Interactive display and gauge

• US 9,096,131 B2
• Filed: 01/06/2012
• Issued: 08/04/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Inventors: Nagara, Wes A., Wingrove, Theodore C., Cramer, Dale O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, R. A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): COURSON, TANIA C
• Application Number:
  US13/345,529
• Publication Number:
  US 20130174773A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,306 Days
• Field of Search: 116/201, 116/280, 116284-289, 116/DIG.5, 116/DIG.6, 116/DIG.36, 116/300, 116/62.4, 362/29, 340/441, 340/815.78, 34081586-81588, 340/438, 340/439, 340/461, 340/691.6, 340/425.5, 340/691.1, 340/815.4, 340/815.45
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1515 Reconfigurable dials
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/20 Optical features of instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/20 Output arrangements, i.e. from vehicle to user, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/213 Virtual instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/215 characterised by the combination of multiple visual outputs, e.g. combined instruments with analogue meters and additional displays
• 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: B60Q 1/00 Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor for lighting vehicle interior B60Q3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 11/28 Structurally-combined illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 13/00 Component parts of indicators for measuring arrangements not specially adapted for a specific variable

Abstract

An analog gauge for use in a vehicle instrument panel is provided. The analog gauge includes, but is not limited to, an analog indicator overlying a first substrate and graphics aligned with the analog indicator. The graphics are generated using a display device. The graphics change depending on a driving condition or the position of the analog indicator.

Claims

1. An analogue gauge for use in a vehicle instrument panel comprising:

an analogue indicator overlying a substrate; and

graphics aligned with the analogue indicator, wherein the graphics are generated using a display device, and wherein the graphics change depending on a driving condition or the position of the analogue indicator;

wherein the display device comprises a transmissive display member comprising a transparent portion which continuously remains transparent and a non-transparent portion which continuously remains non-transparent, the transparent portion aligned directly over or directly under the analogue indicator, the non-transparent portion configured to digitally display the graphics.

2. The analogue gauge of claim 1, wherein the graphics include a scale and numerals pertinent to the analogue indicator.

3. The analogue gauge of claim 1, wherein the graphics change color, shape, animate, or display a predetermined message based on the position of the analogue indicator.

4. The analogue gauge of claim 1, wherein the display device is located underneath the analogue indicator.

5. The analogue gauge of claim 1, wherein the display device overlies the analogue indicator.

6. The analogue gauge of claim 1, wherein the analog indicator is rotatably coupled to an electromechanical device for a movement by the electromechanical device.

7. The analogue gauge of claim 1, wherein the driving condition is one of a vehicle condition, an external condition, or an occupant'"'"'s condition.

8. The analogue gauge of claim 1, wherein the driving condition is an occupant'"'"'s condition.

9. The analogue gauge of claim 1, wherein the driving condition is a road hazard.

10. The analogue gauge of claim 1, wherein the graphics change color or flash based on the driving condition.

11. The analogue gauge of claim 1, wherein the graphics change depending on whether the driving condition is over or under a parameter.

12. The analogue gauge of claim 11, wherein the driving condition comprises an operator'"'"'s condition, and the parameter comprises a predetermined operator condition.

13. The analogue gauge of claim 11, wherein the driving condition comprises a vehicle speed, and the parameter comprises a vehicle speed limit.

14. The analogue gauge of claim 11, wherein the driving condition comprises an amount of fuel or oil in the vehicle, and the parameter comprises a predetermined amount of vehicle fuel or vehicle oil.

15. The analogue gauge of claim 11, wherein the driving condition comprises a temperature of a vehicle engine, and the parameter comprises a predetermined temperature of the vehicle engine.

16. The analogue gauge of claim 11, wherein the driving condition comprises a RPM of a vehicle engine, and the parameter comprises a predetermined RPM of the vehicle engine.

17. The analogue gauge of claim 11, wherein the driving condition comprises a gear position of a vehicle transmission, and the parameter comprises a predetermined gear position of the vehicle transmission.

18. A vehicle instrument panel comprising:

an analogue indicator overlying a substrate; and

a display device, wherein the display device displays graphics aligned with the analogue indicator, wherein the graphics are generated using a computer, and wherein the graphics change depending on a driving condition or the position of the analogue indicator;

wherein the display device comprises a transmissive display member comprising a transparent portion which continuously remains transparent and a non-transparent portion which continuously remains non-transparent, the transparent portion aligned directly over or directly under the analogue indicator, the non-transparent portion configured to digitally display the graphics.

19. The vehicle instrument panel of claim 18, wherein the graphics include a scale and numerals pertinent to the analogue indicator.

20. The vehicle instrument panel of claim 18, wherein the graphics change color, shape, animate, or display a predetermined message based on the position of the analogue indicator.

21. The vehicle instrument panel of claim 18, wherein the display device is positioned underneath the analogue indicator.

22. The vehicle instrument panel of claim 18, wherein the display device is positioned overlying the analogue indicator.

23. The vehicle instrument panel of claim 18, wherein the driving condition is one of a vehicle condition, an external condition, or an occupant'"'"'s condition.

24. A method for displaying information on a vehicle instrument panel comprising:

displaying analogue information via an analogue indicator overlying a substrate; and

displaying graphics via a display device, the display device comprising a transmissive display member comprising a transparent portion continuously remaining transparent and a non-transparent portion continuously remaining non-transparent, the transparent portion aligned directly over or directly under the analogue indicator, the non-transparent portion digitally displaying the graphics, the graphics changing depending on a driving condition or the position of the analogue indicator.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the substrate is the display device.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the graphics change background, color, shape, animate, or display a predetermined message based on the position of the analogue indicator.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein the display device is positioned overlying the analogue indicator.

28. The method of claim 24, wherein the driving condition is one of a vehicle condition, an external condition, or an occupant'"'"'s condition.