Abstract: A display system for a center stack of a vehicle is disclosed including a translucent material and a projection system. Dynamic graphical content derived from an input by a passenger of the vehicle via at least one of simulated controls and hard-tooled switches is projected onto the material by the projection system.

Abstract: An instrument cluster includes a cluster mask having a tell-tale formed therein, wherein the tell-tale includes an indicia window representing an alert to a user of the instrument cluster; and a light source for emitting light through the indicia window of the tell-tale.

Abstract: An operator configurable vehicle instrument panel with the ability to provide both analog and digital style outputs, and more particularly to an instrument panel configured to provide a digital style display in a first state and an analog state display in a second state using a physical pointer that was not visible in the first state.

Abstract: A charging system for a vehicle includes a primary energy source, a secondary energy source, a switching circuit in electrical communication with the primary energy source and the secondary energy source, and a charging port to provide electrical communication between the switching circuit and an electrical device, wherein the switching circuit selectively controls an electrical current flowing from the primary energy source and the secondary energy to the electrical device based upon a state of the vehicle.

Abstract: An interface system including a vehicle system having an operational data representing a setting of the associated vehicle system and an interface module in communication with the vehicle system to directly modify the operational data of the vehicle system based upon a personalized data, wherein the personalized data is in a platform independent format.

Abstract: A display unit illuminated from in front of a display area, the display unit including a display area for presenting visual information to a user of the unit, a lens element spaced apart from and extending across the display area, and a source of illumination at a peripheral edge of the lens element for providing front illumination of the display area.

Abstract: A control panel includes a display for providing visual images to a user and a rotary control including a shaft extending through an aperture formed in the display and a rotary knob coupled to the shaft, wherein the rotary control manages a control feature associated with the rotary control.

Abstract: An instrument cluster includes a cluster mask having a tell tail formed therein, wherein the tell tail includes an indicia window representing an alert to a user of the instrument cluster; and a light source for emitting light through the indicia window of the tell tail.

Abstract: A projector system for a vehicle that provides an integrated docking system throughout the vehicle, thereby providing a passenger with a multimedia display in a variety of locations, wherein a temperature range over which the projector system performs is maximized, is disclosed. The projection system includes, a docking device integrated with a surface of the vehicle, wherein the docking device is in electrical communication with at least one secondary device. A projector is adapted to be coupled to the docking device, wherein the docking device provides electrical communication between the projector and the secondary device. A retracting device having a viewing screen adapted to display a projected video output of the projector is integrated with a surface of the vehicle. The retracting device is adapted to extend the viewing screen to display the projected video output of the projector and retract the viewing screen for storage.

Abstract: A display system for a center stack of a vehicle is disclosed including a translucent material and a projection system. Dynamic graphical content derived from an input by a passenger of the vehicle via at least one of simulated controls and hard-tooled switches is projected onto the material by the projection system.

Abstract: An instrumentation assembly for installation in a vehicle dashboard is disclosed herein. The instrumentation assembly includes an electronic controller, an enclosure, a viewable gauge, a viewable display, and a proximity-sensing switch. The controller has a memory for storing information. The enclosure has a designated front section and a designated rear section, wherein the front section includes substantially transparent material so as to define a window. Both the gauge and the display are electrically connected to the controller and mounted within the enclosure so as to substantially face the window. The switch is electrically connected to the controller and operable to sense the proximal presence of a human finger. In this configuration, the display is operable to exhibit the memory's information for viewing, and the switch is activatable by a human finger to selectively control the exhibition of the information on the display. Furthermore, an instrumentation module is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: An instrumentation assembly for installation in the dashboard of a vehicle is disclosed herein. The instrumentation assembly includes an electronic controller, an enclosure, a viewable gauge, a viewable display, and a proximity-sensing switch. The controller has a memory for storing information. The enclosure has a designated front section and a designated rear section, wherein the front section includes substantially transparent material so as to define a window. Both the gauge and the display are electrically connected to the controller and mounted within the enclosure so as to substantially face the window. The switch is electrically connected to the controller and operable to sense the proximal presence of a mass, such as a human finger. In this configuration, the display is operable to exhibit the memory's information for viewing, and the switch is activatable by a human finger to selectively control the exhibition of the information on the display.

Abstract: An in-vehicle coffee maker includes a coffee mug and a brewing station that receives the mug, and has a lid that secures the mug therein. A pump supplies water to the lid from a water reservoir via a water line. A heating element heats the water to a predetermined temperature. The mug includes a mug portion, a drink cap, and a pod retainer. The drink cap includes a pod chamber to hold coffee grounds, and the pod retainer secures the coffee grounds therein. The pod retainer includes a opening for water to pass through, into the pod chamber, which in turn includes an opening for water to drain downward into the mug. The lid of the brewing station includes a nozzle that forms a sealed engagement with the opening in the pod retainer so water supplied from the reservoir to the lid flows into the pod chamber.