Denso International America, Inc.

Denso Corporation

Lear Corporation

Lear Automotive Dearborn, Inc.

Silviu Pala

Christopher Alan Arms

Scott Heflin

Justin McBride

Bo Sun

Carolina Rigney

Richard J Chutorash

Martin Nespolo

Robert Wunsche, Iii

Daniel J Toffolo

John E McConnell

Michael Maass

Marian O Borzea

Reben Werman

Jerome Go Ng

Scott D Shields

Michael Murzyn

Ozer M N Teitelbaum

Robert M Roza

Daniel Paul Tran

Joseph Stevens

Terence Duncan

Nhi Van Pham

Phil LeMay

Manabu Miyata

Seishi Yoshida

Yuji Motoyama

A display system for a vehicle. The display system includes a display engine that displays an image visible to a driver of the vehicle. In a first configuration, the display engine projects vehicle operating information directly in front of the driver. In a second configuration, the display engine projects an augmented reality image of an environment ahead of the vehicle directly in front of the driver. In a third configuration, the display engine projects entertainment images at a center of a dashboard of the vehicle between a driver's seat and a front passenger seat.

Vehicle heads-up display

A method of objectively measuring a driver's ability to operate a motor vehicle user interface. The method includes objectively measuring the driver's ability to perform each one of a plurality of calibration tasks of various degrees of difficulty including an easy task, a medium task, and a difficult task; generating a scale with which to evaluate the driver's ability to operate the user interface, the scale customized for the driver based on the objective measurements of the driver's ability to perform each calibration task; objectively measuring the driver's ability to operate a function of the motor vehicle user interface; and objectively evaluating the driver's ability to operate the function of the motor vehicle user interface using the scale to determine if the user interface is appropriate for the driver.

Method to determine driver workload function and usage of driver workload function for human-machine interface performance assessment

A control interface system for a vehicle includes an input module, a feedback module, and a system controller. The input module has a touchscreen and a control icon arranged thereon. The feedback module includes a pressure sensor in communication with the input module. The pressure sensor provides a sensor signal to the input module indicative of an applied force on the touchscreen. The system controller is in communication with the pressure sensor through the input module. The system controller provides at least one of a haptic feedback, an audible feedback, and a visual feedback, where the feedback is indicative of one of a selection mode, a slow change mode, and a fast change mode.

Multiple-force, dynamically-adjusted, 3-D touch surface with feedback for human machine interface (HMI)

A control system for a vehicle includes first and second modules. The first module receives input from an operator of the vehicle via an input device, wherein the operator input includes a change to an operating parameter of a vehicle system. The second module selectively adjusts a resistance of the input device based on the operator input and a predetermined threshold. A method for controlling a vehicle includes receiving input from an operator of the vehicle via an input device, wherein the operator input includes a change to an operating parameter of a vehicle system, and selectively adjusting a resistance of the input device based on the operator input and a predetermined threshold.

Systems and methods for haptic feedback control in a vehicle

A control interface system for a driver of a vehicle comprises a touchscreen, a control module, and a display. The touchscreen is located proximate to the driver of the vehicle and upon driver interaction therewith is operable to generate a sensor signal. The control module is adapted to receive the sensor signal from the touchscreen and is operable to initiate control of a vehicle function and to generate a haptic feedback signal in response thereto. The touchscreen is adapted to receive the haptic feedback signal from the control module and is operable to provide haptic feedback to the driver of the vehicle in response thereto. The display is embedded in an instrument panel of the vehicle and provides an indicia of the vehicle function controlled by the touchscreen and of driver interaction therewith.

Haptic tracking remote control for driver information center system

An object detection system of a vehicle includes a time-of-flight (TOF) sensor that receives a reflected object detection signal at a second time based on an object detection signal transmitted at a first time. An image sensor generates an image signal including an image of a detected object. The image sensor is distinct from and adjacent to the TOF sensor. A TOF control module generates distance data based on the first time and the second time and determines whether at least a portion of a detected object is within a predetermined distance of the vehicle. An image control module generates image data based on the image signal. A detection control module correlates the distance data with the image data to generate a warning indicator when at least a portion of the detected object is within the predetermined distance of the vehicle.

