An aspect of the disclosure sets forth a turn signal system for a steering wheel that is easier to use and improves turn signal usage compliance and, accordingly, safety. The turn signal system includes at least one hand location detection sensor; at least one pressure actuated switch mechanism which is actuatable by the operator; a turn signal control, the turn signal control operatively connected to the at least one hand location detection sensor and the at least one pressure actuated switch mechanism, the turn signal control also operatively connected to left and right turn signals of the vehicle to indicate a turn to the left or right. Wherein actuation of the at least one pressure actuated switch mechanism by a hand of the operator of the vehicle provides a signal to the turn signal control to indicate a turn to the left or right.

A planar carrier for mounting on a rim of a steering wheel without wrinkles, the planar carrier including a portion of planar flexible foil of roughly rectangular shape having two longitudinal sides and two lateral sides, wherein the length B of the lateral sides is 0.96 to 1.00 times the perimeter of the rim, and wherein N cut-outs per unit length are provided on each of the longitudinal sides. The cut-outs of one side are located in a staggered fashion relative to opposing cut-out portions on the opposite side. The optimum shape and size of the cut-outs may be determined as described. The planar carrier may be implemented as a heat carrier, a heating device and/or a sensing device.

A disclosed vehicle control system provides control over complex vehicle functions including transmission shifting to enable differently abled drivers to operate a motor vehicle.

A marine vessel includes a hull and a steering system. The steering system includes at least one nautical equipment, a steering mechanism to adjust a traveling direction of the hull, and an input terminal to receive an input from a user. The steering mechanism includes a steering wheel with an operation switch to operate the at least one nautical equipment. The input terminal is operable to allow the user to associate the at least one nautical equipment with the operation switch.

A vehicle drive mode selection system selects a preset drive mode for a vehicle when sensors on the vehicle’s steering wheel are triggered. Upon triggering of the sensors on the steering wheel, a drive mode selector of the vehicle is configured to switch a current drive mode of the vehicle to the preset drive mode.

An article of manufacture for providing a digital automobile steering wheel according to the present invention includes a rotating steering wheel for providing directional for directing a vehicle when in motion, a video display device coupled to a center of the rotating steering wheel configured to be visible to a driver when operating the rotating steering wheel, a camera for obtaining an image of a face of the driver, a fingerprint scanner for obtaining a fingerprint scan of a finger of the driver, and an iris scanner for obtaining an iris scan of an eye of the driver. The digital automobile steering wheel also uses a set of control electronics and processing components, a position communications device for providing a current position of the steering wheel, and a user interface port coupled to one or more steering wheel user input/output devices for receiving input from the driver.

An input processing device according to the present disclosure is configured to execute: a process for detecting a first specific state indicating that a direction of eyes or a face of a driver of a vehicle is facing a direction of a switch mounted on the vehicle; a process for acquiring a depression state of the switch; and a process for controlling, when the switch is depressed, an operation state of a specific function based on the depression state in a case where the first specific state is detected between a time when the switch is depressed and a first predetermined time before the time when the switch is depressed.

The steering wheel in a vehicle includes a frame, an attachment support movable between a rest position and a depressed position, and an element for guiding the attachment support. The element for guiding the attachment support includes a first guiding part and a second guiding part. Further, the steering wheel includes an electrical circuit part with at least one switch having a first contact terminal, a second contact terminal, a resilient return element, and deformable damping element. In addition, the second guiding part includes a push interface for receiving the return force of the resilient return element. The push interface is arranged between the resilient return element and the damping element, and the second contact terminal is supported by the second guiding part.

Disclosed is a method for automotive vehicle including a steering wheel, an instrument cluster, the steering wheel including sensors which are arranged on the rim and configured to detect the presence of fingers (5) of a hand (4) of the driver in contact with the rim (25), situated one after the other in the circumferential direction, the method including the following steps: a) defining first and second zones of activation on the rim of the steering wheel, b) defining first and second interaction entities in the digital display zone, which are situated in positional correspondence with the activation zones, c) detecting a movement of fingers including at least one closing or gripping of a hand on an activation zone, d) undertaking an action in conjunction with the first interaction entity.

An operating element of a motor vehicle provided with a contact surface. The contact surface is provided with an element, controllable via actuators, that responds to the sense of touch of an operator, through which a feedback is provided to the operator about the currently engaged gear of the transmission of the motor vehicle.