Intelligent indicators for a motor vehicle
First Claim
1. An indicator for use in a motor vehicle having a panel with predefined apertures, each of which is sized for a single electrical switch, and having a communication network over which messages are transmitted between devices in the motor vehicle, said indicator comprising:
- a housing that is sized to fit into one of the predefined apertures;
a first input device mounted on the housing by which an occupant of the motor vehicle can provide an input signal to the indicator;
a display mounted on the housing to present information to an occupant of the motor vehicle, wherein the display has a plurality of light emitters each being independently controllable; and
an electronic circuit connected to the communication network to receive messages and connected to the first input device and the display, the electronic circuit responding to contents of the messages by independently controlling each of the plurality of light emitters to indicate an operating parameter of the motor vehicle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An indicator unit is provided to display information to occupants in a motor vehicle. An interface to a communication network provides data required for the specific information being displayed. The indicator unit is adapted to fit into a standard sized aperture found in motor vehicle dashboards, thereby enabling indicators for different operating parameters as desired by the owner to be incorporated into the dashboard of a particular vehicle. An input device also may be provided by which an occupant of the motor vehicle can control operation of the indicator unit.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. An indicator for use in a motor vehicle having a panel with predefined apertures, each of which is sized for a single electrical switch, and having a communication network over which messages are transmitted between devices in the motor vehicle, said indicator comprising:
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a housing that is sized to fit into one of the predefined apertures;
a first input device mounted on the housing by which an occupant of the motor vehicle can provide an input signal to the indicator;
a display mounted on the housing to present information to an occupant of the motor vehicle, wherein the display has a plurality of light emitters each being independently controllable; and
an electronic circuit connected to the communication network to receive messages and connected to the first input device and the display, the electronic circuit responding to contents of the messages by independently controlling each of the plurality of light emitters to indicate an operating parameter of the motor vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of providing an indicator in a motor vehicle having a panel with predefined apertures designed to receive an electrical switch that is incapable of displaying information, and having a communication network over which messages are transmitted between devices in the motor vehicle, said method comprising:
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providing an indicator which has a housing that is sized to fit into one of the predefined apertures, a display mounted on the housing and having a plurality of light emitters each being independently controllable, and an electronic circuit within the housing and connected to the communication network to receive messages and connected to the display, wherein the electronic circuit responds to contents of the messages by independently controlling each of the plurality of light emitters to indicate an operating parameter of the motor vehicle; and
installing the indicator into one of the predefined apertures of the motor vehicle; and
further comprising providing input device on the housing which provides an input signal to the indicator upon activation by an occupant of the motor vehicle.- View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification