Motor vehicle with top speed unlock via HOD

Abstract

Motor vehicle (10), trained and equipped to unlock a top-speed driving mode, wherein the motor vehicle (10) has a hands-off detection system (HOD system) (15), trained and equipped to detect whether both hands (4) of a driver (5) are arranged on the steering wheel (20) for steering the motor vehicle (10), and wherein the motor vehicle (10) has a computing device (100), trained and equipped to determine from information from the HOD system (15) that both hands (4) of the driver (5) are arranged on the steering wheel (20) for steering the motor vehicle (10), wherein the computing device (100) unlocks a top-speed mode.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle. The invention relates to a method, designed and configured to unlock a top-speed driving mode. The invention relates to a driver monitoring system. The invention relates to a computing device. The invention relates to a computer program product. The invention relates to a storage device.

[0002] Driver assistance systems are well-established technology. These systems can include cruise control, allowing the driver to set a speed that the vehicle should maintain. Special keys can also be used to unlock a vehicle's speed limit, preventing young or inexperienced drivers from accessing the vehicle's full acceleration and / or speed.

[0003] The applicant complies with the safety precautions valid at the time of registration and feasible under the given circumstances, in order to protect the well-being of drivers, passengers, and the public. Nevertheless, the applicant strives to continuously improve road safety measures.

[0004] The purpose of the invention is to make driving safer.

[0005] The problem is solved in particular by a motor vehicle with the features of claim 1. The problem is solved in particular by a method with the features of claim 4. The problem is solved in particular by a HOD system with the features of claim 5. The problem is solved in particular by a computing device with the features of claim 6. The problem is solved in particular by a computer program product with the features of claim 7. The problem is solved in particular by a storage device with the features of claim 8. Further features and details of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings.Features and details described in connection with the motor vehicle according to the invention naturally also apply in connection with the method, computer program, computing device, and HOD system according to the invention. The reverse is also true, so that the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention always refers to, or can refer to, each other.

[0006] According to one aspect, the problem is solved in particular by a motor vehicle with the features of claim 1.

[0007] A motor vehicle can be designed and configured to unlock a top-speed driving mode. This motor vehicle can have a hands-off detection system (HOD system) designed and configured to detect whether both of the driver's hands are on the steering wheel. The motor vehicle can also have a computing device designed and configured to determine from information received by the HOD system that both of the driver's hands are on the steering wheel, and the computing device can then unlock a top-speed mode, particularly if both of the driver's hands are indeed on the steering wheel.

[0008] The vehicle may be designed for a top-speed driving mode and incorporate a Hand-on-Detection (HOD) system capable of detecting whether both of the driver's hands are on the steering wheel. This HOD system may, for example, include one or more sensors that detect the driver's hand positions on the steering column or steering wheel rim and, using an adapted algorithm, determine whether both hands are on the steering wheel. One or more algorithms may be provided to determine the driver's hands, as well as their position and arrangement on the steering wheel. These algorithms may be executed in a computing device, particularly in the form of a computer program, as described elsewhere herein.

[0009] The previously mentioned additional component of the HOD system for activating a top-speed driving mode can be the computing unit, which is capable of determining from the HOD system's information whether both of the driver's hands are on the steering wheel. This computing unit can, for example, operate via a special sensor or a software solution that analyzes the data from the HOD system and decides whether or not to activate the top-speed mode. The computing unit can be integrated as a component of the HOD system, particularly within one or more computing units, computer cores, or similar systems located in the vehicle, especially as part of the safety systems. However, it can also be a separate unit, such as a central computing unit within the vehicle, capable of making other control decisions as well.The algorithm described elsewhere for detecting hand placement or position on the steering wheel can be executed on the computer if the HOD system can provide electronic information regarding the hand position on the steering wheel or its removal from the steering wheel. It can also be designed to detect certain unfavorable and unsafe hand positions on the steering wheel, such as a casual resting position on the top of the steering wheel that prevents quick access to a stable "9 o'clock to 3 o'clock" hand position in an emergency. In such cases, the system can also prevent the top-speed mode from being activated. This can prevent, for example, "tricking" the control electronics.

[0010] The top-speed mode is a driving mode in motor vehicles that allows the vehicle to reach a maximum speed. A high-speed mode may also be provided, enabling the vehicle to exceed a certain speed threshold. This mode can only be activated if the vehicle is equipped with a corresponding feature, such as the HOD device described here, and if the driver has both hands on the steering wheel. This avoids cumbersome and situationally inappropriate solutions, such as a second key to activate a special driving mode. Such systems are particularly incapable of assessing whether the driver is reacting appropriately to the situation.

