Method of controlling vehicle operation, system for implementing the same, and vehicle

Abstract

To enable an occupant other than a driver to access a vehicle system while reducing the risk of distraction of the driver or the risk of the occupant other than the driver being exposed to an inappropriate content.SOLUTION: A vehicle includes a non-transitory computer readable medium configured to store instructions thereon. The vehicle further includes a processor connected to the non-transitory computer readable medium. The processor is configured to execute the instructions for detecting an input from an occupant other than a driver of the vehicle. The processor is configured to execute the instructions for determining whether the input is a request for an improper action. The processor is configured to execute the instructions for notifying the driver of the request in response to a determination that the input is the request for the improper action. The processor is configured to execute the instructions for executing the improper action in response to receiving approval from the driver following the notifying of the driver.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Background technology]

[0001] While the driver is operating the vehicle, other vehicle occupants interact with systems within the vehicle, such as the infotainment system. In some cases, vehicle operations requested by occupants other than the driver may be inappropriate. For example, in some cases, performing the requested action may increase the risk of distracting the driver or expose the occupants other than the driver to inappropriate content. Summary of the Invention

[0002] One aspect of this description relates to a vehicle. The vehicle includes a non-transitory computer-readable medium configured to store instructions. The vehicle further includes a processor coupled to the non-transitory computer-readable medium. The processor is configured to execute instructions for detecting an input from an occupant other than a driver of the vehicle. The processor is configured to execute instructions for determining whether the input is a request for inappropriate activity. The processor is configured, in response to determining that the input is a request for inappropriate activity, to execute instructions for notifying the driver of the request. The processor is configured, in response to receiving an acknowledgement from the driver after notifying the driver, to execute instructions for performing the inappropriate activity.

[0003] One aspect of this description relates to a method, the method including detecting an input from an occupant other than a driver of a vehicle, the method further including determining whether the input is a request for an inappropriate action, the method further including, in response to determining that the input is a request for an inappropriate action, notifying the driver of the request, the method further including, in response to receiving approval from the driver after notifying the driver, performing the inappropriate action.

[0004] One aspect of this description relates to a vehicle. The vehicle includes a non-transitory computer-readable medium configured to store instructions. The vehicle further includes a processor coupled to the non-transitory computer-readable medium. The processor is configured to execute instructions to detect an input from an occupant of the vehicle. The processor is configured to execute instructions to determine whether the occupant is a driver of the vehicle or a non-driver occupant of the vehicle. The processor is configured, in response to determining that the occupant is a non-driver occupant, to execute instructions to determine whether the input is a request for inappropriate action. In response to determining that the input is a request for inappropriate action, the processor is configured to execute instructions to notify the driver of the request. In response to receiving an acknowledgement from the driver after notifying the driver, the processor is configured to execute instructions to perform the inappropriate action. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0005] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a method for controlling a vehicle system according to some embodiments. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a vehicle according to some embodiments. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a system for controlling a vehicle system according to some embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, according to standard industry practice, various features have not been drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of various features may be arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity of discussion.

[0007] The following disclosure provides many different embodiments or examples for implementing various features of the provided subject matter. Specific examples of components, values, operations, materials, arrangements, and the like are described below to simplify the disclosure. These listings are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. Other components, values, operations, materials, arrangements, and the like are contemplated. For example, a reference below to a first feature being formed over or on a second feature may include embodiments in which the first and second features are formed in direct contact with each other, as well as embodiments in which additional features are formed between the first and second features, such that the first and second features may not be in direct contact with each other. Furthermore, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and / or letters in various examples. This repetition is for the purposes of brevity and clarity and does not, in itself, dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and / or configurations discussed.

[0008] Additionally, spatially relative terms such as "below," "lower," "bottom," "above," and "top" may be used herein for ease of description to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another, as shown in the figures. Spatially relative terms are intended to encompass various orientations of the device during use or operation in addition to the orientation shown in the figures. If the device is otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at another orientation), the spatially relative descriptors used herein will be interpreted accordingly.

