Abstract: A motor vehicle instrument cluster comprising an analog indicator assembly having a pointer rotatably coupled to an actuator for a movement by the actuator, and a display assembly including a display screen for displaying information to an occupant of the motor vehicle and a printed circuit board electrically connected to the indicator assembly and the display assembly. In addition, the printed circuit board is electrically connected to an electrical ground and a metal support frame is mounted to the printed circuit board and coupled thereby to the electrical ground. The metal frame includes a support tray spaced apart from the printed circuit board, defining a gap in between. Finally, the display assembly is mounted in thermal communication to the support tray and the frame and the printed circuit board cooperate to define a static discharge path between the display assembly and the electrical ground.

Abstract: A light emitting diode control circuit provides a plurality of series light emitting diodes (LEDs) that are fault tolerant, temperature compensated, and temperature derated. The series LEDs may be used to backlight an LCD in such applications as laptop computers, personal digital assistants, cellular telephones and automotive applications. An optional luminance compensation circuit adjusts the current through the LEDs as a function of an LED temperature to maintain a substantially consistent LED intensity. An optional temperature derating circuit reduces the current through the LEDs when the temperature reaches a threshold. The LED temperature may also be provided externally via a temperature output signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a transistor in series with the video input of a video input device prior to the termination resistor. The transistor is utilized due to the large amount of power that would be dissipated across the termination resistor if the video input was inadvertently connected to the automotive battery voltage. For the typical automotive battery of 14 volts, approximately 2.6 watts would be dissipated over the termination resistor likely causing a failure in the video input device. An N channel MOSFET can be used as the switch to provide an extremely low series resistance compared to the 75 ohm termination resistor. This low series resistance minimizes video signal degradation which would be caused by higher impedance switches due to the voltage divider formed by the switch impedance and the 75 ohm termination resistor.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) device having non-white and white light emitting diodes and a liquid crystal display. A spectrum converting material is positioned between non-white LEDs and the LCD to convert the non-white light from the LEDs toward a white light spectrum. The liquid crystal display may include a plurality of light emitting diodes, a light pipe, and a spectrum converting material. The spectrum converting material may be a phosphorized material located between the plurality of non-white light emitting diodes and the light pipe. A light extracting surface may be located near a first surface of the light pipe, a diffuser located near a second side of the light pipe, where the first and second sides are opposite sides of the light pipe, a reflective polarizer, and an liquid crystal display. The light from the light pipe may passes through the diffuser, the reflective polarizer, before backlighting the liquid crystal display. The non-white LEDs may include blue LED, ultraviolet LEDs, and the like.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) device having non-white and white light emitting diodes and a liquid crystal display. A spectrum converting material is positioned between non-white LEDs and the LCD to convert the non-white light from the LEDs toward a white light spectrum. The liquid crystal display may include a plurality of light emitting diodes, a light pipe, and a spectrum converting material. The spectrum converting material may be a phosphorized material located between the plurality of non-white light emitting diodes and the light pipe. A light extracting surface may be located near a first surface of the light pipe, a diffuser located near a second side of the light pipe, where the first and second sides are opposite sides of the light pipe, a reflective polarizer, and an liquid crystal display. The light from the light pipe may passes through the diffuser, the reflective polarizer, before backlighting the liquid crystal display. The non-white LEDs may include blue LED, ultraviolet LEDs, and the like.

Abstract: A light emitting diode drive circuit provides each of the plurality of parallel light emitting diodes substantially uniform current, causing the light emitting diodes to each have substantially the same brightness. An optional control circuit controls the current flow as a function of an external control signal. Optional temperature derating circuits adjust the intensity of the light emitting diodes as a function of a measured temperature. The measured temperature may be provided externally via a temperature output signal. The light emitting diode drive circuit may be specially adapted for automotive applications.

Abstract: A flexible circuit board mounted with top-light LEDs and LED control circuits provides a convenient and space efficient way to backlight an LCD. The flexible circuit board may have multiple tabs that are folded such that the top-light LEDs provide light into a light pipe from multiple directions. The top-light LEDs and LED control circuits may be located on the same side of the flexible circuit board for improved cost savings and manufacturability.

