Device and method for controlling the driving of a vehicle

Abstract

An apparatus and method for controlling the driving of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising: a detector configured to obtain driving information, driver information, and surrounding environment information around the vehicle; and a controller configured to determine whether to enable a safe driving mode based on at least one of the driving information, driver information, and surrounding environment information regarding the vehicle, and to determine whether to maintain the safe driving mode based on the vehicle state after the safe driving mode is enabled. Accordingly, even when a driver erroneously operates an accelerator pedal instead of a brake pedal of the vehicle, the apparatus can support safe driving of the vehicle by restricting the speed of the vehicle.

Description

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the priority and benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10 - 2019 - 0011798, filed on January 30, 2019, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for controlling the driving of a vehicle. Background art

[0004] The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

[0005] Generally, when an unskilled driver drives immediately after starting the vehicle; when entering or leaving a parking lot; when driving along an alley; when repeating "stop - and - go" operations due to traffic congestion in the city center; and when suddenly moving from a dark area to a bright area, etc., the accelerator pedal is often mis - operated in place of the brake pedal, and vice versa.

[0006] In this case, when an unskilled driver mis - operates the accelerator pedal in place of the brake pedal, an accident may occur. Summary of the invention

[0007] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above - mentioned problems that occur in the prior art while completely retaining the advantages achieved by the prior art.

[0008] One aspect of the present disclosure provides an apparatus and method for controlling the driving of a vehicle, which can reduce or prevent an accident even when a driver mis - operates the accelerator pedal in place of the brake pedal.

[0009] The technical problems to be solved by the inventive concept are not limited to the foregoing problems, and those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains will clearly understand any other technical problems not mentioned herein from the following description.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus for controlling the driving of a vehicle includes: a detector configured to acquire driving information, driver information, and surrounding environment information around the vehicle; and a controller configured to determine whether to enable a safe - driving mode based on at least one of the driving information, driver information, and surrounding environment information around the vehicle, and to determine whether to maintain the safe - driving mode based on the state of the vehicle after the safe - driving mode is enabled.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the controller determines whether the vehicle is in a rapid - acceleration state based on a sensed value associated with the slope of the road on which the vehicle is traveling from an accelerator - pedal sensor.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, when the sensed value indicates a downward slope and is greater than or equal to a first reference value, the controller determines that the vehicle is in a rapid acceleration state.

[0013] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, when the sensed value indicates a downward slope, a flat slope, or an upward slope and is greater than or equal to a second reference value that is higher than the first reference value, the controller determines that the vehicle is in a rapid acceleration state.

[0014] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, when the sensed value indicates an upward slope and is greater than or equal to a third reference value, the controller determines that the vehicle is in a rapid acceleration state.

[0015] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, when the state of the vehicle is determined to be in a rapid acceleration state, the controller maintains the safe driving mode and adjusts the speed of the vehicle to a speed corresponding to the safe driving mode.

[0016] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the safe driving mode includes the following driving mode: when it is determined that the vehicle will be in a rapid acceleration state while in a parked state or a stopped state, the gear of the vehicle is set to the lowest gear, and the revolutions per minute (RPM) of the engine of the vehicle is maintained equal to or lower than the reference RPM.

[0017] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the safe driving mode includes the following driving mode: when it is determined that the vehicle is in a rapid acceleration state while in a driving state, the gear of the vehicle is set to the gear corresponding to the driving state, and the fuel supply to the engine of the vehicle is cut off.

[0018] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the controller determines a safe driving mode object or a safe driving mode area based on at least one of driving information, driver information, and surrounding environment information around the vehicle. In addition, the controller determines whether to enable the safe driving mode based on whether the driver of the vehicle is a safe driving mode object or whether the current position of the vehicle is in the safe driving mode area.

[0019] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, when the driver is not a safe driving mode object or when the current position of the vehicle is not in the safe driving mode area, the controller adjusts the vehicle speed to a speed corresponding to the normal driving mode.

[0020] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method for controlling the driving of a vehicle includes: obtaining driving information, driver information, and surrounding environment information around the vehicle by a detector; determining, by a controller, whether to enable a safe driving mode based on at least one of the driving information, the driver information, and the surrounding environment information around the vehicle; and after enabling the safe driving mode, determining, by the controller, whether to maintain the safe driving mode based on the state of the vehicle.

[0021] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the method further includes determining, by the controller, whether the vehicle is in a rapid acceleration state based on a sensed value associated with the slope of the road on which the vehicle is traveling from an accelerator pedal sensor.

[0022] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the method further includes determining, by the controller, that the vehicle is in a rapid acceleration state when the road has a downward slope and the sensed value from the accelerator pedal sensor is greater than or equal to a first reference value.

[0023] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the method further includes determining, by the controller, that the vehicle is in a rapid acceleration state when the road has a downward slope, a flat slope, or an upward slope and the sensed value from the accelerator pedal sensor is greater than or equal to a second reference value that is higher than the first reference value.

[0024] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the method further includes determining, by the controller, that the vehicle is in a rapid acceleration state when the road has an upward slope and the sensed value from the accelerator pedal sensor is greater than or equal to a third reference value.

[0025] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the method further includes, when the state of the vehicle is determined to be in a rapid acceleration state, maintaining, by the controller, the safe driving mode and adjusting the speed of the vehicle to a speed corresponding to the safe driving mode.

[0026] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the safe driving mode includes the following driving mode: when it is determined that the vehicle will be in a rapid acceleration state while in a parked state or a stopped state, the gear of the vehicle is set to the lowest gear, and the revolutions per minute (RPM) of the engine of the vehicle is maintained equal to or lower than a reference revolutions per minute (RPM).

[0027] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the safe driving mode includes the following driving mode: when it is determined that the vehicle is in a rapid acceleration state while in a driving state, the gear of the vehicle is set to the gear corresponding to the driving state, and the fuel supply to the engine of the vehicle is cut off.

[0028] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the method further includes determining, by a controller, a safe driving mode object or a safe driving mode area based on at least one of driving information, driver information, and surrounding environment information around the vehicle, and determining, by the controller, whether to enable the safe driving mode based on whether the driver of the vehicle is a safe driving mode object or whether the current position of the vehicle is within the safe driving mode area.