[0011] In this context, "activation" means, in particular, that the vehicle's computer system is given the ability to activate top-speed mode when it detects that both of the driver's hands are on the steering wheel. This allows the driver to exceed a speed limit. Alternatively or additionally, the driver can also exceed an acceleration limit. This may be intended, in particular, to allow the vehicle to be driven at its limits, such as during high cornering accelerations and / or at high absolute speeds, especially above the recommended speed of 130 km / h on German autobahns as it applies on the registration date and / or the priority date according to the German Road Traffic Regulations.In other words, this means, for example, that if the computer determines that the driver does not have both hands on the steering wheel, the speed of the motor vehicle will be limited to below 130 km / h, further specifically to 100 km / h, and further specifically to 80 km / h.

[0012] A hands-off detection system, also known as a HOD system, is an electronic device mounted on or embedded in the steering wheel rim that detects contact with hands, for example, via pressure sensors, a capacitive touch surface, or conductive traces. This may be a feature already integrated into the vehicle for safety reasons. The vehicle design described here can further enhance driving safety.

[0013] The advantages of such a HOD system in combination with a top-speed driving mode include increased safety during high-speed operation, also known as top-speed operation, as the driver must keep both hands on the steering wheel when necessary, thus ensuring control of the vehicle. Furthermore, the risk of driver error is significantly reduced, as the system can continuously monitor the driver's condition and, if necessary, decide whether the driver is authorized to operate the vehicle independently or at a specific speed.

[0014] From one perspective, the HOD system and the computing device can be trained and configured to detect when the driver takes at least one hand off the steering wheel and to instruct the driver to put at least one hand back on the steering wheel.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the HOD system and the computing device, these can be designed and configured to detect and track the driver's hands on the steering column or steering wheel rim. The HOD system can detect when the driver removes at least one hand from the steering wheel by recording and analyzing changes in the position of the hands on the steering wheel. The HOD system can also detect dangerous hand positions, such as the aforementioned casual placement of hands on the top of the steering wheel or casually hooking the hands in the center at the bottom of the steering wheel. Such hand positions do not allow for a safe and rapid response in hazardous situations.If the HOD system detects that the driver has removed at least one hand from the steering wheel, it can alert the driver to their changed hand position or removal of their hand and prompt them to place their hands back on the steering wheel. These alerts can be given, for example, via a display in the cockpit or through the vehicle's speakers. This function can help prevent driver errors and improve road safety.

[0016] From one perspective, the HOD system and the computing unit can be designed and configured to progressively reduce power if the driver fails to respond to a prompt to place at least one hand back on the steering wheel—or alternatively, or additionally, to assume an improved hand position. Alternatively, or additionally, if the driver is operating with only one hand on the steering wheel, the system can be configured to allow only a defined power or speed threshold. This can contribute to improved road safety and accident prevention by enabling the driver to keep both hands on the steering wheel and / or in a safe position when the vehicle is traveling at high speed (corresponding to its top speed range).

[0017] A warning can be issued over a period of approximately 10 to 20 seconds to give the driver sufficient time to respond to the prompt and put their hands back on the steering wheel or assume a safe hand position. The prompt can be given via loudspeakers or a display in the vehicle's cockpit, such as a heads-up display.

[0018] The power threshold refers specifically to the maximum power permitted in the event of a lack of driver input or an unresponsive driver. This could, for example, be 75% of the vehicle's maximum power. The speed threshold refers specifically to the highest permissible speed in the event of a lack of driver input or an unresponsive driver and could, for example, be 200 km / h, or alternatively or additionally, 130 km / h, 100 km / h, or 80 km / h.

[0019] The advantages of this system include, in particular, improved road safety, as it allows the driver to keep both hands on the steering wheel and maintain safe hand positions when the vehicle is traveling at high speed. This can help prevent accidents and increase the driver's confidence in the vehicle.

[0020] From an independent perspective, a procedure can be designed and configured to unlock a top-speed driving mode. This procedure may include the step of haptically detecting the positioning of both hands on the steering wheel. The procedure may also include the step of unlocking a top-speed driving mode, specifically when both hands are positioned on the steering wheel.

[0021] In some embodiments, the method may include the step of detecting when a hand is removed from the steering wheel, particularly via a hands-off detection system (HOD system). The system may initially prompt the driver to place their hand back on the steering wheel. If the driver fails to comply with this prompt, the top-speed mode may be deactivated and / or the speed may be reduced. In some embodiments, this may prevent further acceleration until a speed threshold is reached, or it may initiate braking.