[0009] While operating a vehicle, a driver maintains control of the vehicle while keeping their eyes on the road. As a result, the driver's ability to monitor the operation of one or more systems within the vehicle, such as windows, locks, or the infotainment system, that are accessible to non-driver occupants of the vehicle, may be reduced. In some cases, non-driver occupants may input requests for inappropriate behavior by the vehicle systems. Inappropriate behavior may include behavior that would distract the driver, attempt to access inappropriate content, increase the risk of non-driver occupants accessing unauthorized systems, or other similar behavior. Performing such behavior immediately after receiving input from a non-driver occupant increases the risk of driver distraction or exposure to inappropriate content. In contrast, completely prohibiting non-driver occupants from accessing vehicle systems may, in some circumstances, increase dissatisfaction with the vehicle.

[0010] Included herein are methods and systems implemented in a vehicle to control the operation of vehicle systems in a manner that allows occupants other than the driver to access the vehicle systems while reducing the risk of driver distraction or exposure of occupants other than the driver to inappropriate content.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a method 100 for controlling a vehicle system according to some embodiments. Method 100 can be used to reduce the risk of a vehicle system performing inappropriate actions based on input from an occupant other than the driver. In some embodiments, method 100 is implemented using system 300 (FIG. 3). In some embodiments, method 100 is implemented using a system other than system 300 (FIG. 3). In some embodiments, method 100 is implemented in vehicle 200 (FIG. 2). In some embodiments, method 100 is implemented in a vehicle other than vehicle 200 (FIG. 2).

[0012] Operation 105 detects input from a non-driver occupant. A non-driver occupant is any occupant of the vehicle other than the driver. The input is an attempt to cause an action to be taken by a vehicle system. The vehicle system may include an infotainment system, a navigation system, a window operation system, a door lock, a door, or other suitable vehicle system. The infotainment system may include a video display, a radio, a visual display, or other suitable infotainment system. In some embodiments, the vehicle system, e.g., a radio or navigation system, is located in the front of the vehicle cabin. In some embodiments, the vehicle system, e.g., a rear-seat entertainment system, is located in the rear of the vehicle cabin. In some embodiments, the vehicle system is located in the front of the vehicle cabin and at least one control for the vehicle system is located in the rear of the vehicle cabin, such as a radio with rear-seat controls for volume or station adjustment. In some embodiments, the input is received using a touchscreen, voice command, knob, button, switch, or another suitable electronic or mechanical device for receiving a request to perform an action by the vehicle system.

[0013] In some embodiments, operation 105 further includes a determination as to whether the detected input is from the driver or a passenger other than the driver. In some embodiments, the determination of the passenger who initiated the detected input is based on the location of the detected input. For example, in some embodiments, if the location of the detected input is in a location that is not accessible by the driver (such as the rear seat or passenger door), the determination is made that the detected input was initiated by a passenger other than the driver.

[0014] In some embodiments, the determination of the occupant who initiated the detected input is based on an interior camera of the vehicle. For example, in some embodiments, the interior camera captures images of the vehicle cabin, and the captured images are compared to the location and / or timing of the detected input to determine which occupant of the vehicle initiated the detected input. In some embodiments, the interior vehicle camera captures less than the entire vehicle cabin, for example, only an image of the driver is captured by the interior camera. In response to detecting the input and the interior vehicle camera indicating that the driver did not initiate the detected input, it is determined that an occupant other than the driver initiated the detected input.

[0015] In some embodiments, the determination of the occupant who initiated the detected input is based on a microphone within the vehicle. The microphone is configured to capture sounds within the vehicle's cabin. In some embodiments, the microphone is configured to capture voice commands as the detected input. In some embodiments, the occupant who initiated the detected input is determined based on the direction of the source of the sound detected from the microphone. For example, in some embodiments, if the sound originates from a location other than the driver's seat of the vehicle, the occupant other than the driver is determined to have initiated the detected input. In some embodiments, the sound captured by the microphone is analyzed using voice recognition software to determine the identity of the occupant who initiated the detected input.

