Apparatus and method for processing accelerator pedal mis-operation of driver

An apparatus for processing an accelerator pedal mis-operation of a driver: includes a vehicle information obtaining device that obtains vehicle information corresponding to an operation of the driver; and a processor that detects an accelerator pedal monitoring situation based on the vehicle information and determine the accelerator pedal mis-operation of the driver based on an opening degree of an accelerator pedal corresponding to the operation of the driver in the accelerator pedal monitoring situation to switch a vehicle mode to enter a safe mode.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0041119, filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Apr. 3, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and a method for processing an accelerator pedal mis-operation of a driver.

BACKGROUND

The increase in the older driver population has let do concerns with regard to the reaction speed, cognitive ability, and judgment ability to the surrounding environment. Further, accidents caused by mis-operating a vehicle have been continued to increase. In addition to the deterioration in physical ability due to the age of a driver, a vehicle mis-operation is caused by various factors such as simple misunderstanding, bipedal driving, increased driver fatigue, inadequate operation after applying shift-by-wire (SBW), and the like.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the present disclosure provides an apparatus and a method for processing an accelerator pedal mis-operation of a driver, which can analyze an operation pattern of the driver to detect the accelerator pedal mis-operation of the driver and take action on the detected accelerator pedal mis-operation of the driver.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus for processing an accelerator pedal mis-operation of a driver includes: a vehicle information obtaining device that obtains vehicle information corresponding to an operation of the driver; and a processor that detects an accelerator pedal monitoring situation based on the vehicle information and determine the accelerator pedal mis-operation of the driver based on an opening degree of an accelerator pedal corresponding to the operation of the driver in the accelerator pedal monitoring situation to switch a vehicle mode to enter a safe mode.

The vehicle information obtaining device may obtain at least one of a vehicle speed, a brake pedal position, a steering wheel operation angle, gear information, a direction indicator state, obstacle detection, an accelerator pedal opening, or a vehicle state through sensors installed in a vehicle.

The processor may detect a parking situation or a departure situation as the accelerator pedal monitoring situation.

The processor may determine the accelerator pedal mis-operation of the driver when the accelerator pedal opening is out of a preset range in the accelerator pedal monitoring situation.

The processor may stop a motor or shift gear information to an N stage when switching to the safe mode when a vehicle is an eco-friendly vehicle.

The processor may ignore an accelerator pedal input corresponding to the operation of the driver when switching to the safe mode when a vehicle is an engine vehicle.

The processor may output a safe mode entry notification and an accelerator pedal mis-operation warning through at least one of a cluster and a speaker when switching to the safe mode.

The processor may release the safe mode and allow acceleration control of a vehicle by an accelerator pedal operation of the driver when an accelerator pedal re-operation of the driver is detected in the safe mode.

The processor may determine an accelerator pedal mis-operation detection error when the safe mode is released within a preset time after entering the safe mode.

The processor may set sensitivity of accelerator pedal mis-operation detection by changing at least one reference value of the steering wheel operation angle, the accelerator pedal opening, and monitoring time when the accelerator pedal mis-operation detection error is determined.

The processor may analyze a driving pattern of the driver and set the sensitivity of the accelerator pedal mis-operation detection based on the analyzed driving pattern.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of processing an accelerator pedal mis-operation of a driver includes: obtaining vehicle information corresponding to an operation of the driver; detecting an accelerator pedal monitoring situation based on the vehicle information; determining an accelerator pedal mis-operation of the driver based on an opening degree of an accelerator pedal corresponding to the operation of the driver in the accelerator pedal monitoring situation; and switching a vehicle mode to enter a safe mode when the accelerator pedal mis-operation is determined.

The vehicle information may include at least one of a vehicle speed, a brake pedal position, a steering wheel operation angle, gear information, a direction indicator state, obstacle detection, an accelerator pedal opening, or a vehicle state through sensors installed in a vehicle.