Combined time-of-flight and image sensor systems

A display system for a vehicle system includes at least one light sensor that detects a light condition, and a display member that displays an information message. The information message includes a background and an object that is displayed adjacent the background. The display system further includes a controller that changes legibility of the information message by changing each of the background and the object based on the light condition detected by the light sensor. A method of controlling the display system is also disclosed.

Smart legibility adjustment for vehicular display

An indicating instrument for a vehicle may employ an analog type lighted pointer arranged on a rotatable, circular shaped pointer disk, a liquid crystal display arranged over the pointer disk, and a first dial with indicia located outboard of or adjacent to and/or inboard of the LCD. A second or inboard dial may be located over the liquid crystal display. The pointer disk may be a translucent light collector for the pointer yet also transmit light to provide backlighting for the LCD. Depending upon the analog gauge arrangement, the pointer may point outboard of the pointer disk or toward the LCD center. The dials, especially the second dial, may be in the shape of rings to permit viewing of the LCD from the perspective of a viewer, such as a vehicle driver.

Rotating gauge pointer and light guide between LCD and LED

A viewed component of a vehicle instrument cluster includes a dial structure. A printed circuit board is arranged on the dial structure and has an outboard surface. A layer of printed ink is arranged on the outboard surface of the printed circuit board. A series of LEDs are arranged on the outboard surface of the printed circuit board wherein the series of LEDs occupy an outermost layer of the dial structure.

Continuous LED instrument panel

An indicating instrument such as a speedometer has a numerical scale, a belt and a pointer attached to the belt to indicate different scale positions. A display, such as an LCD, may lie within the inner confines of the perimeter of the dial, which may be formed in a variety of shapes. A motor-driven pulley drives the belt to move the pointer around the LCD and to various scale positions. A light source within the pointer may illuminate the pointer, while a separate pointer support structure about the numerical scale may support the pointer from underneath. The belt may be a continuous loop about one spool or a separate, spring-loaded bobbin may be used with the spool to coil and uncoil the belt. An electrically conductive, tensioning post may supply electricity to the belt and the lighted pointer. Teeth on the spool may coincide with perforations in the belt.

LCD display and gauge with belt or cable driven pointer

A main heater controller is adapted to control operation of the LCD heater. A temperature controlled override switch is adapted to disable the LCD heater, independent of the main heater controller, upon a temperature reaching a shut-off temperature above a normal operating temperature of the LCD. The temperature controlled switch has a current flow path made of a material whose conductivity is a function of temperature. A cavity in which the temperature controlled switch is located is also provided. The cavity is adapted to transfer heat in air emanating from the LCD heater to the temperature controlled switch. The housing which forms the cavity also includes a vent system for the cavity.

High temperature shut-off for an LCD heater

A main heater controller is adapted to control operation of the LCD heater. A temperature controlled override switch is adapted to disable the LCD heater, independent of the main heater controller, upon a temperature reaching a shut-off temperature above a normal operating temperature of the LCD. The temperature controlled switch has a current flow path made of a material whose conductivity is a function of temperature. A cavity in which the temperature controlled switch is located is also provided. The cavity is adapted to transfer heat in air emanating from the LCD heater to the temperature controlled switch.

A transparent display screen can be positioned in a driver's line of sight or in front of mechanical indicators on an instrument panel. The display screen preferably has a frame or rim member along only one edge of the screen. Since the display screen is transparent and does not include a frame or rim around its perimeter, the display screen makes information available without obstructing the driver's view of the road. The single frame or rim member supports all of the row and column electrodes that are used to selectively illuminate the pixels on the display screen. The transparent display screen can be used effectively with one or more mechanical indicators positioned properly near the display screen. In one example, a single controller controls the screen, an associated filter and the mechanical indicators.

Transparent electroluminescent display with mechanical gauge

A vehicle display system includes a display which is selectively movable between a first position in which it is viewable by a driver and a second position in which it is viewable by the rear passengers but not the driver. In the first position, the display provides a rear view from a camera mounted at the rear of the vehicle. In the second position, the display provides entertainment to the passengers in the rear seats.

Growing community of inventors

Birmingham, MI, United States of America

Silviu Pala