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: A system includes an electro-dermal potential sensing system to sense electro-dermal potential of a person and configured to output an electro-dermal potential signal, as well as at least one physiological sensor to measure at least one physiological state and output at least one physiological signal. The system also includes a controller to receive the electro-dermal potential signal from the electro-dermal potential sensing system and the at least one physiological signal to determine a drowsiness state of the person.

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 for a vehicle includes a vehicle seat, individually selectable and controllable electromagnetic coils individually positioned at respective locations within the seat corresponding to anatomical locations of a person sitting in the vehicle seat, and a controller. The electromagnetic coils to generate electromagnetic fields when activated. The controller to individually activate a subset of the electromagnetic coils to deliver electromagnetic energy to the anatomical locations of the person corresponding to the respective locations within the vehicle seat of the activated electromagnetic coils.

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 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 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 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 vehicle system is described and includes a seat configured to support an occupant and to be mounted in a vehicle and a motion sickness stimuli sensing system, which can be at least partially integrated into the seat to sense parameters experienced by a seat occupant and configured to output sensed signals, e.g., motion, oscillations, physiological parameters, an electro-dermal potential signal, and the like. A controller is configured to receive the sensed signals to determine a motion sickness of the occupant. The controller can use other sensor signals in a vehicle relating to motion sickness. The controller can output a signal to start anti-motion sickness countermeasures.

Abstract: A system includes an electro-dermal potential sensing system to sense electro-dermal potential of a person and configured to output an electro-dermal potential signal, as well as at least one physiological sensor to measure at least one physiological state and output at least one physiological signal. The system also includes a controller to receive the electro-dermal potential signal from the electro-dermal potential sensing system and the at least one physiological signal to determine a drowsiness state of the person.

Abstract: A method for a vehicle includes using sensors in a vehicle seat to detect biometrics of a person sitting in the seat and a vehicle controller determining from the biometrics of the person whether the person requires medical attention. In response to the person requiring medical attention, a request for assistance for the person is broadcasted via a V2X transceiver of the vehicle to medical practitioners of a medical practitioner network who are near a location of vehicle during the broadcasting. The medical practitioner network includes the person as a subscriber and medical practitioners as providers. Alternately, in response to the person requiring medical attention, the vehicle controller uses an autonomous vehicle control system of the vehicle to drive the vehicle to a medical facility.

Abstract: A vehicle seating system is described that can detect and optionally quantify a drowsiness state and/or and emotional state of a seat occupant in the vehicle. A seat is mounted in a vehicle and houses a wireless electromagnetic sensing system at least partially integrated into the seat. These sensed signals can be used to determine the occupant's state. When the state exceeds a threshold, then wireless stimulation emitters output a stimulation signal to the occupant to alter the emotion state or drowsiness state to move the occupant to below the threshold and to a calm state or an alert state. The system can also use additional physiological sensor to measure at least one of a heart rate, a respiration rate, or both of the occupant to be used with the electromagnetic sensing at the seat.

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 seating system for a vehicle includes a vehicle seat, individually selectable and controllable electromagnetic coils individually positioned at respective locations within the seat corresponding to anatomical locations of a person sitting in the vehicle seat, and a controller. The electromagnetic coils to generate electromagnetic fields when activated. The controller to individually activate a subset of the electromagnetic coils to deliver electromagnetic energy to the anatomical locations of the person corresponding to the respective locations within the vehicle seat of the activated electromagnetic coils.

Abstract: A method for a vehicle includes using sensors in a vehicle seat to detect biometrics of a person sitting in the seat and a vehicle controller determining from the biometrics of the person whether the person requires medical attention. In response to the person requiring medical attention, a request for assistance for the person is broadcasted via a V2X transceiver of the vehicle to medical practitioners of a medical practitioner network who are near a location of vehicle during the broadcasting. The medical practitioner network includes the person as a subscriber and medical practitioners as providers. Alternately, in response to the person requiring medical attention, the vehicle controller uses an autonomous vehicle control system of the vehicle to drive the vehicle to a medical facility.

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: A vehicle seating system includes a vehicle seat, piezoelectric sensors individually positioned at respective locations within the seat corresponding to anatomical locations of a person sitting in the seat, and a controller. The sensors to generate electrical signals in response to mechanical stress applied on the sensors from biologically motivated force inputs of the person. The controller to detect from the electrical signals generated by the sensors biometric information of the person corresponding to the biologically motivated force inputs of the person.

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: An airbag panel for a vehicle airbag system having an inflatable airbag and an inflator operable to inflate the airbag includes a first edge configured to be attached to a trim material in a vehicle interior along a first length to form a seam. A second edge may be configured to be attached to the first edge and the trim material along a second length, and at least one force-concentrating feature associated with at least one of the first edge or the second edge may be configured to effect application of a first force to a first portion of the seam and a second force less than the first force to a second portion of the seam when an inflating airbag contacts the seam.

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.