Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Ki Hyun Ahn

Joseph F Szczerba

Robert C Jablonski

Jacob Alan Bond

Bobin Kil

Carl W Wellborn

Mary Ellen DeCaluwe

Akilesh Rajavenkatanarayanan

Jim K Rainbolt

Spencer W Chamberlain

An occupant output system includes at least one output device adapted to provide output directed to a single passenger, an occupant monitoring system to track location and movement of the passenger within the vehicle, at least one processor configured to execute program instructions, wherein the program instructions are configured to cause the at least one processor to receive data from the occupant monitoring system, analyze the data from the occupant monitoring system to determine if the passenger is vision-impaired, analyze the data from the occupant monitoring system to determine a location of the passenger within the vehicle and an orientation of a head of the passenger, and, when the passenger is determined to be vision impaired, generate an output for the passenger on the at least one output device, based on the location of the passenger within the vehicle and the orientation of the head of the passenger.

Systems and methods for communicating with vision-impaired vehicle occupants

An awning system for a vehicle includes at least one vehicle sensor, a vehicle awning, and a controller in electrical communication with the at least one vehicle sensor and the vehicle awning. The controller is programmed to identify at least one deployment criterion using the at least one vehicle sensor. The controller is further programmed to determine at least one deployment parameter based at least in part on the at least one deployment criterion The controller is further programmed to deploy the vehicle awning based at least in part on the at least one deployment parameter in response to identifying the at least one deployment criterion.

System and method for deploying a vehicle awning

A system for automatically positioning a display relative to an occupant within a vehicle includes a system controller adapted to identify user preferences for a position of the display, an occupant monitoring system adapted to monitor the occupant, a microphone adapted to receive verbal input from the occupant, the system controller further adapted to determine that the occupant is one of reaching toward the display, or viewing the display, and automatically move the display to a first position that is optimal for facilitating physical interaction, by the occupant, with the display when the system controller determines that the occupant is reaching toward the display, and automatically move the display to a second position that is optimal for allowing the occupant to view the display when the system controller determines that the occupant is viewing the display.

Accessible display

A human machine interface (HMI) within a vehicle includes a display screen adapted to display information to an occupant within the vehicle, a track extending along at least a portion of a peripheral edge of the display screen, and a rotary control knob assembly slidably supported within the track for sliding movement within the track, wherein, the rotary control knob assembly is adapted to allow the occupant of the vehicle to provide input to the HMI to control a selected one of a plurality of systems within the vehicle, the selected one of the plurality of systems determined by a position of the rotary control knob assembly within the track.

Translating rotary control

A control system for a vehicle comprises a controller comprising a processor and a non-transitory computer-readable medium including instructions. The system comprises a transformable knob manipulated between first and second states. The knob comprises a body having a periphery wall arranged to flex between first and second configurations with the first and second states, respectively. The system comprises an output device arranged to change between first and second settings. Manipulation of the transformable knob from the first state to the second state transmits an input signal to the controller and facilitates flexing of the periphery wall from the first configuration to the second configuration. The controller receives the input signal, and the processor compares the input signal to the instructions in the non-transitory computer-readable medium and transmit an output signal to the output device to change the output device from the first setting to the second setting.

Control system comprising a transformable knob and a method of operating the same

A transformable knob for a vehicle comprises an axle extending along an axis and a body mounted to the axle and rotatable about the axis. The body comprises a face plate and a periphery wall defining a cavity, and with the periphery wall arranged to flex relative to the axis. The transformable knob comprises a plurality of engagement arms disposed within the cavity and movable toward and away from the axis, with the plurality of engagement arms configured to selectively engage and flex the periphery wall between first and second configurations. The transformable knob comprises an actuator in engagement with the plurality of engagement arms and arranged to move between first and second positions, with movement of the actuator facilitating corresponding movement of the plurality of engagement arms to flex the periphery wall between the first and second configurations, respectively.

Transformable knob for a vehicle

A deployable rollable display for a vehicle includes a vehicle component having at least one surface. A guide track is provided in the at least one surface. A screen deployment member is selectively shiftable through the at least one surface and along the guide track. A rollable display is spooled onto the screen deployment member.

