A system is used to implement a method of heating an undercarriage of a vehicle. The system includes a vehicle with a controller, at least one heater, at least one positioning mechanism, and an undercarriage. The controller receives and processes each command and reading. The at least one heater applies heat for a desired area of a vehicle in order to melt snow and ice. The at least one positioning mechanism physically extends and retracts the heater. The undercarriage is the frame of vehicle that upholds and supports the rest of the vehicle. The method begins generating an activation command for the heater with the controller. The heater is moved from the retracted position to a deployed position in an accordance to the activation command with the positioning mechanism. A quantity of thermal energy is emitted in accordance to the activation command with the heater.

A control system for a vehicle comprises a controller comprising a processor and a non-transitory computer-readable medium including instructions. The system comprises a transformable knob manipulated between first and second states. The knob comprises a body having a periphery wall arranged to flex between first and second configurations with the first and second states, respectively. The system comprises an output device arranged to change between first and second settings. Manipulation of the transformable knob from the first state to the second state transmits an input signal to the controller and facilitates flexing of the periphery wall from the first configuration to the second configuration. The controller receives the input signal, and the processor compares the input signal to the instructions in the non-transitory computer-readable medium and transmit an output signal to the output device to change the output device from the first setting to the second setting.

A driving system is operatable at least in a first automated driving mode with automated longitudinal and/or lateral control, and in a different second automated driving mode with automated longitudinal and/or lateral control. The driving system has a steering wheel display with luminous elements for illuminating the steering wheel, which can be operated in different illumination states that are distinguishable by the driver. The luminous elements may illuminate the steering wheel rim, and are typically integrated into the steering wheel rim. The driving system specifies which illumination state of the different illumination states the steering wheel display has. The driving system specifies that, during operation of the driving system in the first driving mode, the steering wheel display is illuminated in a first illumination state. During operation of the driving system in the second driving mode, the steering wheel display is illuminated in a second illumination state that can be distinguished from the first illumination state by the driver.

A rotary shifter having a cylindrical shaped knob with an inner circumferential surface defining an open interior and exhibiting a detent profile. A stationary inner housing is positioned within an open interior of the knob and supports outwardly biased pawls establishing an interface with the detent profile in a selected rotational position. The inner housing supports a rotating spur gear having an end secured magnet positioned above a sensor incorporated into a printed circuit board (PCB), rotation of the knob resulting in the sensor to communicate to a processor component of the PCB a given rotational position designating a given shift or mode selection. The knob includes an illuminating surface for presenting menu options of the shift or mode selection.

A driver is enabled to, even if a range selected by the driver and an actual range of the vehicle are different from each other, correctly recognize the actual range of the vehicle without occurrence of disagreement between an indicated range and the actual range of the vehicle. A display means is capable of indicating a range irrespective of a rotation operation of a shift member, and a range of the vehicle is capable of being switched to the range irrespective of the rotation operation of the shift member; and an instruction to the display means and an instruction to switch the range of the vehicle are provided from either one of first control means for indication control or second control means for vehicle range switching control.

A display pushbuttons system (DPS), network, and methods of using the same. The DPS connects to a vehicle controller area network (CAN) bus accessing and controlling vehicle functions. The DPS includes selectively activatable display pushbuttons. The DPS can be configured to display graphics stored in a memory on the display pushbutton screens. The DPS can be operated in active mode or passive mode. In active mode, a controller on the DPS receives CAN messages from vehicle function CAN nodes and can use that information to update the image, color, or brightness of the corresponding display pushbutton screens. In addition, activating a display pushbutton may alter a vehicle characteristic or function. In passive mode, the DPS control logic is provided elsewhere on the vehicle CAN bus by a node with access to the CAN dbc file and the DPS object so the DPS can be controlled.

A graphical display integrated into a linear gate vehicle shifter assembly including a surface display which can incorporate any of transistor LCD or organic LED interior components, such as which can be presented into either of segmented or OLED/TFT pixelated image display variants. In either instance, a connector end of an associated harness or ribbon cable extends from the graphical display and, when connected to a remote PCB board integrated into the shifter assembly, is configured to provide variable display options not limited to shifter position and including variable supporting graphics and other designs.

A display pushbuttons system (DPS), network, and methods of using the same. The DPS connects to a vehicle controller area network (CAN) bus accessing and controlling vehicle functions. The DPS includes selectively activatable display pushbuttons. The DPS can be configured to display graphics stored in a memory on the display pushbutton screens. The DPS can be operated in active mode or passive mode. In active mode, a controller on the DPS receives CAN messages from vehicle function CAN nodes and can use that information to update the image, color, or brightness of the corresponding display pushbutton screens. In addition, activating a display pushbutton may alter a vehicle characteristic or function. In passive mode, the DPS control logic is provided elsewhere on the vehicle CAN bus by a node with access to the CAN dbc file and the DPS object so the DPS can be controlled.

A user interface for an infotainment system of a motor vehicle includes a rectangular display screen and a rotatable ring having a central circular viewing window through which the display screen is visible. The rotatable ring includes a plurality of rotational positions relative to the display screen. An optical switch is disposed between the rotatable ring and the display screen and detects the rotational position of the rotatable ring. An electronic processor is communicatively coupled to the display screen and to the optical switch. The electronic processor controls an image presented on the display screen dependent upon the rotatable position of the rotatable ring as detected by the optical switch.

A control button for controlling operation a machine including: an attachment member for attaching the control button to the machine; a display member including an electronic display module; an operational mode display controller for controlling display of operational modes of the machine upon the electronic display module, the operational mode display controller being operably connected with the electronic display module so that, in response to the operational mode display controller, the electronic display module is configured to display a plurality of operational modes of the machine; and an operational mode selector for controlling selection of one of the operational modes of the machine when one of the operational modes are displayed on the electronic display module, the operational mode selector being configured for movement between at least a first position and a second position to actuate selection of the operational mode displayed on the electronic display module.