Abstract: A vehicle media hub assembly includes a housing having a display surface with an aperture, and a port disposed at least partially within the housing and extending into the aperture, the port configured to provide electrical and/or signal communication between two electrical devices. A lighting device is disposed within the aperture at least partially around the port. A door is coupled to the housing and movable between an open position providing access to the display surface, and a closed position covering the display surface. The door includes a window and a translucent cover at least partially covering the window. The window is configured to be disposed proximate the lighting device when the door is in the closed position such that light from the lighting device is configured to pass through the window and the translucent cover to illuminate at least a portion of the translucent cover.

Abstract: A vehicle media hub assembly includes a housing having a display surface with an aperture, and a port disposed at least partially within the housing and extending into the aperture, the port configured to provide electrical and/or signal communication between two electrical devices. A lighting device is disposed within the aperture at least partially around the port. A door is coupled to the housing and movable between an open position providing access to the display surface, and a closed position covering the display surface. The door includes a window and a translucent cover at least partially covering the window. The window is configured to be disposed proximate the lighting device when the door is in the closed position such that light from the lighting device is configured to pass through the window and the translucent cover to illuminate at least a portion of the translucent cover.

Abstract: A vehicle having an overhead video display screen system includes a rear video screen that is swivelable between a rearward facing and a forward facing configuration. The vehicle further includes a second row of seats that can be swiveled to view the rear video screen when it is facing forward. The vehicle may further include a forward video screen configured to block a driver's rearview of the rear screen when in the forward facing configuration. A driver distraction interlock system is provided in communication with the rear screen and the forward screen to prevent video from being displayed on the rear screen if the rear screen is viewable by the driver in his or her rearview mirror. In a preferred method, video can be displayed on a front facing rear screen when the forward screen is deployed thereby obstructing the driver from being able to see the rear screen.

Abstract: A digitally encoded vehicle lamp switch system provided that supplies signals for controlling the lighting functions of a vehicle. The lamp switch system includes a multi-position switch circuit having a plurality of contacts. The multi-position switch contacts selectively connect a plurality of circuit connections of a vehicle lamp control module microprocessor to ground or open circuit conditions to provide digitally encoded signals to the microprocessor to selectively illuminate the vehicle lamps.

Abstract: A system for controlling display and operation of simultaneous transmissions of at least two media includes an entertainment unit capable of transmitting at least two media simultaneously. A wireless interface device is used to select a first and second media from the at least two media. A display device in electrical communication with the entertainment unit receives and displays a video portion associated with each of the first and second selected media. At least two wireless receivers are provided for receiving an audio portion associated with each of the first and second media. The wireless interface device is further provided for independently controlling operation of each of the first and second media.

Abstract: A vehicle having an overhead video display screen system includes a rear video screen that is swivelable between a rearward facing and a forward facing configuration. The vehicle further includes a second row of seats that can be swiveled to view the rear video screen when it is facing forward. The vehicle may further include a forward video screen configured to block a driver's rearview of the rear screen when in the forward facing configuration. A driver distraction interlock system is provided in communication with the rear screen and the forward screen to prevent video from being displayed on the rear screen if the rear screen is viewable by the driver in his or her rearview mirror. In a preferred method, video can be displayed on a front facing rear screen when the forward screen is deployed thereby obstructing the driver from being able to see the rear screen.

Abstract: A reconfigurable steering wheel control switch system for a motor vehicle comprises a first module, a second module, a plurality of switches mounted on a steering wheel, and a multiplexer. The multiplexer is in communication with the first module, with the second module, and with the plurality of switches. The multiplexer communicates with the first module and with the second module to determine which one of these modules is currently active. When the first module is active, the multiplexer assigns a first configuration of functions to the plurality of switches. These functions are used to control the first module from the steering wheel. When the second module is active, the multiplexer assigns a second configuration of functions to the plurality of switches. These functions are used to control the second module from the steering wheel.

Abstract: An apparatus 10 for controllably moving a vehicle window, which is deployed upon a vehicle 12 of the type having a cab 14 including a rear or “backlight” window 16. Apparatus 10 includes a conventional controller 22 having a memory unit 24, a conventional window actuating motor 26, which is operatively coupled to window 16 and to controller 22, and a user operated switch 28, which is coupled to controller 22. Controller 22 receives signals from switch 28 and utilizes the received signals, in combination with data describing the current state/position of the ignition switch 36 and of motor 26, to selectively provide commands to motor 26, thereby selectively and controllably moving and/or positioning window 16.