The detecting an accelerator pedal monitoring situation may include detecting a parking situation or a departure situation as the accelerator pedal monitoring situation.

The determining an accelerator pedal mis-operation of the driver may include determining the accelerator pedal mis-operation of the driver when the accelerator pedal opening is out of a preset range in the accelerator pedal monitoring situation.

The switching a vehicle mode to the safe mode may include stopping a motor or shifting gear information to an N stage when switching to the safe mode when a vehicle is an eco-friendly vehicle.

The switching a vehicle mode to the safe mode may include ignoring an accelerator pedal input corresponding to the operation of the driver when switching to the safe mode when a vehicle is an engine vehicle.

The switching a vehicle mode to the safe mode may include outputting a safe mode entry notification and an accelerator pedal mis-operation warning through at least one of a cluster and a speaker when switching to the safe mode.

The method may further include releasing the safe mode to allow acceleration control of the vehicle by an accelerator pedal operation of the driver when an accelerator pedal re-operation of the driver is detected in the safe mode.

The method may further include determining an accelerator pedal mis-operation detection error when the safe mode is released within a preset time after entering the safe mode.

The method may further include setting sensitivity of accelerator pedal mis-operation detection by changing at least one reference value of the steering wheel operation angle, the accelerator pedal opening, or monitoring time when the accelerator pedal mis-operation detection error is determined.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG.1is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus for processing an accelerator pedal mis-operation of a driver according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.1, an apparatus for processing an accelerator pedal mis-operation of a driver includes a vehicle information obtaining device110, a communication device120, storage130, an output device140, and a processor150.

The vehicle information obtaining device110obtains vehicle information corresponding to an operation (maneuver) of a driver by using various sensors and/or electronic control units (ECUs) installed in a vehicle. In this case, the vehicle information may include a vehicle speed, a brake pedal position, a steering wheel operation angle, gear information, obstacle detection, an accelerator pedal opening, a direction indicator state, and/or a vehicle state. The vehicle information obtaining device110obtains the current speed of a vehicle through a speed sensor, and detects the degree of stepping on a brake pedal through a brake pedal position sensor. The vehicle information obtaining device110may measure a steering wheel operation angle corresponding to a steering wheel operation of a driver, that is, a rotation angle (steering angle) of a steering wheel through a steering angle sensor installed in a steering column switch cluster. The vehicle information obtaining device110may obtain a position of a selector lever corresponding to an operation of a driver, that is, gear information, such as P stage, D stage, R stage, or N stage, through a selector lever position sensor, and obtain information about an obstacle located within a specified distance (e.g., 60 cm) from the vehicle through a proximity sensor. The vehicle information obtaining device110may detect whether the left and/or right direction indicator(s) are/is turned on through a direction indicator lever position sensor, and a vehicle state, that is, a state in which the vehicle is turned on (start-on) or turned off (start-off) through a drive control device (e.g., an engine control device or a motor control device). The vehicle information obtaining device110may obtain the opening degree of an accelerator pedal by using accelerator pedal position sensor, which measures an opening angle of a throttle valve corresponding to the accelerator pedal operation of the driver, that is, a stepped degree of the accelerator pedal. In addition, the vehicle information obtaining device110may obtain vehicle information (e.g., door opening/closing information or door locking/unlocking information, and the like) through electronic stability control (ESC), traction control system (TCS), and/or antilock brake system (ABS), and the like.

The communication device120communicates with various sensors and/or electronic control devices connected through a vehicle network. The vehicle network is implemented with a controller area network (CAN), a media oriented systems transport (MOST) network, a local interconnect network (LIN), an Ethernet and/or an X-by-wire (Flexray). The communication device120enters a sleep mode when a specified time elapses after the vehicle enters a warning mode. In this case, the warning mode refers to a state in which the occurrence of a window breakage and/or a forced door opening is detected to prevent vehicle theft after a specified time has elapsed since the door is locked after the vehicle is turned off. The communication device120stores a trigger signal in the storage130, which is generated when entering the sleep mode. For example, the communication device120switches the operation mode of the B-CAN to the sleep mode after 3 minutes or more after the vehicle mode transitions to the warning mode, and stores the trigger signal in the storage130. The communication device120may transmit the trigger signal indicating that the operation mode of the communication device120is switched to the sleep mode, to the vehicle information obtaining device110.

