Programmable gauge
First Claim
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1. An automotive control system, comprising:
- a vehicle;
a programmable gauge physically coupled to a dashboard of the vehicle including;
a microcontroller, a gauge readout electronically and physically coupled to the microcontroller, and an infrared receiver electronically coupled to the microcontroller with the infrared receiver physically coupled to the programmable gauge;
an actuator electronically coupled to the microcontroller;
a sensor electronically coupled to the microcontroller; and
a calibrator having control buttons and an infrared transmitter wherein actuation of control buttons on the calibrator emits a modulated infrared signal that is received by the infrared receiver thereby changing a control parameter in the microcontroller.
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Abstract
A programmable gauge having a read out (gauge), a microcontroller, an input to microcontroller, and an infrared receiver is disclosed. A handheld infrared transmitter is used to communicate with the programmable gauge. In some embodiments, the programmable gauge further includes an output control signal. In a nonlimiting example, the input to the microcontroller is a temperature sensor and the infrared transmitter is used to select a set point. When the microcontroller senses a temperature above the set point, the microcontroller provides an output signal, for example, to turn on a fan.
11 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An automotive control system, comprising:
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a vehicle; a programmable gauge physically coupled to a dashboard of the vehicle including;
a microcontroller, a gauge readout electronically and physically coupled to the microcontroller, and an infrared receiver electronically coupled to the microcontroller with the infrared receiver physically coupled to the programmable gauge;an actuator electronically coupled to the microcontroller; a sensor electronically coupled to the microcontroller; and a calibrator having control buttons and an infrared transmitter wherein actuation of control buttons on the calibrator emits a modulated infrared signal that is received by the infrared receiver thereby changing a control parameter in the microcontroller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A programmable gauge system, comprising:
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a calibrator having a wireless transmitter and control buttons electronically coupled to the wireless transmitter; a programmable gauge including; a panel; a gauge readout mounted on the panel; a microcontroller electronically and physically coupled to the gauge readout and mounted on the panel; an input connector; and a wireless receiver mounted on the panel wherein actuation of control buttons on the calibrator causes a modulated wireless signal to be transmitted from the wireless transmitter to the wireless receiver. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An automotive apparatus, comprising:
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a vehicle; a programmable gauge mounted on a dashboard of the vehicle, the programmable gauge including;
a digital readout, a microcontroller physically coupled to the programmable gauge and electronically coupled to the digital readout, an input of the microcontroller adapted to accept signal input from a sensor, and an infrared receiver physically coupled to the programmable gauge and electronically coupled to the microcontroller; anda calibrator having control buttons and an infrared transmitter wherein the microcontroller has a plurality of preprogrammed operating strategies;
actuation of at least one of the control buttons on the calibrator emits a modulated infrared signal that is received by the infrared receiver of the microcontroller thereby activating one of the preprogrammed operating strategies. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification