INSTRUMENT DISPLAY APPARATUS

• US H1,109 H
• Filed: 11/27/1989
• Issued: 10/06/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/1988
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Barnes W. Woodhall, John K. Roberts
• Original Assignee: Barnes W. Woodhall, John K. Roberts
• Inventors: Roberts, John K., Woodhall, Barnes W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gregory, Bernarr E.
• Application Number:
  US74/416,29
• Time in Patent Office: 1,044 Days
• Field of Search: 116048, 116049, 340705, 340795, 340945, 340947, 340980, 350174, 361023, 361029, 361030
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 37/00 Dashboards as road-vehicle superstructure sub-units B62D25/14
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/037 for occupant comfort , e.g. for automatic adjustment of appliances according to personal settings, e.g. seats, mirrors, steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0118 comprising devices for improving the contrast of the display / brillance control visibility
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/012 comprising devices for attenuating parasitic image effects
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0154 with movable elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0156 with optionally usable elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0194 with combiner of laminated type, for optical or mechanical aspects
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/01 Head-up displays
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0101 characterised by optical features G02B27/0172 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0149 characterised by mechanical features G02B27/0176 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/00 Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/00 Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the information is built-up on a support by selection or combination of individual elements in which the variable information is permanently attached to a movable support G09F11/00; abacus G06C1/00; slide-rules G06G1/00

Abstract

An instrument display apparatus for use in combination with a substantially transparent panel including an instrument to be displayed positioned adjacent to the transparent panel and which is adapted to reflect ambient light onto the substantially transparent panel, and an artificial lighting assembly which is adapted to selectively supply light to the instrument whereby a reflection of the instrument may be viewed in the windscreen regardless of level of ambient natural light.

Claims

1. An instrument display apparatus for use in combination with a substantially transparent panel comprising:

an instrument to be displayed having a display face including a first portion which is translucent and light reflective and a second portion which provides contrast for the first portion and wherein the first portion is adapted to reflect ambient light onto the substantially transparent panel; and

means for selectively supplying light to said first portion whereby said first portion may be viewed in the substantially transparent panel regardless of the level of ambient light.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first portion defines a character, and wherein the first portion produces light in selected frequencies, and wherein an attenuation means is borne by the substantially transparent panel and is adapted to absorb the frequencies of light produced by the first portion whereby the image of the display face appears on the attenuation means.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the attenuation means includes a predetermined tint field, and wherein the first portion includes a translucent character, and the light supplying means includes a light source, a light manifold disposed in light receiving relation relative to the light source and which is adapted to transmit the light onto the character, and a sensor borne by the vehicle and adapted to actuate the light source in the absence of predetermined levels of ambient light.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the attenuation means includes a predetermined tint field, and wherein the light supplying means is borne by the vehicle and the display face is positioned between the light source and the substantially transparent panel, and wherein the light source is adapted to transmit the light onto the character, and wherein a sensor is borne by the vehicle and adapted to actuate the light source in the absence of predetermined levels of ambient light.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 or 4 wherein the tint field includes a synthetic polymer sheet which is borne by the substantially transparent panel.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 or 4 wherein the tint field includes a coating applied to the substantially transparent panel.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 or 4 wherein the tint field is made integral with the substantially transparent panel.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the display face is an analog speedometer display which is borne by a vehicle and which includes a plurality of reverse printed characters, and wherein the instrument further includes a moveable indicator needle, means for driving the needle, and means for selectively controlling the driving means in response to the speed of movement of the vehicle.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the vehicle includes an operator'"'"'s position, and wherein the vehicle produces a predetermined number of discreet electrical pulses which indicates the speed of the vehicle, and wherein the driving means includes a coiled spring return meter movement, and wherein the controlling means converts the electrical pulses into a predetermined voltage which varies linearly and inversely relative to the electrical pulse rate and which actuates the return meter movement to drive the indicator needle in the proper direction when the reflection of the instrument display is viewed from the operators position.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the vehicle includes an operator'"'"'s position, and wherein the vehicle produces a predetermined number of discreet electrical pulses which indicates the speed of the vehicle, and wherein the driving means includes a coiled spring return meter movement, and wherein the controlling means converts the electrical pulses into a predetermined voltage which varies linearly relative to the electrical pulse rate and which actuates the return meter movement to drive the indicator needle in the proper direction when the reflection of the instrument display is viewed from the operator'"'"'s position.

