Abstract: A server includes an interface, programmed to receive, from a vehicle, vehicle data indicative of vehicle status and user data indicative of usage of vehicle features by a user; and a processor, programmed to analyze the vehicle data and the user data using artificial intelligence (AI) logic to generate a comfort prediction for the user; and configure a comfort device associated with the user, external to the vehicle, using the comfort prediction.

Abstract: A method of controlling a seat system. A physiological condition of the seat occupant may be assessed based on at least two of the heart rate, breathing rate, and heart rate variability. A countermeasure may be executed to alter the physiological condition of the seat occupant and/or data associated with the heart rate, breathing rate, and/or heart rate variability may be communicated.

Abstract: A neural network is used in a vehicle component to determine the stress level or arousal level of a vehicle occupant. Sensors in the vehicle cabin, e.g., the seat, sense biological characteristics of the occupant, e.g., neuro-electrical signals, cardiac characteristics, body temperature and the like. The neural network can compute and classify the emotional state of the occupant in real-time. The vehicle can trigger warnings, indicators and stress counter-measures when the occupant exceeds a threshold. The counter-measures can include visual and audio feedback within the vehicle cabin. The neural network can provide historical occupant emotional states that can be used by the navigation system to avoid travel segments that may trigger undesired emotional states in the occupant.

Abstract: An electrical assembly includes a seat, an electronic control unit, a seat sensor assembly, and a microphone. The electronic control unit may be configured to control movement of the seat. The microphone may be connected to the electronic control unit. The electronic control unit may be configured to determine, via the seat sensor assembly, a position of an occupant of the seat and/or a distance between the occupant and the microphone. The electronic control unit may be configured to modify at least one of a gain and/or a sensitivity associated with the microphone according to the position and/or the distance. The distance may be the distance between a head of said occupant and the microphone. The seat may include a seat base, a seat back, and/or a head restraint. The seat sensor assembly may be configured to provide information about a position of the seat.

Abstract: A distraction detection system includes using a first signal, e.g., EDP signals or vehicle speed, and an additional signal to determine whether a person is distracted. The distraction system can be part of a vehicle seating system, A vehicle seating system is described and includes a seat configured to support an occupant and to be mounted in a vehicle and occupant sensing system at least partially integrated into the seat to sense an occupant. The sensing system senses a first criterion with respect to the occupant. A controller is configured to receive the first criterion signal from the sensing system and a second criterion to determine a distraction state of the driver. The controller can also determine a false distraction state using the distraction state and other criterion in a vehicle. The controller outputs a control signal when the distraction state exceeds a distraction threshold and when distraction is confirmed.

Abstract: A climate control system for a vehicle includes an infrared sensor disposed within a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The infrared sensor is configured to receive infrared radiation from a skin surface of a vehicle occupant. The climate control system further includes a controller configured to receive a signal indicative of a detected temperature detected at the skin surface. In response to the detected temperature deviating from a baseline temperature, the controller is configured to automatically control an HVAC system to add conditioned air into the passenger compartment and to control a thermoelectric device configured to adjust a seat surface temperature.

Abstract: An access panel with cleanout includes a planar member, a pipe, a fastener, a closing member, and a cover. The planar member has a bottom surface and a top surface, with an opening extending therethrough. The pipe is coupled to the opening of the planar member, with an opening of the pipe being spaced from a top surface of the planar member. The fastener is associated with the opening of the pipe. The closing member is for coupling with the fastener of the pipe to close the pipe. The cover is for covering the opening of the planar member.

Abstract: A vehicle trim assembly comprises a foam bun, an electrically insulative top finish layer above the foam bun, a thermal gradient assembly under the finish trim layer, and a thermal enhancement layer between the thermal gradient assembly and the finish trim layer. The thermal gradient assembly is adapted to generate a thermal gradient when receiving an electric current and has an electrically conductive top layer, an electrically conductive bottom layer, and a semiconductor layer having first and second semiconductor regions between the top and bottom layers. The thermal enhancement layer has a thermal conductivity adapted to direct thermal energy transfer between the thermal gradient assembly and the finish trim layer.

Abstract: An electrical assembly includes a seat, an electronic control unit, a seat sensor assembly, and a microphone. The electronic control unit may be configured to control movement of the seat. The microphone may be connected to the electronic control unit. The electronic control unit may be configured to determine, via the seat sensor assembly, a position of an occupant of the seat and/or a distance between the occupant and the microphone. The electronic control unit may be configured to modify at least one of a gain and/or a sensitivity associated with the microphone according to the position and/or the distance. The distance may be the distance between a head of said occupant and the microphone. The seat may include a seat base, a seat back, and/or a head restraint. The seat sensor assembly may be configured to provide information about a position of the seat.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a seat cushion receives data of a specific occupant. A seat cushion is designed from the occupant data. The seat cushion is provided with a cellular structure from the occupant data. Another method for manufacturing a seat cushion receives boundary conditions for a seat cushion. Applicable mechanical properties are determined for the boundary conditions of the seat cushion. Applicable thermal properties are determined for the boundary conditions of the seat cushion. A seat cushion is designed with a varying cellular structure to satisfy the applicable mechanical properties and the applicable thermal properties.