[0022] The process can be described by the features, properties, and advantages of the motor vehicle, the computing device, the storage device, the computer program product, and the HOD system. This also applies across the category boundaries of process, device, and system. Thus, the motor vehicle, the HOD system, the computing device, the storage device, and the computer program product can also be described by the features, properties, and advantages of the process. For the sake of readability and conciseness, a repetition of all these features, properties, and advantages is omitted.

[0023] From an independent perspective, a HOD system can be designed and configured to perform a procedure as described elsewhere. The HOD system can include at least one sensor device, such as one embedded in the steering wheel rim, to detect the contact of palms, for example, via a touch sensor. The HOD system can include at least one computing unit and / or be communicatively connected to one to transmit received information, in particular electrical signals that can represent the contact and / or interruption of contact of hands on the steering wheel rim, to this unit. This enables the system to perform calculations based on the parameters and conditions described elsewhere in order to execute a procedure as described elsewhere.

[0024] The HOD system can be described by the features, properties, and advantages of the motor vehicle, the process, the computing device, the storage device, and the computer program product. This also applies across the category boundaries of process, device, and system. Thus, the motor vehicle, the process, the computing device, the storage device, and the computer program product can also be described by the features, properties, and advantages of the HOD system. For the sake of readability and conciseness, a repetition of all these features, properties, and advantages is omitted.

[0025] From an independent perspective, a computing device can be designed and configured to perform a procedure as described elsewhere. The computing device can therefore also function, at least partially, as a control unit for software components, but also for hardware components of a motor vehicle.

[0026] The computing device can be described by the features, properties, and advantages of the motor vehicle, the process, the HOD system, the storage device, and the computer program product. This also applies across the category boundaries of process, device, and system. Thus, the motor vehicle, the process, the HOD system, the storage device, and the computer program product can also be described by the features, properties, and advantages of the computing device. For the sake of readability and conciseness, a repetition of all these features, properties, and advantages is omitted.

[0027] From an independent perspective, a computer program product can be designed and configured to perform a procedure as described elsewhere when executed on a computing device, particularly as described elsewhere. In doing so, the computer program product can provide instructions when executed on the computing device as described elsewhere to enable the execution of a procedure.

[0028] The computer program product can be described by the features, properties, and advantages of the motor vehicle, the HOD system, the computing device, the storage device, and the process. This also applies across the category boundaries of process, device, and system. Thus, the motor vehicle, the driver monitoring system, the computing device, and the storage device can also be described by the features, properties, and advantages of the computer program product. For the sake of conciseness and readability, a repetition of all these features, properties, and advantages is omitted here.

[0029] The computer program product can be designed and configured to be executed on a machine. During execution of the computer program product on the machine, a procedure as described elsewhere can be performed. The computer program product is, in particular, machine-readable code and / or an electrical signal configured to be read by a machine in order to transmit instructions to the machine, such as to perform a procedure of the type described elsewhere. A computer program product can, in particular, be configured as machine-readable code, especially as an algorithm capable of performing a corresponding analysis of hand positions or their changes.Alternatively or additionally, the machine-readable code can also execute instructions to make at least one adjustment to a driving mode, in particular to a top-speed mode, or to unlock it.

[0030] From an independent perspective, a storage facility can be designed and configured to exhibit a computer program product as described elsewhere.

[0031] A storage device can be a storage medium that may contain a computer program product, as described. Alternatively or additionally, the computing device, as described, may contain a computer program product, as described. The computer program product is designed and configured to be read from the storage medium by the computing device in order to perform the described procedure. Thus, the storage device and / or the computing device can be described accordingly by the features, properties, and advantages as described and explained for the procedures, the motor vehicle, the HOD system, and / or the computer program product. This also applies conversely. For the sake of conciseness and readability, a repetition of all these features, properties, and advantages is omitted here.

[0032] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail with reference to the drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description can be essential to the invention individually or in any combination. The drawings schematically show: Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a motor vehicle 10. The motor vehicle 10 is specifically designed and configured to activate a top-speed driving mode. The motor vehicle 10 may include a Hands on Display (HOD) system 15, which is designed and configured to detect whether both hands 4 of a driver 5 are positioned on the steering wheel 20 for steering the motor vehicle 10, as shown here. The motor vehicle 10 also includes a computing device 100, which is specifically part of the HOD system 15 or is in communication with it, and is designed and configured to determine from information from the HOD system 15, such as an electrical signal, that both hands 4 of the driver 5 are indeed positioned on the steering wheel 20 for steering the motor vehicle 10. In such a case, the computing device 100 can activate a top-speed mode.