[0016] In some embodiments, user profile data is used to determine the location of an occupant within a vehicle. The user profile can be used to set preferences for a particular occupant, such as seat position, steering wheel position, radio station, etc. In some embodiments, a first person will have a first user profile and a second person will have a second user profile. When the first person enters the vehicle, the first person will input data indicating which seat to adjust according to the first user profile. The second person will similarly input data indicating which seat to adjust according to the second user profile. The seat locations associated with each profile can be used to make a determination regarding the identity and location of the occupant of the vehicle. For example, during a first operation of the vehicle, the first person inputs data to configure the driver's seat using the first user profile. As a result, voice recognition can be used to indicate that the detected input is from the first person, and it can be determined that the input is from the driver. However, during a second operation of the vehicle, the first person inputs data to configure the passenger seat using the first user profile. As a result, voice recognition can be used to indicate that the detected input is from a first person, thereby determining that the input is from a passenger other than the driver.

[0017] Those skilled in the art will recognize that other criteria can be used to determine whether a detected input was initiated by the driver or a non-driver occupant, and this description is not limited to the above example situation.

[0018] Operation 110 determines whether the action associated with the detected input is inappropriate. An action is inappropriate if it would increase the risk of driver distraction, expose a non-driver occupant to inappropriate content, expose a non-driver occupant to risk, is unauthorized for a non-driver occupant, or is otherwise inappropriate. Actions that may increase the risk of driver distraction include turning up the volume on a device the driver can hear, turning on the vehicle's interior lights, entering navigation instructions, adjusting the driver's seat position, or other inappropriate actions. Actions that may expose a non-driver occupant to inappropriate content include using the infotainment system to access content such as movies, shows, or songs that are not appropriate for the viewer's age. For example, a child attempting to access a movie with a rating indicating that the movie contains adult content may be exposed to inappropriate content if the movie is allowed to be viewed. Actions that may expose a non-driver occupant to risk include opening a door, unlocking a door, rolling down a window, or other appropriate actions. Actions that may not be authorized for a non-driver occupant include actions that are prohibited according to the non-driver occupant's user profile. For example, in some cases, a parent may set an approval level for a child as part of the child's user profile, and any detected input that attempts to implement an action that is not permitted based on the child's user profile will be an unauthorized action.

[0019] In some embodiments, the determination of whether an activity is an inappropriate activity is based on the state of the vehicle. In some embodiments, vehicles traveling at high speeds, e.g., above a predetermined threshold, have the highest level of restriction on non-driver occupants, i.e., the highest number of inappropriate activities. In some embodiments, vehicles traveling at low speeds, e.g., above zero but below a predetermined threshold, have a moderate number of inappropriate operations. In some embodiments, stopped vehicles, e.g., vehicles traveling at zero speed, have the lowest number of inappropriate activities. In some embodiments, a vehicle shifting into park has no inappropriate activities. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the above correlation between vehicle state and number of inappropriate activities is merely exemplary and does not limit the scope of this description. Other combinations of vehicle state and inappropriate activities are within the scope of this description, such as using a user profile to adjust inappropriate activities using both vehicle state and the identity of non-driver occupants.

[0020] In response to determining that the action associated with the detected input is not inappropriate, i.e., appropriate, method 100 proceeds to operation 140, where the action is performed. In response to determining that the action associated with the detected input is inappropriate, method 100 proceeds to operation 115.

[0021] In operation 115, a determination is made as to whether the inappropriate activity is pre-authorized. Pre-authorization of an inappropriate activity means automatically allowing a non-driver occupant to begin performing the activity despite the activity being inappropriate. In some embodiments, pre-authorization of the inappropriate activity is based on the location of the non-driver occupant. For example, in some embodiments, a front seat passenger is allowed to turn up the volume on the radio because the driver can easily notice that the volume is turned up, making the volume change less likely to distract the driver. In some embodiments, pre-authorization of the inappropriate activity is based on the user profile of the non-driver occupant. For example, in some embodiments, the user profile of the non-driver occupant includes stored permissions for certain activities. The user profile can be used to determine the identity of the non-driver occupant as well as the location of the non-driver occupant within the vehicle, as discussed above.

