employs a secure communication protocol configured to communicate to said to the LSS Override controller;   a dispatch interface configured to communicate with law enforcement dispatch;   a memory configured to securely store program code and a data set wherein the data set including: operational data, critical security parameters (CSPs), and a set of usage records; and   a processor.   
     
     
         17 . The LSS Manual Controller of  claim 16 , wherein said the first communication channel utilize at least one of ultrasonic, optical, and radio frequency energy and the second communication channel utilize a direct wired connection. 
     
     
         18 . The LSS Manual Controller of  claim 16 , wherein the processor is configured to record each interaction with the LSS Override Controller within said set of usage records and later transmit via said dispatch interface a message comprising a plurality of said usage records and receive acknowledgment that said message was successfully received. 
     
     
         19 . The LSS Manual Controller of  claim 16 , wherein said set of usage records containing a minimum content including: notification that a law enforcement entity has performed a LSS interdiction, a date, time, and location of said interdiction, the interdicted vehicle ownership, and evidence of non-repudiation of message receipt for said interaction. 
     
     
         20 . The LSS Manual Controller of  claim 16 , further comprising an external casing that renders the LSS Manual Controller operable as a handheld device wherein said casing provides a set of protections against unauthorized physical access to the memory. 
     
     
         21 . The LSS Manual Controller of  claim 20 , wherein the set of protections includes at least one of, evidence of tampering, pick-resistant locks on all casing covers, and tamper-detection/response circuitry. 
     
     
         22 . The LSS Manual Controller of  claim 14 , wherein the CSPs includes at least one of the following: cryptographic key, public key certificate, password, PIN, token, or biometric data.