Abstract: A vibration control system and a method for controlling vibration in a material surface are disclosed, wherein the vibration control system provides a desired motion of the material surface while militating against any undesirable motion of the surface. The vibration control system includes a sensor disposed adjacent a material surface having a first set of dynamic vibration properties, a displacement generating device disposed adjacent the material surface adapted to generate a localized motion in the material surface, and a controller adapted to receive an input signal from the sensor and transmit a control signal to the displacement generating device thereby controlling the localized motion in the material surface.

Abstract: A tactile laminate and a method for generating tactile feedback, wherein the tactile laminate and method provide a flexible laminate for creating a tactile sensation on a desired surface without the need for separate motion generating devices, is disclosed. A tactile laminate includes a first layer having a first conductive pad disposed thereon, the first conductive pad adapted to receive a first desired electric charge, a second layer having a second conductive pad disposed thereon, the second conductive pad adapted to receive a second desired electric charge, and a third layer having a desired permittivity disposed between the first layer and the second layer.

Abstract: A human machine interface system is disclosed. The human machine interface system includes a sensing portion adapted to detect a presence and a location of a touch, a user input portion releasably coupled to the sensing portion, wherein the user input portion includes an indicia representing a control function associated with the sensing portion, and a controller in communication with the sensing portion for configuring the control function associated with the sensing portion based upon the user input portion.

Abstract: A method for reducing noise in a vehicle by adjusting the rotational speed of various rotational components.

Abstract: A method for reducing noise in a vehicle by reducing under certain conditions the rotational speed of certain rotational components.

Abstract: A rotary actuating mechanism for a center stack of a vehicle is disclosed including a knob and a plurality of rotary wheels. An indexing device, disposed adjacent the rotary actuating mechanism, includes a guide adapted to contact one of the rotary wheels and travel along the outer surface thereof to provide a desired tactile feel, wherein the guide is selectively positioned by one of a mechanical device and an electromechanical device.

Abstract: A haptic control system and a method for controlling a tactile feedback, wherein the haptic control system and the method control the tactile feedback in response to a vehicle condition, are disclosed. The haptic control system for a vehicle includes a vehicle information system adapted to generate and transmit a vehicle information signal including data and information representing a vehicle condition and a controller adapted to receive the vehicle information signal, analyze the vehicle information signal, and generate and transmit a control signal for controlling a tactile feedback in response to the vehicle information signal.

Abstract: A tactile laminate and a method for generating tactile feedback, wherein the tactile laminate and method provide a flexible laminate for creating a tactile sensation on a desired surface without the need for separate motion generating devices, is disclosed. A tactile laminate includes a first layer having a first conductive pad disposed thereon, the first conductive pad adapted to receive a first desired electric charge, a second layer having a second conductive pad disposed thereon, the second conductive pad adapted to receive a second desired electric charge, and a third layer having a desired permittivity disposed between the first layer and the second layer.

Abstract: A vibration control system and a method for controlling vibration in a material surface are disclosed, wherein the vibration control system provides a desired motion of the material surface while militating against any undesirable motion of the surface. The vibration control system includes a sensor disposed adjacent a material surface having a first set of dynamic vibration properties, a displacement generating device disposed adjacent the material surface adapted to generate a localized motion in the material surface, and a controller adapted to receive an input signal from the sensor and transmit a control signal to the displacement generating device thereby controlling the localized motion in the material surface.