[0022] In response to a determination that the inappropriate activity is pre-authorized, method 100 proceeds to operation 140 where the activity is performed. In response to a determination that the inappropriate activity is not pre-authorized, method 100 proceeds to operation 120.

[0023] Operation 120 includes sending a notification to the driver regarding the inappropriate behavior. In some embodiments, the notification only indicates that inappropriate behavior is being requested. In some embodiments, the notification identifies the requested inappropriate behavior and / or the identity or location of the occupant other than the driver who requested the inappropriate behavior. In some embodiments, the notification includes an audio notification, a tactile notification, and / or a visual notification. An audio notification includes outputting a tone, sound, words, or other suitable audible information indicating that inappropriate behavior is being requested. A tactile notification includes a steering wheel vibration, a driver's seat vibration, or other suitable tactile indicator indicating that inappropriate behavior is being requested. A visual notification includes displaying a notification on a console, head-up display (HUD), or infotainment system visible to the driver.

[0024] In some embodiments, driver notification is performed by a system onboard the vehicle. In some embodiments, driver notification is performed using a mobile device that is separable from the vehicle but accessible / visible while the driver is operating the vehicle. In some embodiments, the vehicle can communicate with the mobile device using a wired or wireless connection (e.g., Bluetooth).

[0025] In some embodiments, the notification includes a request for authorization for the action requested by the detected input. In some embodiments, the request for authorization is received by one type of notification, e.g., a visual notification, but an additional notification, e.g., an audio notification, is used to make the driver aware of the inappropriate request for action. Those skilled in the art will recognize that additional combinations of notification and authorization requests are within the scope of this specification.

[0026] In operation 125, a determination is made as to whether the driver acknowledged the inappropriate behavior request. In some embodiments, the driver's acknowledgement is received in response to a notification including a request for authorization. In some embodiments, the driver's acknowledgement is received without a notification including a request for authorization. In some embodiments, the driver's acknowledgement is received using a voice command from the driver. In some embodiments, voice recognition or a directional microphone is used to authenticate the acknowledgement voice command as coming from the driver. In some embodiments, the driver's acknowledgement is received via input from the driver received via a touchscreen, steering wheel controls, console controls, a driver-accessible mobile device, or another suitable input. In some embodiments, the driver's acknowledgement is authenticated using a personal identification number (PIN) to identify the driver. In some embodiments, if the driver does not acknowledge the inappropriate behavior within a predetermined time after notifying the driver, the inappropriate behavior request is disapproved. In some embodiments, the acknowledgement of the inappropriate behavior request is determined based on driver gestures detected using an interior camera.

[0027] In response to a determination that the driver approved the inappropriate action request, method 100 proceeds to operation 140, where the action is performed. In response to a determination that the driver neither approved nor disapproved the inappropriate action request, method 100 proceeds to operation 130.

[0028] At operation 130, a notification is sent to a passenger other than the driver regarding the driver's denial of the inappropriate behavior request. In some embodiments, the notification indicates only that the inappropriate behavior was denied. In some embodiments, the notification includes an option to update the inappropriate behavior approval request. In some embodiments, in response to receiving an updated inappropriate behavior approval request, method 100 returns to operation 120 and notifies the driver of the updated request.

[0029] In some embodiments, the notification includes an audio notification, a tactile notification, and / or a visual notification. An audio notification includes outputting a tone, sound, word, or other suitable audible information indicating that the inappropriate behavior was not acknowledged. A tactile notification includes vibration of the seat of a passenger other than the driver or other suitable tactile indicator indicating that the inappropriate behavior was not acknowledged. A visual notification includes displaying a notification on a console, head-up display (HUD), or infotainment system visible to a passenger other than the driver.

[0030] In some embodiments, notification to non-driver occupants is performed by a system onboard the vehicle. In some embodiments, notification to non-driver occupants is performed using a mobile device that is separable from the vehicle but accessible / visible to the non-driver occupants. In some embodiments, the vehicle can communicate with the mobile device using a wired or wireless connection (e.g., Bluetooth).

[0031] Operation 135 locks the device associated with the denied inappropriate behavior. Locking the device includes disabling the device until the driver or another authorized non-driver occupant restarts the device. In some embodiments, operation 135 is implemented after a predetermined number of inappropriate behavior requests. In some embodiments, operation 135 is omitted. Omitting operation 135 reduces the effort required to restart a locked device. Maintaining operation 135 may reduce the number of notifications the driver receives, which may begin to distract the driver.

[0032] In operation 140, the requested action is performed. In some embodiments, the requested action is performed using a system onboard the vehicle. In some embodiments, the requested action is performed using a mobile device accessible to a passenger other than the driver. In some embodiments, the vehicle can communicate with the mobile device using a wired or wireless connection (e.g., Bluetooth).

[0033] Those skilled in the art will recognize that modifications to method 100 are within the scope of this description. In some embodiments, method 100 includes at least one additional operation. For example, in some embodiments, method 100 includes the ability for a passenger other than the driver to authorize the requested inappropriate action to mitigate driver distraction. In some embodiments, the identity of the passenger other than the driver is authenticated before allowing the passenger other than the driver to authorize the inappropriate action request. In some embodiments, at least one operation of method 100 is omitted. For example, in some embodiments, operation 130 is omitted, and the passenger other than the driver is not notified by any means other than that the requested action was not performed. In some embodiments, the order of operations of method 100 is adjusted. For example, in some embodiments, operation 120 is performed before operation 115, and the request for approval of the inappropriate action request is performed after the determination of operation 115 in a modified flow of method 100.

[0034] 2 is a perspective view of a vehicle 200 according to some embodiments. The vehicle 200 is capable of implementing the method 100 (FIG. 1). In some embodiments, the vehicle 200 is capable of implementing the method 100 (FIG. 1) using a system 300 (FIG. 3) mounted on the vehicle. In some embodiments, the vehicle 200 is capable of implementing the method 100 (FIG. 1) based on receiving instructions from a system 300 (FIG. 3) that is remote from or separable from the vehicle 200. In some embodiments where the system 300 (FIG. 3) is remote from or separable from the vehicle 200, the vehicle 200 is configured to receive instructions to implement the method 100 (FIG. 1) via a wireless or wired connection.

[0035] Vehicle 200 includes one or more vehicle systems for implementing the operation of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the one or more vehicle systems include an infotainment system, automatic door locks, automatic window controls, automatic door opening and closing mechanisms, radio controls, etc. In some embodiments, vehicle 200 includes one or more vehicle systems only in the front of the passenger compartment. In some embodiments, vehicle 200 includes one or more vehicle systems in both the front and rear of the passenger compartment.

[0036] Vehicle 200 further includes display 205. In some embodiments, notifications, for example, notifications from operation 120 (FIG. 1), are displayed on display 205. In some embodiments, acknowledgment of an inappropriate behavior request, for example, operation 125 (FIG. 1), is received through a touchscreen on display 205.

[0037] Vehicle 200 further includes steering wheel 210. In some embodiments, notifications, for example, notifications from operation 120 (FIG. 1), are received tactilely through steering wheel 210. In some embodiments, acknowledgment of an inappropriate action request, for example, operation 125 (FIG. 1), is received through a button or switch on the steering wheel.

[0038] Those skilled in the art will recognize that additional vehicle systems for receiving notifications and acknowledgements may be included in vehicle 200.

[0039] 3 is a block diagram of a system 300 for controlling vehicle systems according to one or more embodiments. The system 300 includes a hardware processor 302 and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium 304 having computer program code 306, i.e., a set of executable instructions, encoded thereon. The computer-readable storage medium 304 also has instructions 307 encoded thereon for interfacing with a manufacturing machine to manufacture memory arrays. The processor 302 is electrically coupled to the computer-readable storage medium 304 via a bus 308. The processor 302 is also electrically coupled by the bus 308 to an input / output (I / O) interface 310. A network interface 312 is also electrically coupled to the processor 302 via the bus 308. The network interface 312 is connected to a network 314 such that the processor 302 and the computer-readable storage medium 304 can be connected to external elements via the network 314. The processor 302 is configured to execute computer program code 306 encoded on a computer-readable storage medium 304, thereby enabling the system 300 to perform some or all of the operations described in the method 100 (FIG. 1) or implemented by the vehicle 200 (FIG. 2).

[0040] In some embodiments, processor 302 is a central processing unit (CPU), a multiprocessor, a distributed processing system, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and / or other suitable processing unit.

[0041] In some embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium 304 is an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, and / or semiconductor system (or apparatus or device). For example, the computer-readable storage medium 504 includes a semiconductor or solid-state memory, magnetic tape, a removable computer diskette, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a rigid magnetic disk, and / or an optical disk. In some embodiments using an optical disk, the computer-readable storage medium 504 includes a compact disk-read-only memory (CD-ROM), a compact disk-read / write (CD-R / W), and / or a digital video disk (DVD).

[0042] In some embodiments, storage medium 304 stores computer program code 304 configured to cause system 300 to perform some or all of the operations described in method 100 ( FIG. 1 ) or implemented by vehicle 200 ( FIG. 2 ). In some embodiments, storage medium 304 also stores information used to perform some or all of the operations described in method 100 ( FIG. 1 ) or implemented by vehicle 200 ( FIG. 2 ), as well as information generated in performing some or all of the operations described in method 100 ( FIG. 1 ) or implemented by vehicle 200 ( FIG. 2 ), such as input data parameters 316, user profile parameters 318, notification data parameters 320, vehicle state parameters 322, and / or a set of executable instructions for performing some or all of the operations described in method 100 ( FIG. 1 ) or implemented by vehicle 200 ( FIG. 2 ).

[0043] In some embodiments, storage medium 304 stores instructions 307 for interfacing with an external device, such as a mobile device, that enable processor 302 to generate or receive instructions readable by the external device during implementation of some or all of the operations described in method 100 (FIG. 1) or implemented by vehicle 200 (FIG. 2).

[0044] System 300 includes an I / O interface 310. I / O interface 310 is coupled to external circuitry. In some embodiments, I / O interface 310 includes a keyboard, keypad, mouse, trackball, trackpad, touchscreen, and / or cursor direction keys for communicating information and commands to processor 302.

[0045] System 300 also includes a network interface 312 coupled to processor 302. Network interface 312 enables system 300 to communicate with a network 314 to which one or more other computer systems are connected. Network interface 312 may include a wireless network interface, such as BLUETOOTH, WIFI, WIMAX, GPRS, WCDMA, or a wired network interface, such as ETHERNET, USB, or IEEE-1394. In some embodiments, some or all of the operations described in method 100 (FIG. 1) or implemented by vehicle 200 (FIG. 2) are implemented in more than one system 300, and information, such as sensor data, window transmittance, forecast information, or vehicle status, is exchanged between the various systems 300 via network 314.

[0046] Supplementary Note 1 One aspect of this description relates to a vehicle. The vehicle includes a non-transitory computer-readable medium configured to store instructions. The vehicle further includes a processor coupled to the non-transitory computer-readable medium. The processor is configured to execute instructions to detect input from an occupant other than a driver of the vehicle. The processor is configured to execute instructions to determine whether the input is a request for inappropriate activity. The processor is configured, in response to determining that the input is a request for inappropriate activity, to execute instructions to notify the driver of the request. The processor is configured, in response to receiving an acknowledgement from the driver after notifying the driver, to execute instructions to perform the inappropriate activity.

[0047] Supplementary Note 2 10. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to execute instructions for determining whether the inappropriate activity is pre-authorized and, in response to a determination that the inappropriate activity is not pre-authorized, for notifying the driver of the request.

[0048] Supplementary Note 3 10. The vehicle of claim 1 or 2, wherein the processor is further configured to execute instructions for receiving an acknowledgement from the driver of the request regarding the inappropriate behavior.

