Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Stefan Wolter

Florian Golm

Eike Schmidt

Carsten Starke

Johnathan Andrew Line

Jeroen Lem

Philipp Wolf

Thomas Baranowski

Markus Franzen

Raphael Koch

Julius Maximilian Engelke

Nikica Hennes

Abhinav Dhake

Pim Van Der Jagt

Steve Michell

Jelte Egbert Bos

Juergen Wesemann

Philipp Misch

A method for detecting the tendency of a passenger of a vehicle to get motion sickness by using a rod and frame test is disclosed. An image designed to carry out a rod and frame test is displayed in the vehicle. The rod and the frame each enclose an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees with a horizontal spatial axis and/or a vertical spatial axis. A request is issued to correct the rod into a vertical or horizontal position by means of an input device. An input carried out by the passenger to correct the rod is recorded. The rod and frame test is evaluated by an evaluation device based on the recorded input of the passenger, and at least one measure is issued to prevent and/or combat the occurrence of motion sickness, depending on the result of the evaluation.

Determination of a tendency of a passenger to get motion sickness in a vehicle

The invention relates to a method for preventing fatigue of a driver of a motor vehicle (), with the steps of: acquiring position data (PDM0) indicative of the position of the driver, and activating and/or deactivating light glasses () worn by the driver depending on an evaluation of the acquired position data (PDM) indicative of the position of the driver.

Method for preventing fatigue of a driver of a motor vehicle

Systems and methods for avoiding or mitigating motion sickness in a vehicle are disclosed herein. The systems and methods may include (a) determining a profile of the individual inclination towards motion sickness; (b) predicting an individual effectiveness of countermeasures based on typing using the data from step (a); (c) evaluating the actual effectiveness of the predicted countermeasures after their implementation when travelling in the vehicle; wherein step (a) is repeated regularly and all data and results from step (c) are fed into a self-learning system in order to obtain an improved statement on the individual actual effectiveness of countermeasures taken and to make the selection of effective countermeasures based on them.

Methods and systems for controlling motor vehicle functions for controlling motion sickness

An apparatus for calming a baby in an interior of a vehicle has a heartbeat sensor device () configured to capture a heartbeat input signal that depends on the heartbeat of an occupant in an interior () of a vehicle (). A heartbeat signal processing device () is configured to produce a heartbeat output signal that depends on the heartbeat input signal. A calming signal output device () is configured to output a calming signal that depends on the heartbeat output signal and that is perceivable by a baby in the interior () of the vehicle (). The apparatus is to configured to output the calming signal, at least intermittently, directly during the capture of the heartbeat input signal.

Apparatus and method for calming a baby in an interior of a vehicle

The autonomously driving vehicle is fitted with a GPS unit to which a library of points of interest is assigned, and comprises a human-machine interface that is connected to the GPS unit and which comprises at least one of the following input means for the input of a command for the most immediate possible stopping of the vehicle: a unit for speech input that is connected to the interface, a module for recognizing gestures that is connected to the interface, and a touch-sensitive screen that is connected to the interface.

Method and device to enable a fast stop of an autonomously driving vehicle

A method for operating a vehicle seat of a motor vehicle with electric seat adjustment is provided. The method includes the steps of importing a measurement data set that is representative of an initial sitting position of a person sitting on the vehicle seat, evaluating the measurement data set in order to determine a target sitting position data set for a target sitting position, and evaluating at least the measurement data set and the target sitting position data set in order to determine a transfer data set for transferring the initial sitting position into the target sitting position at a rate of change below a perception threshold.

Method for operating a vehicle seat with electric seat adjustment

A docking station to be fastened in a motor vehicle is provided to receive a stroller, such as for example a baby carriage. A stroller, which is compatible with the docking station, is additionally provided. The docking station includes an electrical connection, and the stroller is able to be connected, via the electrical connection, to an on-board power supply of the motor vehicle. The docking station is configured to provide the motor vehicle with information about a mounting status and/or docking status.

Docking station and motor vehicle and stroller

According to the disclosure, a method is made available to reduce a time duration for an adaption of eyes of a driver of a motor vehicle when changing from events occurring in front of the motor vehicle to a screen arranged in a driver's compartment of the motor vehicle. In particular, the method according to the disclosure also makes a reduction available in the time period for the adaption of the eyes of the driver in the opposite direction.

Environment-dependent interface

The disclosure relates to an operating unit for an in-vehicle system to control an operation of at least one in-vehicle electric device of a vehicle. The operating unit includes at least one touch screen, at least one rotary knob that is arranged on the touchscreen and at least one shaft that extends through the touchscreen and is connected in a non-rotatable manner to the rotary knob. In order to simplify operation of the operating unit via haptic feedback from the operating unit, the operating unit comprises at least one electromagnetic latching arrangement that is connected to the shaft and renders it possible to latch different rotary positions of the rotary knob in a non-contact manner.

Operating unit for an in-vehicle system

The disclosure relates to a method for operating a portable input device to control a motor vehicle. The input device has a pressure-sensitive touchscreen. The input device generates control signals to control the motor vehicle, and transmit said signals to the motor vehicle. The control signal has at least one determinable parameter. The input device is designed to capture a pressure value of an actuating force of the touchscreen, and determine the parameter according to the captured pressure value.

Method to operate a portable input device that controls a motor vehicle

A method for controlling and selecting massage functions of a motor vehicle seat and include the steps of: switching the system to a selection mode and starting the selection mode; scrolling through massage functions that are organized in a block-by-block manner, wherein the massage functions that are organized in a block-by-block manner include a specific massage zone per block; confirming a selection of the massage block by way of a user selection; and terminating the selection mode.

Method and apparatus for controlling massage functions of a motor vehicle seat

A motor vehicle seat has a seat inflation system for selectively inflating/deflating a plurality of inflatable cushions in the seat back and/or bottom. A switch for controlling the system includes a display having a first symbol indicating a function of the cushion and a second symbol indicating a parameter of the active function, a plurality of keypads defining a circular perimeter surrounding the display and actuatable to select the active function, and a ring surrounding the perimeter and rotatable to adjust a value of the parameter.

Switch for selecting and adjusting seat-related functions of motor vehicle seats

A method and control system for maintaining attentiveness of a driver of a vehicle during an autonomous control mode. A series of cognitively demanding tasks is presented to the driver via a man-machine interface during the autonomous control mode. Driver responses to the tasks are monitored, and an audible alert is provided to the driver if the response of the driver and/or a reaction time of the driver in making the response indicate an insufficient level of driver attentiveness.

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Wuerselen, Germany

Stefan Wolter