Abstract: A vehicle instrument panel assembly includes a light source, a pointer, and a sensor. The light source is configured to emit light from a display surface of the assembly. The pointer overlies the display surface and is movable about an axis to an angle to point to indicia on the display surface. The pointer defines a hub portion and a needle portion that extends from the hub portion. The hub portion overlies the light source and includes a light-guide that guides light from the light source into the needle portion whereby the needle portion is illuminated. The sensor is located proximate to the hub portion. The sensor is configured to detect that the pointer is present regardless of the angle of the pointer.

Abstract: A vehicle instrument panel assembly includes a light source, a pointer, and a sensor. The light source is configured to emit light from a display surface of the assembly. The pointer overlies the display surface and is movable about an axis to an angle to point to indicia on the display surface. The pointer defines a hub portion and a needle portion that extends from the hub portion. The hub portion overlies the light source and includes a light-guide that guides light from the light source into the needle portion whereby the needle portion is illuminated. The sensor is located proximate to the hub portion. The sensor is configured to detect that the pointer is present regardless of the angle of the pointer.

Abstract: An instrument panel assembly for displaying vehicle information includes a pointer and a magnetic device. The pointer is operable to move about an axis to point at indicia defined by the assembly. The pointer is also operable to vary a length of the pointer in response to a magnetic field proximate to the pointer. The magnetic is device configured to cooperate with the pointer to vary the length of the pointer.

Abstract: An apparatus is configured to shape a flat flexible cable (FFC). The apparatus is configured such that a first end and a second end of the FFC can be positioned, respectively, at a first location and a second location of a circuit board assembly (CBA). The apparatus includes a radiused portion configured to determine a bend radius of the FFC when the FFC is installed into the apparatus. The apparatus also includes a clamp portion configured to urge the FFC around the radiused portion when the FFC is installed into the apparatus.

Abstract: An instrument panel assembly for displaying vehicle information includes a pointer and a magnetic device. The pointer is operable to move about an axis to point at indicia defined by the assembly. The pointer is also operable to vary a length of the pointer in response to a magnetic field proximate to the pointer. The magnetic is device configured to cooperate with the pointer to vary the length of the pointer.

Abstract: A vehicle instrument panel assembly that includes a display surface and a pointer equipped with an electro-optical cell. The display surface is equipped with a graphical indicator. The graphical indicator is selectively operable to an off-state and an illuminated-state. The pointer is operable to move about an axis to point to indicia on the display surface. The pointer is operable to a position that obstructs the graphical indictor from view. The electro-optical cell is operable to a transparent-state and located on the pointer to overlay the graphical indicator when the pointer is at the position that obstructs the graphical indictor from view. The cell is operated to the transparent-state when the graphical indicator is operated to the illuminated-state.

Abstract: An instrumentation assembly suitable for use as a vehicle instrument cluster, and a method to align an image displayed by a reconfigurable display of the assembly to an applique that overlays the display. The applique defines a reference hole located so light from the display to passes through the reference hole. A light sensor detects light from the display that passes through the reference hole. A relative alignment between the display and the applique is determined based on the signal. The relative alignment is used to shift or reposition images on the display so they align with features on the applique. The assembly and method also provide a way to adjust for image flicker of the display.

Abstract: A vehicle instrument panel assembly that includes a display, a pointer, and a light detector. The display is configured to define indicia on a surface of the display. The indicia are configured to emit light. The pointer is configured to rotate a shaft of the pointer about an axis to align a tip of the pointer with the indicia. The pointer is also configured to conduct light emitted by the indicia from the tip into the shaft when the tip is substantially aligned with the indicia. The light detector is configured to detect light in the shaft of the pointer to determine the position of the pointer.

Abstract: A vehicle instrument panel assembly configured to determine an orientation angle of an illuminated pointer of the assembly. The assembly includes a pointer, and a sensor. The pointer is configured to emit light and rotate about a display surface of the assembly to point to indicia on the display surface. The sensor is configured to detect light emitted by the pointer when the pointer is oriented at a predetermined orientation angle relative to the display surface.