[0049] Supplementary Note 4 A vehicle as described in any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3, wherein receiving approval from the driver includes receiving approval by operating a touchscreen, operating an element on a steering wheel, operating an element on a console, or detecting a voice command.

[0050] Supplementary Note 5 5. The vehicle of any of Supplementary Notes 1-4, wherein the processor is further configured to execute instructions for notifying the driver using at least one of an audio notification or a visual notification.

[0051] Supplementary Note 6 6. The vehicle of any of Supplementary Notes 1-5, wherein the processor is further configured to execute instructions for notifying the driver by communicating the notification to a mobile device viewable by the driver.

[0052] Supplementary Note 7 7. The vehicle of any of Supplementary Notes 1-6, wherein the processor is further configured to execute instructions to lock a device associated with the inappropriate activity in response to the driver's failure to acknowledge the inappropriate activity.

[0053] Supplementary Note 8 One aspect of this description relates to a method, the method including detecting an input from an occupant other than a driver of a vehicle, the method further including determining whether the input is a request for an inappropriate action, the method further including, in response to determining that the input is a request for an inappropriate action, notifying the driver of the request, the method further including, in response to receiving approval from the driver after notifying the driver, performing the inappropriate action.

[0054] Supplementary Note 9 10. The method of claim 8, further comprising: determining whether the inappropriate activity is pre-authorized; and, in response to determining that the inappropriate activity is not pre-authorized, notifying the driver of the request.

[0055] Supplementary Note 10 The method of any one of Supplementary Note 8 and Supplementary Note 9, further comprising receiving an acknowledgement from the driver of the request regarding the inappropriate behavior.

[0056] Supplementary Note 11 Supplementary Note 8-10, wherein receiving approval from the driver comprises receiving approval by operating a touchscreen, operating an element on a steering wheel, operating an element on a console, or detecting a voice command.

[0057] Supplementary Note 12 12. The method of any one of Supplementary Notes 8 to 11, wherein the step of notifying the driver includes using at least one of an audio notification or a visual notification.

[0058] Supplementary Note 13 13. The method of any one of Supplementary Notes 8 to 12, wherein the step of notifying the driver includes transmitting the notification to a mobile device visible to the driver.

[0059] Supplementary Note 14 14. The method of any of Supplementary Notes 8-13, further comprising locking a device associated with the inappropriate behavior in response to the driver's failure to acknowledge the inappropriate behavior.

[0060] Supplementary Note 15 One aspect of this description relates to a vehicle. The vehicle includes a non-transitory computer-readable medium configured to store instructions. The vehicle further includes a processor coupled to the non-transitory computer-readable medium. The processor is configured to execute instructions to detect an input from an occupant of the vehicle. The processor is configured to execute instructions to determine whether the occupant is a driver of the vehicle or a non-driver occupant of the vehicle. The processor is configured, in response to determining that the occupant is a non-driver occupant, to execute instructions to determine whether the input is a request for inappropriate action. In response to determining that the input is a request for inappropriate action, the processor is configured to execute instructions to notify the driver of the request. In response to receiving an acknowledgement from the driver after notifying the driver, the processor is configured to execute instructions to perform the inappropriate action.

[0061] Supplementary Note 16 16. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to execute instructions for notifying an occupant other than the driver in response to not receiving acknowledgement from the driver.

[0062] Supplementary Note 17 17. The vehicle of claim 15 or 16, wherein the step of notifying an occupant other than the driver includes the step of providing a notification including an option to update the request about the inappropriate behavior.

[0063] Supplementary Note 18 18. A vehicle as described in any of Supplementary Notes 15-17, wherein the processor is configured to execute instructions to determine whether an occupant is a driver based on a location of an input detected within the vehicle.

[0064] Supplementary Note 19 19. A vehicle as described in any of Supplementary Notes 15-18, wherein the processor is configured to execute instructions to determine whether an occupant is a driver based on the occupant's identification information.

[0065] Supplementary Note 20 A vehicle as described in any one of Supplementary Notes 15 to 19, wherein the identification information includes voice recognition, voice origination location, or user profile information.

