Prediction of operator input to a steering element

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12304499-B2
Application number	US-202318313556-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 8, 2023
Priority date	May 8, 2023
Publication date	May 20, 2025
Grant date	May 20, 2025

Abstract

A system can include a computer having a processor coupled to a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to capture an image of an operator positioned in a steering position. The instructions can additionally be to determine, based on parameters extracted from the captured image, a confidence level that output data from a torque sensor represents torque applied by an operator to a steering element. The instructions can additionally be to actuate a component in a vehicle based on the confidence level.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system, comprising a computer including a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to:
capture an image of an operator positioned in a steering position;
determine, based on parameters extracted from the captured image, a correlation between a confidence level that the operator is in contact with a steering element and data output from a torque sensor; and
actuate a component in a vehicle based on the determined correlation.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the output data from the torque sensor represents torque applied as a function of time, and wherein the steering element includes a steering wheel.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the output data from the torque sensor is obtained over a duration, and wherein the image of the operator is captured during the duration.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the output data from the torque sensor represents a torsion moment applied to the steering element.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the instructions further include instructions to extract parameters of the operator via a non-camera sensor.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the output data from the torque sensor indicates a weight applied to the steering element.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the instructions further include instructions to obtain input signals from a capacitive sensor of the steering element.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the extracted parameters include a head position of the operator.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the extracted parameters include an eye gaze direction of the operator.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the extracted parameters include a location of an arm of the operator.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the instructions further include instructions to estimate a location of a feature of the operator obscured from a field-of-view of a camera capturing the image.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the instructions further include instructions to implement a learning model of the operator having one or more hands in contact with the steering element based on one or more of a head position of the operator, an eye gaze direction of the operator, or a location of an arm of the operator.

13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the instructions further include instructions to correlate the data output from the torque sensor prior to actuation of the component.

14. A method comprising:
capturing an image of an operator positioned in a steering position;
determining, based on parameters extracted from the captured image, a correlation between a confidence level that the operator is in contact with a steering element and data output from a torque sensor; and
actuating a component in a vehicle based on the determined correlation.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the output data from the torque sensor represents torque applied as a function of time, and wherein the steering element includes a steering wheel.

16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the output data from the torque sensor is obtained over a duration, and wherein the image of the operator is captured during the duration.

17. The method of claim 14 , wherein the image includes a camera image and/or an image derived from a non-camera sensor.

18. The method of claim 14 , wherein the extracted parameters include a head position of the operator, an eye gaze direction of the operator, or an orientation of an arm of the operator.

19. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
estimating a location of a feature of the operator obscured from a field-of-view of a camera capturing the image.

20. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
implementing a learning model of operator contact with the steering element based on one or more of a head position of the operator, an eye gaze direction of the operator, and/or an orientation of an arm of the operator.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Herman david michael

Classifications

• B60W2420/403

  Image sensing, e.g. optical camera · CPC title

• B60W2540/223

  Posture, e.g. hand, foot, or seat position, turned or inclined · CPC title

• B60W2540/225

  Direction of gaze · CPC title

• B60W2510/20

  Steering systems · CPC title

• G06V40/18 Primary

  Eye characteristics, e.g. of the iris · CPC title