To provide an electronic apparatus capable of easily and accurately performing an operation of changing a display. A navigation system displays standard map information in small scale on a liquid crystal display device, and displays status information on movement speed of a vehicle or guidance information on distance and direction to a cross point to turn next on a head-up display device. Only while a contact of a contact body on a surface of a touchpad continues to be detected, first scaled-up map information as the scaled-up standard map information continues to be displayed on the liquid crystal display device instead of the standard map information.

A multi-dimensional track pad is described that acts as human-machine interface (HMI). Inputs to the HMI can be made not only using the tradition two-dimensional (X-Y) inputs of a track pad, but also a third dimension, force, and even a fourth dimension, time. Tactile or audible feedback to the inputs can be provided. Methods of using the HMI to control a system are described as well as a track pad system that utilizes the HMI in communication with a processor.

An electric vehicle having an electric motor is provided. The electric vehicle having a receptacle slot integrated in the electric vehicle. The receptacle slot provides an electrical connection for providing power to the electric motor. A battery having an elongated form factor, where a first end of the elongated form factor includes a handle and a second end of the elongated form factor includes a connection for interfacing with the electrical connection of the receptacle slot of the vehicle, when the battery is slid into the receptacle slot for electrical engagement. The battery is configured to store and supply charge to power the electric motor of the electric vehicle and the battery is replaceable by sliding the battery out of the receptacle slot and sliding in another battery into the receptacle slot to further supply charge to power the electric motor of the electric vehicle with said another battery. The battery and said another battery each have a respective handle that is accessible for enabling hand-removal and hand-insertion of said battery and said another battery out of and into the receptacle slot. A computer on-board the electric vehicle is interfaced with the electrical connection of the receptacle slot to obtain a level of charge of the battery present in the receptacle slot. A battery level indicator of the electric vehicle provides information regarding the level of charge of the battery in the receptacle slot. A system for storing and charging batteries usable by the electric vehicle is further provided. In some examples, the batteries are additionally or alternatively recharged using green sources, such as wind or solar.

The invention relates to an operating device (1) for a motor vehicle, with at least one operating control (3) which can be actuated by an operator (4), and with a symbol bearer (18), separate from the operating control (3), for the graphical identification of the at least one operating control (3), wherein the symbol bearer (18) for the operating element (3) has a first and at least one further graphical symbol (25) different therefrom and can be moved relative to the at least one operating control (3) between a first position in which the operating control (3) is identified with the first symbol (25a) and at least one further position in which the operating control (3) is identified with the further symbol (25b).

A personal device may include a display and a processor. The processor of the personal device may be programmed to send, to the display, a vehicle interior map overlaid with indications of in-vehicle components, create a group of the in-vehicle components responsive to receipt of a swipe gesture to the display selecting a subset of the indications, receive input from the display of a location on the map, and aim outputs of the in-vehicle components of the group based on the location.

In one embodiment, a system for a vehicle control display device is provided. The system includes a vehicle steering wheel having spokes connected to a steering shaft, the wheel positioned in front of a dashboard having controls mounted therein. The system further includes a flexible display attached to the wheel or a spoke. The system further includes a sensor installed in the wheel to detect a driver's hand position on the wheel. The system further includes an overhead camera and micro cameras installed in the wheel to determine the driver's eye position. The system further includes a processor attached to the flexible display, the sensor, and the cameras to determine which controls are obscured by the wheel and the spokes and for displaying pre-specified ones of the obscured controls on the flexible display.

A heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system is provided that includes a memory and a control module. The memory stores settings. The settings are for interior temperatures of a vehicle, a temperature of a steering wheel, and temperatures of seats within the vehicle. The control module: collects data from one or more cameras, where the data corresponds to one or more captured images of an interior cabin of the vehicle; based on the data, displays a thermographic anthropomorphic figure on a display of the vehicle or a mobile device, where the thermographic anthropomorphic figure is a thermogram representative of temperatures of an occupant of the vehicle; receives via a user interface an input from a user to adjust one of the settings; and based on the input from the user, adjusts operation of a first controlled device to change at least one of the temperatures of the occupant.

Cabin environment control systems, methods, and programs display, on a touch panel display, a cabin image showing positions of an air outlet of an air conditioner and a window in a cabin. The systems, methods, and programs receive a touch input on the cabin image displayed on the touch panel display and control an airflow direction in the cabin based on a relationship between a track of the touch input and the positions of the air outlet of the air conditioner and the window.

An operator control device for controlling vehicle functions in a transportation vehicle, a system, and a corresponding method. Provided are operator control elements on a steering wheel and a display indicator to be used for controlling vehicle functions. Operator control zones/regions with which functions are selected and controlled are located on the left and the right of the steering wheel in a position that is ergonomically easily reached by the driver's thumbs. The contexts/functions to be controlled in each case are depicted in the display element in the driver's line of sight here, so that diversion of the driver's eyes is minimized. The operator control elements are of a symmetrical design.

A user control system for a vehicle, which allows for a user control element to be assigned to control different vehicle functions. In the case of vehicle functions requiring a plurality of control inputs, e.g. a direction-related vehicle function, the control system provides indicator elements which highlight the link between individual control elements which have been assigned to control such multiple-input functions. The indicator elements are preferably provided as light-emitting elements positioned between adjacent control elements which illuminate to indicate the functional connection between controls.