The storage130may store the vehicle information obtained by the vehicle information obtaining device110, and may store various setting information that is set in advance. The storage130may store setting information changed by a user. The storage130may store a sensitivity setting reference table as illustrated in following Table 1. The sensitivity setting reference table is used when a user (e.g., a driver) manually changes the accelerator pedal mis-operation detection sensitivity setting.

The storage130may store a program for operating the processor150, and may temporarily store input data and/or output data of the processor150. The storage130may be implemented with at least one of a flash memory, a hard disk, a secure digital (SD) card, a random access memory (RAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), and a read only memory (ROM), a programmable read only memory (PROM), an electrically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM), an erasable and programmable ROM (EPROM), or a storage medium (recording medium) such as a register, a removable disk, a web storage, and the like. The output device140may output information indicating that the vehicle mode is switched to the safe mode and/or information warning of the accelerator pedal mis-operation. The output device140, which is provided for outputting information such as visual information, auditory information, tactile information, and the like, may include a display, an audio output module, a tactile signal output module, and the like. The display may include at least one of a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, a flexible display, a 3D display, a transparent display, a head-up display (HUD), a touch screen, or a cluster. The audio output module may output audio data stored in the storage130. The sound output module may include a receiver, a speaker, a buzzer, and the like. The tactile signal output module outputs a signal of a type that the user may perceive as tactile. For example, the tactile signal output module may be implemented with a vibrator to control vibration intensity and patterns.

The processor150controls the overall operation of an apparatus for processing an accelerator pedal mis-operation. The processor150may be implemented with at least one of an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a programmable logic device (PLD), a field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), a central processor (CPU), a microcontroller, or a microprocessor.

The processor150analyzes the operation pattern (behavioral pattern) of a driver during driving of a vehicle to select an accelerator pedal monitoring situation determination condition. The accelerator pedal monitoring situation determination condition is a condition for determining a situation in which an accelerator pedal mis-operation may occur, that is, a situation in which the accelerator pedal monitoring is required. In this case, the accelerator pedal monitoring situation may be a parking situation, a leaving situation, or a slow traveling situation. The processor150collects the vehicle information corresponding to the operation of a driver while the vehicle is driven and determines the accelerator pedal monitoring situation determination condition from the collected vehicle information through big data analysis. The processor150may reselect the accelerator pedal monitoring situation determination condition at a preset period of time. For example, when a driver normally parks, the processor150may determine (detect) a parking situation by analyzing the steering and accelerator pedal operation pattern of the driver.

The processor150determines whether the vehicle situation derived based on the vehicle information obtained by the vehicle information obtaining device110is an accelerator pedal monitoring situation. In other words, the processor150determines whether the vehicle situation meets the accelerator pedal monitoring situation determination condition by using the obtained vehicle information. The processor150detects the vehicle situation as the accelerator pedal monitoring situation when the vehicle situation determined based on the obtained vehicle information meets at least one of the following four parking situation determination conditions.

Condition 1) A first forward parking situation in case that the steering wheel is operated at 300 deg or higher after the vehicle speed is decelerated to 4 KPH or less through a brake operation at 10 KPH or higher in a situation where there is no turn signal.

Condition 2) Case that the steering wheel is operated at 180 deg or more in 1.5 seconds after the steering wheel is operated 90 deg or more in one direction in a situation where the vehicle speed is 10 KPH or less.

Condition 3) Case that the selector lever is positioned at the D-stage, the vehicle speed is 2 KPH or less, the selector lever is shifted to the reverse stage (R stage), the steering wheel operation angle is 300 deg or more, and the brake is not operated (break off).

