U SE R I NTE RFACE DEVICE FOR STE ERI NG A SE LF-DRIVI NG

AUTONOMOU S VEH ICLE

TECH NICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a user interface device for steering a self-driving autonomous vehicle.

BACKGROUND

[0002] As car manufacturers study and develop ways and techniques to increase autonomy and safety on their vehicles, one can, with a certain degree of certainty, predicate that cars will provide an increasing level of automation. This, under certain conditions, will allow the driver to withdraw from the task of actively driving the vehicle and engage in non-driving related tasks. This opens a new dimension of in-car task possibilities that otherwise would not be possible in a non-autonomous vehicle: working, reading, internet browsing, writing and other miscellaneous activities that require the driver's attention. As such, a car with this level of autonomy, surpasses the category of an utility or a mean of transportation only and becomes a space where people work and entertain themselves while the car drives them to their destination . It thus raises the need to create and provide means and ways to facilitate this to the driver and passengers, without compromising their and others safety. This is denominated as 3rd living space.

[0003] Current concepts presented for steering wheel with display in the market make use of standard steering wheel implementation, i.e. steering wheel position is similar to those on standard cars where a steering wheel is used without a display.

[0004] Examples include: Coming ^' s concept car steering wheel which features Gorilla Glass™ integrated into a heads-up display, an all-glass dashboard, a centre touch-screen console, and the steering wheel; ZF ^' s concept steering wheel with display prepared for level 3 automated functions; Byton's electric SUV concept which has a display in a steering wheel with entertainment and system interfaces.

[0005] For example, patent document EP1484234B1 discloses a motor vehicle display arrangement, comprises a first display device with several display elements distributed peripherally on the steering wheel of the vehicle and that can be optionally illuminated to indicate a differential angle relative to a reference point that is essentially fixed relative to the cockpit when the steering wheel is turned.

[0006] Patent document DE102004042331 discloses a monitor constructed into covering of steering wheel and connected to motor vehicle electronics. It receives information for display or call up via touch screen function of monitor.

[0007] In patent document KR20040098282A it is proposed a function selection device of a vehicle, provided to reduce the danger of an accident by enabling a driver to easily operate convenient functions of the vehicle. In the function selection part, the corresponding function and working are selected according to driver's operation to use convenient functions of the vehicle and a corresponding signal is output. A touch pad, to make a function executed according to contact with the driver's body, is used in the function selection part. The function selection part is installed to a steering wheel. The function selection device includes a display part displaying the function and working state selected from the function selection part. The function selection part is formed to the front of the steering wheel, to enable operation during driving.

[0008] These facts are disclosed in order to illustrate the technical problem addressed by the present disclosure.

GENERAL DESCRIPTI ON

[0009] Currently, human-machine interface, HMI, systems are physically static, embedded into the cockpit's structure, designed and thought for a space focused mainly on driving and/or on facilitating the use of certain functions while driving. As tasks inside a car diversify due to an increase of autonomous functions and safety features, rises the need to transform the HMI system into a more dynamic one, enabling, in contrast to what is now implemented on the majority of cars, personalization and customization to the occupants needs and tastes, merging safety with user experience and ease-of-use concepts.

[0010] It is disclosed a user interface device for steering a self-driving autonomous vehicle comprising:

a column support defining a longitudinal axis;

a rotatable touch display interface comprising a front touch-screen surface and two lateral grippers, wherein the display interface is mounted on said column support; an electrical motor arranged for rotating the touch display interface;

wherein the touch display interface is rotatable such that a user can rotate the touch display interface for steering the vehicle when the vehicle is in a non- autonomous mode; and

wherein the device is configured for said motor rotating the touch display interface into an aligned angle with the vehicle steering when the vehicle enters a non- autonomous mode.

[0011] In an embodiment, the touch display interface is pivotally mounted on the column support such that the touch display interface can be tilted along a horizontal axis, in particular a horizontal axis which is perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.

[0012] It is disclosed a user interface device for steering a self-driving autonomous vehicle comprising:

a column support defining a longitudinal axis;

a rotatable touch display interface comprising a front touch-screen surface and two lateral grippers, wherein the display interface is mounted on said column support; wherein the touch display interface is rotatable such that a user can rotate the touch display interface for steering the vehicle when the vehicle is in a non- autonomous mode;

wherein the touch display interface is pivotally mounted on the column support such that the touch display interface can be tilted along a horizontal axis, in particular a horizontal axis which is perpendicular to said longitudinal axis. [0013] In an embodiment, the touch display interface is pivotally mounted on the column support such that the tilting of the touch display interface is locked when the touch-screen surface is at a perpendicular angle to said longitudinal axis and when the vehicle is in a non-autonomous mode.

[0014] An embodiment comprises an electrical motor arranged for tilting the touch display interface relative to the column support.

[0015] In an embodiment, the device is configured for said motor tilting the touch display interface such that the touch-screen surface is at a perpendicular angle to said longitudinal axis when the vehicle enters a non-autonomous mode.

[0016] In an embodiment, the device is configured for said motor tilting the touch display interface such that the touch-screen surface is at a non-perpendicular angle to said longitudinal axis when the vehicle enters an autonomous mode.

[0017] In an embodiment, said column support is extensible and comprises an electrical motor arranged for extending and retracting said column support;

wherein the device is configured for the motor retracting the column support when the vehicle enters an autonomous mode.