[0029] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the method further includes, when the driver is not a safe driving mode object or when the current position of the vehicle is not within the safe driving mode area, adjusting, by the controller, the speed of the vehicle to a speed corresponding to a normal driving mode.

[0030] Other application areas will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] To fully understand the present disclosure, various forms of the present disclosure will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0032] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a device for controlling the driving of a vehicle;

[0033] Figure 2 shows an input device;

[0034] Figure 3 shows a driver status warning device;

[0035] Figure 4 shows an image output in a safe driving mode;

[0036] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing a method for determining a driving mode of a vehicle;

[0037] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing a method for determining a safe driving mode object;

[0038] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing a method for determining a driving mode of a vehicle;

[0039] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing a method for controlling the driving of a vehicle during a stop;

[0040] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing a method for controlling the driving of a vehicle during driving; and

[0041] Figure 10 shows a computing system.

[0042] The accompanying drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. Detailed Description

[0043] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the accompanying drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts and features.

[0044] When adding reference numerals to the components of each drawing, it should be noted that the same or equivalent components are denoted by the same numerals even when shown in other drawings. In addition, when describing the forms of the present disclosure, detailed descriptions of well-known features or functions will be excluded so as not to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present disclosure.

[0045] When describing the components according to the forms of the present disclosure, terms such as first, second, "A", "B", (a), (b), etc. may be used. These terms are only intended to distinguish one component from another, and these terms do not limit the nature, sequence, or order of the components constituting the components. Unless otherwise defined, all terms, including technical or scientific terms, used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains. These terms as defined in a common dictionary should be interpreted as having a meaning equivalent to the context meaning in the relevant field and should not be interpreted as having an ideal or overly formal meaning unless expressly so defined in the present application.

[0046] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a device for controlling the driving of a vehicle according to an exemplary form of the present disclosure.

[0047] As Figure 1 shown, the device for controlling the driving of a vehicle includes an input device 110, a detector 120, a display 130, and a controller 140.

[0048] The input device 110 can output an input signal, which is an electrical signal corresponding to the driver's manipulation.

[0049] The input device 110 can output an input signal to deactivate the safe driving mode corresponding to the driver's manipulation.

[0050] The input device 110 can be implemented as at least one of a roller, a button, a knob, a touch screen, a touch pad, a lever, a trackball, an operation sensor, and a voice recognition sensor, or a combination thereof, and can be provided on the instrument panel.

[0051] The detector 120 may include a first detector 121, a second detector 122, and a third detector 123. For example, the first detector 121 may acquire driving information of the vehicle, the second detector 122 may acquire driver information, and the third detector 123 may acquire surrounding environment information around the vehicle.

[0052] The first detector 121 may acquire the engine RPM sensed by the engine RPM sensor, the speed of the vehicle sensed by the vehicle speed sensor, the speed change information of the vehicle sensed by the shift lever sensor, and the sensed values sensed by the brake pedal sensor and the accelerator pedal sensor. In this regard, the sensed value from the accelerator pedal sensor may refer to the measurement of the degree to which the driver depresses the accelerator pedal.

[0053] The second detector 122 may acquire the driver's personal information pre-stored in the Driver Status Warning (DSW) device, and the forward-looking information of the driver sensed from the DSW device. In this regard, the driver's personal information may include the driver's gender, age, driving experience, and vehicle driving time.

[0054] In addition, the second detector 122 may acquire information on whether the driver wears a seat belt sensed by the seat belt sensor, the steering angle of the steering wheel sensed by the steering angle sensor, and information on whether the driver's hand grasps the steering wheel from the pressure sensor provided on the steering wheel.

[0055] The third detector 123 may acquire the current position of the vehicle from the navigation, the surrounding information of the vehicle from the camera provided at the front or rear of the vehicle, and the slope of the road sensed by the slope sensor.

[0056] When the controller 140 determines a safe driving mode object or a safe driving mode area, the display 130 may be controlled to display the safe driving mode object or the safe driving mode area.

[0057] As an example, the display 130 may be provided on the instrument panel of the vehicle and may be provided in the AVN or the cluster.

[0058] The display 130 may be implemented as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an LED (Light Emitting Diode), a PDP (Plasma Display Panel), an AMOLED (Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode), a POLED (Plastic Organic Light Emitting Diode), etc., but is not limited thereto. The display 130 may be implemented as a touch screen type, and in this case, the function of an input device may also be performed.

[0059] The controller 140 may control the overall operation of the device for controlling the driving of the vehicle according to the present disclosure.

[0060] The controller 140 may determine a safe driving mode object and a safe driving mode area based on at least one of driving information, driver information, and surrounding environment information around the vehicle, and may adjust the vehicle speed to a speed corresponding to the safe driving mode or the normal driving mode.

[0061] According to an exemplary form of the present disclosure, the safe driving mode may refer to the following driving mode: when the vehicle changes from a stopped state or a parked state to an accelerating state (rapid acceleration state), the gear is set to the lowest gear, and the engine RPM is maintained equal to or lower than the reference RPM.

[0062] In addition, the safe driving mode may refer to the following driving mode: when the vehicle is determined to be in an accelerating state (rapid acceleration state) while in a driving state, the gear is set to the gear corresponding to the driving state, and the supply of fuel to the engine is cut off (or blocked).

[0063] In addition, the normal driving mode may refer to the following driving mode: where the gear is set based on the driver's operation.

[0064] The controller 140 may determine a safe driving mode object based on at least one of driving information, driver information, and surrounding environment information around the vehicle obtained from the detector 120.

[0065] More specifically, the controller 140 may authenticate the occupant sitting in the driver's seat as the driver based on the driver's personal information stored in the driver status warning device.

[0066] When the driver is authenticated, the controller 140 determines whether the authenticated driver is a safe driving mode object.

[0067] The controller 140 first determines whether the driver is male. Then, when the driver is male, the controller 140 determines whether the driver belongs to the first reference age group. According to another form, the first reference age group may include the age group in which driving is determined to be unskilled (under 25 years old or over 60 years old). In one form, the controller 140 may determine a male driver under 25 years old or over 60 years old as an unskilled driver.

