Abstract: Light re-reflection in a picture generation unit for a heads up display is reduced by a housing having walls that are “surfaced” to have inclined surfaces, which reflect light incident upon them toward inclined surfaces on a second and opposing surfaced wall. Re-reflections of light off the surfaced sidewalls attenuates light to a degree that it cannot generate a visible image.

Abstract: A gauge assembly includes a dial face with a scale indicative of a vehicle operating parameter. The dial face includes an opening proximate the scale and an illuminable tick mark that extends through the opening in the dial face with the tick mark being larger than the opening.

Abstract: Anomalous images generated by a picture generation unit of a heads up display are suppressed by a light-suppressing horn placed inside the picture generated unit. The horn is sized, shaped and arranged to receive scattered light that is reflected from mirrors of a digital micromirror device, which are in their “off” position but which nevertheless reflect light toward surfaces of the picture generation unit and which are subsequently emitted from the picture generation unit lens.

Abstract: An illuminated pointer for a vehicle instrument cluster provides a more uniform light by propagating light from a source, through an elongate, light-transmitting prism formed to have multiple, inclined light-reflecting surfaces. Each surface being at a different angle, reflects light at a slightly different angle producing a corresponding number of refracted light maxima along the length of the prism. A more uniform refracted light is produced.

Abstract: A gauge assembly includes a gauge surface including at least one graphic, which may be a plurality of graphics defining a scale in a generally circular pattern on the gauge surface. A light guide has a main body portion disposed adjacent to the gauge surface and corresponding to the shape of the gauge surface. The light guide has a plurality of raised tick marks extending from the main body portion. The light guide is configured to provide illumination to the illuminable graphic(s) and the plurality of tick marks. A light housing disposed a light housing disposed adjacent to the light guide, the light housing having at least one light housing opening disposed adjacent to at least one of the plurality of raised tick marks.

Abstract: A gauge assembly includes a gauge surface including at least one graphic, which may be a plurality of graphics defining a scale in a generally circular pattern on the gauge surface. A light guide has a main body portion disposed adjacent to the gauge surface and corresponding to the shape of the gauge surface. The light guide has a plurality of raised tick marks extending from the main body portion. The light guide is configured to provide illumination to the illuminable graphic(s) and the plurality of tick marks. A light housing disposed a light housing disposed adjacent to the light guide, the light housing having at least one light housing opening disposed adjacent to at least one of the plurality of raised tick marks.

Abstract: Tip-to-center illumination of a gauge pointer is provided by an elongated pointer having a hub the bottom surface of which comprises prism-shaped protuberances the surfaces of which receive light from a light source. The gauge pointer, hub and protuberances are a unitary structure made of light-conductive material.

Abstract: Anomalous images generated by a picture generation unit of a heads up display are suppressed by a light-suppressing horn placed inside the picture generated unit. The horn is sized, shaped and arranged to receive scattered light that is reflected from mirrors of a digital micromirror device, which are in their “off” position but which nevertheless reflect light toward surfaces of the picture generation unit and which are subsequently emitted from the picture generation unit lens.

Abstract: Light re-reflection in a picture generation unit for a heads up display is reduced by a housing having walls that are “surfaced” to have inclined surfaces, which reflect light incident upon them toward inclined surfaces on a second and opposing surfaced wall. Re-reflections of light off the surfaced sidewalls attenuates light to a degree that it cannot generate a visible image.

Abstract: Uniform illumination is provided to a ring-shaped or round instrument panel guage by a light-conducting ring made the exterior surface of which is roughened. The ring is formed to have a light inlet tab that receives illuminating light from a bulb or LED. The ring can have any odd or even-number of light inlet tabs.

Abstract: A pointer assembly for a vehicle instrument panel includes a pointer arm, a cap, and a shroud. The pointer arm includes a platform portion disposed about an axis or rotation and an arm portion extending outward from the platform portion. The platform portion includes an illuminable perimeter. The cap is secured to the platform portion of the pointer arm inside of the illuminable perimeter. The shroud is secured to the platform portion of the pointer arm outside of the illuminable perimeter, and the illuminable perimeter is visible between an outer perimeter of the cap and an inner perimeter of the shroud.

Abstract: Two separate and differently-colored light sources provide correspondingly-colored light into corresponding light guides that extend part way around the perimeter of a gauge, such as a tachometer dial and adjacent to numerals or digits that correspond to a measured quantity, such as a too-high engine speed range and an energy-saving or “eco” speed range.

Abstract: A disclosed adjustable display assembly includes a display viewable by a vehicle occupant, a mount supporting the display relative to the vehicle occupant. The mount is movable to adjust a position of the display relative to the vehicle occupant. A controller receives information utilized to determine an orientation of the display that would result in a reflection effecting viewing of the display by the vehicle occupant and commanding movement of the mount to eliminate reflections on the display viewable by the vehicle occupant.

Abstract: An illuminated pointer cap for an vehicle instrument panel outputs different colors from a white light source by directing the white light through different color filters. The white light is transmitted through a light-conductive substrate and reflected to the color filters by triangular-shaped undercuts formed in one side of the substrate that is opposite the color filters.

Abstract: A latitudinal color gradient light guide emits colored light having a color gradient that changes continuously from a base of the light guide to a top or apex of the guide.

Abstract: A gauge assembly includes a dial face including a plurality of printed indicia. A plurality of illuminable chaplet tick marks extend through openings in the dial face. The dial face includes dark outlines around a perimeter of each of the openings for reducing a luminance of each of the chaplet tick marks. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A gauge assembly includes a gauge surface including at least one graphic, which may be a plurality of graphics defining a scale in a generally circular pattern on the gauge surface. The gauge surface has a viewable side. A light guide has a main body portion disposed adjacent to the gauge surface and corresponding to the shape of the gauge surface. The light guide has a plurality of raised tick marks extending from the main body portion. Each tick mark is viewable via a viewing side of the gauge surface. The light guide includes ends that curve away from the gauge surface to receive light. The light guide is configured to provide illumination to the illuminable graphic(s) and the plurality of tick marks.

Abstract: A block of light-transmissive material having a substantially planar top surface and a stepped bottom surface provides uniform or at least substantially uniform luminance to both graphics and tickmarks on a dial face for a motor vehicle instrument panel dial. The tickmarks are embodied as light-transmissive protuberances from the top surface.

Abstract: A latitudinal color gradient light guide emits colored light having a color gradient that changes continuously from a base of the light guide to a top or apex of the guide.

Abstract: A disclosed adjustable display assembly includes a display viewable by a vehicle occupant, a mount supporting the display relative to the vehicle occupant. The mount is movable to adjust a position of the display relative to the vehicle occupant. A controller receives information utilized to determine an orientation of the display that would result in a reflection effecting viewing of the display by the vehicle occupant and commanding movement of the mount to eliminate reflections on the display viewable by the vehicle occupant.