11. An instrument display apparatus comprising:

a substantially transparent panel having a predetermined tint field which attenuates preselected wavelengths of light; and

an instrument to be displayed positioned adjacent to the transparent panel and having a display face which is adapted to produce light in the selected wavelengths which are attenuated by the tint field whereby the image of the display face appears within the tint field.

12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein the transparent panel is a windscreen borne by a vehicle and which includes an operator'"'"'s position and wherein the tint field is located substantially within the line of sight of an operator who is located in the operator'"'"'s position whereby the operator may see the image of the display face while viewing through the windscreen without substantially diverting his vision.

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein the instrument display face emits visible light with a peak intensity substantially within a predetermined selected band, and wherein the tint field selectively attenuates the light emitted from the display face in the predetermined selected band.

14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein the display face includes at least one reverse printed character which is translucent and which emits light in the 625-700 nanometer band, and wherein the remainder of the display face surrounding the character provides contrast for the character.

15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein the vehicle has a dashboard, and wherein a housing is mounted on the dashboard and the instrument is supported on the housing and is illuminated by ambient natural light, and wherein a means for artificially illuminating the character is borne by the vehicle and is operable to provide illumination for the character whereby the image of the character appears within the tint field in the absence of predetermined levels of ambient natural light.

16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein the lighting means includes a light source borne by the vehicle, and a light manifold is operable selectively to channel light produced by the light source onto the character.

17. An apparatus as claimed in claim 16 wherein the display face has opposite forwardly and rearwardly facing surfaces, and wherein the light manifold includes at least one optical cable having input and output ends, and wherein the output end is mounted on the rearwardly facing surface of the display face and channels light onto the character, and wherein the input end is positioned in light receiving relation relative to the light source.

18. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein the lighting means includes a light source borne by the housing, and wherein the display face is positioned in light receiving relation relative to the light source, the display face positioned between the light source and the windscreen.

19. An apparatus as claimed in claim 17 or 18 wherein a sensor is borne by the vehicle and is operable selectively to actuate the light source in the absence of predetermined levels of ambient natural light.

20. An apparatus as claimed in claim 19 wherein the display face is an analog display.

21. An apparatus as claimed in claim 20 wherein the instrument receives a signal from the vehicle, and the instrument further includes, a movable indicator needle, means for driving the needle, and means for selectively controlling the movement of the needle in response to the signal received from the vehicle whereby the image of the indicator needle appearing in the tint field appears to move in a proper direction when viewed from the operator'"'"'s position.

22. An apparatus as claimed in claim 21 wherein the means for driving the indicator needle includes a coiled spring return meter movement, and wherein the signal received from the vehicle includes a predetermined number of discreet electrical pulses which indicates the vehicle speed and wherein the controlling means is operable to convert the electrical pulses into a predetermined voltage which varies linearly relative to the electrical pulse rate and which actuates the return meter movement to drive the indicator needle in the proper direction when the reflection of the instrument display is viewed from the operator'"'"'s position.

23. An apparatus as claimed in claim 21 wherein the display face is an analog speedometer display, and wherein the means for driving the indicator needle includes a coiled spring return meter movement, and wherein the signal received from the vehicle includes a predetermined number of discreet electrical pulses which indicates the vehicle speed, and wherein the controlling means is operable to convert the electrical pulses into a predetermined voltage which varies linearly and inversely relative to the electrical pulse rate and which actuates the return meter movement to drive the indicator needle in the proper direction when the reflection of the instrument display is viewed from the operator'"'"'s position.