Condition 4) Case that the gear information of the obstacle detection direction is selected in a state where an obstacle is detected at a radius of 60 cm or less from the vehicle by the proximity sensor (e.g., case that the selector lever is positioned at the D-stage in a state where an obstacle is detected by a left front sensor, or the selector lever is positioned at the R-stage in a state where an obstacle is detected by a rear sensor).

When the vehicle situation based on the vehicle information meets condition 1, the processor150determines (detects) the corresponding situation as the first forward parking condition. When the vehicle situation meets condition 2, the processor150determines the corresponding situation as the second forward parking condition. When the vehicle situation meets condition 3, the processor150detects the corresponding situation as a reverse parking situation. When the vehicle situation meets condition 4, the processor150determines the vehicle situation as a parking condition. That is, the processor150detects the vehicle situation as the accelerator pedal monitoring situation when at least one of the four parking situation determination conditions is met.

When the vehicle situation derived based on the vehicle information obtained by the vehicle information obtaining device110meets the following two departure situation determination conditions, the processor150determines the vehicle situation as the accelerator pedal monitoring situation.

Condition 1) The selector lever position is set to the P stage and the vehicle is turned off after the vehicle stops.

Condition 2) A trigger signal is stored when B-CAN sleeps since 3 minutes or more has elapsed after the vehicle enters the warning mode.

When the vehicle condition satisfies the parking condition determination condition or the exit condition determination condition, the processor150determines that the accelerator pedal monitoring is necessary. The processor150generates a trigger signal corresponding to an accelerator pedal monitoring situation. The processor150may display a guide message such as “execute accelerator pedal monitoring” on the cluster when a trigger signal informing the detection of the accelerator pedal monitoring situation is generated. When the vehicle is in a situation where the monitoring of the accelerator pedal is required, the processor150determines whether the opening degree of the accelerator pedal corresponding to the operation of the driver is out of a preset reference range (preset range). When the opening degree of the accelerator pedal is out of a preset range (e.g., 70%), the processor150determines the opening degree of the accelerator pedal as abnormal acceleration and enters the safe mode. In this case, in the safe mode, the abnormal acceleration due to the accelerator pedal mis-operation of the driver is ignored. When the vehicle is an eco-friendly vehicle such as a hybrid vehicle, an electric vehicle, and the like, when entering the safe mode, the processor150controls the motor torque to be “0 (zero)” or shifts the selector lever position to the N-stage. When the vehicle is an engine vehicle, the processor150ignores the input (accelerator pedal input) by the accelerator pedal operation of the driver when entering the safe mode.

When the vehicle mode is changed to the safe mode, the processor150displays a message of “Entry into safe mode” on the cluster informing the vehicle mode change. In addition, the processor150may output a warning such as “Please check the pedal mis-operation”. The processor150may output a warning in the form of a text message and/or a voice message when the warning is output.

The processor150releases the safe mode of the vehicle when an accelerator pedal reoperation of the driver is detected in the safe mode. When the driver desires to accelerate, because the behavior pattern of repeatedly operating the accelerator pedal is shown, the processor150releases the safe mode when the driver completely releases the foot from the accelerator pedal and then presses the accelerator pedal again. When entering the safe mode in a parking situation, the processor150releases the safe mode when the accelerator pedal is re-operated within a preset range, the brake is operated, and the selector lever is positioned at the P-stage. When entering the safe mode in the departure situation, the processor150releases the safe mode when the accelerator pedal is re-operated within a preset range and the brake is operating. When the safe mode is released, the processor150may output a notification to the output device140so that the driver can identify the release of the safe mode. After the safe mode is released, the processor150allows vehicle acceleration by the accelerator pedal operation of the driver. For example, when the accelerator pedal is operated again after the brake pedal is operated, the processor150releases the safe mode and allows vehicle acceleration.

