Abstract: The present vehicle vision system enhances visibility internally and externally with respect to the vehicle. A vision system is provided which is configured to switch between a plurality of modes. The system further includes a far-field effect which alters the focal length of the display in the vision system so as to reduce driver eye strain during operation. The vision system may be incorporated into various locations throughout the vehicle (e.g., the vehicle overhead console).

Abstract: The present vehicle vision system enhances visibility internally and externally with respect to the vehicle. A vision system is provided which is configured to switch between a plurality of modes. The system further includes a far-field effect which alters the focal length of the display in the vision system so as to reduce driver eye strain during operation. The vision system may be incorporated into various locations throughout the vehicle (e.g., the vehicle overhead console).

Abstract: A cargo van includes an integral structural bulkhead to separate a passenger compartment from a cargo area. The cargo van is designed such that the bulkhead wall contributes to the structural rigidity of the vehicle for purposes of meeting National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requirements. That is, without the bulkhead, the cargo van would not meet NHTSA requirements. By designing the vehicle in this way, the overall vehicle weight is reduced as compared to vehicles in which bulkheads are optional add-ons.

Abstract: An automotive seat has a seat back and a seat bottom that are movable between a seating configuration and a work desk configuration. When moving from the seating configuration to the work desk configuration, the seat bottom pivots forwardly into a generally vertical orientation and the seat back pivots downwardly into a generally horizontal orientation. The seat bottom supports an end of the seat back when the seat bottom and the seat back are in the work desk configuration. The back surface of the seat back faces upwardly to provide a work surface when the seat bottom and the seat back are in the work desk configuration. Sufficient space is provided beneath the seat back when in the work desk configuration to accommodate a person's legs underneath the seat back.

Abstract: A user interface for receiving inputs from a user includes a touch sensitive surface having a plurality of regions where each region corresponds to a switch having a function. The user interface also includes an interface disposed on the touch sensitive surface over at least one of the plurality of regions. The interface comprises a material that is at least partially transparent and that is configured to provide tactile feedback to the user. The touch sensitive surface may emit light that is visible through the interface. The interface may further include a plurality of buttons disposed over the plurality of regions wherein the light is selectively provided to each of the plurality of buttons. The touch sensitive surface may include a display that is configured to provide text and graphics that are visible through the interface. The user interface may be mounted in, for example, a vehicle.

Abstract: A cargo van includes an integral structural bulkhead to separate a passenger compartment from a cargo area. The cargo van is designed such that the bulkhead wall contributes to the structural rigidity of the vehicle for purposes of meeting National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requirements. That is, without the bulkhead, the cargo van would not meet NHTSA requirements. By designing the vehicle in this way, the overall vehicle weight is reduced as compared to vehicles in which bulkheads are optional add-ons.

Abstract: A portion of an automobile interior is provided with buttons, lenses or the like integrated into a protective cover of the automobile interior. By incorporating the buttons, lenses and the like into the protective cover of the automobile interior, additional parts typically necessary to perform the desired functions can be eliminated. The elimination of the additional parts results in a lower cost and reduced number of steps necessary for assembly. Additionally, the elimination of the additional parts results in a reduction in the number of apertures in the protective cover and the likelihood of component failure and/or manufacturing defects associated with the additional parts.

Abstract: An automotive seat has a seat back and a seat bottom that are movable between a seating configuration and a work desk configuration. When moving from the seating configuration to the work desk configuration, the seat bottom pivots forwardly into a generally vertical orientation and the seat back pivots downwardly into a generally horizontal orientation. The seat bottom supports an end of the seat back when the seat bottom and the seat back are in the work desk configuration. The back surface of the seat back faces upwardly to provide a work surface when the seat bottom and the seat back are in the work desk configuration. Sufficient space is provided beneath the seat back when in the work desk configuration to accommodate a person's legs underneath the seat back.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system having a building control system with a vehicle battery controller. The vehicle battery controller may be configured to control a vehicle battery charge and a vehicle battery discharge of a vehicle having a vehicle battery coupled to an electrical system of a building.