[0018] In an embodiment, the device is configured for the motor extending the column support when the vehicle enters a non-autonomous mode.

[0019] In an embodiment, the touch display interface is rotatably mounted on the column support such that a user can rotate the touch display interface about the longitudinal axis of the column support for steering the vehicle when the vehicle is in a non-autonomous mode.

[0020] In an embodiment, the column support comprises a rotatable coupling for mounting the column support onto the vehicle such that a user can rotate the touch display interface about the longitudinal axis of the column support for steering the vehicle when the vehicle is in a non-autonomous mode.

[0021] In an embodiment, the column support is adjustable for height, depth or both height and depth as a steering wheel column. [0022] In an embodiment, the column support is laterally movable for swing-away as a steering wheel column.

[0023] An embodiment comprises one or two buttons for activating a non-autonomous mode of the vehicle.

[0024] An embodiment comprises two buttons each placed on a lateral gripper for activating a non-autonomous mode of the vehicle.

BRI EF DESCRI PTION OF THE DRAWI NGS

[0025] The following figures provide preferred embodiments for illustrating the disclosure and should not be seen as limiting the scope of invention.

[0026] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment with perspective view of lengthwise movement of the device.

[0027] Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment including lateral grips with front and back view.

[0028] Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of an alternative embodiment including lateral grips with top, front and back view, and also including a front view showing display tilting movement about a pivotable mounting.

[0029] Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of the lengthwise movement of the device.

[0030] Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of the touch display tilting movement, in particular turning about a pivotable mounting.

DETAILED DESCRI PTION

[0031] This disclosure includes a user interface device for delivering contents and ways to interact with content created, by making it available on a steering device with a display with touch capabilities.

[0032] One of the objectives of the disclosure is to allow the user to do several activities, whether they are work or leisure, this is only possible when the steering wheel is able to be repositioned so that the driver can assume a more convenient position and adjust the steering wheel to the most suited position to interact with.

[0033] One way of providing content to the driver is to make it available right on the steering wheel, by coupling a display with touch capabilities to it, making it part of the HMI system where the driver can engage on the activities aforementioned, while keeping the driver engagement on the primary task. E.g. urgent retake of autonomous car in level 3 or retake of autonomous car in level 4 (SAE), to e.g. level 0, needs the user's engagement.

[0034] In particular, the proposed device can allow the user to do several activities allowed in Level 4, such as book reading, internet content browsing or SMS writing right on the steering wheel display, with comfort and safety, by giving the user the possibility of repositioning the steering wheel while the car is in autonomous mode, enabling the driver to assume a more convenient position and adjust it to its his/her preferences.

[0035] The disclosure has a main effect on the need for the car HMI to provide an easy retake when the user needs to assume the control of the car. As the user is engaged, during autonomous driving, with the steering wheel but with its other capabilities (reading, writing, etc.) whenever the retake its needed, the way to provide the retake (press two buttons) on the driving wheel is easily reachable and, for that, to accept and engage with the manual mode.

[0036] The steering wheel will be fitted on a mechanism which allows manual adjustment of the steering wheel's position, depending on the driving mode in use, allowing tilting of the display and movements towards being closer to the driver, as in a tablet usage. To ensure driver can interact with the contents, the steering wheel is based on drive by wire system where a sensor detects the steering wheel's movements. This allows it to remain steady in the position the driver adjusted it to, while resuming the steering position direction when the vehicle requests manual control.

[0037] The proposed disclosure allows manual adjustment of the steering wheel's position, depending on the driving mode in use, enabling tilting of the display and movements towards being closer to the driver, as in a tablet usage. To ensure driver can interact with the contents, the steering wheel is based on drive by wire system where a sensor detects the steering wheel's movements. This allows it to remain steady in the position the driver adjusted it to, while resuming the steering position direction when the vehicle requests manual control.

[00B8] As such, this device allows the user to engage with the HMI system in a more comfortable and easy-to-use manner and, more importantly, use the system on his/her own way depending on the situation and on the autonomy level in question.

[0039] As the user is engaged with the HMI system, the vehicle can display relevant warnings to the user, such as the need to perform a manual retake, ensuring that the user will promptly see the request, and thus a compliance with the request is expectable to take place faster. Finally, the proposed disclosure is versatile to the point of being applicable to vehicles with several levels of automation.

[0040] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment with perspective view of lengthwise movement of the device, showing the touch display interface 1, the pivotable mounting 2 and the extensible column support 3.

[0041] Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment including lateral grips with front and back view, showing the touch display interface 1, the pivotable mounting 2, extensible column support 3, the non-autonomous mode activation buttons 4 and lateral grippers 5.

[0042] Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of an alternative embodiment including lateral grips with top, front and back view, and also including a front view showing display tilting movement about a pivotable mounting, showing the touch display interface 1, the pivotable mounting 2, the extensible column support 3 and lateral grippers 5.

[0043] Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of the lengthwise movement of the device, showing the extensible column support 3.

[0044] Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of the display tilting movement, in particular about a pivotable mounting 2.

[0045] The term "comprising" whenever used in this document is intended to indicate the presence of stated features, integers, steps, components, but not to preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

[0046] The disclosure should not be seen in any way restricted to the embodiments described and a person with ordinary skill in the art will foresee many possibilities to modifications thereof. The above described embodiments are combinable. The following claims further set out particular embodiments of the disclosure.