Abstract: A machine interface system for use in a motor vehicle includes a bezel having a display opening and at least one active surface adjacent the display opening. At least one sensor assembly is associated with the active surface and generates a sensor signal corresponding to a location on the active surface touched by a vehicle occupant. A reconfigurable display is disposed within the display opening and is configured to display, adjacent to the active surface, at least one image associated with a vehicle function. Coupled to the sensor assembly is a controller that is configured to generate the image and to receive the sensor signal. The controller responds to the sensor signal according to the vehicle function associated with the image when the corresponding active surface is touched by the occupant.

Abstract: A vehicle computer system and method of providing information to an occupant of a vehicle that minimizes complete feature lock out are provided. The operating system of the computer is adapted to selectively display full and limited functionality versions of a particular screen, preferably based on whether the vehicle is in motion. A text-to-speech engine can automatically generate audio based on a particular screen once motion is detected. The availability of a limited functionality version of the screen and audio, either independently or together, allow a vehicle occupant to retrieve information from the computer system without distraction.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a multimedia system to activate and deactivate a plurality of multimedia applications is disclosed. The method includes monitoring a two-level switch, wherein the switch is activated by depressing the switch, determining whether the switch has been depressed, determining whether the multimedia system is active, activating the multimedia system if the system is not active and the switch has been depressed, determining a time duration the switch has been depressed, de-energizing the multimedia system when the switch has been depressed for a predefined time duration, and deactivating one of the plurality of multimedia system applications when the switch has been depressed for less than the predefined time duration.