[0068] When the driver is male and the driver does not belong to the first reference age group, the controller 140 determines whether the driving experience is greater than the reference experience duration.

[0069] When it is determined that the driver's driving experience duration is greater than the reference experience duration, the controller 140 determines whether the driver's driving time is greater than the reference driving time. Meanwhile, when the driver's driving experience duration is less than the reference experience duration, the controller 140 determines the driver as a safe driving mode object.

[0070] When it is determined that the vehicle driving time is greater than the reference driving time, the controller 140 determines the driver as a normal driving mode object who is not a safe driving mode object. At the same time, when the driving time is less than the reference driving time, the controller 140 determines the driver as a safe driving mode object.

[0071] In addition, when the driver is not male, that is, when the driver is female, the controller 140 determines whether the driver belongs to the second reference age group. According to another form, the second reference age group includes the age group in which driving is determined to be unskilled (under 25 years old or over 50 years old). According to another form, the controller 140 may determine female drivers under 25 years old or over 50 years old as unskilled drivers.

[0072] When the driver is female and the driver does not belong to the second reference age group, the controller 140 determines whether the driving experience is greater than the reference experience duration. When it is determined that the driver's driving experience duration is greater than the reference experience duration, the controller 140 determines whether the driver's driving time is greater than the reference driving time. When it is determined that the vehicle driving time is greater than the reference driving time, the controller 140 determines the driver as a normal driving mode object who is not a safe driving mode object. At the same time, when the driving experience duration is less than the reference experience duration or the driving time is less than the reference driving time, the controller 140 may determine the driver as a safe driving mode object.

[0073] When the driver is a male belonging to the first reference age group, and when the driver is a female belonging to the second reference age group, the controller 140 may determine the driver as a safe driving mode object.

[0074] When it is determined that the driver is a safe driving mode object, the controller 140 may enable the safe driving mode. In addition, when it is determined that the driver is not a safe driving mode object, the controller 140 may enable the normal driving mode.

[0075] The controller 140 may determine the safe driving mode area based on at least one of the driving information, driver information, and surrounding environment information around the vehicle obtained from the detector 120.

[0076] According to another form, when it is determined based on the vehicle surrounding environment information around the vehicle obtained from the detector 120 that the vehicle is inside a building or a parking lot, the controller 140 may determine that the vehicle is in the safe driving mode area.

[0077] In addition, based on the vehicle surrounding environment information, when at least one of a children's protection area, a senior protection area, and a deceleration area is within a predetermined range around the vehicle, the controller 140 may determine that the vehicle is in the safe driving mode area.

[0078] In addition, based on the vehicle surrounding environment information around the vehicle, when the vehicle is on a two-lane road other than a highway, a local road, and a private lane, the controller 140 may determine that the vehicle is in a safe driving mode area.

[0079] When the vehicle is in a highway service area, a rest area, a road without lane / signal information, or a residential area road, the controller 140 may determine that the vehicle is in a safe driving mode area.

[0080] When it is determined that the vehicle is in a safe driving mode area, the controller 140 may enable the safe driving mode. In addition, when it is determined that the vehicle is not in a safe driving mode area, the controller 140 may enable the normal driving mode.

[0081] When it is determined that the vehicle is not in a safe driving mode area, the controller 140 determines whether the vehicle in front of or behind the vehicle is in a congested state.

[0082] When it is determined that the vehicle in front of or behind the vehicle is in a congested state, the controller 140 may enable the safe driving mode.

[0083] When the vehicle is not in a safe driving mode area and the vehicle in front of or behind the vehicle is not in a congested state, the controller 140 may enable the normal driving mode.

[0084] The controller 140 may determine whether to maintain the safe driving mode based on the determination result of the vehicle state.

[0085] In this regard, when it is determined that the vehicle is in an accelerating state, the controller 140 may maintain the safe driving mode and adjust the vehicle speed to the speed corresponding to the safe driving mode. In addition, when it is determined that the vehicle is not in an accelerating state, the controller 140 may deactivate the safe driving mode and adjust the vehicle speed to the speed corresponding to the normal driving mode.

[0086] The controller 140 may determine the state of the vehicle based on whether the vehicle is in a stopped or parked state or in a driving state.

[0087] First, the operation performed by the controller 140 for determining the state of the vehicle when the vehicle is in a stopped or parked state will be described.

[0088] When the gear shift lever of the vehicle is "P" or "N" and the vehicle speed is "0", the controller 140 may determine that the vehicle is in a stopped or parked state.

[0089] When the vehicle is in a stopped or parked state, it is determined whether the driver is an object of the safe driving mode. When the driver is determined to be an object of the safe driving mode, the controller 140 may determine whether to deactivate the safe driving mode based on the input signal output from the input device 110.

[0090] When the safe driving mode is not deactivated, the controller 140 may determine whether the shift lever of the vehicle has changed to "D" or "R".

[0091] When the shift lever of the vehicle changes to "D" or "R", the controller 140 may re-enable the safe driving mode. In addition, the controller 140 may determine the state of the vehicle after re-enabling the safe driving mode.

[0092] In this regard, the state of the vehicle may be determined based on the sensed value from the accelerator pedal sensor (APS) associated with the road gradient obtained from the detector 120. Additionally, based on the sensed value from the accelerator pedal sensor associated with the road gradient, it may be determined whether the vehicle is in an accelerating state.

[0093] Furthermore, the state of the vehicle may be determined based on the engine RPM associated with the degree of depression of the accelerator pedal. Additionally, based on the engine RPM, it may be determined whether the vehicle is in an accelerating state.

[0094] In this regard, as used herein, the accelerating state may refer to an abnormal accelerator pedal depression state that is not a normal accelerating state on a specific road gradient due to the driving of an unskilled driver. Therefore, the accelerating state may refer to a rapid acceleration state.

[0095] According to an exemplary form of the present disclosure, the road gradient may include a road gradient less than -5%, a road gradient of -5% to 5%, and a road gradient greater than 5%.

[0096] In one embodiment, a road gradient less than -5% may refer to a downhill road that is a road with a downward gradient. Additionally, a road gradient of -5% to 5% may refer to a downhill road, a flat road, and an uphill road having downward, horizontal, and upward gradients, respectively. Furthermore, a road gradient greater than 5% may refer to an uphill road that is a road with an upward gradient.

