Abstract: A method and system for use in managing communication messages are provided. The system includes a display unit and one or more processors communicatively coupled to one or more memory devices and the display unit. The one or more processors are programmed to receive an incoming message for a driver of the vehicle, determine if the driver is experiencing a high-intensity situation, automatically respond to the incoming message with a reply message to the sender of the incoming message if the driver is experiencing the high-intensity situation, and automatically notify the driver, after the high-intensity situation has ended, that the incoming message was received.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of techniques or systems for application management are provided herein. For example, a system for application management may launch or execute multiple applications, such as a first application and a second application. The system for application management may provide a user with different ways of multi-tasking or ways to switch between applications, such as providing or generating home screen shortcuts for a most recently utilized application or a most frequently launched application. Additionally, the system for application management may enable multi-tasking or swapping of applications when a user double taps a home button, initiates a swipe gesture, hits a task swap button, speaks a voice command, etc. In this manner, application management is provided such that a user may engage in the use of multiple applications or switching between in a quick or efficient manner.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of techniques or systems for privacy management are provided herein. In one or more embodiments, privacy management may be provided by adjusting the way a system provides notifications, handles communications, or executes applications based on the presence or positioning of one or more occupants within a vehicle. In other words, a vehicle may provide notifications in a first manner when merely a driver is present but provide notifications in a second manner (e.g., different than the first manner) when an additional occupant is detected. Sensors may be utilized to detect the presence or positioning of occupants and communications or applications may be managed accordingly. In this manner, privacy management is provided, thus enhancing security of applications or communications utilized by occupants of a vehicle, such as a driver, for example.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for a morphable pad and display configured for tactile control. The system comprises a display for displaying a user interface comprising a layout of vehicle control features. The display is configured to highlight a portion of the layout associated with a received highlight input, and to update the layout based on a received selection input. A morphable pad is connected to the display and comprises an array of switches. Each switch is configured to receive highlight input and selection input. The switches are also configured to adjust in tactile feel to match the layout, and to reconfigure in tactile feel responsive to a change in the layout.

Abstract: A user interface is provided. The interface can be used to control an electronic system that is in communication with a vehicle. The interface includes a fingerprint reader, and a push-button switch mounted to the fingerprint reader. The switch is configured to detect a user pressing upon a surface of the fingerprint reader. The interface includes a controller. The controller is configured to detect the user pressing upon the surface of the fingerprint reader using the push-button switch, and, after detecting the user pressing upon the surface of the fingerprint reader, capture fingerprint data of the user using the fingerprint reader.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for a morphable pad and display configured for tactile control. The system comprises a display for displaying a user interface comprising a layout of vehicle control features. The display is configured to highlight a portion of the layout associated with a received highlight input, and to update the layout based on a received selection input. A morphable pad is connected to the display and comprises an array of switches. Each switch is configured to receive highlight input and selection input. The switches are also configured to adjust in tactile feel to match the layout, and to reconfigure in tactile feel responsive to a change in the layout.

Abstract: A scoring system and methodology thereof that is capable of combining quantitative and qualitative aspects to produce a composite score. A task can be performed and performance metrics can be recorded. The performance metrics can be scaled to facilitate their combination independent of units. Thereafter, an opinion evaluation can be provided to a user that performed the task. The user can provide feedback in subjective categories that is stored and/or converted to numerical values. The user can provide additional feedback relating to the relative importance of one or more of the subjective categories. The relative importance can be used to weight one or more subjective categories. Thereafter, the performance metrics and opinion evaluations can be combined to a unified composite score.

Abstract: A user interface is provided. The interface can be used to control an electronic system that is in communication with a vehicle. The interface includes a fingerprint reader, and a push-button switch mounted to the fingerprint reader. The switch is configured to detect a user pressing upon a surface of the fingerprint reader. The interface includes a controller. The controller is configured to detect the user pressing upon the surface of the fingerprint reader using the push-button switch, and, after detecting the user pressing upon the surface of the fingerprint reader, capture fingerprint data of the user using the fingerprint reader.

