Abstract: A vehicle system includes an autonomous mode controller and an entertainment system controller. The autonomous mode controller controls a vehicle in an autonomous mode. The entertainment system controller presents media content on a first display while the vehicle is operating in the autonomous mode and on a second display when the vehicle is operating in a non-autonomous mode. A method includes determining whether a vehicle is operating in an autonomous mode, presenting media content on a first display while the vehicle is operating in the autonomous mode, and transferring presentation of the media content to a second display when the vehicle is operating in a non-autonomous mode.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes an autonomous mode controller that controls a vehicle in an autonomous mode and an entertainment system controller that presents media content while the vehicle is operating in the autonomous mode. The entertainment system actuates a projection screen inside a passenger compartment of the vehicle and enables a projector to project media content onto the projection screen. A method includes determining whether a vehicle is operating in an autonomous mode, and if so, actuating a projection screen inside a passenger compartment of the vehicle and enabling a projector to project media content onto the projection screen.

Abstract: A vehicle's dynamic handling state, driver inputs to the vehicle, driver physiological condition, etc. may be examined to determine one or more measures of driver workload. Driver interface tasks may then be delayed and/or prevented from executing based on the driver workload so as to not increase the driver workload. Alternatively, driver interface tasks may be schedule for execution based on the driver workload and caused to execute according to the schedule, for example, to minimize the impact the executing driver interface tasks have on driver workload.

Abstract: An improved vision-based system generates object detection corresponding to different viewing areas based on vehicle speed. At lower vehicle speeds the system covers a wider field of view and a near zone while at higher vehicle speeds the system covers a normal or narrower field of view and a far zone. The system includes a lens package having a movable lens, an image sensor and image transformer. The movable lens is movable between a first position representing a wide angle view and a second position representing a normal angle view. Each of these views generates an image such that a wide angle view generates a wide angle image and a normal angle view generates a normal angle image. The wide angle view is associated with the vehicle's passive safety systems while the normal angle view is associated with the vehicle's active safety systems.

Abstract: A seat assembly including a head restraint for a vehicle seat that can be raised and lowered depending on the presence or absence of a seat occupant is disclosed. The seat assembly includes a seat having a seat base and seat back and a head restraint selectively movable between a stowed position and an upright position. The seat assembly further includes a head restraint motion assembly connecting the seat back and the head restraint and a sensor operatively associated with either or both of the seat base and the seat back for sensing an occupant. The head restraint includes at least one head restraint post connecting the head restraint to the head restraint motion assembly. The head restraint motion assembly includes a drive motor attached to a motor shaft attached to the head restraint post(s). A locking arrangement is provided to maintain the head restraint in its upright position.

Abstract: An interior arrangement for a vehicle including a front passenger seat having a head restraint, a rear seat, seat occupant sensors fitted to said seats, a head restraint position sensor, a motor for moving the head restraint between its functional position and its lowered position, and a central controller operatively associated with said sensors and said motor. The front passenger head restraint is moved up to its functional position from a stowed position each time a front seat passenger presence is detected according to one embodiment. According to another embodiment the front passenger head restraint is moved from a functional or upright position to a stowed or hidden position if the front seat is unoccupied and the rear seat is occupied.

Abstract: A combined backup camera and driver alertness system for a vehicle includes an imaging device that is adapted to be supported on a vehicle for capturing images adjacent a rearward portion of the vehicle. A sensor is provided that generates a signal when either (1) a transmission contained in the vehicle is operated in the rearward operating mode or (2) the vehicle is actually moved in the rearward direction. The system also includes a driver alertness processor and an image display. A data router routes the images from the imaging device to the driver alertness processor when not the signal is generated by the sensor and to the image display when the signal is generated by the sensor.

Abstract: A serviceable seatbelt buckle mounted belt tensioner for use with a vehicle seat having a seat frame includes a bracket fixed to the seat frame and a pre-tensioning assembly releasably attached to the bracket, the pre-tensioning assembly includes a housing, a seatbelt attachment portion such as a seatbelt buckle, a cylindrical container and a cable connecting the seatbelt buckle and the cylindrical container, the cable passing through the housing. Both the bracket and the housing include attachment interfaces in the forms of flanges, tabs, pins, and slots. A fastener such as a screw or a clip is used to prevent movement of the housing relative to the bracket once the components are fitted together.

Abstract: A transportation vehicle with an autonomous driving control has a set-up mode, an active drive mode, a safe shutdown mode, and an emergency response mode. The active drive mode autonomously navigates along a driving route specified in the set-up mode. A driver sensing system senses a driver presence in the driver seat and a driver's physiological state. Active drive mode is not entered from set-up mode unless the driver is present in the driver seat and the physiological state matches a normal condition. While in active driving mode, an elapsed time period is measured whenever the driver presence is not detected. If the time period increases above a first threshold then a notice is given to the driver that the active drive mode may be interrupted. If the time period increases above a second threshold then the active drive mode is terminated and the safe shutdown mode is initiated.