[0097] When the sensed value from the accelerator pedal sensor on a road with a downward gradient (downhill road) is greater than or equal to a third reference value, the controller 140 may determine that the vehicle is in an accelerating state (rapid acceleration state).

[0098] In addition, when the sensed value from the accelerator pedal sensor on a road with one of a downward slope (downhill), a flat slope, and an upward slope (uphill) is greater than or equal to a second reference value that is higher than the first reference value, the controller 140 may determine that the vehicle is in an accelerating state (rapid acceleration state).

[0099] In addition, when the sensed value from the accelerator pedal on a road with an upward slope (uphill road) is greater than or equal to a third reference value that is higher than the second reference value, the controller 140 may determine that the vehicle is in an accelerating state (rapid acceleration state).

[0100] In addition, based on the depression degree of the accelerator pedal, when the actual engine RPM abnormally rises relative to the normal engine RPM, the controller 140 determines that the vehicle is in an accelerating state (rapid acceleration state).

[0101] When it is determined that the vehicle changes from a stopped or parked state to an accelerating state (rapid acceleration state), the controller 140 may maintain the safe driving mode and adjust the vehicle speed to a speed corresponding to the safe driving mode.

[0102] When the shift lever changes from "P" or "N" to "D" or "R", when setting the speed corresponding to the safe driving mode, the controller 140 may set the gear to the lowest gear (e.g., gear 1) and control the engine RPM to remain equal to or lower than the reference RPM. In addition, the controller 140 may control the display 130 to display that the vehicle speed is being adjusted to a speed corresponding to the safe driving mode.

[0103] When the sensed value from the accelerator pedal sensor on a road with a downward slope (downhill road) is lower than the first reference value, the controller 140 may determine that the vehicle is not in an accelerating state (rapid acceleration state).

[0104] In addition, when the sensed value from the accelerator pedal sensor on a road with one of a downward slope (downhill), a flat slope, and an upward slope (uphill) is lower than a second reference value that is higher than the first reference value, the controller 140 may determine that the vehicle is not in an accelerating state (rapid acceleration state).

[0105] In addition, when the sensed value from the accelerator pedal on a road with an upward slope (uphill road) is lower than a third reference value that is higher than the second reference value, the controller 140 may determine that the vehicle is not in an accelerating state (rapid acceleration state).

[0106] In addition, according to the present disclosure, when the engine RPM normally rises based on the depression degree of the accelerator pedal, the controller 140 may determine that the vehicle is not in an accelerating state (rapid acceleration state).

[0107] When it is determined that the vehicle is not in an accelerating state (rapid acceleration state), the controller 140 may deactivate the safe driving mode, activate the normal driving mode, and adjust the vehicle speed to a speed corresponding to the normal driving mode.

[0108] When it is determined that the driver is not an object of the safe driving mode or when it is determined that the safe driving mode is deactivated based on the input signal output from the input device 110, the controller 140 determines whether the seat belt is fastened, whether the steering wheel is being grasped, or whether the driver is looking straight ahead.

[0109] When the seat belt is not fastened, when the driver's hand is not grasping the steering wheel, or when the driver is not looking straight ahead, the controller 140 may reactivate the safe driving mode and adjust the vehicle speed to a speed corresponding to the safe driving mode.

[0110] When the seat belt is fastened, when the driver's hand is grasping the steering wheel, and when the driver is looking straight ahead, the controller 140 may activate the normal driving mode and adjust the vehicle speed to a speed corresponding to the normal driving mode.

[0111] Hereinafter, the operations performed by the controller 140 for determining the vehicle state in the vehicle driving state will be described in detail.

[0112] When the gear lever of the vehicle is in "D" or "R" and the vehicle speed is not "0", the controller 140 may determine that the vehicle is in driving.

[0113] When the vehicle is in the driving state, the controller 140 determines whether to deactivate the safe driving mode based on the input signal output from the input device 110, and determines whether the vehicle is currently in the safe driving mode area.

[0114] When it is determined that the vehicle is in the safe driving mode area, the controller 140 determines whether the gear lever of the vehicle is in "D" or "R".

[0115] When the gear lever of the vehicle is in "D" or "R", the controller 140 may reactivate the safe driving mode. In addition, the controller 140 determines the state of the vehicle after reactivating the safe driving mode.

[0116] When the sensed value from the accelerator pedal sensor on a road with a downward slope (downhill road) is greater than or equal to the third reference value, the controller 140 may determine that the vehicle is in an accelerating state (rapid acceleration state).

[0117] In addition, when the sensed value from the accelerator pedal sensor on a road with one of a downward slope (downhill road), a flat slope, and an upward slope (uphill) is greater than or equal to a second reference value that is higher than the first reference value, the controller 140 may determine that the vehicle is in an accelerating state (rapid acceleration state).

[0118] In addition, when the sensed value from the accelerator pedal on an uphill road is greater than or equal to a third reference value that is higher than the second reference value, the controller 140 may determine that the vehicle is in an accelerating state (rapid acceleration state).

[0119] In addition, based on the depression degree of the accelerator pedal, when the actual engine RPM abnormally rises relative to the normal engine RPM, the controller 140 determines that the vehicle is in an accelerating state (rapid acceleration state).

[0120] When it is determined that the vehicle is in an accelerating state (rapid acceleration state) while in a driving state, the controller 140 adjusts the vehicle speed to a speed corresponding to the safe driving mode.

[0121] When adjusting the vehicle speed to a speed corresponding to the safe driving mode, when the shift lever is not changed and remains in "D" or "R", the controller 140 sets the gear to the gear in the driving state and blocks the fuel supply to the engine. In addition, the controller 140 controls the display 130 to display that the vehicle speed is being adjusted to a speed corresponding to the safe driving mode.

[0122] When the sensed value from the accelerator pedal sensor on a road with a downward slope (downhill road) is lower than the first reference value, the controller 140 may determine that the vehicle is not in an accelerating state.

[0123] In addition, when the sensed value from the accelerator pedal sensor on a road with one of a downward slope (downhill), a flat slope, and an upward slope (uphill) is lower than a second reference value that is higher than the first reference value, the controller 140 may determine that the vehicle is not in an accelerating state (rapid acceleration state).

