Example systems and methods for a driver detection steering wheel are disclosed. An example disclosed vehicle includes a steering wheel, a driver, a detector, and an enabling module. The example steering wheel includes a plurality of capacitive sensors. The example driver is to change voltage levels on the plurality of capacitive sensors. The example detector is to measure time delays corresponding to the plurality of capacitive sensors, and determine a number of hands on the steering wheel based on the time delays. The example enabling module is to, in response to the detector detecting two hands on the steering wheel, grant access to an infotainment system.

A system and method displays information using a vehicle-mount computer. The system includes (i) an input device and a display device for inputting and displaying information; (ii) a motion detector for detecting vehicle motion; (iii) a proximity sensor for detecting proximity to an item; and (vi) a vehicle-mount computer in communication with the input device, the display device, the motion detector, and the proximity sensor, the vehicle-mount computer including a central processing unit and memory. The vehicle-mount computer's central processing unit is configured to store information associated with user-selected information from the input device and to display a zoomed view of the user-selected information on the display device. Further, the vehicle-mount computer's central processing unit is configured to override screen-blanking when user-selected information is displayed.

A processing method for a processing apparatus, the processing method causing a computer of the processing apparatus to execute steps comprising: detecting a position and a state of a passenger inside a vehicle on the basis of information indicating a state of space including seats of the vehicle, the information obtained from a sensor provided inside the vehicle, notifying an operator of the vehicle of the detected position and state of the passenger, and transmitting, upon detecting an operation, which is performed by the operator of the vehicle, for controlling a device near the detected position of the passenger, a control command corresponding to the operation to the device.

The present disclosure provides an input device that puts signals into equipment in response to turning action and that can come down in thickness along an axis of a rotary shaft. The input device includes a knob configured to be turned, a rotary shaft configured to turn together with the knob, and a flange disposed around an outer peripheral surface of the rotary shaft. The flange is designed to regulate turning of the rotary shaft. The input device further includes an elastic component that is disposed around the outer peripheral surface of the rotary shaft and is fastened to the flange, a rotation controller that permits or inhibits turning of the elastic component, and a detector that detects a rotational state of the rotary shaft.

An input system includes a first touch input unit on which a touch operation is performed; a second touch input unit on which a touch operation is performed; and a processing unit configured to control display of a display unit using operation information that is acquired from any one touch input unit of the first touch input unit and the second touch input unit. The processing unit does not use operation information from an other touch input unit of the first touch input unit and the second touch input unit in display control for the display unit until a non-input time of the one touch input unit exceeds a first predetermined cancellation time, the non-input time of the one touch input unit being a time during which there is no input to the one touch input unit.

When transitioning from both prohibition state that prohibit a specific action and a hand release during an execution of the autonomous driving to a specific action permission state that permits a driver to execute a specific action other than a driving operation, a presentation control device presents information indicating that the transition is allowable prior to information indicating that the transition is executed. When transitioning from a hand release permission state that prohibits the specific action and permits hand release from a steering wheel to the specific action permission state, the presentation control device presents the information indicating that the transition is allowable and the information indicating that the transition is executed at a same time.

A driver station of a vehicle including a support structure and a module that has a central part, a steering wheel and an electronic communication interface element. The central part is connected to the support structure. The steering wheel and the electronic communication interface element are arranged on either side of the central part along a main direction. The module is able to be moved relative to the support structure between a first position, in which the steering wheel is provided to be across from a driver, and a second position, in which the electronic communication interface element is provided to be across from the driver.

A user interface apparatus configured to be installed in a vehicle, the apparatus includes a touch screen; a gesture detecting unit configured to detect a gesture of a user and convert the gesture into an electrical signal; and at least one processor configured to determine whether a criteria for switching to an autonomous driving state is satisfied in response to the gesture detected by the gesture detecting unit being applied from a driver seat of the vehicle to the touch screen, further, in response to the criteria for switching to the autonomous driving state being satisfied, the at least one processor is further configured to switch a state of the vehicle to the autonomous driving state.

An information processing apparatus including: a control unit to generate a display image including running images of one or more applications each containing one or more operation device images attaining predetermined functions; an output unit to display the display image generated by the control unit; and an input unit to accept an operation performed on the operation device image contained in the running image, wherein the control unit extracts the functions associated with the operation device images equal to or smaller than a predetermined maximum count and contained in the running image of the application, based on priority levels of the functions associated with the operation device images contained in one or more applications, and generates the display image including the running image containing the operation device images associated with the extracted functions.

An information processing and display system comprising steering wheel (10) having a rim (12) and at least one spoke (14), and a plurality of sensors (102, 106, 108) placed about one or both of the rim and the spoke, each sensor selectively actuable due to the proximity of a finger, fingers, a hand or hands of a driver; and a processor, logic device or computer (120) in communication with each sensor and capable of detecting specific hand or finger movements corresponding to specific desirable functions.