Abstract: A vehicle instrument panel assembly that includes a display surface and a pointer equipped with an electro-optical cell. The display surface is equipped with a graphical indicator. The graphical indicator is selectively operable to an off-state and an illuminated-state. The pointer is operable to move about an axis to point to indicia on the display surface. The pointer is operable to a position that obstructs the graphical indictor from view. The electro-optical cell is operable to a transparent-state and located on the pointer to overlay the graphical indicator when the pointer is at the position that obstructs the graphical indictor from view. The cell is operated to the transparent-state when the graphical indicator is operated to the illuminated-state.

Abstract: A vehicle instrument panel assembly that includes a pointer, a light source, and a light pipe. The pointer is movable about an axis to point to indicia on a display surface of the assembly. The pointer defines a shaft portion of the pointer that rotates about the axis. The light source is configured to emit light into the shaft to illuminate the pointer. The light pipe is arranged on the display surface and proximate to a sweep path of a tip of the pointer. The pointer is further configured to project light from the light source into the light pipe.

Abstract: A vehicle instrument panel assembly configured to determine an orientation angle of a stepper motor actuated pointer of the assembly. The assembly includes a pointer, a stepper motor, a magnet, and a sensor. The pointer is movable about an axis to point to indicia on a display surface of the assembly. The stepper motor is coupled to the pointer via a reduction gear arrangement. The magnet is fixedly coupled to the pointer such that a magnetic field direction generated by the magnet corresponds to an angle of the pointer. The sensor is configured to determine the magnetic field direction of the magnet and output a signal indicative of the angle of the pointer.

Abstract: A vehicle instrument panel assembly configured to verify that light sources of the assembly are operating properly is provided. The assembly includes a first light source, a second light source, a light detector, and a controller. The first light source is operable to emit light having a first modulation. The second light source is operable to emit light having a second modulation distinguishable from the first modulation. The light detector is configured to detect light emitted by the first light source and the second light source. The controller is configured to receive a detection signal from the light detector effective for the controller to determine if the first light source and the second light source are operating properly.

Abstract: An instrument panel for a vehicle that includes a housing, a microphone and an actuator. The microphone is configured to detect a characteristic sound in the housing. The actuator is coupled to the housing, and the actuator is configured to emit the characteristic sound into the housing when actuated.

Abstract: A vehicle security system that includes a knock detection means such as a microphone configured to detect knocking on the vehicle such as knocking on a window of the vehicle. The system includes a controller configured to receive a signal from the knock detection means and unlock a door of the vehicle if the signal corresponds to a predetermined pattern.

Abstract: An instrument cluster assembly suitable for installation into a vehicle to display information to an operator of the vehicle. The assembly includes a reconfigurable display, a mirror, and a pointer. The reconfigurable display is configured to display an image. The mirror is oriented to reflect the image toward the operator. The pointer is movably overlying the minor such that the pointer is effective to indicate a feature of the image to the operator. The pointer may be mounted on a rotatable shaft passing through a hole in the minor such that rotation of the shaft is effective to orient the pointer.

Abstract: An instrument cluster assembly suitable for installation into a vehicle to display information to an operator of the vehicle. The assembly includes a reconfigurable display, a substrate, and a pointer. The reconfigurable display is configured to display an image. The substrate is movably supported over at least a portion of the display. The substrate is formed of material characterized as sufficiently transparency to see the image through the substrate. The pointer is fixedly coupled to the substrate such that movement of the substrate is effective to orient the pointer to indicate a feature of the image to the operator.

Abstract: A needle indicator assembly that includes a pointer formed at least in part of magnetized material, and configured to rotate about an axis and thereby define an area swept by the pointer. The assembly also includes a plurality of electromagnets arranged around a perimeter of the area, said electromagnets operable to urge the pointer to point in a desired direction. An instrument panel equipped this needle assembly overlying a reconfigurable display gives the appearance that the pointer is floating above the display, and the means by which the pointer is moved is not readily apparent.