[0124] In addition, when the sensed value from the accelerator pedal sensor on an uphill road is lower than a third reference value that is higher than the second reference value, the controller 140 may determine that the vehicle is not in an accelerating state (rapid acceleration state).

[0125] In addition, according to the present disclosure, when the engine RPM normally rises based on the depression degree of the accelerator pedal, the controller 140 may determine that the vehicle is not in an accelerating state (rapid acceleration state).

[0126] When it is determined that the vehicle is not in an accelerating state (rapid acceleration state), the controller 140 may deactivate the safe driving mode, activate the normal driving mode, and adjust the vehicle speed to a speed corresponding to the normal driving mode.

[0127] When it is determined that the driver is not an object of the safe driving mode or when it is determined based on the input signal output from the input device 110 that the safe driving mode is deactivated, the controller 140 determines whether the seat belt is fastened, whether the steering wheel is being grasped, or whether the driver is looking forward.

[0128] When the seat belt is not fastened, when the driver's hand is not grasping the steering wheel, or when the driver is not looking forward, the controller 140 may activate the safe driving mode.

[0129] When the seat belt is fastened, when the driver's hand is grasping the steering wheel, and when the driver is looking forward, the controller 140 may activate the normal driving mode and adjust the vehicle speed to a speed corresponding to the normal driving mode.

[0130] Figure 2 An input device according to one form of the present disclosure is shown.

[0131] As Figure 2 shown, the input device 200 according to one form of the present disclosure may be implemented as a button type and may be provided on the instrument panel on one side of the driver's seat.

[0132] When pressed by the driver, the input device 200 may output a corresponding input signal to deactivate the safe driving mode.

[0133] The input device 200 is not limited to being implemented as a button type as Figure 2 shown. The input device 200 may be implemented in various forms as described in the description of the input device 110.

[0134] Figure 3 A driver status warning device according to an exemplary form of the present disclosure is shown.

[0135] As Figure 3 shown, the driver status warning device 300 may be provided in the cluster.

[0136] The driver status warning device 300 may include an infrared sensor, an image sensor, etc. The sensor may sense the driver's face in a predetermined area 310 and monitor the driver's status based on the sensed information, such as the driver's gaze direction, etc.

[0137] The driver status warning device 300 may include a storage device for storing driver personal information at the start of setting. The driver personal information may include the driver's gender, age, driving experience, and vehicle driving time.

[0138] Figure 4 An image output in the safe driving mode according to one form of the present disclosure is shown.

[0139] As Figure 4 shown, the display 400 may be provided in the cluster. Additionally, when the vehicle speed is adjusted to a speed corresponding to the safe driving mode, the display 400 may display a message that the vehicle is currently controlled to be in the safe driving mode.

[0140] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing a method for determining a driving mode of a vehicle according to one form of the present disclosure.

[0141] As Figure 5 shown, the controller 140 determines whether the occupant sitting in the driver's seat can be authenticated as the driver based on the driver personal information stored in the driver status warning device (see Figure 3 )(S110).

[0142] When the occupant is authenticated as the driver (Y) in S110, the controller 140 determines whether the driver is an object of the safe driving mode (S120).

[0143] When it is determined in S120 that the driver is an object of the safe driving mode, the controller 140 enables the safe driving mode (S130).

[0144] When the occupant is not authenticated as the driver (N) in S110, or when it is determined that the driver is not an object of the safe driving mode, the controller 140 enables the normal driving mode (S140).

[0145] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing a method for determining an object of the safe driving mode according to another form of the present disclosure.

[0146] As Figure 6 shown, the controller 140 determines whether the driver is male (S210).

[0147] When it is determined in S210 that the driver is male (Y), the controller 140 determines whether the driver is a male driver and belongs to the first reference age group (S220).

[0148] When the male driver does not belong to the first reference age group in S220, the controller 140 determines whether the driving experience is greater than the reference experience duration (S230).

[0149] When it is determined in S230 that the driving experience of the male driver is greater than the reference experience duration, the controller 140 determines whether the driving time is greater than the reference driving time (S240). When it is determined in S230 that the driving experience of the male driver is less than the reference experience duration, the controller 140 determines that the driver is an object of the safe driving mode (S270).

[0150] When it is determined in S240 that the vehicle driving time is greater than the reference driving time, the controller 140 determines that the driver is a normal driving mode object who is not an object of the non-safe driving mode (S250). When it is determined in S240 that the vehicle driving time is less than the reference driving time, the controller 140 determines that the driver is an object of the safe driving mode (S270).

[0151] In addition, in S210 when the driver is not male (N), that is, when the driver is female, the controller 140 determines whether the female driver belongs to the second reference age group (S260). When the female driver does not belong to the second reference age group in S260, the controller 140 determines whether the driving experience is greater than the reference experience duration (S230). When it is determined in S230 that the driving experience of the female driver is greater than the reference experience duration, the controller 140 determines whether the driving time is greater than the reference driving time (S240). When it is determined in S230 that the driving experience of the female driver is less than the reference experience duration, the controller 140 determines that the driver is an object of the safe driving mode (S270). When it is determined in S240 that the vehicle driving time is greater than the reference driving time, the controller 140 determines that the driver is a normal driving mode object who is not an object of the non-safe driving mode (S250). When it is determined in S240 that the vehicle driving time is less than the reference driving time, the controller 140 determines that the driver is an object of the safe driving mode (S270).

[0152] When the driver is a male belonging to the first reference age group or when the driver is a female belonging to the second reference age group, the controller 140 may determine that the driver is an object of the safe driving mode (S270).

[0153] When the driver is male and does not belong to the first reference age group, or when the driver is female and does not belong to the second reference age group, and whose driving experience is greater than the reference experience duration and whose driving time is greater than the reference driving time, the controller 140 determines that the driver is a normal driving mode object who is not an object of the non-safe driving mode (S250).

[0154] Figure 7 It is a flowchart showing a method for determining a driving mode of a vehicle according to another form of the present disclosure.

[0155] As Figure 7As shown in [figure reference], the controller 140 determines a safe driving mode area based on driving information, driver information, and surrounding environment information around the vehicle obtained from the detector 120 (S310).

