Abstract: A system for changing the shape of a vehicle component includes one or more actuators coupled to the vehicle component and a processor coupled to the one or more actuators. The processor is configured to determine that a software application has switched from a first mode to a second mode and cause the one or more actuators to transition a surface of the vehicle component from a first shape associated with the first mode to a second shape associated with the second mode.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure set forth a technique for modifying different vehicle parameters based on bimanual input. The technique includes acquiring sensor data associated with a first finger and a second finger of a user. The technique further includes analyzing the sensor data to determine a first location of the first finger and a second location of the second finger. The technique further includes selecting a first vehicle parameter based on the first location of the first finger, and modifying the first vehicle parameter based on the second location of the second finger.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a central communications controller creates customized hearing experiences without unnecessarily encumbering listeners. In operation, for each listener, the central communications controller selects distracting and/or confidential sounds and generates a cancellation signal that substantially attenuates (i.e., “cancels out”) the selected sounds without corrupting remaining sounds. To selectively filter the sounds for a listener, the central communications controller leverages one or more highly directional loudspeakers to deliver the cancellation signal directly to the ears corresponding to the listener. More specifically, for a given ear, the central communications controller transmits the cancellation signal to a highly direction loudspeaker that targets the location of the ear.

Abstract: A steering wheel within a vehicle includes a plurality of sensors that measure forces applied to the steering wheel. An application executing on a computing device records sensor data from the sensors, and then interprets that data as specific force inputs. The application then translates those force inputs into specific commands that can be executed by subsystems within the vehicle. At least one advantage of the techniques set forth herein is that the driver of a vehicle that implements the force control system need not remove either hand from the steering wheel in order to adjust the operation of subsystems within the vehicle, thereby improving driver safety.

Abstract: A system for exerting forces on a user. The system includes a user-mounted device including one or more force exerting devices, one or more sensors configured to acquire sensor data, and a processor coupled to the one or more force exerting devices and to the one or more sensors. The processor is configured to determine, based on the sensor data, at least one of an orientation and a position associated with the user-mounted device. The processor is further configured to compute a force to be exerted on the user via the one or more force exerting devices based on a force direction associated with a force event and at least one of the orientation and the position, and generate a control signal for the one or more force exerting devices based on the force.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth technique for displaying an image based on eye vergence. The technique includes determining a first distance from one or more eyes of a user to a display location, and determining, based on eye gaze vectors associated with the eyes of the user, an eye convergence distance. The technique further includes causing the image to be displayed when the eye convergence distance is substantially the same as the first distance, or causing a display of the image to be terminated when the eye convergence distance is not substantially the same as the first distance.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and computer program product for monitoring a subject person's environment while the person is isolated from the environment. The system can use a microphone and/or a digital camera or imager to detect and capture sounds, voices, object, symbols, and faces in the subject person's environment, for example. The captured items can be analyzed, identified, and provided in an events log. The subject person can later review the events log to understand what happened while isolated. In various instances, the subject person can select an event from the log and review the underlying detected sounds, voices, object, symbols, and faces.

Abstract: A pedestrian information system that can provide alerts to a distracted pedestrian related to hazards in the pedestrian's path. The system can detect objects, and determine if the objects are hazardous and if the pedestrian is likely to collide with the objects. The system can then determine from the pedestrian's activity whether the pedestrian is aware of identified hazards. If the system determines that the pedestrian is not aware of the identified hazards, then the system can output audio, visual, and/or haptic alerts to the pedestrian.

Abstract: A system for modifying a stiffness of at least a portion of a vehicle component includes one or more devices coupled to the vehicle component and a processor coupled to the one or more devices. The processor is configured to determine that a software application has switched from a first mode to a second mode and cause the one or more devices to modify the stiffness of the at least a portion of the vehicle component from a first stiffness associated with the first mode to a second stiffness associated with the second mode.

Abstract: The various embodiments set forth a headphone apparatus that includes a first earcup, a sensor included in the first earcup, and a controller. The first earcup is coupled to a headband, and includes a loudspeaker system and a thermal control subsystem. The controller is configured to detect an output generated by the sensor, and, based on the output, transmit a signal to the thermal control subsystem included in the first earcup to modify a temperature associated with at least the first earcup.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and computer program product for monitoring a subject person's environment while the person is isolated from the environment. The system can use a microphone and/or a digital camera or imager to detect and capture sounds, voices, object, symbols, and faces in the subject person's environment, for example. The captured items can be analyzed, identified, and provided in an events log. The subject person can later review the events log to understand what happened while isolated. In various instances, the subject person can select an event from the log and review the underlying detected sounds, voices, object, symbols, and faces.