Abstract: According to the system and the method of the present invention, a display's visibility is maintained depending on lighting conditions that are sensed by an ambient light sensor (16). Logic (10) is applied to the output of the light sensor (16) and in conjunction with a headlight status indicator (14) to determine whether daytime (D) or nighttime (N) lighting condition exists and to determine a brightness level (18) to be commanded to the display. The logic (10) of the present invention maintains a visible display even in situations where a vehicle's headlights are active during daylight lighting conditions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided to control the brightness of an emissive display. Specifically, the brightness is incremented and decremented as the ambient environment becomes brighter and darker, respectively. A timing feature is also implemented to control the sensitivity of the system. Specifically, the time between adjustments of the display brightness is at least partially dependent on the magnitude of the difference between the desired brightness based on the ambient lighting environment and that of the actual display brightness.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) device having non-white and white light emitting diodes and a liquid crystal display. A spectrum converting material is positioned between non-white LEDs and the LCD to convert the non-white light from the LEDs toward a white light spectrum. The liquid crystal display may include a plurality of light emitting diodes, a light pipe, and a spectrum converting material. The spectrum converting material may be a phosphorized material located between the plurality of non-white light emitting diodes and the light pipe. A light extracting surface may be located near a first surface of the light pipe, a diffuser located near a second side of the light pipe, where the first and second sides are opposite sides of the light pipe, a reflective polarizer, and an liquid crystal display. The light from the light pipe may passes through the diffuser, the reflective polarizer, before backlighting the liquid crystal display. The non-white LEDs may include blue LED, ultraviolet LEDs, and the like.

Abstract: A light emitting diode drive circuit provides each of the plurality of parallel light emitting diodes substantially uniform current, causing the light emitting diodes to each have substantially the same brightness. An optional control circuit controls the current flow as a function of an external control signal. Optional temperature derating circuits adjust the intensity of the light emitting diodes as a function of a measured temperature. The measured temperature may be provided externally via a temperature output signal. The light emitting diode drive circuit may be specially adapted for automotive applications.

Abstract: A flexible circuit board mounted with top-light LEDs and LED control circuits provides a convenient and space efficient way to backlight an LCD. The flexible circuit board may have multiple tabs that are folded such that the top-light LEDs provide light into a light pipe from multiple directions. The top-light LEDs and LED control circuits may be located on the same side of the flexible circuit board for improved cost savings and manufacturability.

Abstract: A light emitting diode control circuit provides a plurality of series light emitting diodes (LEDs) that are fault tolerant, temperature compensated, and temperature derated. The series LEDs may be used to backlight an LCD in such applications as laptop computers, personal digital assistants, cellular telephones and automotive applications. An optional luminance compensation circuit adjusts the current through the LEDs as a function of an LED temperature to maintain a substantially consistent LED intensity. An optional temperature derating circuit reduces the current through the LEDs when the temperature reaches a threshold. The LED temperature may also be provided externally via a temperature output signal.

Abstract: According to the system and the method of the present invention, a display's visibility is maintained depending on lighting conditions that are sensed by an ambient light sensor (16). Logic (10) is applied to the output of the light sensor (16) and in conjunction with a headlight status indicator (14) to determine whether daytime (D) or nighttime (N) lighting condition exists and to determine a brightness level (18) to be commanded to the display. The logic (10) of the present invention maintains a visible display even in situations where a vehicle's headlights are active during daylight lighting conditions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for fast heating cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFL). Specifically, values corresponding to the actual luminance of a CCFL are compared to a desired luminance level and, if it is determined that the CCFL is operating under start-up conditions, a boost power supply is applied to the CCFL until either the CCFL outputs the desired luminance level, or a timer determines that start-up conditions no longer exist.

Abstract: A synchronization circuit for a resonant flyback high voltage supply for use in providing a high voltage output for a CRT. The circuit includes driving circuitry including an input power filter providing power to a coupled inductor which transmits power to a four stage multiplier circuit. Power is switched on and off by a power FET. The synchronization circuit reduces power loss in the FET by using variations in operational frequency to meet varying loads. By reducing the frequency as load increases, the flyback waveform is allowed to complete its resonant cycle before turning on the power FET. An anode resonant flyback regulator including a pulse width modulator controls the FET in response to signals provided by a negative slope detector circuit and feedback voltage. Over current shutdown capability is further provided by a current sensing latch.

Abstract: A cathode ray beam deflection system operable in slew and random stroke and periodic raster display modes provides automatic power supply voltage switching to maintain linear operation and high efficiency. Control of automatic switching is obtained by continuously monitoring yoke voltage, yoke current, and deflection voltage, a power supply voltage being switched to a voltage of higher magnitude to provide a higher deflection rate when the yoke voltage exceeds a predetermined level at a predetermined current polarity and returned to a power supply voltage of lower magnitude when the higher deflection rate is no longer required.