Method and system for detecting steering wheel contact
First Claim
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1. A method for detecting steering wheel contact, comprising:
- transmitting a test signal to a power assisted steering system to initiate application of a test torque to a steering wheel over a period of time, the test signal comprising a sinusoidal wave with a frequency and amplitude an amplitude;
receiving, from a torque sensor, measurement signals indicative of actual steering wheel torque over the period of time;
comparing the actual torque to an expected torque to determine a phase shift in at least one of amplitude and frequency between the test signal and the received measurement signals; and
determining whether a user is in contact with the steering wheel based on the comparison and the determined phase shift.
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Abstract
In accordance with various exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure describes methods and systems for detecting steering wheel contact by a user. A test signal may be transmitted to a power assisted steering system of a vehicle, where the test signal may apply torque to the steering wheel of the vehicle. A torque sensor may then receive measurements signals indicative of steering wheel torque. The torque indicated by the measurement signals may be compared to an expected torque. Based on the comparison, it may be determined whether the user is in contact with the steering wheel.
6 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for detecting steering wheel contact, comprising:
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transmitting a test signal to a power assisted steering system to initiate application of a test torque to a steering wheel over a period of time, the test signal comprising a sinusoidal wave with a frequency and amplitude an amplitude; receiving, from a torque sensor, measurement signals indicative of actual steering wheel torque over the period of time; comparing the actual torque to an expected torque to determine a phase shift in at least one of amplitude and frequency between the test signal and the received measurement signals; and determining whether a user is in contact with the steering wheel based on the comparison and the determined phase shift. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 13, 17)
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6. A system for detecting steering wheel contact by a user, the system comprising:
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a vehicle; a power assisted steering system that comprises a torque sensor and a steering wheel, wherein a test torque is applied to the steering wheel based on receipt of a test signal to initiate application of the test torque by the power assisted steering system over a period of time, the test signal comprising a sinusoidal wave with a frequency and amplitude; and a manager configured to; receive, from the torque sensor, measurement signals indicative of actual steering wheel torque over the period of time; compare the actual torque to an expected torque to determine a phase shift in at least one of amplitude and frequency between the test signal and the received measurement signals; and determine whether a user is in contact with the steering wheel based on the comparison and the determined phase shift. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 12, 14)
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9. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing program code which, when executed by a processor, performs the steps of:
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transmitting a test signal to a power assisted steering system to initiate application of a test torque to a steering wheel over a period of time, the test signal comprising a sinusoidal wave with a frequency and amplitude an amplitude; receiving, from a torque sensor, measurement signals indicative of actual steering wheel torque over the period of time; comparing the actual torque to an expected torque to determine a phase shift in at least one of amplitude and frequency between the test signal and the received measurement signals; and determining whether a user is in contact with the steering wheel based on the comparison and the determined phase shift.
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15. A method for detecting steering wheel contact, comprising:
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transmitting a test signal to a power assisted steering system to initiate application of a test torque to a steering wheel over a period of time, the test signal comprising a sinusoidal wave with a frequency and amplitude; receiving, from a torque sensor, measurement signals indicative of actual steering wheel torque over the period of time; determining a phase shift in at least one of amplitude and frequency between the test signal and the received measurement signals; and determining whether a user is in contact with the steering wheel based on and the determined phase shift. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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Specification