Dynamic control and configuration of autonomous navigation systems

Abstract

The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for generating, processing and correlating data from multiple sensors in an autonomous navigation system, and more particularly to the utilization of configurable and dynamic sensor modules within light detection and ranging systems that enable an improved correlation between sensor data as well as configurability and responsiveness of the system to its surrounding environment.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An autonomous navigation system comprising:
 an autonomous driving system control unit configured to monitor a plurality of external conditions relevant to an autonomously driven vehicle;   a plurality of sensor modules located on the vehicle, the plurality of sensor modules comprising a plurality of sensors configured to detect objects external to the vehicle; and   a controller coupled to the autonomous driving system control unit and the plurality of sensor modules, wherein the controller is configured to:
 receive external condition information and sensor configuration information from the autonomous driving system control unit; 
 receive sensor data from the plurality of sensors; and 
 calibrate the plurality of sensor modules based on the external condition information and the sensor configuration information. 
   
     
     
         22 . The autonomous navigation system of  claim 21 , wherein the sensor data is correlated across a subset of sensors within the plurality of sensors and is communicated on a serial bus. 
     
     
         23 . The autonomous navigation system of  claim 21 , wherein the controller is configured to activate at least one sensor within the plurality of sensors based on the external condition information or the sensor configuration information. 
     
     
         24 . The autonomous navigation system of  claim 21 , wherein the controller is configured to provide the plurality of sensor modules correlation information between at least two sensors within the plurality of sensors. 
     
     
         25 . The autonomous navigation system of  claim 24 , wherein the plurality of sensors comprises at least one light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor. 
     
     
         26 . The autonomous navigation system of  claim 25 , wherein the plurality of sensors comprises at least one thermal sensor. 
     
     
         27 . The autonomous navigation system of  claim 25 , wherein the plurality of sensors comprises at least one color sensor. 
     
     
         28 . The autonomous navigation system of  claim 21 , wherein the sensor configuration information comprises at least one of a sensor type, a field of view, a frame rate, and a region of interest associated with at least one sensor module in the plurality of sensor modules. 
     
     
         29 . The autonomous navigation system of  claim 21 , wherein the external condition information comprises at least one of an odometer reading, a lighting condition, a vehicle speed reading, an external map, or a congestion indicator. 
     
     
         30 . A method comprising:
 receiving, from an autonomous driving system control unit, external condition information relevant to an autonomously driven vehicle and sensor configuration information associated with a plurality of sensor modules located on the vehicle, the plurality of sensor modules comprising a plurality of sensors configured to detect objects external to the vehicle;   receiving sensor data from the plurality of sensors; and   calibrating the plurality of sensor modules based on the external condition information and the sensor configuration information.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the sensor data is correlated across a subset of sensors within the plurality of sensors and is communicated on a serial bus. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising activating at least one sensor within the plurality of sensors based on the external condition information or the sensor configuration information. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising providing the plurality of sensor modules correlation information between at least two sensors within the plurality of sensors. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the plurality of sensors comprises at least one light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the plurality of sensors comprises at least one thermal sensor. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the plurality of sensors comprises at least one color sensor. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the sensor configuration information comprises at least one of a sensor type, a field of view, a frame rate, or, a region of interest associated with at least one sensor module in the plurality of sensor modules. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the external condition information comprises at least one of an odometer reading, a lighting condition, a vehicle speed reading, an external map, or a congestion indicator. 
     
     
         39 . A autonomous navigation system controller programmed to perform operations comprising:
 receiving external condition information relevant to a vehicle that is autonomously driven and sensor configuration information associated with a plurality of sensor modules located on the vehicle, the plurality of sensor modules comprising a plurality of sensors configured to detect objects external to the vehicle;   receiving sensor data from the plurality of sensors; and   calibrating the plurality of sensor modules based on the external condition information and the sensor configuration information.   
     
     
         40 . The controller of  claim 39 , wherein the sensor data is correlated across a subset of sensors within the plurality of sensors and is communicated on a serial bus.