Abstract: A system and method for providing single-action multi-source presets for vehicle entertainment systems. The method includes the steps of engaging a single-action preset button that changes the active input source to a selected preprogrammed input source and performing an action within that input source.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes at least one communication device to communicate various states of a condition of a driver, at least one sensor for detecting at least one characteristic of at least one of the driver and the vehicle, wherein the at least one sensor generates a sensor signal representing the at least one characteristic of the at least one of the driver and the vehicle; and a processor in communication with the at least one sensor and the at least one communication device, wherein the processor receives the sensor signal, analyzes the sensor signal based upon an instruction set to determine the condition of the driver, and controls the at least one communication device based upon the at least one characteristic of the at least one of the driver and the vehicle to communicate the various states of the condition of the driver to other vehicles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for activating a visual control interface, and in particular, for activating a visual control interface using an eye tracking system in a vehicle. A switch is used to activate and deactivate a control section of an eye tracking system in a human-machine interaction control system. The system allows a driver (or operator) of a vehicle to signal the system with selection of the switch to activate or deactivate the control section, thereby providing functional support to the driver when desired, but remaining inconspicuous otherwise.

Abstract: An adaptive vision system includes a vision component to present an image to a user, a sensor for detecting a vision characteristic of the user and generating a sensor signal representing the vision characteristic of the user; and a processor in communication with the sensor and the vision component, wherein the processor receives the sensor signal, analyzes the sensor signal based upon an instruction set to determine the vision characteristic of the user, and configures the visual component based upon the vision characteristic of the user to modify the image presented to the user.

Abstract: An adaptive interface system and a method of configuring a user interface are disclosed. The interface system includes a user interface having a display and a processor for receiving a data relating to a pre-determined trigger event, analyzing the data based upon an instruction set to determine a preference of a user, and reconfiguring the display based upon the preference of the user.

Abstract: A haptic effect control system includes: a user interface adapted to receive a user-provided input and transmit a control signal representing the user-provided input; a controller in communication with the user interface and adapted to receive the control signal, analyze the control signal, and generate and transmit a first haptic-audio signal in response to the analysis of the control signal, wherein the first haptic-audio signal represents a first audio output for creating a desired sound pressure deviation from the ambient pressure of the user's environment; and an audio system including a device capable of producing the first audio output having a desired sound pressure level, wherein the audio system is adapted to receive the first haptic-audio signal and transmit the first audio output in response to the first haptic-audio signal.

Abstract: An anticipatory and adaptive human machine interface control system for an automobile and a method for adaptively modifying an information display in an automobile are disclosed, wherein the control system and method control the information displayed in response to a vehicle information signal. The adaptive human machine interface control system for a vehicle includes a vehicle information system adapted to generate and transmit a vehicle information signal including data representing a vehicle condition and a controller adapted to receive and analyze the vehicle information signal. The controller generates and transmits a control signal for controlling a visual representation of data in response to the vehicle information signal.

Abstract: A system and method for a display in the gaze-forward position of a vehicle operator, showing hand position relative to various control inputs or hand positions relative to a control surface. The hand replication system includes a control input device, a display displaying an image of the control input device, an optical input device directed to capturing an actual image of the control input device and providing the actual image output to one of a display or a processor. The method of providing an image of an operators hand relative to a control panel within the line of sight of the vehicle operator includes the steps of providing a display, providing an optical input device, obtaining an actual image of the control panel with the optical input device, and providing the actual image of the control panel to the display.

Abstract: A system and method for providing single-action multi-source presets for vehicle entertainment systems. The method includes the steps of engaging a single-action preset button that changes the active input source to a selected preprogrammed input source and performing an action within that input source.

Abstract: A system and method for providing layered audio which allows a user to selectively and simultaneously listen to multiple audio sources for limited time periods and switch between these layered audio sources. The system allows a user to discernibly listen to two content sources at the same time.

Abstract: A haptic effect control system includes: a user interface adapted to receive a user-provided input and transmit a control signal representing the user-provided input; a controller in communication with the user interface and adapted to receive the control signal, analyze the control signal, and generate and transmit a first haptic-audio signal in response to the analysis of the control signal, wherein the first haptic-audio signal represents a first audio output for creating a desired sound pressure deviation from the ambient pressure of the user's environment; and an audio system including a device capable of producing the first audio output having a desired sound pressure level, wherein the audio system is adapted to receive the first haptic-audio signal and transmit the first audio output in response to the first haptic-audio signal.

Abstract: A system and method for providing single-action multi-source presets for vehicle entertainment systems.

Abstract: A system includes an active touch surface, the active touch surface being configured to receive a selection action from a pointer, an x-y coordinate system, the x-y coordinate system being configured to output position data relating to the position of the pointer on the active touch surface, and a processing device.