Abstract: The aspects of the present disclosure provide an autonomous vehicle interface for a vehicle and a method of enabling and employing an autonomous vehicle interface for a vehicle. The autonomous vehicle interface may be configured to seamlessly transition driving modes or the vehicle's mode of operation from user controlled to an autonomous controlled driving without the user physically activating the autonomous controlled driving. The autonomous vehicle interface may also be configured to consider active components and environmental conditions employed by the user in activating the autonomous control. The autonomous vehicle interface may further be configured to consider the user's operational state and/or the user's attentiveness to activate the autonomous vehicle mode.

Abstract: Systems and methods for integrating audio content presented via an audio playback device with additional digital content are provided herein. The system includes a content retriever configured to retrieve the audio content from a terrestrial radio station, and retrieve the additional digital content from an Internet streaming channel, the terrestrial radio station and the Internet streaming channel being associated with an audio program; and being configured to output the additional digital content. Further included herein is a method for delaying a delivery of additional audio content.

Abstract: The aspects of the present disclosure provide an upgradable vehicle cockpit interface and in particular, to a single or multi-phase upgradable hardware and firmware vehicle cockpit interface. The upgradable vehicle cockpit interface may include one or more hardware and firmware components that may be designed to interface with or connect to one or more corresponding hardware and firmware blocks located within the vehicle cockpit. The hardware and firmware components may be detachable from the hardware and firmware blocks and may be backwards compatible with the vehicle's hardware and firmware blocks. The upgradable vehicle cockpit interface enables an individual to experience the same vehicle over a time period and have the ability to upgrade the vehicle components (i.e. electronics) to ease the vehicle aging process.

Abstract: A reconfigurable messaging assembly for a vehicle includes a low power bi-stable display attached to the vehicle for displaying an image, text, or video. A processor and a storage device are coupled with the display. A communicator including transceivers for WiFi, Bluetooth, and NFC is connected to the display for communicating with a portable electronic device. An interface device including a camera and a touchscreen both disposed on the vehicle is also coupled with the display and the processor for interacting with a primary user and a secondary user and for acquiring the images, text, and videos. The interface device is operatively connected to the communicator for interacting with a primary user and a secondary user. The assembly enables a primary user and a secondary user to show an image, text, or video using the display and to provide interaction with the primary user and the secondary user.

Abstract: A display assembly for showing perceived depth includes a display panel for displaying images and video. A lens extends parallel to and in a spaced relationship with the display panel to define a distal viewing area. An optically clear adhesive is partially disposed between the display panel and the lens to define a plurality of proximal viewing areas. The lens has a varying lens thickness for altering the presentation of the images and video displayed on the display panel in the proximal viewing areas relative to the presentation of the images and video displayed on the display panel in the distal viewing area to create a three dimensional appearance of the images and video. A controller is configured to tailor the images and video presented in the distal viewing area relative to the images and video in the proximal viewing areas to enhance the three dimensional appearance.

Abstract: The aspects of the present disclosure provide an upgradable firmware system and a method of adjusting or upgrading firmware through an upgradable firmware system within a vehicle cockpit. The upgradable firmware system may include a plug & play interface designed to interface with the vehicle cockpit. The plug & play interface may be configured to receive a plug & play card with a set of instructions for performing a task such as, updating one or more hardware and firmware blocks. The plug & play interface may be configured to recognize the plug & play card and adjust one or more hardware and firmware vehicle cockpit blocks based on the hardware and firmware block's configuration.

Abstract: A display assembly for showing perceived depth is provided. The display includes a display panel for displaying images and video. A lens extends parallel to and in a spaced relationship with the display panel to define a distal viewing area. An optically clear adhesive is partially disposed between the display panel and the lens to define a plurality of proximal viewing areas. The lens has a varying lens thickness for altering the presentation of the images and video displayed on the display panel in the proximal viewing areas relative to the presentation of the images and video displayed on the display panel in the distal viewing area to create a three dimensional appearance of the images and video. A controller is configured to tailor the images and video presented in the distal viewing area relative to the images and video in the proximal viewing areas to enhance the three dimensional appearance.

Abstract: A method, system, and display assembly is disclosed herein. The aspects disclosed herein include the providing of at least two lenses covering a respective display, with the two lenses bonded together with an optical clear adhesive. The optical clear adhesive may be shaped in a predetermined manner, such as a curve. Also included herein are systems for driving electronic signals to the respective displays. The signals may undergo processing in order to provide a seamless look via the display assembly.

Abstract: A system and method for indicating a transition from a gesture based input to a touch surface is provide herein. The system includes a detection monitor coupled to a detection device to detect the transition; and an alert transmitter to alert an output device based on the detection. The gesture based input is a non-contact interface associated with an electronic system, and a touch surface is a contact interface associated with the electronic system.

Abstract: A system and method for synchronizing a vehicular with a secondary device is provided herein. The systems and methods disclosed herein include receiving current time information, receiving new information from the secondary device, and comparing the information to perform an automatic update of the vehicular clock. Also disclosed herein is a clock electronic system for integration into a vehicle.