24. An apparatus as claimed in claim 23 wherein the vehicle has an electrical power source, and the control means comprises:

means for regulating voltage electrically connected to the vehicle'"'"'s electrical power source and having an input, a ground, and an output, the voltage regulating means adapted to produce a substantially constant voltage;

means for processing the electrical pulses into substantially uniform electrical pulses connected to said voltage regulator means and having an input connected to the vehicle for receiving the electrical pulses, and an output and a ground;

an amplifier having an input, an output, and a ground, and wherein the input of the amplifier is electrically connected to the output of the voltage regulating means and the output is electrically connected to the return meter movement; and

means for calibrating the control means electrically connected to the amplifier whereby the amplifier supplies voltage to the return meter movement which is inversely and linearly related to the vehicle electrical pulse rate.

25. An apparatus as claimed in claim 24 wherein the amplifier acts as a low band pass filter and an integrator and wherein the calibrating means includes first and second potentiometers, the first potentiometer adapted to regulate the minimum output voltage of the amplifier, and the second potentiometer adapted to regulate the maximum voltage output of the amplifier.

26. An apparatus as claimed in claim 25 wherein the voltage regulator means is a 7805 semiconductor chip which is operable to produce a substantially constant 5 volts, and wherein the processing means is a 555 semiconductor chip which acts as a monostable to receive the electrical pulses produced by the vehicle and produce a series of pulses having a magnitude of not greater than 5 volts, and a predetermined duration.

27. An apparatus as claimed in claim 26 wherein the amplifier is a 3130 semiconductor chip, and wherein the first and second potentiometers are variable resistors each having a value of 100K ohms.

28. An apparatus as claimed in claim 27 wherein the first potentiometer sets a minimum voltage output for the operational amplifier in a range of approximately 0 through 0.3 volts and the second potentiometer sets a maximum voltage output for the operational amplifier of approximately 1.4 volts.

29. An apparatus as claimed in claim 28 wherein the 3130 semiconductor chip acts as a two pole low band pass filter.

30. An apparatus as claimed in claim 24 wherein the amplifier is a noninverting amplifier and wherein the calibrating means includes a potentiometer which is adapted to regulate the gain and the maximum voltage output of the amplifier.

31. An apparatus as claimed in claim 30 wherein the voltage regulator is a LM317 semiconductor chip which is adjusted to produce a substantially constant voltage and wherein the processing means is a 555 semiconductor chip which acts as a monostable to receive the electrical pulses produced by the vehicle and produce a series of pulses having a predetermined magnitude and a predetermined duration.

32. An apparatus as claimed in claim 31 wherein the amplifier is an operational amplifier and wherein the potentiometer is a variable resistor having a value of 100K ohms.

33. An apparatus as claimed in claim 32 wherein a means for controlling current has an input electrically coupled with the output of the operational amplifier, and an output which is electrically coupled with the coiled spring return meter movement, and wherein the current controller means includes a MOSFET "N" Type transistor and a resistor having a predetermined value.

34. An apparatus as claimed in claim 23 wherein the vehicle has an electrical power source and the control means comprises:

means for regulating voltage electrically connected to the vehicle'"'"'s electrical power source and having an input, a ground, and an output, the voltage regulating means adapted to produce a substantially constant voltage;

means for modifying the electrical pulses electrically connected to the voltage regulating means and with the vehicle and which is operable to modify the electrical pulses in a manner to form electrical pulses having a predetermined wave form and amplitude;

means for processing the electrical pulses into substantially uniform electrical pulses electrically connected to the voltage regulator means, and having an input electrically connected to the modifier means, and an output;

means for integrating the electrical pulses and forming an integrated voltage output, the integrating means electrically connected with the output of the processing means;

a first amplifier having an input, and an output, and wherein the input is electrically connected with the integrated voltage output of the integrator means, and which is adapted to produce a voltage output which is substantially linearly related to the pulse rate of the vehicle;

a second amplifier having an input, an output, and wherein the input is electrically connected with the output of the first amplifier, and the output is electrically connected to the return meter movement; and

means for calibrating the control means electrically connected to the first and second amplifiers whereby the second amplifier supplies a predetermined voltage to the return meter movement which is inversely and linearly related to the vehicle'"'"'s electrical pulse rate.

