A method of delivering haptic feedback to a vehicle occupant comprising: measuring capacitance with a capacitive sensor having a known natural capacitance oriented within a vehicle to provide a measured capacitance value; determining, as a function of the measured capacitance value, an intensity level of haptic feedback to be provided by a haptic feedback generator oriented within the vehicle; and generating haptic feedback at the intensity level to a vehicle occupant.

A seat configured so that the accuracy of detection of each sensor provided in the seat to detect the body potential of a seated occupant can be improved without degrading the sense and comfort of the seat. A seat includes a trim cover having a contact surface for a seated occupant, and sensors arranged opposite to the contact surface and configured to detect the body potential of the seated occupant. Each sensor is a capacitive coupling sensor configured to detect the body potential through the trim cover. Moreover, a portion of the seat facing each sensor includes a dielectric configured to increase the dielectric constant of such a portion.

An in-vehicle computer is programmed to determine that a driver's hands are at least one predetermined location in the vehicle, the at least one predetermine location including a location on a steering wheel, determine that a vehicle passenger is in a safe position with respect to a human-machine interface; and provide passenger access to the human-machine interface such that the passenger may access operations of the computer that are inaccessible to the driver.

A safety alert system for a specific vehicle includes an Internet-connected server executing software, a digital data repository, a profile associated with the specific vehicle and identifying the specific vehicle and comprising contact information for a person, a computerized monitoring apparatus located in the specific vehicle with a two-way Internet connection to the Internet-connected server, global positioning system (GPS) circuitry coupled, a plurality of sensors, sensing both environmental conditions and status of apparatus of the specific vehicle, and reporting to the monitoring apparatus, and at least one set of variable values stored in the digital data repository indicating an alert status. The server keeps a log of reported variable values for the specific vehicle, periodically compares the variable values reported with the at least one set of variable values indicating an alert status, and issues an alert accordingly.

A detection system includes a first electrode provided at a seat of a vehicle; a second electrode provided at an operation unit which is operated by being contacted, the second electrode being connected to a reference potential portion; and a detection device that measures combined capacitance between the reference potential portion and the first electrode and detects a presence of a person on the seat, and a contact between the person and the operation unit based on a measurement value of the combined capacitance.

A motor vehicle interior arrangement, in particular a motor vehicle seat, having a decorative element, in particular piping or a decorative strip, which is arranged at least with an outer side visible on a part of the motor vehicle interior arrangement, in particular on a seat cover or an inner wall of the motor vehicle interior arrangement, characterized in that the decorative element has an electrically conductive element which generates an electrical field, to control or actuate certain functions in the motor vehicle interior.

A system for detecting hot car seat situations, manually cooling the child in those situations, and facilitating one or more alert notifications is disclosed. An apparatus receives sensor data that it uses to detect the presence of a child in a car seat in a vehicle. Multiple sensors provide added security against false positives. When a child is detected, the apparatus activates a cooling flow of air towards the child if the temperature rises above a threshold. The apparatus waits until the vehicle is not moving and off before initiating notifications to one or more subscribing devices. Once off, and once the temperature of the child further rises or has the air flow on for a period of time, the apparatus sends a notification to the subscribing devices. If the child is not removed within a set period of time, then emergency responders are notified.

A system for detecting hot car seat situations, manually cooling the child in those situations, and facilitating one or more alert notifications is disclosed. An apparatus receives sensor data that it uses to detect the presence of a child in a car seat in a vehicle. Multiple sensors provide added security against false positives. When a child is detected, the apparatus activates a cooling flow of air towards the child if the temperature rises above a threshold. The apparatus waits until the vehicle is not moving and off before initiating notifications to one or more subscribing devices. Once off, and once the temperature of the child further rises or has the air flow on for a period of time, the apparatus sends a notification to the subscribing devices. If the child is not removed within a set period of time, then emergency responders are notified.

A seat is configured to suitably restrain a warping of a connecting portion in a signal transmission path, when the connecting portion is disposed inside a through hole provided in a pad member of the seat. The seat includes: a pressure sensor that detects a seating pressure of a seat occupant; a leading wire of the transmission path that extends from the pressure sensor; a cable of the transmission path that extends from an electronic control unit for a signal output from the pressure sensor; a warp restraining member that restrains a warping of a connecting portion of the leading wire and the cable; and a through hole formed in a pad member of the seat, from one end to another end in the thickness direction of the pad member. The warp restraining member is inserted into the through hole to thereby pass the transmission path through the through hole.

A heater/sensor assembly to perform heating of a surface and proximity sensing comprises a heater wire, a sensor wire, and an electrically conductive glue. The heater wire is disposed on a heater wire carrier. The heater wire carrier is electrically non-conducting. The sensor wire is disposed on a sensor wire carrier. The sensor wire carrier being electrically non-conducting. The electrically conductive glue is disposed between the heater wire carrier and the sensor wire carrier.