In addition, when the safe mode is released within a preset time (e.g., 3 seconds) after entering the safe mode, the processor150determines the releasing of the safe mode as an accelerator pedal mis-operation detection error, that is, a false detection. The processor150may output a pop-up message of “Please adjust the sensitivity by setting the sensitivity to match the driving pattern” to the output device140when the accelerator pedal mis-operation detection is determined as an error. The driver may set the sensitivity to sensitive, normal or insensitive in a sensitivity setting menu. The processor150may change the set sensitivity corresponding to the driver input based on the sensitivity setting reference table shown in Table 1.

FIG.2is a flowchart illustrating a method of processing an accelerator pedal mis-operation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In S110, the processor150obtains vehicle information corresponding to the operation of the driver by using the vehicle information obtaining device110. The vehicle information may include a vehicle speed, a brake pedal position, a steering wheel operation angle, gear information, obstacle detection, an accelerator pedal opening degree, a direction indicator state, a vehicle state, and the like.

In S120, the processor150detects the accelerator pedal monitoring situation based on the obtained vehicle information. When the accelerator pedal monitoring situation is detected, the processor150performs accelerator pedal monitoring.

In S130, the processor150determines whether the opening degree of the accelerator pedal corresponding to the operation of the driver is out of a preset range in the accelerator pedal monitoring situation. In this case, the preset range is determined corresponding to the sensitivity setting. The processor150determines whether the accelerator pedal is mis-operated based on whether the opening degree of the accelerator pedal is out of the preset range. In other words, when the opening degree of the accelerator pedal is out of the preset range, the processor150determines that the accelerator pedal is mis-operated. The processor150determines that the accelerator pedal is normally operated when the opening degree of the accelerator pedal is within the preset range.

In S140, when the opening degree of the accelerator pedal is out of the preset range, the processor150switches the vehicle mode to the safe mode. In other words, when the accelerator pedal mis-operation is detected, the processor150switches the vehicle mode to the safe mode and ignores the input corresponding to the accelerator pedal operation.

In S150, the processor150outputs a notification informing the safe mode entry and a warning informing the accelerator pedal mis-operation. The processor150may output a message to the cluster such that the driver may recognize that the vehicle mode is switched to the safe mode. In addition, the processor150may output a warning message informing the accelerator pedal mis-operation confirmation to the cluster in the form of text, and at the same time, through the speaker in the form of a voice signal.

In S160, the processor150determines whether the vehicle satisfies the safe mode release condition by using the vehicle information. After entering the safe mode, the processor150determines whether an accelerator pedal reoperation of the driver occurs.

In S170, the processor150releases the safe mode when the vehicle satisfies the safe mode release condition. After entering the safe mode, the processor150releases the safe mode when the accelerator pedal reoperation of the driver is detected. The processor150may output a message informing that the safe mode is released.

When the safe mode is released by the accelerator pedal re-operation of the driver within a preset time (e.g., 3 seconds) after entering the safe mode, the processor150determines the accelerator pedal re-operation as an accelerator pedal mis-operation detection error (false detection). Accordingly, the processor150may output a message requesting confirmation of sensitivity setting to the output device140. The processor150may set the sensitivity of the accelerator pedal mis-operation detection by changing at least one reference value of the steering wheel operation angle, the accelerator pedal opening degree, and the monitoring time based on the driver input. Although it has been described in the embodiment that the sensitivity of the accelerator pedal mis-operation detection is set based on the driver input, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and it is possible to implement the embodiment in which the driving pattern is identified and the sensitivity of the accelerator pedal mis-operation detection is set corresponding to the identified driving pattern. For example, the processor150obtains the driver input (operation) and vehicle behavior information corresponding to the driver input through various sensors and/or electronic control units (ECUs) installed in the vehicle, and analyzes the obtained information to determine the driving pattern of the driver. The processor150sets the sensitivity of the accelerator pedal mis-operation detection corresponding to the determined driving pattern.

FIGS.3A and3Bare flowcharts illustrating a method of processing an accelerator pedal mis-operation in a parking situation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

When the function of processing the accelerator pedal mis-operation is activated, in S210, the processor150initializes a safe parking flag. The processor150sets the safe parking flag to “0”.

