Abstract: A method for monitoring the alertness of the driver of a vehicle, includes continuously detecting and evaluating at least one physical parameter of the driver while the vehicle is in motion, and transmitting a periodic audio signal with a predetermined frequency into a vehicle interior within a predetermined time period if the evaluated physical parameter is in a critical range, whereby the critical range indicates an appropriate level of fatigue of the driver. An apparatus for monitoring the alertness includes a monitoring unit with a sensor unit, which detects at least one physical parameter of the driver, and an evaluation unit, which evaluates the detected physical parameter while the vehicle is in motion. The evaluation unit is coupled to an audio device, which transmits a periodic audio signal into a vehicle interior within a predetermined time if the evaluated physical parameter is in a critical range.

Abstract: A display, in particular for a motor vehicle, includes a projection module for generating an image in order to project it in the normal viewing direction of a user of the display, along an optical path. The display also includes a reflecting and/or displaying element, which is movable between various display positions. The display also includes a holder for the reflecting and/or displaying element. The holder can be moved vertically between various positioning states.

Abstract: A cover panel, for at least partially transparently covering at least one display instrument in a vehicle, has a microstructure applied on at least one surface. The microstructure is suitable for scattering visible light which is incident on the cover panel. The at least one window region of the cover panel is cutout from the microstructure. A method for manufacturing such a cover panel uses a molding tool with an applied microstructure matrix for forming a microstructure on a part of the molding tool which is assigned to a surface of a molded cover panel. The parts of the molding tool which are assigned to window regions are cut out from the microstructure matrix.

Abstract: A head-up display includes at least three light sources, each one arranged to emit light with a basic color different from the basic color of the other light sources, a digital micro mirror device including an array of micro mirrors, wherein the light of the light sources is directed onto the digital micro minor device, at least one combiner for displaying an image, and at least one control unit for multiplexing the light sources so as to sequentially emit light thus creating a field sequential color system and for controlling the digital micro mirror device so as to selectively rotate the micro mirrors between an on state, where the light from the light sources is reflected into an optical path towards the combiner, and an off state, where the light is reflected away from that optical path. A method for operating the head-up display is also disclosed.

Abstract: An indicator device for motor vehicles includes a dial, an indicator unit with needle, and a motor device. The indicator device with needle is capable of being rotationally driven around an axis of rotation of the indicator device. The indicator unit with needle is designed to be rotationally driven by a torque generated by the motor device. The indicator device is capable of being operated with a motor device of a first type and with a motor device of a second type. The indicator device includes minimum time information matched with the motor device of the first type and with the motor device of the second type such that the position of the indicator unit with needle is identical for cases where the motor device of the first type or the motor device of the second type is used, and for different preceding displacements of the indicator unit with needle.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor arrangement has at least one capacitive sensor and a coating applied to a front side of the at least one capacitive sensor. The coating includes a multiple layer structure, which is formed from capacitive layers, which are arranged in plies and electrically connected in series.

Abstract: A portable authentication apparatus, in particular for use with a motor vehicle, includes a transmission unit and a receiving unit for the wireless transmission of signals between the authentication apparatus and a control apparatus which is built into the motor vehicle and which is intended for controlling the authorization of access and/or the authorization of use for the motor vehicle. The authentication apparatus further has an encoding and decoding unit for decoding the received signals and for encoding the transmitted signals. The authentication apparatus includes an inertial detector and/or a motion detector.

Abstract: A display device, in particular for a motor vehicle, includes a projection module and a reflection element, the reflection element being designed to at least partially reflect an image from the projection module in a normal direction of vision of a user of the display device. The display module is a monochrome display module. The display device has a display area of a display module. The display area comprises a first part of the display area, the display area comprises a second part of the display area, and the display device has at least one light source. The display device is designed to display a first symbol in the first part of the display area and a second symbol in the second part of the display area.