[0033] This can be done by providing appropriate information, as described, from the HOD system 15 to the computing device 100, in order to identify the position of the hands or the number of hands 4 of the driver 5 by means of a computer program product 120, for example by means of an algorithm, in order to generate at least one control signal (not shown) to adjust a driving mode, in particular to unlock a top speed mode.

[0034] The HOD system 15 can be installed in the steering wheel rim of the steering wheel 20 as sensors 6. These can span the entire steering wheel rim or be arranged in sections around the steering wheel rim.

[0035] In the illustrated embodiment, a rearview mirror 16 is arranged on a windshield 18 in the driver's cabin, the cockpit, and the steering wheel 20 protrudes from a dashboard 19. The illustration is simplified, schematic, and exemplary. A head-up display 17 can also display corresponding warnings when the driver 5 removes their hand 4 from the steering wheel 20 and / or when they assume unsafe hand positions on the steering wheel 20. Warnings can be acoustic and visual signals.

[0036] In embodiments, it may be provided that if the driver 5 takes at least one hand 4 off the steering wheel 20 and / or moves it into an unfavorable, in particular unsafe, position, the driver 5 is alerted - acoustically or visually - to take the at least one hand 4 back onto the steering wheel 20 and / or reposition it safely.

[0037] If the driver 5 does not respond to a request to place at least one hand 4 back on the steering wheel 20 and / or to assume a safe hand position, the power of the motor vehicle 10 can be gradually reduced. Alternatively or additionally, if the steering wheel 20 is operated with only one hand 4 on it, the computer 100 may only allow a defined power or speed threshold.

[0038] Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a method 200. The method 200 is specifically designed and configured to unlock a top-speed driving mode. The method 200 includes, in particular, the step of haptic detection 210 of the positioning of both hands 4 on a steering wheel 20. Haptic detection 210 means, in particular, that HOD sensors 6 in the steering wheel rim detect when a hand 4 is moved or removed from the steering wheel 20. In the event that both hands 4 are, as in Fig.As shown in section 1, where the steering wheel 20 is arranged, a step of unlocking the top-speed driving mode 220 can be performed. Should the removal 230 of at least one hand be haptically detected, as described elsewhere, then a warning 240 can be issued, followed by a reduction in speed 250 if the driver does not react to the warning and, in particular, does not comply with the instruction.

[0039] The preceding explanation of the embodiments describes the present invention solely by way of examples. Naturally, individual features of the embodiments can be freely combined with one another, provided this is technically feasible, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0040] The preceding explanation of the embodiments describes the present invention solely by way of examples. Naturally, individual features of the embodiments can be freely combined with one another, provided this is technically feasible, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

[1] Motor vehicle (10), designed and equipped to unlock a top-speed driving mode, wherein the motor vehicle (10) has a hands-off detection system (HOD system) (15), designed and equipped to detect whether both hands (4) of a driver (5) are arranged on the steering wheel (20) for steering the motor vehicle (10) and wherein the motor vehicle (10) has a computing device (100), designed and equipped to determine from information from the HOD system (15) that both hands (4) of the driver (5) are arranged on the steering wheel (20) for steering the motor vehicle (10), wherein the computing device (100) unlocks a top-speed mode. [2] Motor vehicle (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the HOD system (15) and the computing device (100) are trained and configured to detect when the driver (5) takes at least one hand (4) off the steering wheel (20) and to indicate to the driver (5) to put at least one hand (4) back on the steering wheel (20). [3] Motor vehicle (10) according to any of the preceding claims, in particular according to claim 2, characterized by , that the HOD system (15) and the computing device (100) are designed and configured to gradually reduce power in the event that the driver (5) does not respond to a request to put at least one hand (4) back on the steering wheel (20) and / or to allow only a defined power or speed threshold with only one hand (4) on the steering wheel (20). [4] Method (200), trained and set up to unlock a top-speed driving mode, comprising the steps: - of haptic detection (210) of a positioning of both hands (4) on a steering wheel (20); and - unlocking (220) a top-speed driving mode. [5] HOD system (15) designed and configured to perform a method (200) according to claim 4. [6] Computing device (100) designed and configured to perform a method (200) according to claim 4. [7] Computer program product (120) comprising instructions which, when the computer program product (120) is executed on a computing device (100) according to claim 6, perform a method (200) according to claim 4. [8] Storage device (110) comprising a computer program product (120) according to claim 7.

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