Abstract: A system and method for alleviating sensory conflict in a vehicle are provided. According to one aspect, a computer-implemented method for alleviating sensory conflict in a vehicle is provided. The method includes identifying a sensory conflict for a vehicle occupant based on a sensory event at a location. The method also includes determining an inurement action to alleviate an impact of the sensory conflict on the vehicle occupant. The method further includes determining an actuation schedule for performing the inurement action an N number of times for a predetermined amount of time. The method yet further includes controlling a haptic device to perform the inurement action according to the activation schedule in response to the vehicle occupant being located in a seat of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for providing massaging within a vehicle that include receiving vehicle dynamic data associated with a real-time dynamic performance of the vehicle as the vehicle is being driven for a predetermined period of time. The system and method also include determining at least one strenuous driving activity associated with a driver of the vehicle based on at least one driving maneuver. The system and method additionally include analyzing positional parameters and movement parameters that are associated with at least one area of a body of the driver that is utilized to conduct the at least one driving maneuver for the predetermined period of time. The system and method further include controlling at least one massaging element disposed within the seat of the vehicle to provide massaging to the at least one area of the body of the driver.

Abstract: A vehicle system and related methods include a sensor, a vehicle computing device (VCD), and a haptic device. The sensor is operable to sense an occurrence or a non-occurrence of a predetermined in-vehicle event. The VCD is in communication with the sensor, and detects a communication signal sent to an in-vehicle mobile device that is capable of receiving the communication signal. The VCD is in communication with the haptic device to actuate the haptic device to provide a haptic signal. If the sensor senses the occurrence of the predetermined in-vehicle event, then the haptic device gives a haptic indication of the communication signal to the occupant. The predetermined in-vehicle event is thereby not interrupted by the haptic indication, and can proceed until the occupant chooses if and when to respond to the communication signal.

Abstract: A system and method for counteracting vibrations within a vehicle that include determining a disposition of an occupant seated within a seat of the vehicle. The system and method also include determining at least one vibrational value associated with at least one vibration affecting the seat of the vehicle and determining at least one counteractive vibrational value and at least one vibrational element located within the seat of the vehicle to be actuated. The system and method further include actuating the at least one vibrational element to counteract the at least one vibration affecting the seat of the vehicle based on the at least one counteractive vibrational value.

Abstract: A system and method for providing haptic alerts within a vehicle that include receiving vehicle data associated with at least one vehicle warning. The system and method also include determining a severity associated with the at least one vehicle warning and determining a duration associated with the at least one vehicle warning. The system and method further include determining at least one haptic alert that corresponds to the severity and duration of the at least one vehicle warning and controlling at least one vibrational actuator to provide the at least one haptic alert based on the determined severity and duration of the at least one vehicle warning.

Abstract: A seat haptic system includes a seat including a plurality of actuators configured to generate a haptic output, and a controller communicatively coupled to the plurality of actuators. The controller is configured to receive a first input signal associated with first audio content at a first volume level, and control the plurality of actuators to generate a first haptic output based on the first audio content, the first haptic output having a first magnitude associated with the first volume level. The controller is further configured to receive a second input signal associated with second audio content at a second volume level, and execute an equalization algorithm to determine a transitional haptic output that limits a difference between the first magnitude and a second magnitude of a second haptic output to be generated based the second audio content, based on a difference between the first and second volume levels.

Abstract: Vehicle attention systems and techniques may include using a first seat and first actuator, a second seat and second actuator, an image capture device, an image analyzer, a microphone, a voice analyzer, and a controller. The image capture device may capture an image of a seating arrangement of a vehicle. The image analyzer may be implemented via a processor and may identify a first occupant occupying the first seat of the vehicle and a second occupant occupying the second seat of the vehicle. The microphone may receive a sound sample. The voice analyzer may be implemented via the processor and may determine a target occupant and associated seat from among the first seat and the second seat based on the sound sample. The controller may activate the first actuator or the second actuator based on the determined target occupant and the determined associated seat.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for managing seat haptics are described herein. A system for managing seat haptics may include a seat equipped with an actuator, a processor, and a controller. The processor may receive a signal from a vehicle system. The controller may control the actuator to operate according to a first mode at a first time and operate according to a second mode at a second time based on the signal received from the vehicle system, such as a navigation system or sensor system. The vehicle system may be a vehicle navigation system and the controller may control the actuator to operate according to the first mode, at a first frequency, and according to the second mode, at a second frequency. The first time may be during travel along a route and the second time may be when the vehicle is less than a threshold distance from a destination.

Abstract: A seat haptic system includes a seat including a plurality of actuators configured to generate a haptic output, and a controller communicatively coupled to the plurality of actuators. The controller is configured to receive a first input signal associated with first audio content at a first volume level, and control the plurality of actuators to generate a first haptic output based on the first audio content, the first haptic output having a first magnitude associated with the first volume level. The controller is further configured to receive a second input signal associated with second audio content at a second volume level, and execute an equalization algorithm to determine a transitional haptic output that limits a difference between the first magnitude and a second magnitude of a second haptic output to be generated based the second audio content, based on a difference between the first and second volume levels.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for managing seat haptics are described herein. A system for managing seat haptics may include a seat equipped with an actuator, a processor, and a controller. The processor may receive a signal from a vehicle system. The controller may control the actuator to operate according to a first mode at a first time and operate according to a second mode at a second time based on the signal received from the vehicle system, such as a navigation system or sensor system. The vehicle system may be a vehicle navigation system and the controller may control the actuator to operate according to the first mode, at a first frequency, and according to the second mode, at a second frequency. The first time may be during travel along a route and the second time may be when the vehicle is less than a threshold distance from a destination.