In S220, the processor150detects the vehicle deceleration when the vehicle speed decelerates below a specified reference speed (e.g., 10 KPH). The processor150detects the vehicle deceleration corresponding to the brake pedal operation of the driver.

When the vehicle deceleration is detected, in S230, the processor150initializes the monitoring time. In other words, the processor150resets a timer to “0” and measures the monitoring time by using the timer.

The processor150checks whether the monitoring time is less than a preset time, for example, 5 seconds (S240). When the monitoring time is less than 5 seconds, in S250, the processor150detects a parking situation based on the vehicle information obtained by the vehicle information obtaining device110. The processor150determines that the vehicle is parked based on the steering wheel operation pattern and brake pedal operation pattern of the driver.

In S260, the processor150determines whether the opening degree of the accelerator pedal is out of a preset range in a parking situation. When the opening degree of the accelerator pedal corresponding to the operation of the driver is out of the preset range, the processor150determines the operation of the driver as the accelerator pedal mis-operation.

In S270, the processor150enters the safe mode when the opening degree of the accelerator pedal is out of a preset range. When the accelerator pedal mis-operation of the driver is detected, the processor150switches the vehicle mode to the safe mode. The processor150enters the safe mode and ignores the opening degree of the accelerator pedal corresponding to the operation of the driver to limit the acceleration of the vehicle.

In S280, the processor150outputs warning of the safe mode entry and the accelerator pedal mis-operation. When entering the safe mode, the processor150may display, on the cluster, a message informing the safe mode entry and the accelerator pedal mis-operation.

In S290, the processor150determines whether the opening degree of the accelerator pedal corresponding to the operation of the driver in the safe mode is within the preset range. After entering the safe mode, the processor150determines whether the driver re-operates the accelerator pedal.

When the opening degree of the accelerator pedal opening is within the preset range, in S300, the processor150determines whether the brake is activated and whether the selector lever is positioned at the P-stage. The processor150determines that the safe mode release condition is met when the brake pedal is depressed and the selector lever is positioned at the P stage in the state where the accelerator pedal re-operation of the driver is detected. In the state where the accelerator pedal re-operation of the driver is detected, when the brake pedal is not depressed or the selector lever is not positioned at the P stage, or the brake pedal is not depressed and the selector lever is not positioned at the P stage, it is determined that the safe mode releasing condition is not met.

In S300, the processor150releases the safe mode when the brake is in operation and the selector lever is positioned at the P stage.

When the safe mode is released, the processor150sets the safe parking flag to “1” in S320. That is, the processor150determines that parking is safely completed and sets the safety parking flag to “1”.

In S330, the processor150outputs a safe mode release and sensitivity confirmation pop-up. The processor150may output a notification informing that the safe mode is released and the current sensitivity setting information in the form of a pop-up to the display. The driver may identify the safe mode release and the current sensitivity setting information through a pop-up displayed on the display.

FIGS.4A to4Care flowcharts illustrating a method of processing an accelerator pedal mis-operation in a departure situation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

When the function of processing the accelerator pedal mis-operation is activated, in S410, the processor150initializes a safe parking flag. The processor150sets the safe parking flag to “0”.

In S420, the processor150identifies the vehicle stop and the P-stage of the selector lever.

In operation S430, the processor150identifies the turning off of the vehicle.

In S440, the processor150enters a warning mode when a specified time has elapsed in a state in which the vehicle is turned off. The warning mode means the monitoring state for preventing vehicle theft.

In S450, the processor150identifies entry into the sleep mode of the B-CAN after a preset time after entering the warning mode.

When the B-CAN enters the sleep mode, the processor150sets the safe parking flag to “1” in S460. After the vehicle stops, the selector lever is positioned at the P-stage and the vehicle is turned off. After entering the warning mode, when the B-CAN enters the sleep mode, the processor150determines that the parking of the vehicle is completed and sets the safety parking flag.