35. An apparatus as claimed in claim 34 wherein the voltage regulator means includes a 7805 IC which is adapted to produce a substantially constant 5 volts, and wherein the modifier means includes a pair of diodes and a resistor having predetermined values and which are adapted to produce modified electrical pulses having the predetermined wave form, and wherein the amplitude of the modified electrical pulses are not greater than 5 volts.

36. An apparatus as claimed in claim 35 wherein the processing means includes a 555 IC which acts as a monostable and which produces electrical pulses having a magnitude of not greater than 5 volts and a predetermined duration, and wherein the integrating means includes a resistor and a capacitor having values of 100K ohms and 2.2 microfarads, respectively.

37. An apparatus as claimed in claim 36 wherein the first and second amplifiers are operational amplifiers which are made integral with an LM324 quad-operational amplifier, and wherein the calibration means includes first and second variable resistors having values of 100K ohms, respectively.

38. An apparatus as claimed in claim 37 wherein the first variable resistor sets the maximum voltage output for the second amplifier in a range of approximately 1.4 volts and the second variable resistor sets the minimum voltage output for the second amplifier of approximately 0 through 0.3 volts.

39. An apparatus as claimed in claim 34 wherein the voltage regulator means includes a LM317 semiconductor chip which is adapted to produce a substantially constant voltage and wherein the modifier means includes a pair of diodes and a resistor having predetermined values and which are adapted to produce modified electrical pulses having the predetermined wave form and wherein the amplitude of the modified electrical pulses is not greater than the voltage output value of the LM317.

40. An apparatus as claimed in claim 39 wherein the processing means includes a 555 IC which acts as a monostable and which produces electrical pulses having a magnitude not greater than the voltage output produced by the LM317 and a predetermined duration, and wherein the integrating means includes a resistor and a capacitor having values of 100K ohms and 2.2 microfarads, respectively.

41. An apparatus as claimed in claim 40 and wherein the first and second amplifiers are operational amplifiers which are made integral with an LM324 quad operational amplifier and wherein the calibration means includes first and second variable resistors having values of 100K ohms, respectively.

42. An apparatus as claimed in claim 41 wherein the first variable resistor sets the maximum voltage output for the second amplifier in a range of approximately 7.5 volts and the second variable resistor sets the minimum voltage for the second amplifier of approximately 0 through 0.3 volts.

43. An apparatus as claimed in claim 34 and wherein a means for controlling current is electrically connected to the second operational amplifier and with the coiled spring return meter movement, and wherein the current controller means includes a MOSFET "N" Type transistor which provides a predetermined output voltage to the coiled spring return meter movement.

44. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein the tint field includes a synthetic polymer sheet secured on the substantially transparent panel.

45. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein the tint field includes a coating applied on the inside surface of the transparent panel.

46. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein the tint field is made integral with the transparent panel.

47. An instrument display apparatus for a vehicle having an operator'"'"'s position, a dashboard, and a windscreen mounted adjacent to the dashboard, the apparatus comprising:

a housing fixed on the dashboard;

an instrument mounted on the housing and positioned adjacent to the windscreen, the instrument having a display face including at least one character which reflects ambient natural light at selected frequencies;

a predetermined tint field borne by the windscreen and positioned in adjacent space relation relative to the display face, the tint field adapted to absorb the frequencies of light reflected by the character; and

means for selectively illuminating the character in the absence of predetermined levels of ambient natural light, said illuminating means borne by the housing and causing said character to emit light in the frequencies absorbed by the tint field, and wherein a reflection of the character appears in the tint field such that it may be viewed from the operator'"'"'s position as an operator looks through the windscreen.

48. An apparatus as claimed in claim 47 wherein the display face is an analog speedometer display having a movable indicator needle, and wherein the analog speedometer display has a multiplicity of reverse printed, translucent characters which emit light in the frequencies absorbed by the tint field, and wherein the remainder of the analog speedometer display face surrounding the characters provides contrast for the individual characters.

