A steering wheel (102, Figure 1) has a plurality of capacitive sensors 200 embedded in it, for example in top and bottom or front and rear perimeters of the steering wheel, whose voltage levels can be changed by a driver. A detector measures time delays corresponding to sensors 200 and determines how many hands are on the steering wheel based on the time delays. In response to two hands being detected, access can be granted to an infotainment system (108, Figure 1). Access may also be granted or restricted based on a detected speed of the vehicle or the presence of a passenger; moreover certain functions might be allowed while in motion (such as navigation) while others may be disabled (such as input).
Driver detection steering wheel
2017-12-20
Patent
Electronic Resource
English
IPC: | B62D MOTOR VEHICLES , Motorfahrzeuge / B60K Anordnung oder Einbau von Antriebseinheiten oder von Kraft- bzw. Drehmomentübertragungen in Fahrzeugen , ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES / B60R Fahrzeuge, Fahrzeugausstattung oder Fahrzeugteile, soweit nicht anderweitig vorgesehen , VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR |