Control system for automotive display devices

• US 20070200694A1
• Filed: 02/15/2007
• Published: 08/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Magneti Marelli Sistemi Elettronici S.p.A. (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Magneti Marelli Sistemi Elettronici S.p.A. (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Mortara, Piero, de la Pierre, Piero
• Application Number:
  US11/706,436
• Publication Number:
  US 20070200694A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/461
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/188 Displaying information using colour changes
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/29 Instruments characterised by the way in which information is handled, e.g. showing information on plural displays or prioritising information according to driving conditions

Abstract

There is described a control system for controlling at least one information display device of a vehicle, the display device being adjustable as regards at least one lighting colour, and the control system having a user interface by which a user interacts with the display device; receiving means for receiving information from off-vehicle sources; and electronic control means connected to the display device, to the user interface, and to the receiving means; characterized in that the electronic control means are configured to control the lighting colour of the display device on the basis of the information from the off-vehicle sources.

Claims

1. A control system for controlling at least one information display device of a vehicle, said display device being adjustable as regards at least one lighting colour, and said control system comprising a user interface by which a user interacts with said display device;

receiving means for receiving information from sources off said vehicle; and

electronic control means connected to said display device, to said user interface, and to said receiving means;

characterized in that said electronic control means are configured to control said lighting colour of said display device on the basis of said information from said sources off said vehicle.

2. A control system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electronic control means are configured to control said lighting colour of said display device on the basis of information from:

information sources set up along the route travelled by said vehicle;

remote information sources supplying routes and information relative to the type and/or traffic conditions of said routes; and

other vehicles and/or road users along the same route travelled by said vehicle.

3. A control system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said information sources set up along the route travelled by said vehicle are configured to supply at least one information item indicating:

the speed of said vehicle;

the distance of said vehicle from another vehicle and/or an obstacle behind and/or in front of said vehicle; and

/or a situation representing a hazard or potential hazard to said vehicle.

4. A control system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said situation representing a hazard or potential hazard to said vehicle and indicated by said information item comprises at least one of the following:

narrowing and/or obstruction of the road along said route;

blocked tunnels;

said vehicle approaching a dangerous bend and/or a junction;

road works;

holes in said road;

uneven and/or slippery road surface;

the presence of ice and/or snow and/or oil and/or an obstacle.

5. A control system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said remote sources are configured to supply at least one information item indicating the type of said route and/or traffic conditions along said route and/or present weather conditions along said route.

6. A control system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electronic control means are configured to control said lighting colour of said display device on the basis of information from and indicating the presence of:

vehicles transporting hazardous freight and/or particular right-of-way vehicles, pedestrians and/or cyclists.

7. A control system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said information display device comprises at least one of the following:

an instrument panel of said vehicle;

a car radio display;

a navigator display;

an air-conditioner display.