Abstract: A method for displaying information on a screen of a display device in a motor vehicle is described. Information to be displayed and/or its forms of representation are selected from a range of options displayed on the screen by the actuation of command keys. An evaluation is made thereby of the speed of operation of the command keys and/or the frequency distribution of the user's selection of the information and of the forms of representation. The evaluation is then used to change the range of options represented and/or the information displayed and/or the forms of representation of the information displayed.

Abstract: In a circuit for operating a fluorescent lamp with controllable luminance, with the fluorescent lamp comprising a discharge path and heater coils, the discharge path is connected through a transformer to a controllable alternating current source. The current through the heater coils is preferably controllable in such fashion that the sum of the current through the discharge path and through the heater coils remains essentially constant.

Abstract: A positioning and navigation system for land vehicles features a simple and memory-conserving route entry method. Routes on maps can be specified by the junctions traversed by the route, so that entering only the junctions in memory uses much less space than prior art digital route storage systems which stored the coordinates of each point along the route. A trip progress information display shows the route vividly by using color or brightness contrast with the rest of the map. Additional direction of travel indications can be given, for example on a Head Up Display reflected off the inside of the windshield within the operator's field of view or by acoustic signals or speech-synthesized announcements. This results in particularly easy-to-follow guide to the driver or operator. Head-up displays on motor vehicles often have double images and interfering reflections on the windshield.

Abstract: A visual display monitor of an information system of a motor vehicle is connected not only with the usual engine and vehicle instrumentation, but also with a variety of electrical equipments installed in the motor vehicle which the driver may want to activate and control from time to time. The picture screen of the monitor, preferably of the LCD, electro-luminescence or plasma type, is subdivided into a report region at the top and a region for interactive information such as instructions menus and operation results. All the functions that would otherwise be performed by individual buttons, knobs and switches of the various equipments installed in the vehicle may be simply performed by a series of easily designated choices. One input device has a ball control for directing a cursor on the screen of the monitor, a menu button and an entry button, and may be located on the steering wheel.

Abstract: A light-waveguide device has a light waveguide having a circumference provided with a groove, and a coupling element having a carrier and at least one of a light-sensitive transmitting component and a light-sensitive receiving component for coupling an optical radiation in and out of the light waveguide. The carrier is T-shaped and has a base surface and a central support. The at least one light-sensitive component is arranged on the T-shaped carrier and forms with the base surface of the T-shaped carrier an angle .alpha..

Abstract: A visual display monitor of an information system of a motor vehicle is connected not only with the usual engine and vehicle instrumentation, but also with a variety of electrical equipments installed in the motor vehicle which the driver may want to activate and control from time to time. The picture screen of the monitor, preferably of the LCD, electro-luminescence or plasma type, is subdivided into a report region at the top and a region for interactive information such as instructions menus and operation results. All the functions that would otherwise be performed by individual buttons, knobs and switches of the various equipments installed in the vehicle may be simply performed by a series of easily designated choices. One input device has a ball control for directing a cursor on the screen of the monitor, a menu button and an entry button, and may be located on the steering wheel.