[0156] When it is determined in S310, based on the surrounding environment information of the vehicle obtained from the detector 120, that the vehicle is located in a building or a parking lot, the controller 140 may determine that the vehicle is in a safe driving mode area.

[0157] In S310, based on the surrounding environment information of the vehicle, when at least one of a children's protection area, a high - level protection area, and a deceleration area is within a predetermined range around the vehicle, the controller 140 may determine that the vehicle is in a safe driving mode area.

[0158] In S310, based on the surrounding environment information around the vehicle, when the vehicle is on a two - lane road other than a highway, a local road, and a private lane, the controller 140 may determine that the vehicle is in a safe driving mode area.

[0159] When the vehicle is located in a highway service area, a rest area, a road without lane / signal information, or a residential area road, the controller 140 may determine that the vehicle is in a safe driving mode area.

[0160] When it is determined in S310 that the vehicle is in a safe driving mode area (Y), the controller 140 may enable the safe driving mode (S340).

[0161] When it is determined in S310 that the vehicle is not in a safe driving mode area (N), the controller 140 determines whether the vehicle in front of or behind the vehicle is in a congested state (S320).

[0162] When it is determined that the vehicle in front of or behind the vehicle is in a congested state, the controller 140 may enable the safe driving mode (S340).

[0163] When the vehicle is not in a safe driving mode area in S310 and the vehicle in front of or behind the vehicle is not in a congested state in S320, the controller 140 may enable the normal driving mode (S330).

[0164] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing another form according to the present disclosure of a method for controlling the driving of a vehicle during a stop.

[0165] When the gear lever of the vehicle is in "P" or "N" and the vehicle speed is "0", the controller 140 may determine that the vehicle is in a stopped or parked state.

[0166] When the vehicle is in a parked or stopped state, the controller 140 determines whether the driver is an object of the safe driving mode (S411).

[0167] When it is determined in S411 that the driver is an object of the safe driving mode (Y), the controller 140 determines whether the safe driving mode is deactivated based on the input signal output from the input device (S412).

[0168] When the safe driving mode is not deactivated in S412 (N), the controller 140 determines whether the shift lever of the vehicle has changed to "D" or "R". When the shift lever of the vehicle changes, the controller 140 activates the safe driving mode (S413).

[0169] The controller 140 determines the road gradient (S414).

[0170] In S414, the controller 140 can determine the road gradient by classifying it into cases of a road with a downward gradient (e.g., the road gradient is less than -5%); a road with one of a downward, flat, and upward gradient (e.g., the road gradient is -5% to 5%); and a road with an upward gradient (e.g., the road gradient is greater than 5%).

[0171] The controller 140 determines whether the sensed value from the accelerator pedal sensor on a road with a downward gradient in S414 is greater than or equal to a first reference value (S415).

[0172] The controller 140 determines whether the sensed value from the accelerator pedal sensor on a road with one of a downward, flat, and upward gradient in S414 is greater than or equal to a second reference value higher than the first reference value (S416).

[0173] The controller 140 determines whether the sensed value from the accelerator pedal sensor on a road with an upward gradient in S414 is greater than or equal to a third reference value higher than the second reference value (S417).

[0174] When the sensed value from the accelerator pedal sensor in S415 is greater than or equal to the first reference value (Y), when the sensed value from the accelerator pedal sensor in S416 is greater than or equal to the second reference value higher than the first reference value (Y), or when the sensed value from the accelerator pedal sensor in S417 is greater than or equal to the third reference value higher than the second reference value (Y), the controller 140 can determine that the vehicle is in an accelerating state (rapid acceleration state), maintain the safe driving mode, and adjust the vehicle speed to a speed corresponding to the safe driving mode (S423).

[0175] In S423, the controller 140 sets the gear to the lowest gear (e.g., gear 1), and controls the engine RPM to be equal to or lower than the reference RPM, thereby setting the speed corresponding to the safe driving mode, and controls the display 130 to display that the vehicle speed is being adjusted to the speed corresponding to the safe driving mode.

[0176] In addition, when the sensed value from the accelerator pedal sensor is lower than the first reference value (N) in S415, when the sensed value from the accelerator pedal sensor is lower than the second reference value (N) higher than the first reference value in S416, or when the sensed value from the accelerator pedal sensor is lower than the third reference value (N) higher than the second reference value in S417, the controller 140 may determine that the vehicle is not in an accelerating state (rapid acceleration state).

[0177] When it is determined that the vehicle is not in an accelerating state (rapid acceleration state), the controller 140 deactivates the safe driving mode (S421), and activates the normal driving mode, and then adjusts the vehicle speed to the speed corresponding to the normal driving mode (S422).

[0178] When it is determined in S411 that the driver is not an object of the safe driving mode (N), or when it is determined in S412 that the safe driving mode is deactivated (Y), the controller 140 determines whether the seat belt is fastened (S418).

[0179] When it is determined in S418 that the driver is wearing the seat belt (Y), the controller 140 determines whether the steering wheel is being grasped (S419).

[0180] When it is determined in S419 that the driver's hand is grasping the steering wheel (Y), the controller determines whether the driver is looking straight ahead (S420).

[0181] When it is determined in S420 that the driver is looking straight ahead (Y), the controller 140 activates the normal driving mode, and adjusts the vehicle speed to the speed corresponding to the normal driving mode (S422).

[0182] When the seat belt is not fastened (N) in S418, when the driver's hand is not grasping the steering wheel (N) in S419, or when the driver is not looking straight ahead (N) in S420, the controller 140 may reactivate the safe driving mode (S413).

[0183] When the seat belt is fastened (Y) in S418, when the driver's hand is grasping the steering wheel (Y) in S419, or when the driver is looking straight ahead (Y) in S420, the controller 140 may adjust the vehicle speed to the speed corresponding to the normal driving mode (S422).

[0184] Figure 9 It is a flowchart showing a method for controlling vehicle driving according to another form of the present disclosure.

[0185] When the gear lever of the vehicle is in "D" or "R" and the vehicle speed is not "0", the controller 140 may determine that the vehicle is in a driving state.

[0186] The controller 140 determines whether the safe driving mode is deactivated (S511).

[0187] When the safe driving mode is not deactivated (N) in S511, the controller 140 determines whether the vehicle is located in the safe driving mode area (S512).

