Hybrid vehicle display apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A display apparatus for a hybrid drive vehicle having a first energy source and a second energy source configured to selectively transmit energy to propel the vehicle, the second energy source being configured to selectively transmit energy to the first energy source for storage, the display apparatus comprising:
- a screen configured to display a first icon, a second icon, and a third icon spaced apart from one another;
wherein the display apparatus is operatively connectable to the vehicle such that the appearance of the screen is responsive to (a) the transmission of energy from the first energy source to propel the vehicle, (b) the transmission of energy from the second energy source to propel the vehicle, and (c) the transmission of energy from the second energy source to the first energy source.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A display apparatus for a hybrid drive vehicle includes a screen that depicts a first icon, a second icon, and a third icon to represent energy sources and energy destinations. The appearance of the screen is variable to indicate the flow of energy between energy sources and energy destinations. In a preferred embodiment, changes in color, changes in icon size, and movement of elements are used to indicate energy flow.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A display apparatus for a hybrid drive vehicle having a first energy source and a second energy source configured to selectively transmit energy to propel the vehicle, the second energy source being configured to selectively transmit energy to the first energy source for storage, the display apparatus comprising:
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a screen configured to display a first icon, a second icon, and a third icon spaced apart from one another;
wherein the display apparatus is operatively connectable to the vehicle such that the appearance of the screen is responsive to (a) the transmission of energy from the first energy source to propel the vehicle, (b) the transmission of energy from the second energy source to propel the vehicle, and (c) the transmission of energy from the second energy source to the first energy source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of indicating the flow of energy among components in a hybrid drive vehicle having a first energy source and a second energy source configured to selectively transmit energy to propel the vehicle, the second source being configured to selectively transmit energy to the first energy source for storage, the method comprising:
changing the appearance of a display screen in response to (a) the transmission of energy from the first energy source to propel the vehicle, (b) the transmission of energy from the second energy source to propel the vehicle, and (c) the transmission of energy from the second energy source to the first energy source;
wherein the display depicts a first icon, a second icon, and a third icon.- View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A vehicle comprising
a motor/generator, a battery, and a fuel cell; - the battery and the fuel cell being configured to selectively transmit energy to the motor/generator to propel the vehicle;
a display apparatus including a screen configured to depict a first icon displaying a first color, a second icon displaying a second color different from the first color, and a third icon;
wherein the display apparatus is sufficiently configured such that a first portion of the third icon displays the first color and the first icon is depicted in a first size in response to the battery transmitting energy to propel the vehicle at a rate higher than a first predetermined rate;
the first portion of the third icon does not display the first color and the first icon is depicted in a second size different from the first size in response to the battery transmitting energy to propel the vehicle at or below the first predetermined rate;
a second portion of the third icon displays the second color and the second icon is a third size in response to the fuel cell transmitting energy to propel the vehicle at a rate higher than a second predetermined rate;
the second portion of the third icon does not display the second color and the second icon is a fourth size different from the third size in response to the fuel cell transmitting energy to propel the vehicle at or below the second predetermined rate; and
a third portion of the screen displays the second color in response to the fuel cell source transmitting energy to the battery above a third predetermined rate; and
wherein the third portion does not display the second color in response to the second energy source transmitting energy to the battery at or below the third predetermined rate.
- the battery and the fuel cell being configured to selectively transmit energy to the motor/generator to propel the vehicle;
Specification