Abstract: An apparatus is provided with an enclosure defining an inner volume and including a first aperture, and a housing containing the enclosure and including a second aperture. The enclosure may be rotatable such that the first and second apertures may be in registration to permit insertion of the electronic device, and the first and second apertures may not be in registration to prevent insertion and/or removal of the electronic device. An actuating element may rotate the enclosure into a desired orientation within a vehicle. The apparatus may improve the viewing quality of information displayed on the electronic device. The electronic device may be secured within the vehicle without having to supervise the device when the vehicle is parked, turned off, etc. The apparatus may employ environmental controls to control/condition temperature, humidity, and/or vibration within a desired range to protect the electronic device from becoming temporarily or permanently non-functional.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided with an enclosure defining an inner volume and including a first aperture, and a housing containing the enclosure and including a second aperture. The enclosure may be rotatable such that the first and second apertures may be in registration to permit insertion of the electronic device, and the first and second apertures may not be in registration to prevent insertion and/or removal of the electronic device. An actuating element may rotate the enclosure into a desired orientation within a vehicle. The apparatus may improve the viewing quality of information displayed on the electronic device. The electronic device may be secured within the vehicle without having to supervise the device when the vehicle is parked, turned off, etc. The apparatus may employ environmental controls to control/condition temperature, humidity, and/or vibration within a desired range to protect the electronic device from becoming temporarily or permanently non-functional.

Abstract: A door to cockpit/Instrument Panel interface apparatus is provided with a skin layer disposed on and/or in the door and/or cockpit, and operates to create a line-to-line appearance or a seam, without gap, between door and cockpit through compression therebetween. The flexibly resilient skin layer possesses such resilience that when a driver or passenger opens the door, the compressed area of the skin layer disposed on and/or in the door (or the cockpit) springs back to its original configuration and/or shape. The interface apparatus may employ a resilient support along with the skin layer to provide the compressibility. The resilient support may include a foam layer, springs, a recess behind the skin layer, etc. The interface apparatus may reduce the cost(s) and weight/mass load(s) associated with manufacturing door to cockpit interfaces, and the apparatus may provide a unique aesthetic approach and structural freedom to designing a vehicle interior.

Abstract: Footwell heating equipment is provided to heat a footwell provided in a vehicle. The footwell heating equipment includes a heating element and a heater control system coupled to the heating element.

Abstract: A climate control system is provided with a control vent unit that a driver may adjust for a desired direction of airflow. After the driver does so, a control system automatically and/or simultaneously adjusts the position of the remaining vents so as to direct respective air flow to substantially the same location in the vehicle. Preferably, a similar control vent is provided on the passenger side of the vehicle. Should a passenger adjust the passenger control vent unit, the control system will automatically and/or simultaneously adjust the remaining vents on the passenger side to direct the respective air flow to the selected position in the passenger side of the vehicle.

Abstract: An ambient lighting display is obtained directly on a portion of an interior panel. The portion of the panel is covered with a paint or ink which reacts to ultraviolet light by emitting visible light of a predetermined color. To obtain a lighting display, a portion of the panel is illuminated with ultraviolet light of an appropriate wavelength to cause the paint or ink to fluoresce with the predetermined color.

Abstract: A method for graphically representing content of a database in an automobile entertainment system. The method includes presenting a primary display element on a display, wherein the primary display element represents a first node in a first hierarchical level of the data base; and presenting a secondary display element on the display, wherein the secondary display element includes a graphical indicator that varies in size according to the number of nodes in a second hierarchical level below the first hierarchical level of the database.

Abstract: A geographical field is displayed including indicia, representing respective items stored in a navigation system, that are displayed in positions that correspond to geographic relationships of the items on the geographic field. In response to a user manipulating a user interface control device, a visible feature of the geographic field is altered to indicate browsing with respect to a predetermined succession of the stored items.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for manipulating a map in a navigation system are described. A navigation system includes a first control having a first function that orients a panning axis relative to a display in the navigation system. A second control includes a first function that moves the map along the panning axis. The second control is capable of moving the map in two directions along the panning axis.

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: An automotive system provides an integrated user interface for control and communication functions in an automobile or other type of vehicle. The user interface supports voice enabled interactions, as well as other modes of interaction, such as manual interactions using controls such as dashboard or steering wheel mounted controls. The system also includes interfaces to devices in the vehicle, such as wireless interfaces to mobile devices that are brought into the vehicle. The system also provides interfaces to information sources such as a remote server, for example, for accessing information.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an improvement in mechanisms and techniques for accepting user input. An apparatus for accepting a user input is described comprising a display, detector and controller. The display is configured to show an initial output. The detector is positioned in a location with respect to the display such that the detector detects placement of a trigger, such as a user's hand, proximate to the display. Various methods of detection such as infra-red detection, ultrasonic detection, capacitive detection, etc. may alternatively be used. The controller is configured to, upon placement of the trigger in a relative position with respect to the detector, cause the display to display an alternative output. After a pre-determined period of time, the display automatically reverts to the initial output or similar reduced-content output.