Articulating instrument cluster

• US 9,050,891 B2
• Filed: 07/25/2013
• Issued: 06/09/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Inventors: Bowden, Upton Beall, Schroeder, Jeffrey Mark, Cramer, Dale O., Round, David Christopher
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US13/951,272
• Publication Number:
  US 20150029018A1
• Time in Patent Office: 684 Days
• Field of Search: 340/425.5, 340/438, 340/439, 340/459, 340/461, 340/462, 701/1, 701/50
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/00 Indexing scheme associated with groups B60K35/00 or B60K37/00 relating to details of instruments or dashboards
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/685 Instruments movable with steering column
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/822 Adjustment of instruments during mounting
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/685 Instruments movable with steering column
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/73 with special adaptation to the user or to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/744 Position adjustable by user
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/822 Adjustment of instruments during mounting
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/50 Instruments characterised by their means of attachment to or integration in the vehicle B60K35/231 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/53 Movable instruments, e.g. slidable
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/60 Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/65 Instruments specially adapted for specific vehicle types or users, e.g. for left- or right-hand drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/658 the instruments being ergonomically adjustable to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0825 using optical means

Abstract

An articulating instrument cluster, and a system and a method for managing an articulating information panel of a vehicle are provided. The system includes a state detection module to detect a state of the articulating instrument cluster; an information interfacing module to interface with a plurality of systems associated with the vehicle; an orientation module to determine an adjustment to a display based on the detected state; and a display driving module to control the display of the articulating information panel based on the determination of adjustment.

Claims

1. A system for managing an articulating information panel of a vehicle, comprising:

a data store comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium storing a program of instructions for the managing of the articulating information panel;

a processor that executes the program of instructions;

a state detection module to detect a state of the articulating instrument cluster, a first state being an instrument panel embedded in a dashboard of the vehicle, and a second state being a heads-up display;

an information interfacing module to interface with a plurality of systems associated with the vehicle;

an orientation module to determine an adjustment to a display based on the detected state, and

a display driving module to control the display of the articulating information panel based on the determination of

wherein the display includes a front surface and a back surface parallel to each other, the front surface and the back surface each being configured to display information from the information interfacing module, the front surface displaying information in response to the articulating instrument panel being in the first state, the back surface displaying information in response to the articulating instrument panel being in the second state, and

the display being an emissive transparent display that allows a viewer to see-through the display.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of systems consists of one, some or all of the following:

a lighting system, a speed gauge system, a revolution-per-minute (RPM) system, a fuel gauge system, a clock system, and a transmission system.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the state detection module detects a new state based on a sensor indicating the state.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the state detection module detects a new state based on a transition from a previous state to the current state.

5. An articulating instrument cluster of a vehicle, comprising:

a display surface to display information associated with an operation of the vehicle, the display location being adjustable; and

a control circuit to adjust the display, the display being adjustable to a first state and a second state, the first state being an instrument panel embedded in a dashboard, and the second state being heads-up display,

wherein the display includes a front surface and a back surface parallel to each other, the front surface and the back surface each being configured to display information from the information interfacing module, the front surface displaying information in response to the articulating instrument panel being in the first state, the back surface displaying information in response to the articulating instrument panel being in the second state, and

the display being an emissive transparent display that allows a viewer to see-through the display.

6. The panel of claim 5, further comprising:

a tracking and pivot rail to facilitate the adjustment of the display surface.

7. The panel of claim 6, wherein the display surface is in an in-dashboard state in response to being embedded in the compartment, and a heads-up display (HUD) state in response to being in a position outside the compartment.

8. The panel of claim 7, wherein the control circuit inverts the display from a transition from the in-dashboard state to the HUD state.

9. The panel of claim 5, wherein the information associated with an operation of the vehicle consists of one, some or all of the following:

a lighting system, a speed gauge system, a revolution-per-minute (RPM) system, a fuel gauge system, a clock system, and a transmission system.