System and method for controlling a vehicle display in a moving vehicle

A system for controlling one or more functions associated with a vehicle display in a vehicle while the vehicle is moving, comprising:

• a steering wheel having a plurality of sensors configured to sense contact on the steering wheel, the steering wheel having a left zone and a right zone;
• and
• the vehicle display is operably connected for computer communication to the steering wheel and the vehicle, the vehicle display including a processor,
• wherein the processor receives one or more signals from at least one of the plurality of sensors and determines a left contact value based on the one or more signals, the left contact value indicating contact with the steering wheel within the left zone, and the processor determines a right contact value based on the one or more signals, the right contact value indicating contact with the steering wheel within the right zone,
• wherein the processor compares the left contact value to a left contact threshold, wherein the left contact threshold is determined based on a left contact surface area of the steering wheel within the left zone, wherein the left contact surface area maximizes contact of a left hand with the steering wheel within the left zone,
• wherein the processor compares the right contact value to a right contact threshold, wherein the right contact threshold is determined based on a right contact surface area of the steering wheel within the right zone, wherein the right contact surface area maximizes contact of a right hand with the steering wheel within the right zone,
• wherein the processor receives vehicle data from vehicle sensors of the vehicle and upon determining a non-driving passenger is present in the vehicle based on the vehicle data, the processor sets a system status of the one or more functions associated with the vehicle display to enabled or disabled based on comparing the left contact value to the left contact threshold and comparing the right contact value to the right contact threshold.

A non-transitory computer readable medium with instructions for controlling one or more functions associated with a vehicle display in a vehicle while the vehicle is moving, the instructions for execution by a processor, comprising:

• receiving one or more signals from at least one of a plurality of sensors integrated with a steering wheel, wherein the steering wheel includes a left zone and a right zone;
• determining a left contact value based on the one or more signals, wherein the left contact value indicates contact with the steering wheel within the left zone;
• determining a right contact value based on the one or more signals, wherein the right contact value indicates contact with the steering wheel within the right zone;
• comparing the left contact value to a left contact threshold, wherein the left contact threshold is determined based on a left contact surface area of the steering wheel within the left zone, wherein the left contact surface area maximizes the contact of a left hand with the steering wheel within the left zone;
• comparing the right contact value to a right contact threshold, wherein the right contact threshold is determined based on a right contact surface area of the steering wheel within the right zone, wherein the right contact surface area maximizes contact of a right hand with the steering wheel within the right zone;
• and
• receiving vehicle data received from vehicle sensors of the vehicle and upon determining a non-driving passenger is present in the vehicle based on the vehicle data, setting a system status of the one or more functions associated with the vehicle display to enabled or disabled based on comparing the left contact value to the left contact threshold and comparing the right contact value to the right contact threshold.