A rotary control knob for an automobile has a central portion comprising a display and a radial encoder disposed therearound. The display selectively displays first information regarding a first function of the automobile and second information regarding a second function of the automobile. The radial encoder selectively receives input regarding the first and the second functions. The radial encoder can selectively receive input regarding the first function only when the first information is displayed on the display, and receive input regarding the second function only when the second information is displayed on the display. Or, the radial encoder can selectively receive input regarding the first function only when the first information is displayed in a primary area of the display, while displaying the second information in a secondary area. Capacitive coupling can identify user seat location to provide driver and front passenger specific zone features.

A display apparatus for a vehicle includes a screen on which an image is displayed. A projector projects the image to the screen, and a knob is rotatably disposed at one side of the screen. A vibration sensor senses a vibration and outputs a vibration signal. A controller determines a rotational direction and a rotational amount of the knob based on the vibration signal output from the vibration sensor.

An input device including: an input unit having a plurality of buttons disposed in a handle of a vehicle; an interface unit configured to receive data concerning the vehicle or to transmit an input signal received via the input unit to an external device; a processor configured to change a function of at least one of the plurality of buttons to a set function based on a manipulation signal from the input unit; and a display configured to display an image corresponding to the set function of the at least one of the plurality of buttons.

A display and operating device for a motor vehicle includes a display area, and an operating element that is disposed on the display area. The operating element for detecting an operating action is movable on the display area within a region of movement. The operating element is movable in a translatory manner on the display area.

A device for controlling a plurality of different functions of a motor vehicle has an operator control element with which in each case one of the plurality of different functions can be actuated, and a touch-sensitive field which has a plurality of sections, each of which is at least temporarily assigned one of the different functions and which are provided with symbols corresponding to the respective function. A function can be selected by selecting one of the sections. In each case the function which was selected from the touch-sensitive field can be actuated the operator control element. A display device, in which the respectively selected function can be displayed a symbol, is provided on the operator control element or in the direct vicinity of the operator control element.

System for controlling the interior of a vehicle including a center button for selecting a mode, an inner knob for selecting a function, and an outer knob for adjusting that function. The system may include an outer display for graphically displaying different options for adjusting the selected function. The system may also include a processor which may generate instructions to effectuate the function adjustment upon the user actuating the knobs and/or the center button. A display on the center button may display modes, and an inner display located behind the inner knob may display functions.

An electronic device and a method are described, The electronic device is adapted to be installed on a handlebar of a vehicle, the electronic device comprising: a processor; a communication module; a display comprising a halo-shaped display; a memory for storing therein executable instructions, the instructions upon being processed by the processor, causing the electronic device to: receive, via the communication module, navigational data from a mobile device, the navigational data being associated with a circular visual signal indication, the circular visual signal indication being indicative of at least one of (i) an upcoming directional instruction and (ii) a distance between a current location and an upcoming location associated with the upcoming directional instruction; and, cause the display, on the halo-shaped display, of the circular visual signal indication on a portion of the halo-shaped display.

A vehicle includes a power detector for detecting a power state of the vehicle, a transmission detector for detecting a transmission mode of the vehicle, a door detector for detecting a door state of the vehicle, and a processor for generating an inadvertent ignition warning by comparing the power state, the transmission mode and the door state with an inadvertent ignition reference, for generating an inadvertent ignition level according to the accumulation of the generated inadvertent ignition warning, and for providing an inadvertent ignition warning message corresponding to the generated inadvertent ignition level.

A vehicle includes a power detector for detecting a power state of the vehicle, a transmission detector for detecting a transmission mode of the vehicle, a door detector for detecting a door state of the vehicle, and a processor for generating an inadvertent ignition warning by comparing the power state, the transmission mode and the door state with an inadvertent ignition reference, for generating an inadvertent ignition level according to the accumulation of the generated inadvertent ignition warning, and for providing an inadvertent ignition warning message corresponding to the generated inadvertent ignition level.

A display device (120) for the display of data. The display device (120) includes a data display device (124) for displaying data. The display device (120) is, or can be, fitted separately onto a steering wheel (102) of a vehicle (100). The display device (120) further includes an acceleration detection device (122) for detecting acceleration relative to at least two axes. The display device (120) is designed to determine, using the detected acceleration, a steering wheel rotational angle of the steering wheel (102) and, using the steering wheel rotational angle, to modify the data display.