Abstract: A system and method to display a plurality of different images at multiple distinct locations using a single image projector and an image propagation control means to control a propagation pathway from the projector to a display at each location.

Abstract: A system and method to display a plurality of different images at multiple distinct locations using a single image projector and an image propagation control means to control a propagation pathway from the projector to a display at each location.

Abstract: A projection display apparatus that presents a high-mount image to the driver of a vehicle includes an LCD or OLED display device and a set of projection minors embedded in an instrument panel forward of the driver. The display includes a first display portion facing away from the driver, on which a first image for high-mount presentation is formed. The projection minors project the first image back into the driver compartment for presentation to the driver in a high-mount location. Preferably, the display further includes a second display portion facing toward the driver, on which a second image for cluster presentation is formed. In the preferred arrangement, the driver directly views the second image in a cluster location disposed below the high mount location.

Abstract: A drive system for powering LED triads includes a controller for supplying power to one or more LED triad modules with integral encoding of the desired hue and intensity information. The LED triad modules each include an LED triad and decoding circuitry for activating the individual LED elements of the triad according to the encoded hue and intensity information. In the illustrated configuration, the controller supplies power to the LED triad modules over a pair of conductors, and the supplied power is modulated using a four-phase encoding sequence that is decoded by the decoding circuitry of each LED triad module so that each LED triad module produces light of the desired hue and intensity.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant is illuminated with infrared light by an apparatus including a display apparatus illuminated with visible light for displaying information to the occupant and an infrared illuminator hidden behind the display apparatus for illuminating the occupant through the display apparatus. In a preferred embodiment, the display apparatus is a liquid crystal display (LCD) mounted in the vehicle instrument panel for displaying images and data to the driver, and infrared light emitted by the infrared illuminator is transmitted through the LCD to illuminate the occupant.

Abstract: A drive system for powering LED triads includes a controller for supplying power to one or more LED triad modules with integral encoding of the desired hue and intensity information. The LED triad modules each include an LED triad and decoding circuitry for activating the individual LED elements of the triad according to the encoded hue and intensity information. In the illustrated configuration, the controller supplies power to the LED triad modules over a pair of conductors, and the supplied power is modulated using a four-phase encoding sequence that is decoded by the decoding circuitry of each LED triad module so that each LED triad module produces light of the desired hue and intensity.

Abstract: An optical system for vehicle operating monitoring is disclosed. The optical system includes at least one illuminator that illuminates a profile of a vehicle operator and an imager in optical communication with a reflector that captures a reflected image of the vehicle operator profile from the reflector. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A pair of electromagnets having ferromagnetic cores with end adjacent a toothed ferromagnetic rotor are energized to induce temporary magnetic poles in the respective rotor teeth. A drive circuit selectively applies current to each electromagnet to effect rotational force on the rotor poles. Three changes in magnet current rotate the rotor to three successive stable positions, the third position being achieved when both magnets are energized to complete one step of the motor and then poles are again induced to start another step if desired. The magnetic properties of the rotor and cores are selected to insure that the pole strength in the teeth will be retained during the changes in electromagnet current.

Abstract: An automotive instrument cluster has closely spaced face plate and circuit board and a compact gauge including a housing mounted on the side of the circuit board facing the face plate. A light conducting pointer has a two-part snap-together hub extending into the gauge housing and an end face adjacent surface mount LEDs on the circuit board for direct pointer illumination. A gear on the hub is driven by another gear on a stepper motor which is offset from the pointer hub. The stepper motor has a permanent magnet armature supported by the housing and the circuit board, and surface mount electromagnets on the circuit board to provide a motor field.

Abstract: A plurality of optical projectors focus telltale messages, one at a time, onto a vehicle instrument panel display area. In one embodiment a logic circuit assigns priority to the messages and displays only the message of higher priority when more than one message is prompted. The projection lamps are high intensity LEDs arranged in parallel but having diodes in series with lower priority lamps to hold them off when a higher priority lamp is energized. A constant current source regulates the LED current. In another embodiment two message lamps are controlled by a logic circuit such that when both are prompted for display an oscillator causes the messages to be displayed alternately, but when either message alone is prompted, its lamp will be energized continuously.

Abstract: An illuminated apparatus comprises a fixedly mounted air core gage having a spindle which rotates in response to signals provided to the air core gage, a first coil fixably mounted with respect to the air core gage having a first axis coaxial with the spindle, a power source coupled to the first coil, providing power to the first coil, which responsively generates a magnetic flux, a pointer body mounted to the spindle and rotating in response to rotation of the gage spindle, a second coil mounted to the pointer body adjacent to the primary coil, a light source mounted on the pointer body, coupled to and receiving the electric current from the second coil, the electric current illuminating the light source, and a light pipe pointer arm receiving light from the light source and emitting light out of an exit surface to appear as an illuminated pointer to an observer.

Abstract: A gear range indicator for use with automatic transmissions which is remote from the shift mechanism yet requires minimal adjustment to be made to the mechanical linkage to compensate for variations in the position of the display relative to the shift mechanism. This gear range indicator used has magnetic biasing means to position a pointer to the appropriate transmission gear range symbol on the display.