Abstract: A transportation vehicle system, for providing feedback to a user-worn wearable device, including a hardware-based processing unit and a hardware-based computer-readable storage device. The device includes a vehicle-function identification module that, when executed by the processing unit determines that a trigger condition has occurred. The vehicle-function identification module also determines, for responding to the trigger condition, a wearable-communication function including transmitting a vehicle signal to the wearable device. An activation module causes the processing unit to initiate transmitting the vehicle signal to the wearable device. The technology also includes the device, along, and processes for performing the operations disclosed.

Abstract: A system, for use in implementing a vehicle function based on user gesture, including a hardware-based processing unit and a hardware-based storage device. The storage device includes a user-gesture determination module that, when executed by the hardware-based processing unit, determines a user gesture, made by a user proximate a vehicle, wherein the user gesture is not an under-vehicle user kick. The storage device also includes a vehicle-function identification module that, when executed by the hardware-based processing unit, determines a vehicle function pre-associated with the user gesture determined. The storage device further includes a vehicle-function activation module that, when executed by the hardware-based processing unit, initiates performance of the vehicle function identified. In various embodiments the technology includes the storage device, and processes including any of the operations described.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling a park mode in a motor vehicle that includes a powertrain with a powerplant. The method includes identifying whether the vehicle is stopped. The method also includes identifying whether the powerplant is operating or is turned off. The method additionally includes identifying whether an operator of the vehicle is present inside or has vacated the vehicle. The method also includes commanding automatic selection of the park mode if the powerplant is turned off. Furthermore, the method includes commanding automatic selection of the park mode if the operator has vacated the vehicle, whether the powerplant is turned on and operating, or is turned off. The powertrain may include an automatic transmission operatively connected to the powerplant, and the park mode can be affected inside the transmission. A system for controlling such a powertrain via a controller programmed to execute the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling a park mode in a motor vehicle that includes a powertrain with a powerplant. The method includes identifying whether the vehicle is stopped. The method also includes identifying whether the powerplant is operating or is turned off. The method additionally includes identifying whether an operator of the vehicle is present inside or has vacated the vehicle. The method also includes commanding automatic selection of the park mode if the powerplant is turned off. Furthermore, the method includes commanding automatic selection of the park mode if the operator has vacated the vehicle, whether the powerplant is turned on and operating, or is turned off. The powertrain may include an automatic transmission operatively connected to the powerplant, and the park mode can be affected inside the transmission. A system for controlling such a powertrain via a controller programmed to execute the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method to display a registered graphic upon a substantially transparent windscreen head-up display within a source vehicle includes monitoring an operating environment of the source vehicle, monitoring a driver registration input, determining a recommended continuous gaze location based upon the operating environment and the driver registration input, and displaying the registered graphic upon the substantially transparent windscreen head-up display.

Abstract: A situation awareness method can be used to provide information to a vehicle operator via first, second, and third substantially transparent ambient displays that are coupled to a windshield of a vehicle.

Abstract: A windshield includes a windshield body and an ambient display coupled to the windshield body. The ambient display includes a light guide plate and a light source optically coupled to the light source. Aside from the light source, the ambient display includes a transparent phosphor film and an optic array. The transparent phosphor film includes at least one phosphor. The optic array includes a plurality of lenses and is disposed between the light guide plate and the transparent phosphor film. The light guide plate is positioned relative to the optic array such that light emitted from the light source is directed toward the optic array. The chromaticity and luminance of the light emitted by the transparent phosphor film can be adjusted based on the electrical current received by the light source.

Abstract: A method of alerting a user of a vehicle as to a scene, external to the vehicle, includes capturing data pertaining to the scene, external to the vehicle. The captured data, pertaining to the scene external to the vehicle, is transmitted to a processor. The determination is made, in the processor that a characteristic is in the scene that requires the user's visual attention. Data pertaining to a gaze of the user is captured. Captured data, pertaining to the gaze of the user, is transmitted to the processor. A determination is made, in the processor that the drive is gazing toward a user device. A signal is transmitted to the user device such that the user device alerts the user as to the characteristic in the scene requiring the user's visual attention.