Abstract: A system includes a vehicle seat with an embedded presence detector that can detect a presence of an occupant and output a presence signal. A position controller is configured to receive the presence signal and adjust a position of the vehicle seat to a predetermined driving position in response to receiving the presence signal and prior to turning on a vehicle ignition.

Abstract: A system and method for imaging a driver of a vehicle is provided. The system includes an imager mounted to a steering wheel hub that images a scene containing a bodily feature of the driver and generates image data therefrom. An image processor receives and analyzes the image data and generates biometric information related to the driver. The biometric information is useable as input for a variety of vehicle operations.

Abstract: A system includes a presence sensor that generates a presence signal representing a presence of an occupant in a vehicle, an occupant identification device that generates an occupant identification signal, and a customization controller that applies a default setting to a vehicle feature before receiving the occupant identification signal and applies a customized setting associated with an identified occupant after receiving the occupant identification signal. A method includes receiving a presence signal representing a presence of an occupant in a vehicle, applying a default setting to a vehicle feature in response to receiving the presence signal, receiving an occupant identification signal after customizing the vehicle feature according to the default setting, and applying a customized setting to the vehicle feature. The customized setting is associated with the identified occupant.

Abstract: A system may include at least one sensor configured to detect at least one vital signal, wherein the sensor is positioned proximate to a driver within a vehicle seat. At least one contact element may be configured to detect at least one reference signal, wherein the contact element surrounds a vehicle steering wheel. At least one resistor may be coupled to the at least one sensor and configured to receive the reference signal from the contact element.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting an occupant in a vehicle capture successive images from an infrared camera that are analyzed to detect thermal characteristics of an occupant as well as movement. If an operator of the vehicle has exited the vehicle, the vehicle is deactivated, an occupant is detected, and a temperature in the cabin of the vehicle is higher or lower than desired, a report is made to the operator via a mobile phone or key fob.

Abstract: Apparatus for moving an automotive vehicle seat along a track includes a motor, a first sensor sensing rotation of the motor, and a second sensor detecting presence of the seat at a reference position along the track. A controller determines a seat position based upon signals from the first sensor and calibrates the determined seat position based upon a signal from the second sensor indicating that the seat is at the reference position. This allows any error that as accumulated in the seat position as determined by the first sensor to be eliminated each time the seat reaches the known reference position.

Abstract: An inflatable member, or deflector, is attached to the frame of the vehicle. The deflector in the expanded condition at least partially fills a space defined by a bumper beam, a portion of the frame, a front tire and a portion of the vehicle body. A sensor provides a signal to a controller to actuate an inflator. The sensor may be a contact sensor, such as an accelerometer or an electro-resistive sensor, or the sensor may be a predictive sensor, such as a radar sensor or a machine vision sensor.

Abstract: An energy-absorbing member is mounted within a vehicle door outboard of an interior panel adjacent to a seating position. The member is rotatable between a first position wherein a maximum-stiffness axis of the member is relatively more aligned with an impact vector of an occupant of the seating position during a crash, and a second position wherein the maximum-stiffness axis is relatively less aligned with the impact vector. A controller receives signals from safety-related systems and operates an actuator to move the member between the first and second positions. Selection between the first and second position may be made at the start of a driving cycle based upon signals from an occupant sensor, stored biometric data, and/or a command from the occupant. The selection may be updated after the start of the driving cycle based upon signals from an impact sensor, a vehicle dynamics sensor, and/or a pre-crash sensor.

Abstract: A seat assembly including a head restraint for a vehicle seat that can be raised and lowered depending on the presence or absence of a seat occupant is disclosed. The seat assembly includes a seat having a seat base and seat back and head restraint selectively movable between a stowed position and an upright position. The seat assembly further includes a head restraint motion assembly connecting the seat back and the head restraint and a sensor operatively associated with either or both of the seat base and the seat back for sensing an occupant. The head restraint includes at least one head restraint post connecting the head restraint to the head restraint motion assembly. The head restraint motion assembly includes a drive motor attached to a motor shaft that is attached to the head restraint post(s). A locking arrangement is provided to maintain the head restraint in its upright position.

Abstract: A vehicle's dynamic handling state, driver inputs to the vehicle, driver physiological condition, etc. may be examined to determine one or more measures of driver workload. Driver interface tasks may then be delayed and/or prevented from executing based on the driver workload so as to not increase the driver workload. Alternatively, driver interface tasks may be schedule for execution based on the driver workload and caused to execute according to the schedule, for example, to minimize the impact the executing driver interface tasks have on driver workload.

Abstract: A serviceable seatbelt buckle mounted belt tensioner for use with a vehicle seat having a seat frame includes a bracket fixed to the seat frame and a pre-tensioning assembly releasably attached to the bracket, the pre-tensioning assembly includes a housing, a seatbelt attachment portion such as a seatbelt buckle, a cylindrical container and a cable connecting the seatbelt buckle and the cylindrical container, the cable passing through the housing. Both the bracket and the housing include attachment interfaces in the forms of flanges, tabs, pins, and slots. A fastener such as a screw or a clip is used to prevent movement of the housing relative to the bracket once the components are fitted together.