Abstract: A snow and ice vehicle accumulation determination and removal system for an electrified vehicle uses weight/load estimation methods based on vehicle sensors and user input to determine if the vehicle has accumulated a significant amount of snow/ice that could negatively affect the vehicle range. When a weight variation exists above a predetermined threshold which can be accounted for only as being due to snow and ice, then the invention may (1) warn the driver of reduced range and the reason for it, (2) perform drivetrain and/or cabin heating that may contribute to melting of the snow and ice (e.g., automatically adjusting powertrain performance to generate increase heat, such as running at a higher RPM), and/or (3) instruct the driver to proceed to an environment which can warm the vehicle (such as a facility equipped with a hot water spraying device).

Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, handling components for a sheet extrusion system including the steps of: obtaining a carriage configured to support different components each making up a part of a sheet extrusion system; placing a first of the different components in a supported staging position on the carriage; performing an operation on the first of the different components in the supported staging position to at least one of: a) transport the first of the different components; b) perform a maintenance step on the first of the different components; c) repair the first of the different components; or d) set the first of the different components up for installation; separating the first of the different components from the supported staging position on the carriage; and reconfiguring the carriage to maintain a second of the different components, that is different in configuration than the first of the different components, in a supported staging position on the carriage.

Abstract: An electric vehicle having an electrical storage battery includes an inductive charge receiver configured to inductively couple to a series of charging coils embedded in a roadway over which the vehicle travels in order to transfer charge to the storage battery. A ground penetrating radar transceiver is configured to interrogate the roadway including a region of the roadway toward which the vehicle is heading. The ground penetrating radar transceiver generates reflectance data including reflections from the charging coils and from embedded cabling coupling the charging coils. An object analyzer is responsive to the reflectance data and configured to map the series of charging coils relative to the vehicle. A path controller is configured to determine a steering operation of the vehicle along the roadway for optimizing a charge transfer from the series of charging coils to the inductive charge receiver.

Abstract: Surface penetrating radar interrogates a region adjacent a pathway of the vehicle in response to activation by a user. An object detection system which is responsive to the radar transceiver is configured to recognize one or more spatial signatures of one or more detected objects in the region. A controller coupled to the radar transceiver and the object detection system is configured to (i) compare a respective spatial signature of at least one of the detected objects to a plurality of predetermined target signatures to detect an infrastructure asset, (ii) assess a perimeter around the detected infrastructure asset to estimate a severity of an obstruction blocking the infrastructure asset, and (iii) convey an alert message to the user when the estimated severity is greater than a threshold.

Abstract: Electrostatic friction textures on a touchscreen panel are used to create the sensation of block icons in a contextual menu adapted to an automotive environment. In particular, a center stack touchscreen friction display in a passenger vehicle provides one set of touch controls and HMI data to the driver while simultaneously providing either the same control options and HMI or a completely different set of information and menu structure to the passenger in invisible texture form. The invisible texture is in the form of block icons, and coincidence between a finger of a passenger and a block icon results in an audio announcement of the block icon to guide a visually impaired passenger through the contextual menu.

Abstract: Electrostatic friction textures on a touchscreen panel are used to create the sensation of block icons in a contextual menu adapted to an automotive environment. In particular, a center stack touchscreen friction display in a passenger vehicle provides one set of touch controls and HMI data to the driver while simultaneously providing either the same control options and HMI or a completely different set of information and menu structure to the passenger in invisible texture form. The invisible texture is in the form of block icons, and coincidence between a finger of a passenger and a block icon results in an audio announcement of the block icon to guide a visually impaired passenger through the contextual menu.

Abstract: Electrostatic friction textures on a touchscreen panel are used to create the sensation of braille text in a contextual menu adapted to an automotive environment. In particular, a center stack touchscreen friction display in a passenger vehicle provides one set of touch controls and HMI data to the driver while simultaneously providing either the same control options and HMI to the passenger in Braille form or a completely different set of information and menu structure in Braille form. The manner of providing a Braille display in an automobile is adapted for vehicle vibration and movement, the types of functions normally presented and/or controlled by passengers, and other challenges Braille readers of different ages, health, or experience may face when attempting to read Braille in a vehicle cabin.

Abstract: Electrostatic friction textures on a touchscreen panel are used to create the sensation of braille text in a contextual menu adapted to an automotive environment. In particular, a center stack touchscreen friction display in a passenger vehicle provides one set of touch controls and HMI data to the driver while simultaneously providing either the same control options and HMI to the passenger in Braille form or a completely different set of information and menu structure in Braille form. The manner of providing a Braille display in an automobile is adapted for vehicle vibration and movement, the types of functions normally presented and/or controlled by passengers, and other challenges Braille readers of different ages, health, or experience may face when attempting to read Braille in a vehicle cabin.

Abstract: A vehicle control system uses a touchscreen display to displaying a graphical HMI and detect a contact point where touched by a user's finger. A haptic texture system has an electrode disposed across the touchscreen display and a signal generator generating an oscillating signal to produce a potential difference between the finger and the electrode resulting in a corresponding perceived texture as the finger slides over the touchscreen. A control circuit is configured to set at least a frequency or amplitude of the oscillating signal to vary the perceived texture according to first and second modes while navigating the graphical HMI. The first mode uses a localized texture mapping defined by respective feature icon selection regions on the touchscreen display. The second mode uses a status texture mapping relating the perceived texture to each potential adjustment setting available for a feature icon that has been selected using the first mode.

Abstract: A vehicle control system uses a touchscreen display to displaying a graphical HMI and detect a contact point where touched by a user's finger. A haptic texture system has an electrode disposed across the touchscreen display and a signal generator generating an oscillating signal to produce a potential difference between the finger and the electrode resulting in a corresponding perceived texture as the finger slides over the touchscreen. A control circuit is configured to set at least a frequency or amplitude of the oscillating signal to vary the perceived texture according to first and second modes while navigating the graphical HMI. The first mode uses a localized texture mapping defined by respective feature icon selection regions on the touchscreen display. The second mode uses a status texture mapping relating the perceived texture to each potential adjustment setting available for a feature icon that has been selected using the first mode.