Display of electronic self-test results using gauge dial pointers
First Claim
1. An electronic instrument cluster of an automotive vehicle comprising a meter for displaying to a vehicle operator the value of a parameter associated with operation of the vehicle, said meter comprising an electromechanical meter movement that operates a pointer that is read against a scale of values for the parameter, said cluster comprising electronic circuit means, said electronic circuit means comprising an input at which digital data representing the value of the parameter is received and an output that delivers to the meter movement an electrical signal corresponding to the digital data received at said input, and said electronic circuit means comprising self- test means for administering to said electronic circuit means a particular self-test and presenting to an observer a result of such particular self-test by means of said meter, characterized in that said self-test means comprises means for presenting such result by causing said meter movement to sweep said pointer in a repetitive pattern corresponding to such particular self-test.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Results of self-testing of portions of an automotive vehicle'"'"'s electronic instrument cluster are displayed on the cluster'"'"'s speedometer and tachometer. A fault in a particular portion is indicated by operating the pointers of both meters in unison by repetitive sweeping from zero to a particular location corresponding to the particular portion containing the fault. Detection of no faults is indicated by sweeping both pointers in unison from zero to maximum and back. A person can judge the movements of the meters by observing whether the pointers sweep smoothly in unison or in an erratic manner.
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Citations
22 Claims
- 1. An electronic instrument cluster of an automotive vehicle comprising a meter for displaying to a vehicle operator the value of a parameter associated with operation of the vehicle, said meter comprising an electromechanical meter movement that operates a pointer that is read against a scale of values for the parameter, said cluster comprising electronic circuit means, said electronic circuit means comprising an input at which digital data representing the value of the parameter is received and an output that delivers to the meter movement an electrical signal corresponding to the digital data received at said input, and said electronic circuit means comprising self- test means for administering to said electronic circuit means a particular self-test and presenting to an observer a result of such particular self-test by means of said meter, characterized in that said self-test means comprises means for presenting such result by causing said meter movement to sweep said pointer in a repetitive pattern corresponding to such particular self-test.
- 13. An electronic instrument cluster of an automotive vehicle comprising a meter for displaying to a vehicle operator the value of a parameter associated with operation of the vehicle, said meter comprising an electromechanical meter movement that operates a pointer that is read against a scale of values for the parameter, said cluster comprising electronic circuit means having an input at which digital data is received and an output that delivers to the meter movement an electrical signal corresponding to the digital data received at said input, and said electronic circuit means comprising self-test means for self-testing itself and presenting a result of such self-testing by means of said meter, characterized in that said self-test means comprises means for applying at least one test signal to at least one portion of said electronic circuit means, means for comparing a response of said at least one portion of said electronic circuit means to such at least one test signal with a corresponding predetermined response, and means for presenting a result of such self-testing by causing said meter movement to sweep said pointer in a manner indicating such result.
- 21. An electronic instrument cluster of an automotive vehicle comprising a meter for displaying to a vehicle operator the value of a parameter associated with operation of the Vehicle, said meter comprising an electromechanical meter movement that operates a pointer that is read against a scale of values for the parameter, said cluster comprising electronic circuit means, said electronic circuit means comprising an input at which digital data representing the value of a parameter is received and an output that delivers to the meter movement an electrical signal corresponding to the digital data received at said input, said electronic circuit means comprising self-test means for self-testing itself and presenting a result of such self-testing by means of said meter, characterized in that said self-test means comprises means for self-testing each of plural circuit portions of said electronic circuit means, means for presenting fault in any of said plural circuit portions of said electronic circuit means by causing said meter movement to sweep said pointer in a particular manner correlated to the particular circuit portion found to contain a fault, and means for presenting lack of fault in any of said circuit portions upon completion of the self-testing thereof by causing said meter movement to sweep said pointer in a manner that is distinct from the particular manners for indicating fault.
Specification