Abstract: A method of illuminating a component, having an outer skin layer, the method including the steps of: forming the outer surface layer from at least two separate pieces of an outer skin layer, the outer skin layer having a show surface and an opposite backing surface; forming a seam in the outer surface layer such that the at least two separate pieces are secured to each other; locating an elongated light conducting medium in the seam and behind a stitch securing the at least two separate pieces together; and securing the elongated light conducting medium to the outer surface layer.

Abstract: A method of illuminating a component, having an outer skin layer, the method including the steps of: forming a seam of the outer skin layer; and locating an elongated light conducting medium in the seam.

Abstract: A method of illuminating a component, having an outer skin layer, the method including the steps of: forming the outer surface layer from at least two separate pieces of an outer skin layer, the outer skin layer having a show surface and an opposite backing surface; forming a seam in the outer surface layer such that the at least two separate pieces are secured to each other; locating an elongated light conducting medium in the seam and behind a stitch securing the at least two separate pieces together; and securing the elongated light conducting medium to the outer surface layer.

Abstract: A sunshade for use in a vehicle is provided including a core having at least one opening extending there through. A layer of material is positioned adjacent at least a first surface of the core. The sunshade also includes a light generation system arranged to direct light through the at least one opening.

Abstract: A deployable armrest system for a vehicle is provided. The system having: a pair of side walls configured to be located in a facing spaced relationship with respect to each other to define an operator area therebetween; and a pair of deployable armrests movably secured to the pair of side walls and configured for movement between a stowed position and a deployed position, wherein each of the pair of deployable armrests have a support member that can be flush with a surface of the pair of side walls when the pair of deployable armrests are in the stowed position and wherein the support member of each of the pair of deployable armrests extends outwardly from the surface of the pair of side walls when the pair of deployable armrests are in the deployed position.

Abstract: A method of illuminating a component, having an outer skin layer, the method including the steps of: forming a seam of the outer skin layer; and locating an elongated light conducting medium in the seam.

Abstract: A method of displaying information to a person viewing a configurable display in a vehicle. The method displays one of a plurality of page formats at a time. Each page format includes one or more images, including a first image in a distinct region of the display. The first image is positioned in an upper region of the display when information conveyed by the first image originates from outside the vehicle, and the first image is positioned in a lower region of the display when information conveyed by the first image originates from within the vehicle. The arrangement of images and the organization of the page formats are configured to convey a mental model of the environment about the vehicle, and displaying multiple pages arranged in a hierarchical order to further convey a mental model of how information is arranged on the various pages is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for capturing and displaying images in a vehicle RKE fob includes an imager carried on the fob for capturing images for storage in a memory coupled to a fob control. The stored images are viewable on a display on the fob and are scannable for commercial use. The imager may provide one or more axis movement of the display by movement of a user's finger over the image control display and selection of stored images. The imager and image memory storage may also be used for biometric data comparison.