Abstract: A positioning and securing device positions and secures a display element with respect to a housing, the display element being substantially located in a main extension plane and abutting the housing in a direction perpendicular to the main extension plane. The positioning and securing device is substantially located in another main extension plane parallel to the main extension plane of the display element. The positioning and securing device includes at least one first compression element abutting the display element and also at least one second compression element abutting the housing. A display device of an automobile can include the positioning and securing device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a display system for a vehicle, comprising a display module and a connectivity module connected by an interface (4), wherein the connectivity module is arranged to transmit video data to be displayed via the interface to the display module, wherein a microprocessor arranged in the connectivity module is adapted to embed remote control data packets in the video data to be displayed thereby remotely controlling the display module. The invention also relates to a method for operating the display system.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the pressure in the tires of a plurality of wheels of a motor vehicle comprises a first sensor module that comprises at least one sensor measuring the angular velocity of at least part of the plurality of wheels of the motor vehicle. A means is provided for determining, from the angular velocity of at least part of the plurality of wheels of the motor vehicle, a signal indicative of a first value of the heading of the motor vehicle. A second sensor module generates a signal indicative of a second value of the heading of the motor vehicle, and an abnormal situation with the pressure in at least one of the tires is determined when the first value of the heading of the motor vehicle and the second value of the heading of the motor vehicle are not consistent with one another.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the alertness of the driver of a vehicle, includes continuously detecting and evaluating at least one physical parameter of the driver while the vehicle is in motion, and transmitting a periodic audio signal with a predetermined frequency into a vehicle interior within a predetermined time period if the evaluated physical parameter is in a critical range, whereby the critical range indicates an appropriate level of fatigue of the driver. An apparatus for monitoring the alertness includes a monitoring unit with a sensor unit, which detects at least one physical parameter of the driver, and an evaluation unit, which evaluates the detected physical parameter while the vehicle is in motion. The evaluation unit is coupled to an audio device, which transmits a periodic audio signal into a vehicle interior within a predetermined time if the evaluated physical parameter is in a critical range.

Abstract: The invention relates to a display device, to a backlighting element, and to a method of manufacturing a backlighting element and a display device, the display device comprising a display element, the display element being backlit using a light source, a backlighting element being provided to backlight the display element, the backlighting element comprising a light guide part providing the light guide functionality, the backlighting element comprising a reflective element part, the light guide part of the backlighting element and the reflective element part being functionally combined with one another, the reflective element part and the light guide part of the backlighting element being joined, during the manufacture of the backlighting element, to form a single component.

Abstract: A dashboard for automobiles includes at least one display area including a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is located in a first extension plane while the second portion is located in a second extension plane. The second extension plane is parallel to the first extension plane and is offset relative to the first extension plane in the direction of the user of the dashboard such that the second portion forms a diaphragm opening at least partially around the first portion, and the first portion is located in a central area of the dashboard. The dashboard includes a light source, and the display area comprises a frame member for defining the first portion, wherein the light source comprises a first portion for backlighting the first portion, as well as a second portion in which the light source extends beyond the first portion of the display area.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a decorative element, notably for use associated with a motor vehicle instrument panel, the decorative element having a three-dimensional shape, the decorative element comprising a first face and a second face, the first face being visible to a user of the instrument panel and the second face being provided on the opposite side from the first face, the three-dimensional shape of the decorative element being obtained during a process of thermoforming of the decorative element, the decorative element comprising a multitude of elements printed on the second face, and the second face together with the printed elements resulting in an effective surface on the second face that is such that the effective surface has, at the locations of the printed elements, portions that are raised by comparison with the locations from which the printed elements are absent.

Abstract: A method for producing a thermo formed part includes closing in a mold a heated sheet (L) made of thermoplastic material in such a manner as to deform the latter, then cooling it inside the mold until complete consolidation is achieved. During cooling, the sheet is cut along at least one edge portion (E) thereof, this cutting operation causing a bending of the edge portion against an abutment surface (1s) in the mold; and removing the upper half-mold from the lower half-mold once the consolidation of the deformed sheet has been attained. During the cooling of the sheet inside the mold, subsequently to the cutting operation a folding operation is performed, this folding operation includes moving the abutment surface away from the edge portion of the sheet, and operating on the edge portion in such a manner as to resume its bending towards a support surface (2s) of the sheet in the mold.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pointer instrument comprising a graduated disk, a contour element which is arranged in the edge region of the disk and has a visible surface, and a pointer. The invention also relates to a method for producing a pointer instrument.

Abstract: A display device for a vehicle includes a front panel and a front frame. The front frame has a front side facing a viewer, and an opposite rear side. The front panel is connected to the front frame. The front frame on the front side and in an encircling fashion in the edge region of the front panel has an aperture edge, the aperture edge being provided substantially parallel to the extent of the front panel. The front panel is connected to the front frame on that side of the aperture edge facing the rear side of the front frame.

Abstract: The invention relates to a display device, comprising an illumination means and a liquid crystal display. The illumination means also serves to heat the liquid crystal display, and control means may control the brightness of an image displayed via the liquid crystal display.

Abstract: In the field of vehicle seats there is a need for an improved vehicle seat back tilt adjustment assembly that allows a user selectively to make small or large adjustments to the inclination of a vehicle seat back. A vehicle seat back tilt adjustment assembly comprises a guide member securable to a vehicle body; and an intermediate mechanism moveably coupled to the guide member. The intermediate mechanism includes first and second locking elements. The first locking element is moveable between a first configuration in which it is engagable with a vehicle seat back to secure the seat back to the intermediate mechanism and a second configuration in which the seat back is disengagable therefrom to allow the seat back to move independently of the intermediate mechanism. The second locking element selectively engages the guide member to secure the position of the intermediate mechanism relative to the guide member.