A display unit incorporated in the housing surface of an instrument panel changes its display variously together with other display devices of the instrument panel such as a liquid crystal display, and displays information such as driving information, danger notification information and entertainment information in coordination.

An alert system for a vehicle includes a tracking device, lighting system, control module, and sensor that can detect hazards. The tracking device can detect a driver's line-of-sight. The lighting system can be disposed about the vehicle and can emit light visible to the driver. The control module can determine a location of the hazard relative to the line-of-sight, and to operate the lighting system in a first mode in response to the hazard being outside of an angular threshold of the line-of-sight, and a second mode in response to the hazard being within the angular threshold. When in the first mode, a first region of the lighting system that corresponds to a general direction of the hazard can be illuminated. When in the second mode, a second region of the lighting system that corresponds to a specific location of the hazard is illuminated.

The present disclosure relates to a technique for providing navigation assistance to both the driver as well as other vehicle occupants of the vehicle. The technique recites acquiring a placement information for a plurality of light sources and haptic sensors inside the vehicle such as to attract the attention of the driver only in the peripheral vision, without any requirement to take the eyes off the road. It also discloses a navigation unit and an ambient light sensing module configured to provide navigation information and the ambient light information respectively to the control unit. The control unit in turn processes this received information and control the functioning of both the light sources as well as the haptic sensors in order to update the driver and passengers about the upcoming navigation events.

A method of controlling a color display screen aboard a motor vehicle includes performing, via a host computer, a color calibration test of a user of the motor vehicle in which the user is subjected to a calibrated set of color-coded test information. The method includes receiving a color perception response of the user to the calibrated set of color-coded test information via the host computer. Additionally, the method includes mapping a reduced visual gamut of the user via the host computer using the color perception response, and then commanding adjustment of user-specific color settings of the motor vehicle using the reduced visual gamut to thereby accommodate a color perception deficiency of the user.

A light bar for a vehicle steering wheel, comprising:a plurality of light sources, such as LEDs,a diffuser arranged to diffuse light coming from the plurality of light sources towards an occupant of the vehicle,a light guide, which is arranged between the plurality of light sources and the diffuser and comprises a common exit surface and a plurality of optical portions each having an entry surface arranged facing each of the light sources, wherein the light guide further comprises a plurality of deflecting surfaces each arranged between each entry surface and the common exit surface so as to generate a change in a main direction of the light.

Technologies and techniques for displaying a specific state of a voice assistance system for performing a voice assistance function for a motor vehicle. A light strip is provided for providing a specific light distribution, wherein a specific light characteristic of the light strip is associated with the specific state of the voice assistance system, wherein, when the voice assistance system exhibits the specific state, the light strip displays the specific light distribution according to the associated light characteristic, wherein a specific feedback display is associated with the specific state of the voice assistance system, and, when the voice assistance system exhibits the specific state, the specific feedback display is additionally displayed on a display device that is distinct from the light strip.

Provided is an information provision apparatus for a vehicle, the apparatus capable of providing information that fits the situation of the vehicle to a user. An information provision apparatus for a vehicle is provided with a vehicle-mounted device which comprises a report means for reporting various kinds of information including vehicle information to a user, and a control means for operating the report means, and is connected to an external device via a connection means. Upon receiving a manipulation input signal indicating that a start switch of the vehicle is turned on, the control means operates the report means in order to report to the user that a communication connection between the vehicle-mounted device and the external device is not established, until the communication connection is established.

A motor vehicle comprising a camera, a controller, and a lighting device arranged in an interior of the motor vehicle. The lighting device is a light strip configured to emit light in different color tones. The camera is configured to create images and/or videos of an environment of the motor vehicle and to output the images and/or videos to the controller. The controller is configured to recognize, from the images and/or videos, a color tone displayed by a light signal system in the environment of the motor vehicle. The controller is configured to cause the lighting device to emit light in the displayed color tone.

Various implementations include a light bar system for a steering wheel of a vehicle that includes a high intensity light source, a light diffusing layer, and an outer lens. For example, in certain implementations, the light diffusing layer is disposed between a plurality of high intensity light emitting diodes (LEDs) and an outer lens, and the light diffusing layer causes the light from the LEDs to appear as a continuous stream of light across a length of the lens and provides sufficiently bright lighting to warn or communicate with the driver in various ambient lighting conditions. In certain implementations, the outer lens is colored to blend in with the rest of the steering wheel when the LEDs are not activated.

The present invention provides a vehicle including driving protection apparatus which is located at or adjacent to the position of the driver when operating the vehicle. There is provided, in location with or adjacent to the driver protection apparatus, visual display means which are selectively operated to provide an indication of the condition of the vehicle and/or driver of the vehicle and/or the environment in which the vehicle is located at a particular instant of time.