A vehicle display control device includes a timing determination unit that determines timing when it is authenticated that the mobile terminal is an object that can provide the mobile screen information after the start of processing of connection between an HCU and the mobile terminal. A display control unit displays a during-connection-processing image indicating that connection with the mobile terminal is being processed, on the display device after the timing is determined by the timing determination unit until the mobile screen information becomes possible to be displayed on the display device. The display control unit does not display the during-connection-processing image on the display device after the connection processing is started until the timing is determined by the timing determination unit.

A device dock of a vehicle may receive a one-time key over a data connection between the device dock and a vehicle computing system (VCS), and send the one-time key over a location-identifying connection to a nomadic device placed within proximity to the dock, to cause the nomadic device to send the one-time key to the VCS to integrate with the VCS as a driver device. The VCS may receive, from a nomadic device in a device dock, via a data connection between the VCS and the nomadic device, a one-time key provided from the VCS to the device dock over a data connection between the VCS and the device dock, and responsive to receipt of the one-time key from the nomadic device, integrate the nomadic device with the VCS as a driver device.

A vehicle (100) comprises a docking port and a selectively demountable switch (10) having a body and a rotary knob (40) on the body, and an interface between the switch and the docking port to enable commands entered by operation of the rotary knob to be communicated to the vehicle (100). The vehicle (100) incorporates a tow-assist system to facilitate reversing of a trailer, the vehicle (100) being of the type having a positive power-assisted steering mechanism (350) for its steerable wheels (250). The system comprises computing means (310) and the demountable switch (10). The computing means (350) is arranged to interpret rotational movement of the knob (40) on the body as desired steering movements of the trailer when the vehicle (100) is being reversed and to effect steering commands for the positive power assisted steering mechanism (350) to achieve said desired steering movements of the trailer.

Described herein is an onboard vehicle system capable of determining that a driver of a vehicle is distracted and implementing one or more distraction settings to mitigate unsafe driving conditions. In some embodiments, the onboard vehicle system includes one or more input sensors configured to gather input related to a driver, one or more component adjusters configured to adjust attributes of a vehicle component, and a processor device configured to receive input from the one or more input sensors, determine whether the driver is distracted, and activate the one or more component adjusters. In some embodiments, the onboard vehicle system may be in communication with a service provider computer configured to maintain a user account for a driver along with a driver distraction profile.

Embodiments are disclosed for an in-vehicle system and methods of controlling vehicle systems with a mobile device in communication with the in-vehicle system. In one embodiment, an in-vehicle system includes a display device and an interface system communicatively connected to one or more vehicle sensors. The interface system may be configured to receive sensor signals from the one or more vehicle sensors, transmit the sensor signals to a mobile device, receive control signals from the mobile device, and transmit the control signals to a target vehicle system, the control signals responsive to the one or more vehicle sensors.

An indicator system for outdoor power equipment, such as a riding lawn mower, may include an illuminating element around the perimeter of a display screen. The illuminating element may be configured to illuminate in a predetermined manner based on a predefined condition occurring in order to alert the operator to the display screen. The display screen may be configured to display more detail about the predefined condition while the illuminating element is illuminated.

A screen-based operating system includes a housing having a screen accommodated therein and a rotary ring rotatably mounted to the housing. A first part of the rotary ring is mounted axially into the housing and a remaining second part of the rotary ring extends out of the housing and above the screen.

Embodiments are disclosed for an in-vehicle system and methods of controlling vehicle systems with a mobile device in communication with the in-vehicle system. In one embodiment, an in-vehicle system includes a display device and an interface system communicatively connected to one or more vehicle sensors. The interface system may be configured to receive sensor signals from the one or more vehicle sensors, transmit the sensor signals to a mobile device, receive control signals from the mobile device, and transmit the control signals to a target vehicle system, the control signals responsive to the one or more vehicle sensors.

A mobile device is described herein that provides a user interface experience to a user who is operating the mobile device within a vehicle. The mobile device provides the user interface experience using mode functionality. The mode functionality operates by receiving inference-input information from one or more input sources. At least one input source corresponds to at least one movement-sensing device, provided by the mobile device, that determines movement of the mobile device. The mode functionality then infers a state of the vehicle based on the inference-input information and presents a user interface experience that is appropriate for the vehicle state. In one scenario, the mode functionality can also infer that the vehicle is in a distress condition. In response, the mode functionality can solicit assistance for the user.

The invention provides device, system, and method for projecting light in the interior of an automotive vehicle. The method includes sending data to the light projector regarding the lighting conditions in the interior of the automotive vehicle, using the data to modify some projection parameter of a light pattern, and projecting the light pattern.