When an occupant has performed a specific operation that is an operation different to an input operation on a state switching section while in a state in which a display section capable of displaying information related to an input section is not displaying the information, a processor causes the information to be displayed on the display section and places the input section in an input enabled state in which the input operation is receivable. Moreover, when the occupant has not performed the specific operation on the state switching section while in state in which the information is not being displayed on the display section, the processor does not cause the information to be displayed on the display section and places the input section in an input disabled state in which the input operation is not receivable.

An apparatus for determining an approach direction of a gesture of a vehicle occupant (a driver or a fellow passenger) by using a proximity sensor and controlling a vehicle display based on the approach direction determination. The apparatus includes an input unit to receive information on an approach direction in which an occupant’s hand in a vehicle moves to operate a vehicle function, a memory to store a program for controlling the vehicle display by using the information on the approach direction, and a processor to execute the program. The processor controls the vehicle display to perform different functions when an input is made to the same button based on information on a first approach direction in which a driver’s hand approaches from a driver seat side and information on a second approach direction in which a fellow passenger’s hand approaches from a passenger seat side.

An HCU is to be used in a vehicle including an autonomous driving operation, and includes a function of a presentation control device that controls presentation of information to a driver of the vehicle. The presentation control device determines interruption of a second task other than driving permitted to the driver in an autonomous traveling period where the vehicle travels by the autonomous driving operation. Based on the interruption determination of the second task, the HCU changes a provision method of content provided in association with the second task in the autonomous traveling period.

A method and apparatus for providing a human-machine interface (HMI) mode of a vehicle are provided. The method, performed by a device of vehicle, for providing a human-machine interface (HMI) mode includes, determining an occupant's state, determining an HMI mode corresponding to the occupant's state among a plurality of predefined HMI modes, and providing guidance information to the occupant in a medium-specific output scheme corresponding to the determined HMI mode.

An operating unit for a utility vehicle is provided. The operating unit has a grip zone, at least one actuation unit and a control unit. The grip zone includes a plurality of contact-detecting sensor units. The control unit is designed to detect signals from the sensor units and to identify an intended operation on the basis of the signals. An arrangement of the sensor units is formed in such manner that various hand positions are identifiable by means of the control unit. The control unit is designed to release control signals generated by the operating unit and/or the at least one actuation unit depending on the position of the hand.

An input accepting device includes a memory, and a processor coupled to the memory. In a case in which a detected value of electrostatic capacity detected by an electrostatic sensor is greater than or equal to a first threshold value, the processor accepts operation due to contact of an operator. In a case in which a state, in which the detected value of the electrostatic capacity detected by the electrostatic sensor is greater than or equal to a second threshold value, continues for a first time period, the processor determines that there is contact by the operator. In a case in which it is determined that there is contact by the operator, the processor sets the first threshold value to a value that is greater than or equal to the second threshold value based on the detected value detected by the electrostatic sensor.

An apparatus for controlling a vehicle includes a vehicle state detector for detecting a vehicle state, a function unit that performs at least one vehicle function, an operation unit that enables a transmission operation to allow selection of a transmission stage from among a plurality of transmission stages, and a position adjusting unit to switch the operation unit between a first position where the transmission operation is disabled and a second position where the transmission operation is enabled, by rotating the operation unit with respect to the functional unit, based on the detected vehicle state.

Electrostatic friction textures on a touchscreen panel are used to create the sensation of block icons in a contextual menu adapted to an automotive environment. In particular, a center stack touchscreen friction display in a passenger vehicle provides one set of touch controls and HMI data to the driver while simultaneously providing either the same control options and HMI or a completely different set of information and menu structure to the passenger in invisible texture form. The invisible texture is in the form of block icons, and coincidence between a finger of a passenger and a block icon results in an audio announcement of the block icon to guide a visually impaired passenger through the contextual menu.

A system and method for disabling distracting apps on a driver's personal devices while allowing passengers travelling in the same vehicle to have full use of their personal devices. The system works by first identifying all the personal devices that are in the vehicle and then establishing a loose mesh network between those devices. Once the mesh network is established, the system identifies which of the personal devices is associated with the driver, and ensures that any distracting apps on the driver's personal device are disabled, while allowing full functionality for any passenger's personal devices.

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.