Abstract: A graphical display apparatus (and methods) for motor vehicles. The apparatus has a display coupled to an interior portion of a motor vehicle, which faces a driver of the motor vehicle. The display is coupled to an output for identifying a velocity value of the motor vehicle. A first graphical display portion of the display for outputting a first current speed indication of the motor vehicle using a first convention is also included. The first display portion for the current speed indication is coupled to the output. A second graphical display portion of the display for outputting a second current speed indication of the motor vehicle using a second convention is included. The second display portion is coupled to the first display portion such that the first current speed indication in the first convention is aligned to the second current speed indication in the second convention.

Abstract: An apparatus for navigating through one of a plurality of panels on a display in a moving vehicle. The apparatus includes a display coupled to a processing device and memory. The display faces a user of a motorized vehicle. The apparatus also includes a graphical user interface on the display, which comprises a plurality of panels numbered from 1 through N, where N is an integer greater than 2. A selector device is coupled to the graphical user interface through the processing device. The selector device is within a vicinity of a user of the motorized vehicle. The selector device is adapted to display any one or more of the plurality of panels from the first panel numbered 1 through the Nth panel numbered N by moving the selector device in a first direction. The selector device is also adapted to select one of the panels being displayed by moving the selector device in a second direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for navigating through one of a plurality of panels on a display in a moving vehicle. The apparatus includes a display coupled to a processing device and memory. The display faces a user of a motorized vehicle. The apparatus also includes a graphical user interface on the display, which comprises a plurality of panels numbered from 1 through N, where N is an integer greater than 2. A selector device is coupled to the graphical user interface through the processing device. The selector device is within a vicinity of a user of the motorized vehicle. The selector device is adapted to display any one or more of the plurality of panels from the first panel numbered 1 through the Nth panel numbered N by moving the selector device in a first direction. The selector device is also adapted to select one of the panels being displayed by moving the selector device in a second direction.

Abstract: A novel graphical display apparatus (and methods) for motor vehicles. The apparatus has a display coupled to an interior portion of a motor vehicle and facing a driver of the motor vehicle. The display is coupled to an output for identifying a revolution per minute (RPM) value of an engine of the motor vehicle. The display has a first graphical display portion of the display for outputting a current gear indication of a current gear. The current gear is one of a plurality of gears in the motor vehicle. A second graphical display portion of the display for outputting one or more indication(s) of a past gear is coupled to the first portion of the display. The past gear is one of the plurality of gears in the motor vehicle that is used before the current gear. A third graphical display portion is also coupled to the display. The third display portion outputs an RPM value indication that corresponds to a current RPM value of the engine of the motor vehicle. The RPM value indication is coupled to the output.

Abstract: A tachometer for a motor vehicle includes a controller adapted to provide a current rpm value at a current gear which is engaged and at least one predicted rpm value at a different gear which is not currently engaged. A display is operatively connected to the controller and is adapted to produce an observable indication of the current rpm value and an observable indication of the predicted rpm value. By displaying predicted rpm values for different gears, the motor vehicle operator can easily see the effect of shifting gears so that the gears can be shifted in a manner to obtain optimum performance of the motor vehicle. The display preferably produces an observable indication of the current gear number near the current rpm value and an observable indication of the different gear number near the observable indication of the predicted rpm value.