[0188] When it is determined in S512 that the vehicle is located in the safe driving mode area, the controller 140 determines whether the gear lever of the vehicle is in "D" or "R", and enables the safe driving mode (S513).

[0189] The controller 140 determines the road gradient (S514).

[0190] In S514, the controller 140 may determine the road gradient by dividing it into cases of a road with a downward gradient (e.g., the road gradient is less than -5%); a road with one of a downward, flat, and upward gradient (e.g., the road gradient is -5% to 5%); and a road with an upward gradient (e.g., the road gradient is greater than 5%).

[0191] The controller 140 determines whether the sensed value from the accelerator pedal sensor on the road with a downward gradient in S514 is greater than or equal to the first reference value (S515).

[0192] The controller 140 determines whether the sensed value from the accelerator pedal sensor on the road with one of a downward, flat, and upward gradient in S514 is greater than or equal to a second reference value higher than the first reference value (S516).

[0193] The controller 140 determines whether the sensed value from the accelerator pedal sensor on the road with an upward gradient in S514 is greater than or equal to a third reference value higher than the second reference value (S517).

[0194] When the sensed value from the accelerator pedal sensor is greater than or equal to the first reference value (Y) in S515, when the sensed value from the accelerator pedal sensor is greater than or equal to the second reference value (Y) higher than the first reference value in S516, or when the sensed value from the accelerator pedal sensor is greater than or equal to the third reference value (Y) higher than the second reference value in S517, the controller 140 may determine that the vehicle is in an acceleration state (rapid acceleration state). When it is determined that the vehicle is in an acceleration state (rapid acceleration state), the controller 140 maintains the safe driving mode and adjusts the vehicle speed to the speed corresponding to the safe driving mode (S523).

[0195] In S523, the controller 140 sets the gear to the gear in the driving state and cuts off the fuel supply to the engine, thereby setting the speed corresponding to the safe driving mode and controlling the display 130 to display that the vehicle speed is being adjusted to the speed corresponding to the safe driving mode.

[0196] In addition, when the sensed value from the accelerator pedal sensor is lower than the first reference value (N) in S515, when the sensed value from the accelerator pedal sensor is lower than the second reference value (N) higher than the first reference value in S516, or when the sensed value from the accelerator pedal sensor is lower than the third reference value (N) higher than the second reference value in S517, the controller 140 may determine that the vehicle is not in an acceleration state (rapid acceleration state).

[0197] When it is determined that the vehicle is not in an acceleration state (rapid acceleration state), the controller 140 deactivates the safe driving mode (S521), activates the normal driving mode, and then adjusts the vehicle speed to the speed corresponding to the normal driving mode (S522).

[0198] When it is determined in S511 that the safe driving mode is deactivated (Y) or when the vehicle is not in the safe driving mode area in S512 (N), the controller 140 determines whether the seat belt is fastened (S518).

[0199] When it is determined in S518 that the driver is wearing the seat belt (Y), the controller 140 determines whether the steering wheel is being grasped (S519).

[0200] When it is determined in S519 that the driver's hand is grasping the steering wheel (Y), the controller 140 determines whether the driver is looking straight ahead (S520).

[0201] When it is determined in S520 that the driver is looking straight ahead (Y), the controller 140 activates the normal driving mode and adjusts the vehicle speed to the speed corresponding to the normal driving mode (S522).

[0202] When the seat belt is not fastened (N) in S518, when the driver's hand is not grasping the steering wheel (N) in S519, or when the driver is not looking forward (N) in S520, the controller 140 may enable the safe driving mode (S513).

[0203] When the seat belt is fastened (Y) in S518, when the driver's hand is grasping the steering wheel (Y) in S519, or when the driver is looking forward (Y) in S520, the controller 140 may adjust the vehicle speed to a speed corresponding to the normal driving mode (S522).

[0204] Figure 10 A computing system in accordance with one form of the present disclosure is shown.

[0205] Reference Figure 10 , the computing system 1000 may include at least one processor 1100, a memory 1300, a user interface input device 1400, a user interface output device 1500, a storage device 1600, and a network interface 1700 that are connected to each other via a bus 1200.

[0206] The processor 1100 may be a central processing unit (CPU) or a semiconductor device that processes instructions stored in the memory 1300 and / or the storage device 1600. The memory 1300 and the storage device 1600 may include various types of volatile or non-volatile storage media. For example, the memory 1300 may include ROM (read-only memory) and RAM (random access memory).

[0207] Accordingly, the operations of the methods or algorithms described in connection with the exemplary forms disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware or in a software module executed by the processor 1100 or a combination thereof. The software module may reside on a storage medium (i.e., the memory 1300 and / or the storage device 1600), such as, RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM. The exemplary storage medium may be coupled to the processor 1100, and the processor 1100 may read information from the storage medium and may record information in the storage medium. Alternatively, the storage medium may be integrated with the processor 1100. The processor 1100 and the storage medium may reside in an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The ASIC may reside within a user terminal. In another case, the processor 1100 and the storage medium may reside as separate components within the user terminal.

[0208] In the foregoing, although the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary forms and drawings, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, but rather various modifications and changes can be made by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0209] Accordingly, the exemplary forms of the present disclosure are provided for explaining the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, rather than limiting it, and thus the spirit and scope of the present disclosure are not limited by these forms. The scope of the present disclosure should be construed based on the appended claims, and all technical concepts within the scope equivalent to the claims should be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0210] An apparatus and method for controlling the driving of a vehicle according to one form of the present disclosure can support the safe driving of the vehicle by restricting the speed of the vehicle, even when the driver erroneously uses the accelerator pedal instead of the brake pedal.