Abstract: An audio processing system may selectively identify certain environmental sounds and playing back these sounds, or a representation of these sounds, in the vehicle's cabin. The audio processing system may filter the environmental sounds to identify a particular sound that matches an event such as a bouncing ball, squealing tires, footsteps, and the like. The audio processing system may then provide an audio alert to an occupant in the vehicle. For example, the system may process the identified sound (e.g., amplify and/or isolate the sound) and use a speaker to output the processed sound into the interior of the vehicle. In another embodiment, the audio processing system may use environmental sounds as an audio masking sound for creating privacy zones within the vehicle. The audio processing system may filter the environmental sounds to identify a continuous sound which is then output to generate the privacy zones.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a cognitive load driving assistant increases driving safety based on cognitive loads. In operation, the cognitive load driving assistant computes a current cognitive load of a driver based on sensor data. If the current cognitive load exceeds a threshold cognitive load, then the cognitive load driving assistant modifies the driving environment to reduce the cognitive load required to perform the primary driving task and/secondary task(s), such as texting via a cellular phone. The cognitive load driving assistant may modify the driving environment indirectly via sensory feedback to the driver or directly through reducing the complexity of the primary driving task and/or secondary tasks.

Abstract: The various embodiments set forth a method for displaying information on one or more surfaces of a vehicle, the method comprising acquiring position data associated with a driver of the vehicle, calculating a current field-of-view of the driver based on the position data, determining a suitable surface for displaying visual information within the vehicle based on the current field-of-view of the driver, and projecting an element of visual information on the suitable surface.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products to perform an operation comprising upon determining that a first media device playing a first audio content and a second media device playing a second audio content are within a predefined distance, causing at least a segment of the first audio content to be played on the second media device, and causing at least a segment of the second audio content to be played on the first media device.

Abstract: A system for exerting forces on a user. The system includes a user-mounted device having one or more masses disposed along one or more tracks. The system further includes a processor configured to generate a first actuator control signal to configure a first actuator to move a first mass included in the one or more masses at a first acceleration in a first direction along a first track included in the one or more tracks. The processor is further configured to generate a second actuator control signal to configure at least one of the first actuator and a second actuator to move the first mass at a second acceleration in the first direction along the first track. A magnitude of the first acceleration is above a threshold acceleration, and a magnitude of the second acceleration is below the threshold acceleration.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a haptic engine dynamically configures a haptic controller to provide information regarding the state of an interactive system via sensations of texture. In operation, as the state of the interactive system changes, the haptic engine dynamically updates a haptic state that includes texture characteristics, such as texture patterns, that are designed to reflect the state of the interactive system in an intuitive fashion. The haptic engine then generates signals that configure touch surfaces included in the haptic controller to convey these texture characteristics. Advantageously, providing information regarding the correct state and/or operation of the interactive system based on sensations of texture reduces distractions attributable to many conventional audio and/or visual interactive systems.

Abstract: A posture adjustment system includes a set of sensors coupled to a chair on which a person may sit. The posture adjustment system gathers data from the set of sensors and generates a posture model that reflects a posture associated with the seated person. The posture adjustment system then determines corrections to the posture of the person that could, potentially, improve their posture. The posture adjustment system then indicates those corrections to the person, or, alternatively, applies a set of adjustments to the chair to cause the person to assume a new posture that reflects the posture corrections.

Abstract: A directional alert system within a vehicle is configured to transmit an alert signal towards a specifically targeted area without substantially affecting the acoustic environment in a broader surrounding area. The directional alert system determines the target area by processing sensor data reflects a direction that a driver of the vehicle is looking or facing. The directional alert system then positions an acoustic transducer to generate an acoustic signal towards the direction of interest. The directional alert system may also wirelessly pair with computing devices residing in a target region associated with the direction of interest, and transmit wireless notifications to those computing devices to alert the users of those devices.

Abstract: A product for detecting people approaching an isolated user, discouraging the detected people from disturbing the user, and for taking messages from the approaching people. The product may be embodied in noise-canceling headphones that the user is wearing, for example. The product can include a camera and a microphone that can detect approaching people. The product can also include an externally-facing speaker that can play an audio message to the approaching person to attempt to discourage the person from disturbing the user. The product can also prompt the person to leave a message for the user and then record the subsequent message. The user can review the message at a later time.