Abstract: An electroencephalography (EEG) sensor is installed on a seat and configured to monitor brain activity of a user to generate a EEG signal. An electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor is installed on the seat and configured to monitor heart activity of the user to generate a ECG signal. A processor of the seat is in communication with the EEG sensor and the ECG sensor, and is configured to process the EEG signal and the ECG signal to determine a stress level of the user.

Abstract: A trim attachment for a vehicle includes a trim layer having an electrically conductive trim material forming a first electrical circuit, a supporting structure supporting the trim layer, and an electrically conductive attachment member with first and second portions. The first portion is fixed to the trim layer and the second portion is fixed to the supporting structure. The first and second portions are adapted to both selectively resist separation of the trim layer and the supporting structure and to electrically connect the first electrical circuit to a second electrical circuit that is external to the trim layer. The first and second portions may both resist separation of the trim layer and the supporting structure and electrically connect the first and second electrical circuits at a contact surface between the first and second portions.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for matrixed audio settings. In an audio system that comprises at least one audio output element operable to output audio signals, a first user input that comprises a selection of audio mode may be received, and based on the selected audio mode, one or more audio settings applicable during generating, processing, and/or outputting of the audio signals may be determined. At least one user control element may be configured to enable receiving of a second user input that comprises a selection between the determined one or more corresponding audio settings. The audio system (or at least the audio output element thereof) may be a headset.

Abstract: A seat assembly is provided with sensors. A controller measures pressure in a plurality of regions with a seated occupant over a period of time. A change in pressure is determined from an initial seating position to a second seating position and evaluated to determine a vector of pressure change. A fidget is identified if the vector exceeds a predetermined value. A camera is directed at the seat bottom and the seat back. The controller evaluates a camera input to determine anatomical dimensions of the seated occupant.

Abstract: A seating system for a vehicle includes a vehicle seat, a first Doppler radar sensor positioned within the seatback and aligned with the heart of a person sitting in the seat, a second Doppler radar sensor positioned within the seatback and offset from alignment with the heart, and a controller. The first sensor transmits a signal toward the heart and receives a first reflected signal as modulated by heart movement and by a random motion of the person. The second sensor transmits a signal toward an anatomical location of the person offset from the heart and receives a second reflected signal as modulated by the random motion of the person. The controller generates a biometric signal corresponding to the heart movement, without random motion artifacts, based on a difference between the reflected signals whereby the biometric signal is indicative of cardiac information of the person.

Abstract: A seating system includes a seat, individually selectable and controllable thermal units individually positioned at respective locations within the seat corresponding to anatomical locations of a person sitting in the seat, and a controller. The thermal units to generate heat when activated. The controller to individually activate a subset of the thermal units to deliver heat to the anatomical locations of the person sitting in the seat corresponding to the respective locations within the seat of the activated thermal units.

Abstract: Exemplary methods, apparatuses, and systems include a recovery manager receiving selection of a storage profile to be protected. The storage profile is an abstraction of a set of one or more logical storage devices that are treated as a single entity based upon common storage capabilities. In response to the selection of the storage profile to be protected, a set of virtual datacenter entities associated with the storage profile is added to a disaster recovery plan to automate a failover of the set of virtual datacenter entities from a protection site to a recovery site. The set of one or more virtual datacenter entities includes one or more virtual machines, one or more logical storage devices, or a combination of virtual machines and logical storage devices. The set of virtual datacenter entities is expandable and interchangeable with other virtual datacenter entities.

Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat having a seat base and a seat back, an electronic control unit (ECU), a sensor assembly, and/or a response assembly. The ECU may be configured to determine via the sensor assembly whether an occupant disposed in the seat is in a first state, a second state, or a third state. The ECU may be configured to control the response assembly to change the state of said occupant from the first state to the second state and from the third state to the second state. The ECU may be configured to determine at least one of a breathing rate, a heart rate, and a heart rate variability of said occupant via the sensor assembly.

Abstract: A neural network is used in a vehicle component to determine the stress level or arousal level of a vehicle occupant. Sensors in the vehicle cabin, e.g., the seat, sense biological characteristics of the occupant, e.g., neuro-electrical signals, cardiac characteristics, body temperature and the like. The neural network can compute and classify the emotional state of the occupant in real-time. The vehicle can trigger warnings, indicators and stress counter-measures when the occupant exceeds a threshold. The counter-measures can include visual and audio feedback within the vehicle cabin. The neural network can provide historical occupant emotional states that can be used by the navigation system to avoid travel segments that may trigger undesired emotional states in the occupant.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for matrixed audio settings. In an audio system that comprises at least one audio output element operable to output audio signals, a first user input that comprises a selection of audio mode may be received, and based on the selected audio mode, one or more audio settings applicable during generating, processing, and/or outputting of the audio signals may be determined. At least one user control element may be configured to enable receiving of a second user input that comprises a selection between the determined one or more corresponding audio settings. The audio system (or at least the audio output element thereof) may be a headset.