49. An apparatus as claimed in claim 48 wherein the individual characters emit light with a peak intensity in a predetermined frequency band, and wherein the illuminating means includes a light source which is borne by the housing, and wherein the light source delivers the light onto the individual characters, and wherein means are provided for selectively actuating said light source in the absence of predetermined levels of ambient natural light.

50. An apparatus as claimed in claim 49 wherein a coiled spring return meter movement is borne by the housing and is operable selectively to move the indicator needle to predetermined indicating positions along the display face, and wherein the vehicle produces a predetermined number of electrical pulses which indicates the speed of the vehicle, and wherein an electric circuit means is borne by the vehicle and is adapted to receive and process the electrical pulses into a source of voltage for actuating the meter movement which varies linearly and inversely relative to the rate of electrical pulsing.

51. An apparatus as claimed in claim 50 and wherein the source of voltage for activating the meter movement varies linearly relative to the rate of electrical pulsing.

52. An apparatus as claimed in claim 50 wherein the electric circuit means comprises:

a source of voltage borne by the vehicle;

a voltage regulator connected with the source of voltage and producing a substantially constant voltage output;

a monostable semiconductor chip connected in electrical pulse receiving relationship relative to the vehicle and in voltage receiving relation relative to the voltage regulator, the monostable semiconductor chip producing substantially uniform electrical pulses having a substantially uniform amplitude and a predetermined duration;

an amplifier disposed in electrical pulse receiving relationship relative to the monostable semiconductor chip and in voltage transmitting relation relative to the return meter movement, the operational amplifier producing an output voltage which varies linearly relative to the electrical pulse rate; and

means for calibrating the output voltage of the amplifier whereby the return meter movement is operable to move the indicator needle to selective locations along the display face which correctly indicates the overland speed of the vehicle.

53. An apparatus as claimed in claim 52 wherein the voltage regulator is a 7805 semiconductor chip and the monostable semiconductor chip is a 555 semiconductor chip.

54. An apparatus as claimed in claim 53 wherein the amplifier is a 3130 semiconductor chip and the calibration means includes first and second potentiometers which are individually operable to adjust the minimum and maximum voltage output of the 3130 semiconductor chip, and wherein the operational amplifier produces an output voltage which varies linearly and inversely relative to the electrical pulse rate.

55. An apparatus as claimed in claim 54 wherein the first and second potentiometers are variable resistors having individual resistance values of substantially 100K ohms.

56. An apparatus as claimed in claim 52 wherein the voltage regulator is a LM317 semiconductor chip and the monostable conductor chip is a 555 semiconductor chip.

57. An apparatus as claimed in claim 56 wherein the amplifier is an operational amplifier borne by an LM324 semiconductor chip and the calibration means includes a potentiometer which is individually operable to adjust the gain and maximum voltage output of the operational amplifier.

58. An apparatus as claimed in claim 57 and wherein a means for controlling current is electrically connected to the operational amplifier and with the coiled spring return meter movement, and wherein the current control means includes an "N" type MOSFET transistor.

59. An apparatus as claimed in claim 50 wherein the electrical circuit means comprises:

a source of voltage borne by the vehicle;

a voltage regulator connected with the source of voltage and producing a substantially constant voltage;

a means for modifying the electrical pulses produced by the vehicle, said modifying means electrically connected with the vehicle and with the voltage regulator;

a monostable semiconductor chip connected in electrical pulse receiving relationship relative to the modifier means and with the voltage regulator, the monostable semiconductor chip producing electrical pulses having a substantially uniform amplitude and a predetermined duration;

means for integrating the electrical pulses produced by the monostable semiconductor chip and producing an integrated output voltage;

a first operational amplifier disposed in voltage receiving relationship relative to the integrating means, the first operational amplifier producing a voltage output which varies substantially linearly relative to the pulse rate of the vehicle;

a second operational amplifier disposed in voltage receiving relationship relative to the first operational amplifier and in voltage transmitting relationship relative to the return meter movement, the second operational amplifier producing a substantially continuous voltage output which varies linearly and inversely relative to the electrical pulse rate of the vehicle; and

means for calibrating the output voltage of the second operational amplifier whereby the return meter movement is operable to move the indicator needle to a selective location along the display face which correctly indicates the overland speed of the vehicle.