Abstract: The aspects of the present disclosure provide a tracking system with associated sensory feedback and method for activating a component and adjusting the component's mode of operation within a vehicle with a tracking system. Sensory feedback may be provided based on the user's gaze or input detected by the tracking system—and/or in response to the change in the component's mode of operation. The system and method may further include the ability to control and adjust the component through gesture-based control.

Abstract: The system includes a controller communicatively connected to a first and second device. The first and second devices have multiple wireless technologies capabilities, such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and other known wireless technologies. The controller is configured to combine two signals generated from the wireless technologies into a single blended signal to transmit data from the first device to the second device or vice versa. The wireless technologies may be selected via a user interface which is communicatively connected to one of the first and second devices. Additionally, the wireless technologies may be selected using voice command or automatically selected by the type of data an operator designates. The controller is configured to combine two signals generated from the wireless technologies into a blended signal as well as allow two-way communication between the first and second device.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to an apparatus and method for transitioning content between multiple displays. The apparatus includes two or more displays disposed within a vehicle cockpit, where the two or more displays include a first display and a second display. The content, in the form of an image, is displayed on the first display. The first display is disposed adjacent to the second display with a gap formed therein. One or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) are disposed within the gap and one or more lightguides are disposed adjacent to the LEDs and within the gap. The LEDs and lightguides are designed to emit or radiate light corresponding to the image such that the image appears to be blended between the displays when the image shifts between displays, and gives the illusion that the image moved from one display to the other.

Abstract: A method, system, and display assembly is disclosed herein. The aspects disclosed herein include the providing of at least two lenses covering a respective display, with the two lenses bonded together with an optical clear adhesive. The optical clear adhesive may be shaped in a predetermined manner, such as a curve. Also included herein are systems for driving electronic signals to the respective displays. The signals may undergo processing in order to provide a seamless look via the display assembly.

Abstract: A display assembly for showing perceived depth is provided. The display includes a display panel for displaying images and video. A lens extends parallel to and in a spaced relationship with the display panel to define a distal viewing area. An optically clear adhesive is partially disposed between the display panel and the lens to define a plurality of proximal viewing areas. The lens has a varying lens thickness for altering the presentation of the images and video displayed on the display panel in the proximal viewing areas relative to the presentation of the images and video displayed on the display panel in the distal viewing area to create a three dimensional appearance of the images and video. A controller is configured to tailor the images and video presented in the distal viewing area relative to the images and video in the proximal viewing areas to enhance the three dimensional appearance.

Abstract: A system and method for providing selective control of information shared from a first device to a second device. The system includes a connection detector to detect a short-range communication between the first device and the second device; a security setter to set or acquire a security setting; a disconnect detector to detect whether the short-range communication between the first device and the second device is terminated; and a wiper to perform data management of information shared via the short-range communication between the first device and the second device based on the security setting.

Abstract: The system includes a controller communicatively connected to a first and second device. The first and second devices have multiple wireless technologies capabilities, such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and other known wireless technologies. The controller is configured to combine two signals generated from the wireless technologies into a single blended signal to transmit data from the first device to the second device or vice versa. The wireless technologies may be selected via a user interface which is communicatively connected to one of the first and second devices. Additionally, the wireless technologies may be selected using voice command or automatically selected by the type of data an operator designates. The controller is configured to combine two signals generated from the wireless technologies into a blended signal as well as allow two-way communication between the first and second device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for integrating audio content presented via an audio playback device with additional digital content are provided herein. The system includes a content retriever configured to retrieve the audio content from a terrestrial radio station, and retrieve the additional digital content from an Internet streaming channel, the terrestrial radio station and the Internet streaming channel being associated with an audio program; and being configured to output the additional digital content. Further included herein is a method for delaying a delivery of additional audio content.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a route based on a preference are provided. The system includes a destination receiver to receive a destination from a GPS receiver in communication with a GPS system; a preference retriever to retrieve the preference based on a parameter, the preference being based on a recorded decision made by an operator associated with the GPS receiver or the GPS system in traversing a path to the destination; and a route analyzer to determine the route based on at least one of the preference or an optimal route calculated by a GPS system in communication with the GPS retriever. Also provided is a method for monitoring a preference associated with a route.

Abstract: The aspects of the present disclosure provide an upgradable vehicle cockpit interface and in particular, to a single or multi-phase upgradable hardware and firmware vehicle cockpit interface. The upgradable vehicle cockpit interface may include one or more hardware and firmware components that may be designed to interface with or connect to one or more corresponding hardware and firmware blocks located within the vehicle cockpit. The hardware and firmware components may be detachable from the hardware and firmware blocks and may be backwards compatible with the vehicle's hardware and firmware blocks. The upgradable vehicle cockpit interface enables an individual to experience the same vehicle over a time period and have the ability to upgrade the vehicle components (i.e. electronics) to ease the vehicle aging process.