Abstract: A method of controlling a component of a vehicle with a user device includes receiving a data signal from the user device, within a vehicle controller. Graphics, corresponding to the data signal received from the user device, are displayed on a display screen of the vehicle. A signal is received from the user device that indicates the user device has received an input into a user interface of the user device. A determination is made, in the controller, that the signal received from the user device corresponds to controlling the component of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method to selectively project graphical images upon a transparent windscreen head up display of a vehicle based upon visual information present in a peripheral zone of vision includes monitoring a location of visual information corresponding to critical information with respect to the windscreen, and processing the location of the visual information to generate display requirements describing the visual information as present in the peripheral zone of vision. Processing the location includes monitoring an estimated operator gaze location with respect to the windscreen, comparing the estimated operator gaze location to the location of visual information, and generating the display requirements when the estimated operator gaze location is distant from the location of visual information by more than a threshold distance.

Abstract: A method to select a feature in a view in front of a vehicle includes monitoring the view in front of the vehicle visible through a graphic projection display, monitoring a user input to the graphic projection display, determining the selected feature based upon the monitored view and the monitored user input, determining a registered graphic representing the selected feature for display upon the graphic projection display, and displaying the registered graphic upon the graphic projection display.

Abstract: A method to control operation of a vehicle based upon a user input from a user of the vehicle to a graphic projection display representing a registered graphic to a view in front of the vehicle includes projecting the registered graphic to the view in front of the vehicle upon the graphic projection display, monitoring the user input to the graphic projection display, and controlling the operation of the vehicle based upon the user input to the graphic projection display.

Abstract: A user control assembly is provided for use on a vehicle having a processor, a steering wheel, and a plurality of vehicular systems controllable by the processor each having first and second adjustable features. The user control comprises a first button mounted on the steering wheel and coupled to the processor for selecting one of the plurality of vehicular systems, and first and second rotary dials mounted on the steering wheel and coupled to the processor for adjusting the first and second adjustable features associated with the selected system.

Abstract: A system to display graphical images upon a windscreen of a vehicle including navigational aids includes the windscreen having a transparent windscreen head up display, an enhanced vision system manager monitoring a planned travel route, and generating display requirements based upon the planned travel route. The system further includes a graphics system generating the graphical images to be displayed based upon the display requirements, and a graphics projection system communicating with the graphics system and displaying the graphical images.

Abstract: A method for augmenting a graphic displayed on a surface inside of a vehicle using a rear seat entertainment projection (RSEP) system includes generating the graphic for display on the surface inside the vehicle. When the graphic is displayed on the surface, an input that causes a reaction to the graphic displayed upon the surface is obtained, and the graphic displayed on the surface is augmented based on the reaction to the graphic.

Abstract: A method to navigate a vehicle utilizing a graphic projection display, includes monitoring a navigation status graphic representing a navigation intent displayed upon the graphic projection display, monitoring a user input indicated to a portion of the graphic projection display, initiating a user-defined navigation command based on the monitored navigation status graphic and the monitored user input, and operating the vehicle in accordance with the user-defined navigation command.

Abstract: A substantially transparent windscreen head up display includes one of light emitting particles or microstructures over a predefined region of the windscreen permitting luminescent display while permitting vision through the windscreen. A method to display a graphic head up instrument display upon a substantially transparent windscreen head up display of a vehicle includes monitoring operation of the vehicle, monitoring an operator-defined configuration of the graphic head up instrument display, determining the graphic head up instrument display based upon the operation of the vehicle and the operator-defined configuration of the graphic head up instrument display, and displaying the graphic head up instrument display upon the substantially transparent windscreen head up display.

Abstract: A substantially transparent windscreen head-up display of a vehicle is configured to display graphical images from a light source. The windscreen head-up display includes multiple layers having an outer layer including a transparent substrate. The multiple layers further include a second transparent substrate layer including light emitting material, wherein the light emitting material emits visible light in response to absorption of ultraviolet light from the light source, and wherein the light emitting material includes a plurality of light emitting particles. The multiple layers further include an inner ultraviolet anti-reflective layer.

Abstract: A method to display a projected parametric curve upon a substantially transparent windscreen head-up display includes monitoring a desired parametric curve comprising a plurality of control points and a plurality of graphic segments based upon the control points, determining a luminance indicator for each of the segments, and utilizing the luminance indicator to command uniform luminance among the plurality of graphic segments.

Abstract: A method to display a registered driving path image upon a transparent windscreen head-up display in a source vehicle includes monitoring an operating environment of the source vehicle, monitoring a driver registration input, determining a registered driving path image based upon the operating environment of the source vehicle and the driver registration input, and displaying the registered driving path image upon the head-up display.