Lear Automotive Dearborn, Inc.

Ut Automotive Dearborn, Inc.

Lear Corporation

United Technologies Automotive Inc.

United Technologies Dearborn, Inc

Ut Automobile Dearborn, Inc.

Daniel J Toffolo

Silviu Palalau

Marian O Borzea

William Rogers

Richard J Chutorash

Robert M Roza

Silviu Pala

Masazumi Sone

Luiz Fh Bacellar

A display system reduces latent image formation by shifting an image between a first position and a second position, displaced only a few pixels from the first position. Preferably, the image is displayed briefly simultaneously at the first and second positions and then displayed only in the second position for a second predetermined time period.

Display system with latent image reduction

A transparent display screen can be positioned in a driver's line of sight or in front of mechanical indicators on an instrument panel. The display screen preferably has a frame or rim member along only one edge of the screen. Since the display screen is transparent and does not include a frame or rim around its perimeter, the display screen makes information available without obstructing the driver's view of the road. The single frame or rim member supports all of the row and column electrodes that are used to selectively illuminate the pixels on the display screen. The transparent display screen can be used effectively with one or more mechanical indicators positioned properly near the display screen. In one example, a single controller controls the screen, an associated filter and the mechanical indicators.

Transparent electroluminescent display with mechanical gauge

The display system includes a display controller which renders text and graphics and writes it to the RAM. The display controller then reads the rendered information from the RAM and activates a display based upon that information. Generally the display controller reads information from the display controller and activates the display at a constant refresh rate; however, when a large number of text and/or graphics to be rendered have accumulated, the display controller temporarily reduces the refresh rate in order to render and write the text and/or graphics to the RAM.

Graphics processor architecture employing variable refresh rates

A display system provides automatic and manual brightness control. A brightness controller varies the luminance of the display based upon ambient light as sensed by an ambient light sensor. The brightness control varies the luminance of the display between the minimum luminance at a minimum illuminance to a maximum luminance at a maximum illuminance. Preferably, a user input device selectively varies the maximum illuminance at which the display displays said maximum luminance and selectively alters the minimum luminance which is displayed at the minimum illuminance.

Display system with automatic and manual brightness control

A method of controlling the brightness levels on a screen includes determining a total number of screen pixels that must be energized to realize various brightness levels throughout the display. The display preferably is generated in a sequence of frames that are subdivided into energization states. An electronic controller determines an order of energizing selected ones of the pixels during each of the energization states to realize the desired brightness levels for the display while reducing drive load variation and realizing more efficient power consumption.

Power consumption control for a visual screen display by utilizing a

A transparent EL display screen has a frame or rim member along only one edge of the screen. The screen is mounted within a vehicle interior so that it can be put in a position above the instrument panel and within the normal line of sight of a driver. Since the display screen is transparent and does not include a frame or rim around its entire parameter, the display screen makes information available without obstructing the driver's view of the road. The single frame or rim member supports all of the row and column drivers that are used to selectively illuminate the pixels on the display screen.

Transparent EL display

An electroluminescent display includes a plurality of generally parallel outer electrodes and a plurality of generally parallel inner electrodes perpendicular to the outer electrodes. A plurality of generally parallel reflective surfaces are formed parallel to the outer electrodes or the inner electrodes to selectively provide a mirrored appearance when the electroluminescent display is not activated. A variable transmissive device, such as an electrochromic dimmer, is positioned in front of the ELD to selectively dim the light emitted from the ELD.

Dimmable ELD with mirror surface

A display system includes an input device sending information on a vehicle bus to a display controller. Based upon the information from the input device, the display controller selects one of a plurality of graphics stored on a local memory. The selected graphic is displayed on a display by the display controller.

Vehicle display using icons

A display system for use with a route guidance system includes a display displaying a proximity indicator. The proximity indicator generally comprises a bar graph which is reduced in size as the vehicle approaches the next maneuver recommended by the route guidance system. Later, the reduced bar graph changes color and flashes to signal the impending turn.

Proximity indicator display

A vehicle gauge comprises a mechanical indicator moveable relative to a reconfigurable gauge display. A transparent electroluminescent display selectively provides one of a plurality of gauge displays. A mechanical indicator positioned behind the display moves relative to the gauge display based upon data from a sensor associated with the current gauge display. A selectively transmissive device positioned between the display and the indicator selectively hides the indicator from view, providing a display independent of the indicator.

Gauge with mechanical indicator and reconfigurable gauge display

A power system for a display, particularly an electroluminescent display, includes a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the glass panel. A first power supply circuit supplies a first power output having a first average power and first peak power. A second power circuit generating a second power output having second average power greater than the first average power and a second peak power less than the first peak power.

Electroluminescent panel drive optimization

A dual use heads-up display panel for a vehicle may be orientated in a first orientation wherein it displays information onto the window of a vehicle. The display panel may be selectively moved to a facing-forward position wherein it directs information towards the operator of the vehicle. The control for the display panel determines which of the two positions the display panel is in, and modifies the information displayed on the panel accordingly. The information should be reversed in a mirror image between the two orientations such that it is properly orientated when read off of the windshield, and is also properly orientated when read from the facing-forward position. In a further feature, a convergent optical system, which may be a lens, is placed in the path of the light from the display panel when in the heads-up position. The lens causes the size of the information displayed on the windshield to be reduced such that its intensity is increased.

Dual use display

A manually controllable switch provides a user with an 'analog feeling' for controlling digital electronics. A plurality of first electrical conducting portions are alternately arranged with a plurality of second electrical conducting portions. Physical spacing between electrical conducting portions is proportionally and symmetrically varied to provide a sequence of logical states upon movement of the manually adjustable control knob. An electrical contact on the control knob moves into and out of engagement with the electrical conducting portions. Contact between the contacting portion and the conducting portions causes changes in logic state as recognized by a microprocessor or dedicated circuitry coupled to the conducting portions. The microprocessor or dedicated circuitry recognizes specific sequences of change in logic state as indicating manual movement of the control knob.

Digital switch with analog feel

A method and apparatus for controlling information to be displayed on a vehicle reconfigurable display includes the steps of prioritizing information. The control identifies each of the items which are desirably displayed and determines the space necessary to display all of those items. If the necessary space exceeds available space, then the control goes through a routine wherein it attempts to minimize the size of the display items, and prioritize the display items. Certain items must always be displayed, whereas other items need only be optionally displayed. The control may identify certain optional items as not to be displayed under certain circumstances. Further, the control may select between available sizes for other items to provide additional space.

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Trumbull, CT, United States of America

Daniel J Toffolo