An information providing apparatus for a vehicle includes in-vehicle devices, a communication network connected to each of the in-vehicle devices, a storage portion in which a signal change pattern based on the condition of each of the in-vehicle devices is stored in associated state for each situation around the vehicle, a situation determining portion that determines the situation around the vehicle based on the signal change of at least one in-vehicle device and the stored signal change pattern, an information acquiring portion that acquires information on the condition of the in-vehicle device related to the determined situation around the vehicle, an information generating portion that generates notification information on a recommended operation based on the information on the condition of the related in-vehicle device, and an information presenting portion that presents the notification information on the recommended operation.

According to the invention, a method for changing information on a display in a vehicle based on a gaze direction of a driver is disclosed. The method may include displaying information on the display in the vehicle. The method may also include receiving gaze data indicative of the gaze direction of a user. The method may further include changing the display based at least in part on the gaze data.

A rear seat occupant monitoring system for a vehicle includes a video display screen disposed in the vehicle cabin so as to be viewable by a driver of the vehicle. A camera is disposed a dome light or an overhead console. The dome light or overhead console includes first and second illumination sources that, when operated, illuminate a rear seat area within the field of view of the camera. The first illumination source principally emits visible light when electrically powered, and the second illumination source principally emits non-visible light when electrically powered. The camera captures image data representative of the rear seat area when the rear seat area is illuminated by at least one of the first and second illumination sources. Image data captured by the camera is provided to the video display screen for displaying video images for viewing by the driver of the vehicle.

According to the invention, a method for modifying operation of at least one system of a vehicle based at least in part on a gaze direction of a driver is disclosed. The method may include receiving gaze data indicative of the gaze direction of a driver of a vehicle. The method may also include modifying operation of at least one system of the vehicle based at least in part on the gaze data.

One or more embodiments of techniques or systems for privacy management are provided herein. In one or more embodiments, privacy management may be provided by adjusting the way a system provides notifications, handles communications, or executes applications based on the presence or positioning of one or more occupants within a vehicle. In other words, a vehicle may provide notifications in a first manner when merely a driver is present but provide notifications in a second manner (e.g., different than the first manner) when an additional occupant is detected. Sensors may be utilized to detect the presence or positioning of occupants and communications or applications may be managed accordingly. In this manner, privacy management is provided, thus enhancing security of applications or communications utilized by occupants of a vehicle, such as a driver, for example.

A method of operating an audio system having first and second sources includes outputting a first audio signal from the first source on first and second speakers. In response to a listener input, the first audio signal and a second audio signal from the second source are output simultaneously on the first and second speakers. The first signal is output from each of the first and second speakers such that the first signal is perceived by a listener to originate from a first direction toward the listener. The second signal is output from each of the first and second speakers such that the second signal is perceived by the listener to originate from a second direction toward the listener. The second direction is offset at least ninety degrees from the first direction.

A method controls a climate control system in a motor vehicle. The method involves displaying climate control information on a primary display, determining that a hand is approaching a manual control element for the climate control system, and displaying climate control information on a secondary display while the hand is approaching the manual control element, before the hand touches the manual control element, the secondary display being a multi-use changeable display that, at different times, displays information for different systems of the motor vehicle. The method may therefore provide the information to the occupant of the vehicle when it is needed, before the climate control system is adjusted.

A sight line input apparatus includes: a display portion that displays an input item at a position where the input item is viewable from a driver seat; a setup portion that sets a virtual input region at a position displaced from a display region of the display portion toward a driving visual field of the driver, the virtual input region being associated with the input item; a detection portion that detects a sight line position of a driver; and an input controller that performs an input process in accordance with the input item associated with the virtual input region, when the sight line position is in the virtual input region set by the setup portion. When a predetermined operation of the driver is detected, the setup portion changes the virtual input region into a mode that permits the driver to gaze at the virtual input region with ease.

A vehicle display device includes a digital display configured to display together a first integer value representing travel speed in kilometers per unit time and a second integer value representing travel speed in miles per unit time, and a controller configured to perform, at a time the second integer value is zero and the first integer value is positive, one of a correction to set the first integer value to zero and a correction to set the second integer value to a positive value, and display the first integer value and the second integer value on the digital display.

Disclosed is an automotive control system and a method for operating the same, the method including receiving a user input through an input device provided on a steering wheel, and controlling a display that is located in front of a driver's seat based on the user input, wherein the input device is located on one side and an opposing side of the steering wheel and is composed of a display including a touch screen.