Abstract: A conditionally transparent touch control surface including a base layer, a display layer, and a surface layer. The display layer includes a plurality of display areas each with an OFF state and an ON state. The surface layer covers the plurality of display areas and each display area is visible through the surface layer only while that display area is in the ON state. The control surface is flexible and contours to a shape such as the shape of an interior surface of a vehicle. The display areas can be reconfigured to match with a specific function and to display a specific icon, and the display areas can be hidden from view when not in use.

Abstract: An audio system for a vehicle including a plurality of personal sound zones, each personal sound zone comprising a plurality of microphones, an audio controller, and a plurality of speakers. The system is configured to allow the occupants of a vehicle to experience their own dedicated sound environment without the sound from one dedicated sound environment interfering with the sound from another dedicated sound environment. The system includes features for controlling the audio of each dedicated sound environment, including passing audio from one dedicated sound environment to another dedicated sound environment.

Abstract: A driver alert system is configured to provide combined visual and audible spatial warnings. The system can include an object detection system to provide the location of at least one object relative to a vehicle, an audible output system including a plurality of speaker units, and a display unit. A control unit of the system can determine location of objects and generate combined visual and audible spatial warnings. Output of the combined visual and audible spatial warning can be controlled to output an audible alert indicating the location of the object relative to the vehicle passenger, and control a display unit to present a particle display output indicating the location of the object relative to the vehicle passenger. The system may include processes for control of combined visual and audible spatial warnings to account for changes in object position and vehicle heading.

Abstract: A personalized seating zone system of a vehicle cabin and a method for implementing such. The personalized seating zone system includes at least one personalized seating zone and is configured to collect biometric data corresponding to an occupant of the personalized seating zone system, match the collected biometric data to an identification tag to identify the occupant by comparing the collected biometric data to stored biometric data from an identification database, and load seat system settings for a personalized seating zone within the personalized seating zone system based on the matched identification tag.

Abstract: An audio system for a vehicle including a plurality of personal sound zones, each personal sound zone comprising a plurality of microphones, an audio controller, and a plurality of speakers. The system is configured to allow the occupants of a vehicle to experience their own dedicated sound environment without the sound from one dedicated sound environment interfering with the sound from another dedicated sound environment. The system includes features for controlling the audio of each dedicated sound environment, including passing audio from one dedicated sound environment to another dedicated sound environment.

Abstract: A method of controlling transition of operating modes in a hybrid vehicle includes the steps of providing a vehicle system having a generator coupled to an inverter and a motor coupled to an inverter. A switch box is disposed therebetween. The switch box includes a plurality of electrical switches that open and close to allow for direct electrical connection between the generator and the motor. The method detects a transfer condition using the vehicle system controller to transition from a first operating mode to a second operating mode. The transfer condition defines a predetermined efficiency threshold of the second operating mode being more efficient than the first operating mode. The method further preconditions the vehicle system by synchronizing electrical features between the generator and the motor. The method then actuates the switch box to close the plurality of switches allowing the generator and motor to electrically couple.

Abstract: A system of electric power management for a hybrid vehicle includes an engine, a first inverter, a first electric machine coupled to the engine and the first inverter, and a first transmission coupled between the engine and the first electric machine. The first transmission has a transmission speed ratio operable such that the first electric machine operating speed operates independent of an engine operating speed. A second electric machine is coupled to the second inverter and a wheel axle of the vehicle. A high voltage battery is coupled to both the first inverter and the second inverter. A switch box is disposed between the first electric machine and the second electric machine. The switch box includes switches adapted to switch open and closed to allow direct electrical connection from the first electric machine to the second electric machine.

Abstract: A drive selector assembly arranged on a console of a vehicle for selecting a transmission gear from a plurality of transmission gears includes a housing; a gear selector control arranged in the housing, the gear selector control having a plurality of switches for selecting a transmission gear of the plurality of gears of the vehicle; and at least one visual indicator provided on the console, the at least one visual indicator coupled to the gear selector control for providing a visual indication of the selected transmission gear.

Abstract: In a method for setting torque in the operation of a motor vehicle, especially in the case of a small engine torque change in the lower to medium load range, the driver-selected torque is magnified dynamically in time, and the enhancement component is then correspondingly reduced down to an enhancement component of zero as the actual value of the torque approaches the driver-selected torque. An increase in responsiveness and a better response behavior are achieved in response to small accelerator pedal movements.

Abstract: In a method for magnifying torque during driveaway of a motor vehicle using a clutch, the driver-selected torque is dynamically magnified in time, and the enhancement component then is reduced down to 0 at increasing vehicle speed as a function of the latter. The driveaway behavior of a vehicle may be perceptibly improved, and an unintended shutoff of the internal combustion engine may be largely prevented when the accelerator pedal is operated too weakly or the clutch is engaged too fast.

Abstract: In a method for magnifying torque during driveaway of a motor vehicle using a clutch, the driver-selected torque is dynamically magnified in time, and the enhancement component then is reduced down to 0 at increasing vehicle speed as a function of the latter. The driveaway behavior of a vehicle may be perceptibly improved, and an unintended shutoff of the internal combustion engine may be largely prevented when the accelerator pedal is operated too weakly or the clutch is engaged too fast.