Deployable rollable display for a vehicle

A multi-functional control, a control system, and a method of controlling a system in a vehicle. The multi-functional control includes a base plate, a post extending through a slot in the base plate, and at least two stacked knobs, rotatably and tilt-ably attached to the post. The stacked knobs include a display knob and a base knob. The multi-functional control further includes a plurality of sensors. The sensors include a first touch sensor integrated in the display knob, a second touch sensor integrated in the base knob, a first rotary sensor integrated in the display knob, a second rotary sensor integrated in the base knob, a rocker switch connected to the stacked knobs, and a push-button switch connected to the stacked knobs. The multi-functional control also includes a sliding sensor. The post and stacked knobs are mounted to the sliding sensor.

Multifunctional control for a system in a vehicle

A three-dimensional kinetic shape display for a vehicle includes one or more pixels for conveying information related to operation of the vehicle. The one or more pixels each include a plurality of moveable members that each have an actuation element for translating the moveable member. The three-dimensional kinetic shape display also includes one or more controllers providing instructions to move the actuation element. The one or more controllers execute instructions to receive data indicating an event related to operation of the vehicle, and in response to receiving data indicating the event, instruct the actuation element to translate the moveable member in a direction that is indicative of the event related to operation of the vehicle.

Three-dimensional kinetic shape display for providing vehicle information

A system and method that pertain to a rotating vehicle display unit that can automatically or manually rotate between landscape and portrait orientations, depending on the particular display format or media being shown to the vehicle occupants. The rotating vehicle display unit uses an electro-mechanical rotating and locking mechanism with smart fluid, such as magnetorheological fluid (MR), to facilitate easy and precise rotational movement between different display orientations. The rotating vehicle display unit may be coupled to a corresponding human-machine interface (HMI) that responds to the different display orientations and helps facilitate easy transition from one orientation to another in order to optimize the particular display format or media being shown at that time.

Rotating vehicle display unit

A method for cargo management in a motor vehicle includes identifying the motor vehicle. The method gathers dimensional information of at least one object and gathers internal dimensions of a volume within the motor vehicle. The dimensional information of the at least one object is compared to the internal dimensions of the volume, and feedback is provided to a user. The feedback is one of: yes, the at least one object will fit; or no, the at least one object will not fit.

System and method for cargo management in a motor vehicle

A vehicle system comprising a steering wheel that includes: i) a hub adapted to be mounted on a steering column of the vehicle system; ii) a steering wheel rim coupled to the hub; and iii) a first control movably coupled to the hub. The first control moves from a first position proximate a first location on the steering wheel rim to a second position proximate a second location on the steering wheel rim. This maintains the first control in proximity to a first hand of a driver as the first hand moves from the first location to the second location on the steering wheel rim. The vehicle system further comprises a control module configured to move the first control from the first position to the second position.

Multifunction adaptive steering wheel control

A vehicle system comprising: i) an infotainment system; ii) a dashboard display module; and iii) an adaptive transforming multifunction control module configured to receive manual inputs from a first occupant of the vehicle system. The adaptive transforming multifunction control module is configured to perform at least one operation based on a first selected function associated with the infotainment system.

Adaptive transforming multifunction display control

Methods and systems are provided for taking action when a beverage spill has occurred within a vehicle. In one example, the vehicle includes one or more sensors, an input device, and a processor. The one or more sensors are configured to detect that a beverage has spilled within a vehicle. The input device configured to receipt an in input from a passenger of the vehicle. The processor is coupled to the one or more sensors and to the input device, and configured to at least facilitate: providing information to a passenger of the vehicle as to an option to obtain a replacement beverage; receiving input from the passenger via the input device, in response to the information provided to the passenger, as to whether a replacement beverage is desired; and taking an action to obtain the replacement beverage, when the passenger has provided the input to obtain the replacement beverage.

Growing community of inventors

Troy, MI, United States of America

Ki Hyun Ahn