Abstract: A media device door for a vehicle has a door configured to be coupled to a vehicle part. The door has an interior side facing the vehicle part and an exterior side facing a vehicle passenger compartment. The door has an open position and a closed position. A media device is incorporated into the door and remains operational regardless of the door position. A control for the media device is hidden behind the door when the door is in the closed position.

Abstract: The present vehicle vision system enhances visibility internally and externally with respect to the vehicle. A vision system is provided which is configured to switch between a plurality of modes. The system further includes a far-field effect which alters the focal length of the display in the vision system so as to reduce driver eye strain during operation. The vision system may be incorporated into various locations throughout the vehicle (e.g., the vehicle overhead console).

Abstract: A front seat assembly (54) and a rear seat assembly (10) for a vehicle, including a front seat bottom (52) having a front portion and a rear portion, a rear seat bottom (14) having a forward portion and a rearward portion and being connectable to the vehicle for movement between a use position and a stored position, and a support member (82) connected to the front seat bottom and connectable to the vehicle. The support member supports the rear portion of the front seat bottom from the vehicle such that the rear seat bottom may be moved from the use position to the stored position with the forward potion of the rear seat bottom located under the front seat bottom.

Abstract: A removable storage tray frame (20) which is insertable into a storage compartment (16) in the floor (14) of a vehicle (10) is provided. The storage tray frame (20) has at least one door (24) which is capable of being rotated from a first horizontal position to a second generally vertical position. The door (24) is capable of being inserted into a pair of slots (28) formed in the storage tray frame (20) to act as a divider of the storage compartment (16).

Abstract: An instrument panel assembly having a generally symmetrical upper cowl portion (56) defining a cutout region (57) having a center stack assembly (50) disposed within the cutout region (57). The central stack assembly (50) is capable of slidably receiving a number of service modules (58).

Abstract: A multi-position display for a vehicle comprises a housing movable between first and second positions and a display surface having first and second portions.

Abstract: A vanity mirror assembly is pivotally mounted within a recess in a visor body and pivots downwardly and rotates from side to side, thereby pivoting on generally mutually orthogonal axes to provide a high degree of adjustability for use of the vanity mirror without requiring movement of the visor. In a preferred embodiment, illumination means are provided to facilitate use of the vanity mirror in low ambient light conditions.

Abstract: A seat platform extends between the sidewalls of a vehicle and is mounted to rotating members and is offset from their axis of rotation such that the seat, when rotated to a seating position, is positioned above the floor level and, when rotated to a storage position, is positioned in a recess with the opposite side of the seating surface defining the floor of the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the seating platform is slidably mounted to a beam such that the seat can be rotated to one or more intermediate vertical positions and locked in such positions with the seat platform defining a divider for a storage area between the seat platform and the rear of the vehicle.

Abstract: A seating/storage system includes a seat which is rotatably supported on opposite ends between the sidewalls of a vehicle on a pivot axle in spaced relationship above the floor level of the vehicle. The seat pivot axle, in turn, is mounted to a rotating member offset from the pivot axle such that, when rotated to a seating position, the seat is positioned above the floor level and, when rotated to a storage position, the seat is positioned in a recess with the lower side of the seat defining the floor of the vehicle. A releasable latching member extends between the rotatable member and the vehicle seat to selectively lock the seat in use or stored positions. In a preferred embodiment, a releasable latch also extends between a fixed seat frame and the rotatable member to selectively lock the seat back and seat in use or stored positions.

Abstract: A vanity mirror assembly is pivotally mounted within a recess in a visor body and pivots downwardly and rotates from side to side, thereby pivoting on generally mutually orthogonal axes to provide a high degree of adjustability for use of the vanity mirror without requiring movement of the visor. In a preferred embodiment, illumination means are provided to facilitate use of the vanity mirror in low ambient light conditions.