Patents by Inventor Karen M. Kraus

Karen M. Kraus has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7880635
    Abstract: An enhanced color messaging instrument gauge assembly is disclosed having a lens with one or more surface interruptions. A lens covering an instrument cluster transmits colored light longitudinally from at least one light source near its edge. Light encountering the surface interruption causes the surface interruption to illuminate. In one embodiment, different colored light can be coordinated with activation of symbols on the instrument cluster to attract the attention of an operator to an abnormal operating condition or to reinforce other information being communicated to the operator on the instrument cluster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Karen M. Kraus
  • Patent number: 7647881
    Abstract: A lens for use with a display panel configured to emit light and display images is provided. The lens has a light-emitting surface and a plurality of enhancement portions. A first enhancement portion is configured to physically correspond to a first image displayed on the display screen. The first enhancement portion is further configured to collect at least a portion of the light emitted by the display screen and emit the light through the light-emitting surface of the lens. A second enhancement portion is configured to physically correspond to a second image displayed on the display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies
    Inventor: Karen M. Kraus
  • Publication number: 20090066532
    Abstract: An enhanced color messaging instrument gauge assembly is disclosed having a lens with one or more surface interruptions. A lens covering an instrument cluster transmits colored light longitudinally from at least one light source near its edge. Light encountering the surface interruption causes the surface interruption to illuminate. In one embodiment, different colored light can be coordinated with activation of symbols on the instrument cluster to attract the attention of an operator to an abnormal operating condition or to reinforce other information being communicated to the operator on the instrument cluster.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventor: Karen M. Kraus
  • Publication number: 20080278803
    Abstract: A lens for use with a display panel configured to emit light and display images is provided. The lens has a light-emitting surface and a plurality of enhancement portions. A first enhancement portion is configured to physically correspond to a first image displayed on the display screen. The first enhancement portion is further configured to collect at least a portion of the light emitted by the display screen and emit the light through the light-emitting surface of the lens. A second enhancement portion is configured to physically correspond to a second image displayed on the display screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventor: Karen M. Kraus
  • Patent number: 7121674
    Abstract: An illuminable instrument panel display of an automobile vehicle includes a first plate having a thickness and defining opposed first and second surfaces. Portions of the plate define an outer peripheral edge and an inner peripheral edge that define a central region. Indicia is formed into the plate and adapted to pick up ambient and supplied light. A light source is located within the central region. A support is coupled to the plate so as to support the plate relative to the instrument panel whereby the light source is adapted to illuminate the indicia through the transmission of light through the inner peripheral edge within the thickness of the face plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Karen M. Kraus, Robert V. Wilson, II