Thereafter, the processor150releases the warning mode in S470, and identifies the release of the P-stage of the selector lever and the non-operation of the brake in S480. When the door lock is normally released by the driver and the selector lever is changed from the P-stage to the D-stage or R-stage and the driver's foot is released from the brake pedal, the processor150determines that the vehicle is in a departure starting situation.

In S490, the processor150initializes the monitoring time when the departure starts. The processor150operates the timer after resetting the timer.

In S500, the processor150determines whether the monitoring time is less than 5 seconds.

In S510, the processor150determines whether the opening degree of the accelerator pedal is out of the preset range in a state in which the monitoring time is less than 5 seconds. The processor150determines whether an accelerator pedal mis-operation of the driver occurs.

In S520, the processor150enters the safe mode when the opening degree of the accelerator pedal is out of the preset range. For example, when the opening degree of the accelerator pedal corresponding to the operation of the driver is 70% or more, the processor150determines that the accelerator pedal mis-operation of the driver occurs and switches the vehicle mode to the safe mode.

In S530, the processor150outputs warning of the safe mode entry and the accelerator pedal mis-operation.

In S540, the processor150determines whether the opening degree of the accelerator pedal corresponding to the operation of the driver in the safe mode is within the preset range. After entering the safe mode, the processor150determines whether the driver re-operates the accelerator pedal.

When the opening degree of the accelerator pedal opening is within the preset range, the processor150determines whether the brake is activated in S550. The processor150determines whether the driver presses the brake pedal through the brake pedal position sensor.

In S560, the processor150releases the safe mode when the brake is operating.

In S570, after the safe mode is released, the processor150initializes the safe parking flag. The processor150sets the safe parking flag to “0” because the vehicle is in the departure situation.

Then, in S580, the processor150outputs a safe mode release and sensitivity confirmation pop-up. The processor150may output a notification informing that the safe mode is released and the current sensitivity setting information in the form of a pop-up to the display. In addition, when the safe mode is released within a preset time (e.g., 3 seconds) after entering the safe mode, the processor150may determine it as an accelerator pedal mis-operation detection error and output a message requesting to change the set sensitivity.

FIG.5is a block diagram illustrating a computing system for executing a method of processing an acceleration pedal mis-operation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The processor1100may be a central processor (CPU), or a semiconductor device that processes instructions stored in the memory1300and/or the storage1600. The memory1300and the storage1600may include various types of volatile or non-volatile storage media. For example, the memory1300may include a read only memory (ROM)1310and a random access memory (RAM)1320.

Accordingly, the processes of the method or algorithm described in relation to the embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented directly by hardware executed by the processor1100, a software module, or a combination thereof. The software module may reside in a storage medium (that is, the memory1300and/or the storage1600), such as a RAM, a flash memory, a ROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM, a register, a hard disk, solid state drive (SSD), a detachable disk, or a CD-ROM. The exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor1100, and the processor1100may read information from the storage medium and may write information in the storage medium. In another method, the storage medium may be integrated with the processor1100. The processor1100and the storage medium may reside in an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The ASIC may reside in a user terminal. In another method, the processor1100and the storage medium may reside in the user terminal as an individual component.

According to the present disclosure, the operation pattern of a driver is analyzed to detect the accelerator pedal mis-operation of the driver and action is taken on the detected accelerator pedal mis-operation of the driver, so that it is possible to prevent an accident from occurring due to the accelerator pedal mis-operation of a driver.

The above description is a simple exemplification of the technical spirit of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure may be variously corrected and modified by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains without departing from the essential features of the present disclosure. Therefore, the disclosed embodiments of the present disclosure do not limit the technical spirit of the present disclosure but are illustrative, and the scope of the technical spirit of the present disclosure is not limited by the embodiments of the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure should be construed by the claims, and it will be understood that all the technical spirits within the equivalent range fall within the scope of the present disclosure.