Abstract: A system and method for providing haptic counteractions and alerts within a seat of a vehicle that include determining that at least one front seat passenger is occupying at least one front passenger seat and at least one rear seat passenger is occupying at least one rear passenger seat. The system and method also include determining a location of the at least one rear seat passenger with respect to a location of the at least one front seat passenger within the vehicle and determining if at least one disturbance is affecting the at least one front passenger seat. The system and method further include actuating at least one vibrational element to counteract the at least one disturbance affecting the at least one front passenger seat and to provide a reminder alert pertaining to the at least one rear seat passenger to the at least one front seat passenger.

Abstract: A system and method for providing haptic counteractions and alerts within a seat of a vehicle that include determining that at least one front seat passenger is occupying at least one front passenger seat and at least one rear seat passenger is occupying at least one rear passenger seat. The system and method also include determining a location of the at least one rear seat passenger with respect to a location of the at least one front seat passenger within the vehicle and determining if at least one disturbance is affecting the at least one front passenger seat. The system and method further include actuating at least one vibrational element to counteract the at least one disturbance affecting the at least one front passenger seat and to provide a reminder alert pertaining to the at least one rear seat passenger to the at least one front seat passenger.

Abstract: A system and method for providing massaging within a vehicle that include determining at least one position and at least one movement of a driver seated within a seat of the vehicle. The system and method also include determining at least one strenuous driving activity associated with the driver. The system and method additionally include determining at least one tension point associated with the driver. The system and method further include processing a massaging plan that is based on the at least one tension point and controlling at least one massaging element disposed within the seat of the vehicle to provide massaging based on the massaging plan.

Abstract: A system and method for providing haptic alerts within a vehicle that include receiving vehicle data associated with at least one vehicle warning. The system and method also include determining a severity associated with the at least one vehicle warning and determining a duration associated with the at least one vehicle warning. The system and method further include determining at least one haptic alert that corresponds to the severity and duration of the at least one vehicle warning and controlling at least one vibrational actuator to provide the at least one haptic alert based on the determined severity and duration of the at least one vehicle warning.

Abstract: A system and method for providing massaging within a vehicle that include receiving vehicle dynamic data associated with a real-time dynamic performance of the vehicle as the vehicle is being driven for a predetermined period of time. The system and method also include determining at least one strenuous driving activity associated with a driver of the vehicle based on at least one driving maneuver. The system and method additionally include analyzing positional parameters and movement parameters that are associated with at least one area of a body of the driver that is utilized to conduct the at least one driving maneuver for the predetermined period of time. The system and method further include controlling at least one massaging element disposed within the seat of the vehicle to provide massaging to the at least one area of the body of the driver.

Abstract: A vehicle seat haptic system in a vehicle includes a vehicle seat, the vehicle seat including a plurality of actuators configured to generate a haptic output. The vehicle seat haptic system also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the plurality of actuators. The controller is configured to determine an unauthorized entry event has occurred at the vehicle, detect the vehicle is operating, and control said plurality of actuators, in response to determining the unauthorized entry event has occurred, to generate an anti-theft haptic output across the vehicle seat. The anti-theft haptic output has at least one of a magnitude, distribution, and frequency that causes physical discomfort to a user of the vehicle seat.

Abstract: A system and method for alleviating sensory conflict in a vehicle are provided. According to one aspect, a computer-implemented method for alleviating sensory conflict in a vehicle is provided. The method includes identifying a sensory conflict for a vehicle occupant based on a sensory event at a location. The method also includes determining an inurement action to alleviate an impact of the sensory conflict on the vehicle occupant. The method further includes determining an actuation schedule for performing the inurement action an N number of times for a predetermined amount of time. The method yet further includes controlling a haptic device to perform the inurement action according to the activation schedule in response to the vehicle occupant being located in a seat of the vehicle.

Abstract: A seat haptic system includes a seat comprising a plurality of actuators configured to generate a haptic output, and a controller communicatively coupled to the plurality of actuators. The controller is configured to receive a first input signal associated with first audio content at a first volume level, and control the plurality of actuators to generate a first haptic output based on the first audio content, the first haptic output having a first magnitude associated with the first volume level of the first audio content. The controller is further configured to receive a second input signal associated with second audio content at a second volume level different from the first volume level, and control the plurality of actuators to generate a transitional haptic output based on a difference between the first volume level and the second volume level.

Abstract: A vehicle seat haptic system in a vehicle includes a vehicle seat, the vehicle seat including a plurality of actuators configured to generate a haptic output. The vehicle seat haptic system also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the plurality of actuators. The controller is configured to determine an unauthorized entry event has occurred at the vehicle, detect the vehicle is operating, and control said plurality of actuators, in response to determining the unauthorized entry event has occurred, to generate an anti-theft haptic output across the vehicle seat. The anti-theft haptic output has at least one of a magnitude, distribution, and frequency that causes physical discomfort to a user of the vehicle seat.

Abstract: A vehicle seat haptic system includes a vehicle seat and a controller. The vehicle seat includes a plurality of discrete haptic zones defined across the vehicle seat, and a plurality of actuators positioned in the plurality of haptic zones and configured to generate a haptic output. The controller is communicatively coupled to the plurality of actuators and configured to output a control signal to one or more of the plurality of actuators to generate an asynchronous haptic output across the vehicle seat based upon a position of a user in the vehicle seat.