[0066] The foregoing outlines features of some embodiments so that those skilled in the art may better understand aspects of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that this disclosure may be used as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures which carry out the same purposes and / or achieve the same advantages of the embodiments presented herein. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. a non-transitory computer-readable medium configured to store instructions; a processor coupled to the non-transitory computer-readable medium for executing the instructions, detecting an input from an occupant other than the driver of the vehicle; determining whether the input is a request for inappropriate activity; In response to determining that the input is a request for inappropriate behavior, notifying the driver of the request; a processor configured to, after notifying the driver, perform the inappropriate action in response to receiving approval from the driver; A vehicle equipped with the above.

2. The processor executes the instructions to determining whether the improper conduct was pre-authorized; The vehicle of claim 1 , further configured to notify the driver of the request in response to a determination that the improper conduct is not pre-authorized.

3. The vehicle of claim 1 or 2, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the instructions to receive an acknowledgement from the driver of the request for inappropriate behavior.

4. The vehicle of claim 3 , wherein receiving approval from the driver comprises receiving approval by operating a touchscreen, operating an element on a steering wheel, operating an element on a console, or detecting a voice command.

5. 3. The vehicle of claim 1 or 2, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the instructions to notify the driver using at least one of an audio or visual notification.

6. 3. The vehicle of claim 1 or 2, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the instructions to notify the driver by transmitting a notification to a mobile device visible to the driver.

7. 3. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the instructions to lock a device associated with the inappropriate behavior in response to the driver's failure to acknowledge the inappropriate behavior.

8. 1. A processor-implemented method comprising: detecting an input from an occupant other than the driver of the vehicle; determining whether the input is a request for inappropriate activity; In response to determining that the input is a request for inappropriate behavior, notifying the driver of the request; performing the inappropriate action in response to receiving an acknowledgement from the driver after notifying the driver; A method comprising:

9. determining whether the inappropriate activity is pre-authorized; 10. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of: in response to determining that the inappropriate conduct is not pre-authorized, notifying the driver of the request.

10. 10. The method of claim 8 or 9, further comprising receiving an acknowledgement from the driver of the request for inappropriate behavior.

11. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of receiving approval from the driver includes receiving approval by operating a touchscreen, operating an element on a steering wheel, operating an element on a console, or detecting a voice command.

12. 10. The method of claim 8 or 9, wherein the step of notifying the driver includes using at least one of an audio notification or a visual notification.

13. 10. The method of claim 8 or 9, wherein the step of notifying the driver comprises communicating a notification to a mobile device visible to the driver.

14. The method of claim 8 or 9, further comprising the step of locking a device associated with the inappropriate behavior in response to the driver's failure to acknowledge the inappropriate behavior.

15. a non-transitory computer-readable medium configured to store instructions; a processor coupled to the non-transitory computer-readable medium for executing the instructions, detecting an input from an occupant of the vehicle; determining whether the occupant is a driver of the vehicle or an occupant other than a driver of the vehicle; determining whether the input is a request for an inappropriate action in response to determining that the occupant is an occupant other than the driver; In response to determining that the input is a request for inappropriate behavior, notifying the driver of the request; a processor configured to perform the inappropriate action in response to receiving an acknowledgement from the driver after notifying the driver; A vehicle equipped with the above.

16. The processor executes the instructions to The vehicle of claim 15 , further configured to notify an occupant other than the driver in response to not receiving acknowledgement from the driver.

17. 17. The vehicle of claim 16, wherein notifying the non-driver occupant includes providing a notification that includes an option to update the inappropriate behavior request.

18. 17. The vehicle of claim 15 or 16, wherein the processor is configured to execute the instructions to determine whether the occupant is the driver based on a location of the input detected within the vehicle.

19. 17. The vehicle of claim 15 or 16, wherein the processor is configured to execute the instructions to determine whether the occupant is the driver based on the occupant's identification information.

20. 20. The vehicle of claim 19, wherein the identification information includes voice recognition, voice origination location, or user profile information.

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