Abstract: A vehicle entertainment system and method to prevent a mechanical connection between certain components of an entertainment system for a vehicle can include an entertainment system housing containing a plurality of entertainment components and a remote control module. The remote control module can include a user interface on a surface of the remote control module. In addition, the remote control module can be configured to prevent secure mounting of the remote control module to the entertainment system housing when the remote control module is not the appropriate remote control module for the particular vehicle entertainment system.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a vehicle system is presented. An icon is displayed on a display. The icon is associated with a function of the vehicle system and has an entrance zone about a center of the icon and an exit zone about the center of the icon. The exit zone is larger than the entrance zone. A location of a gaze of a user upon the display is detected using an eye gaze detection system. When the location of the gaze of the user is within the entrance zone, an indication that the icon is selected is presented. When the location of the gaze of the user is outside the exit zone, an indication that the icon is deselected is presented.

Abstract: A vehicle entertainment system and method to prevent a mechanical connection between certain components of an entertainment system for a vehicle can include an entertainment system housing containing a plurality of entertainment components and a remote control module. The remote control module can include a user interface on a surface of the remote control module. In addition, the remote control module can be configured to prevent secure mounting of the remote control module to the entertainment system housing when the remote control module is not the appropriate remote control module for the particular vehicle entertainment system.

Abstract: A vehicle entertainment system and method to prevent a mechanical connection between certain components of an entertainment system for a vehicle can include an entertainment system housing containing a plurality of entertainment components and a remote control module. The remote control module can include a user interface on a surface of the remote control module. In addition, the remote control module can be configured to prevent secure mounting of the remote control module to the entertainment system housing when the remote control module is not the appropriate remote control module for the particular vehicle entertainment system.

Abstract: A vehicle entertainment system and method to prevent a mechanical connection between certain components of an entertainment system for a vehicle can include an entertainment system housing containing a plurality of entertainment components and a remote control module. The remote control module can include a user interface on a surface of the remote control module. In addition, the remote control module can be configured to prevent secure mounting of the remote control module to the entertainment system housing when the remote control module is not the appropriate remote control module for the particular vehicle entertainment system.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for preventing accidents in a vehicle. The system comprises an eye gaze detector for receiving an eye gaze vector from a driver. The system additionally comprises a proximity sensor for detecting locations of nearby objects and their velocities. A vehicle accident risk is determined based on the nearby object location and velocity. Additionally, the driver's knowledge of vehicle circumstances is determined based on the nearby object location and velocity as well as the eye gaze location. Responsive to the driver's knowledge and the vehicle accident risk, a vehicle alert is activated.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for a morphable pad and display configured for tactile control. The system comprises a display for displaying a user interface comprising a layout of vehicle control features. The display is configured to highlight a portion of the layout associated with a received highlight input, and to update the layout based on a received selection input. A morphable pad is connected to the display and comprises an array of switches. Each switch is configured to receive high-light input and selection input. The switches are also configured to adjust in tactile feel to match the layout, and to reconfigure in tactile feel responsive to a change in the layout.

Abstract: A vehicle speaker mounting system. The vehicle speaker mounting system comprises a parcel shelf having at least one stiffener extending substantially longitudinally along the length of the parcel shelf. The system further includes at least one aperture extending through a generally planar portion of the parcel shelf. The aperture is configured to receive a speaker.

Abstract: A vehicle entertainment system and method to prevent a mechanical connection between certain components of an entertainment system for a vehicle can include an entertainment system housing containing a plurality of entertainment components and a remote control module. The remote control module can include a user interface on a surface of the remote control module. In addition, the remote control module can be configured to prevent secure mounting of the remote control module to the entertainment system housing when the remote control module is not the appropriate remote control module for the particular vehicle entertainment system.

Abstract: A system for providing diffuse light to a dial plate of a meter is disclosed. The system includes a light-guide and a light source. The light from the light source enters the light-guide and exits the light-guide to illuminate a curved peripheral portion of a dial plate with a diffuse light.

Abstract: An audio system for a motor vehicle is provided, including an audio head unit that generates an audio signal. One or more external speakers are provided that receive the audio signal and produce an acoustic output within the motor vehicle. A supplemental output interface receives the audio signal through a hard-wired connection to the audio head unit. The supplemental output interface comprising at least one output speaker connection, for providing a removable speaker connection.

Abstract: A display assembly is adapted to be received by a vehicle console and includes a chassis, a display member, a hood, and a mechanical positioning mechanism. The mechanical positioning mechanism can be easily activated to adjust the display member between a hidden or closed position and a visible or open position. In one embodiment, the display assembly has a latch mechanism to maintain the display member in the hidden position.