60. An apparatus as claimed in claim 59 wherein the modifier means includes a resistor and a pair of diodes having predetermined values and which are operable to modify the electrical pulses to form pulses having predetermined wave forms and amplitudes.

61. An apparatus as claimed in claim 60 wherein the monostable semiconductor chip is a 555 IC and the first and second operational amplifiers are made integral with an LM324 quad operational amplifier, and wherein the calibrating means includes first and second potentiometers which are individually operable to adjust the maximum and minimum voltage output of the second operational amplifier.

62. An apparatus as claimed in claim 61 wherein the first and second potentiometers are variable resistors having individual resistance values of substantially 100K ohms.

63. An apparatus as claimed in claim 59 wherein the means for selectively actuating the light source is made integral with the electronic circuit means, the light source actuating means comprising:

a potentiometer borne by the vehicle and electrically connected with the source of voltage;

a voltage regulator electrically connected with the source of voltage borne by the vehicle and having an input electrically connected with the potentiometer and an output electrically connected with the light source; and

a photosensor and a resistor electrically connected with the output of the voltage regulator whereby the output voltage of the voltage regulator is proportional to the resistance of the potentiometer and inversely proportional to the sum of the resistance of the photosensor and the resistor.

64. An apparatus as claimed in claim 63 wherein a capacitor is electrically connected between the resistor, the photosensor and ground and which is adapted to act as a filter.

65. An apparatus as claimed in claim 59 wherein the electronic circuit includes means for controlling current which is electrically coupled to the output of the second operational amplifier and with coiled spring return meter movement, and wherein the current controller means includes an "N" type MOSFET transistor.

66. An apparatus as claimed in claim 59 wherein the electronic circuit means includes the means for selectively actuating the light source, the light source actuating means comprising:

a source of voltage borne by the vehicle;

a switch electrically coupled to the source of voltage and having an open and closed position;

a voltage regulator having an input and an output and wherein the input of the voltage regulator is electrically coupled with the switch;

a photosensor electrically coupled with the output of the voltage regulator;

a first resistor coupled in parallel with the photosensor;

a second resistor coupled in series with the first resistor and with the photosensor;

a potentiometer electrically coupled with the second resistor and ground; and

at least one light bulb electrically coupled to the output of the voltage regulator and wherein when the switch is in the closed position the voltage regulator produces an output voltage which is proportional to the resistance of the potentiometer and inversely related to the resistances of the photosensor and the first and second resistors.

67. An apparatus as claimed in claim 49 wherein the light actuating means comprises:

a source of voltage borne by the vehicle;

a potentiometer electrically connected with the source of voltage;

a switch electrically connected with the potentiometer;

a voltage regulator having an input electrically connected with the switch and potentiometer, and an output electrically connected with the light source; and

a photosensor and a resistor electrically connected with the output of the voltage regulator whereby the output voltage of the voltage regulator is proportional to the resistance of the potentiometer and inversely proportional to the sum of the resistance of the photosensor and the resistor.

68. An apparatus as claimed in claim 67 wherein a capacitor is electrically connected between the resistor, the photosensor, and ground, and is operable to act as a filter.

69. An apparatus as claimed in claim 49 wherein the light actuating means comprises:

a source of voltage borne by the vehicle;

a switch electrically coupled to the source of voltage and having an open and closed positions;

a voltage regulator having an input and an output and wherein the input of the voltage regulator is electrically coupled with the switch;

a photosensor electrically coupled with the output of the voltage regulator;

a first resistor coupled in parallel with the photosensor;

a second resistor coupled in series with the first resistor and with the photosensor;

a potentiometer electrically coupled with the second resistor and ground; and

a light source electrically coupled to the output of the voltage regulator and wherein when the switch is in the closed position the voltage regulator produces an output voltage which is proportional to the resistance of the potentiometer, and inversely related to the resistance of the photosensor.

70. An apparatus as claimed in claim 69 and wherein a capacitor is electrically coupled to the voltage regulator and is operable to act as a filter.