[0211] In the foregoing, although the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary forms and drawings, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, but rather various modifications and changes can be made by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A device for controlling the driving of a vehicle, the device comprising: a detector configured to acquire driving information, driver information, and surrounding environment information around the vehicle; and a controller configured to: determine whether to enable a safe driving mode based on at least one of the driving information, the driver information, and the surrounding environment information around the vehicle; and after enabling the safe driving mode, determine whether to maintain the safe driving mode based on the state of the vehicle, wherein the safe driving mode includes the following driving mode: when the vehicle is determined to be in a rapid acceleration state while in a parked state or a stopped state, the gear of the vehicle is set to the lowest gear and the revolutions per minute of the engine of the vehicle is maintained at a value equal to or lower than a reference revolutions per minute, wherein, although it is determined based on the driver's input signal that the safe driving mode is deactivated, the controller is configured to activate the safe driving mode when the seat belt is not fastened, when the driver's hand is not gripping the steering wheel, or when the driver is not looking ahead, wherein the controller is configured to determine whether the vehicle is located in a safe driving mode area based on the surrounding environment information around the vehicle. Based on the surrounding environment information around the vehicle, when the vehicle is located on a two-lane road other than a highway, a local road, and a private lane, the controller is configured to determine that the vehicle is located in the safe driving mode area; and when the vehicle is located in a highway service area, a rest area, a road without lane / signal information, or a residential area road, the controller is configured to determine that the vehicle is located in the safe driving mode area, wherein the controller is configured to: in response to determining that the vehicle is in the safe driving mode area, enable the safe driving mode and in response to determining that the vehicle is not located in the safe driving mode area, determine whether a vehicle in front of or behind the vehicle is in a congested state, and when it is determined that the vehicle in front of or behind the vehicle is in a congested state, enable the safe driving mode.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein The controller is configured to: determine whether the vehicle is in a rapid acceleration state based on a sensed value associated with the slope of the road on which the vehicle is traveling from an accelerator pedal sensor.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, When the sensed value indicates a downward slope and is greater than or equal to a first reference value, the controller is configured to determine that the vehicle is in the rapid acceleration state.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein When the sensed value from the accelerator pedal indicates a downward slope, a flat slope, or an upward slope and is greater than or equal to a second reference value higher than the first reference value, the controller is configured to determine that the vehicle is in the rapid acceleration state.

5. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein When the sensed value from the accelerator pedal indicates an upward slope and is greater than or equal to a third reference value, the controller is configured to determine that the vehicle is in the rapid acceleration state.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein, When the state of the vehicle is determined to be the rapid acceleration state, the controller is configured to maintain the safe driving mode and adjust the speed of the vehicle to the speed corresponding to the safe driving mode.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein, The safe driving mode further includes the following driving mode: when the vehicle is determined to be in a rapid acceleration state while in a driving state, the gear of the vehicle is set to the gear corresponding to the driving state and the fuel supply to the engine of the vehicle is cut off.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The controller is configured to: determine a safe driving mode object based on at least one of the driving information and the driver information, and wherein, the controller is configured to: determine whether to enable the safe driving mode based on whether the driver of the vehicle is the safe driving mode object.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein When the driver is not the safe driving mode object or when the current position of the vehicle is not within the safe driving mode area, the controller is configured to adjust the speed of the vehicle to the speed corresponding to the normal driving mode.

10. A method for controlling the driving of a vehicle, the method comprising the following steps: Obtaining driving information, driver information, and surrounding environment information around the vehicle by a detector; Determining by a controller whether to enable a safe driving mode based on at least one of the driving information, the driver information, and the surrounding environment information around the vehicle; And After enabling the safe driving mode, determining by the controller whether to maintain the safe driving mode based on the state of the vehicle, wherein, the safe driving mode includes the following driving mode: when the vehicle is determined to be in a rapid acceleration state while in a parking state or a stopped state, the gear of the vehicle is set to the lowest gear and the revolutions per minute of the engine of the vehicle is maintained at a value equal to or lower than a reference revolutions per minute, wherein, although it is determined based on the input signal of the driver that the safe driving mode is deactivated, the controller is configured to activate the safe driving mode when the seat belt is not fastened, when the driver's hand is not grasping the steering wheel, or when the driver is not looking ahead, wherein, the method further includes: Based on the surrounding environment information around the vehicle, determining whether the vehicle is located in a safe driving mode area, and based on the surrounding environment information around the vehicle, when the vehicle is located on a two-lane road other than a highway, a local road, and a private lane, determining that the vehicle is located in the safe driving mode area; and when the vehicle is located in a highway service area, a rest area, a road without lane / signal information, or a residential area road, determining that the vehicle is located in the safe driving mode area, Responding to determining that the vehicle is in the safe driving mode area by enabling the safe driving mode; and In response to determining that the vehicle is not located in the safe driving mode area, determine whether a vehicle in front of or behind the vehicle is in a congested state, and when it is determined that the vehicle in front of or behind the vehicle is in a congested state, enable the safe driving mode.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising: The controller determines whether the vehicle is in a rapid acceleration state based on a sensed value associated with the slope of the road on which the vehicle is traveling from an accelerator pedal sensor.

12. The method according to claim 11 further comprises: When the road has a downward slope and the sensed value from the accelerator pedal sensor is greater than or equal to a first reference value, the controller determines that the vehicle is in the rapid acceleration state.

13. The method according to claim 12 further comprises: When the road has a downward slope, a flat slope, or an upward slope and the sensed value from the accelerator pedal sensor is greater than or equal to a second reference value that is higher than the first reference value, the controller determines that the vehicle is in the rapid acceleration state.

14. The method according to claim 11, further comprising: When the road has an upward slope and the sensed value from the accelerator pedal sensor is greater than or equal to a third reference value, the controller determines that the vehicle is in the rapid acceleration state.

15. The method according to claim 10, further comprising: When the state of the vehicle is determined to be in the rapid acceleration state, the controller maintains the safe driving mode and adjusts the speed of the vehicle to a speed corresponding to the safe driving mode.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein, The safe driving mode further includes the following driving mode: when it is determined that the vehicle will be in a rapid acceleration state while in a driving state, the gear of the vehicle is set to a gear corresponding to the driving state and the fuel supply to the engine of the vehicle is cut off.

17. The method according to claim 10, further comprising: The controller determines a safe driving mode object based on at least one of the driving information and the driver information; and The controller determines whether to enable the safe driving mode based on whether the driver of the vehicle is the safe driving mode object.

18. The method according to claim 17 further comprises: When the driver is not the safe driving mode object or when the current position of the vehicle is not in the safe driving mode area, the controller adjusts the vehicle speed to a speed corresponding to the normal driving mode.

Images