Abstract: An arrangement in passenger vehicles, that diverts the impact energy in impacts away from the passengers to the remaining mass of the vehicle thereby protecting the passengers, and in the same arrangement provides utilitarian access to the vehicle, such utilitarian access making it possible to both install multi-element contoured surround seats for passengers and the driver, and also safety devices and arrangements for head-on collision protection that protect the passenger. An indo-skeletal structural arrangement proposed for the vehicle, provides further benefits by targeting the strength of the vehicle to protect passengers while minimizing other massive elements in the vehicle.

Abstract: An integrated driving assistance apparatus is provided, which is installed in a vehicle with a headlight, a turn signal light, and a side-view mirror. The integrated driving assistance apparatus includes a detector, an infrared emitter, an image sensor, and an image processor. The detector is configured to detect whether the headlight and the turn signal light are turned on or off respectively. The infrared emitter is located on the side-view mirror and irradiates infrared rays when the detector detects that the headlight is turned on. The image sensor is located on the side-view mirror for capturing an image of an area beside the vehicle. The image processor is coupled to the image sensor and the detector and configured to receive and process the image to generate a warning signal.

Abstract: A vehicular display device that includes a transmissive first liquid crystal display unit having a plurality of display elements; a transmissive second liquid crystal display unit superposed on the first liquid crystal display unit and having a plurality of display elements; and a controller for controlling the display elements of the first second liquid crystal display units, so as to display information required by a driver of the vehicle. The information displayed by the display elements includes at least first information indicative of a status of the vehicle, second information for confirming an operating setting of a vehicle-mounted device on the vehicle, and third information for indication to the driver. The controller controls the display elements to selectively display the information by selectively energizing and de-energizing the display elements, and further controls the display elements to simultaneously display the information in a non-overlapping manner.

Abstract: An information display system for a hybrid electric vehicle configured to display one or more reasons an engine is on is provided. The information display system determines which engine on reasons are true and applies a prioritization strategy to determine which engine on reasons are displayed to an operator via an information display.

Abstract: A display device for a vehicle that display an amount of a particulate matter collected in a filter device for exhaust gas purification. A vehicle 1 includes distance storage apparatus 46 for storing a travel distance, a filter device 5 for exhaust gas purification for trapping a particulate matter contained in an exhaust gas, and collected amount detection apparatus 25 for finding an amount of the particulate matter collected in the filter device 5 for exhaust gas purification. A display control unit 42 normally acquires a travel distance from the distance storage apparatus 46 and displays the travel distance as a numerical value on a segment display unit 41, and when instructed to display a collected amount of the particulate matter, the display control unit 42 acquires a collected amount from the collected amount detection apparatus 25 and lights up the number of segment groups 61 corresponding to the collected amount, thereby displaying the collected amount.

Abstract: A display apparatus is provided for a vehicle that includes, but is not limited to a scale having a plurality of scale values for at least one associated operating parameter of the vehicle, including, but not limited to an indicator for the display of a current operating parameter value. The scaling of the scale is variable and an adaptation of the scaling is made depending on the current operating parameter.

Abstract: An on-vehicle display control unit includes a CPU to which vehicle data of various kinds are inputted and a graphic LSI arranged to generate display data to be outputted to a display. The graphic LSI is arranged to generate predetermined display data from image data generated by a meter ECU. However, if there is a problem in a state of the meter ECU or an input status of 3D moving picture data, the graphic LSI receives a fail safe control from the CPU (4), thereby to generate fail safe display data corresponding to the predetermined display data. This realizes an on-vehicle display system capable of stably displaying important vehicle information.

Abstract: An instrument cluster for use in a passenger vehicle includes a translucent sheet. The sheet is located in front of at least one of an appliqué, a display face, and a pointer of the instrument cluster. Indicia are embedded in the translucent sheet. The indicia has a first visual state and a second visual state, the indicia being more noticeable in its second visual state than in its first visual state.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention detect and visually indicate to onlookers when a motor vehicle driver's and/or passenger's seatbelt is not engaged. An embodiment is comprised of control electronics, wiring, and an on-board Centre High Mount Stop Lamp (“CHMSL”) mounted in the rear of the vehicle as the means of communication and deterrence.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating, by a computer processor, a first status indicator and a second status indicator, generating a first attention value to indicate an amount of attention a user should devote to the first status indicator, and a second attention value to indicate an amount of attention the user should devote to the second status indicator, and outputting the first and second attention values to enable display for the user. The attention values may be generated based on reliability factors of the status indicators and on probability of failure of a control system.

Abstract: In one aspect of watercraft automation and aquatic data utilization for aquatic efforts, an anchor point is obtained and a watercraft position maintenance routine is actuated to control the watercraft to maintain association with the anchor point. In another aspect, prior aquatic effort data is obtained in association with an anchor point. In yet another aspect, current aquatic effort data is generated in association with an anchor point. In still another aspect, current aquatic effort data and prior aquatic effort data are utilized for prediction generation. In yet another aspect, current aquatic effort data and prior aquatic effort data are utilized to obtain another anchor point for a watercraft.

Abstract: Heads-up display systems for vehicles which generate a virtual display in a field of view of an occupant of the vehicle when facing outward of the vehicle. A control system is coupled to the heads-up display system and detects an action by the occupant and controls the content of the virtual display being generated by the heads-up display system based on the detected action.

Abstract: A display apparatus for vehicle includes: a first display unit which is provided in a region within a horizontal width of a steering wheel when viewed from a driver, and which displays at least single piece of notification information regarding a state of the vehicle; a second display unit which is integrally formed with the first display unit, and which displays information in a region outside the horizontal width of the steering wheel when viewed from the driver; and a control unit which controls image-display on the first display unit and the second display unit. The second display unit includes an information-image display region which displays an information-image corresponding to the at least single piece of notification information, and a guide display region which displays a guide-image for guiding a driver's eye to a side of the information-image display region.

Abstract: An improved image acquisition and processing system includes an image sensor and one or more processors that are configured to receive at least a portion of at least one image from the image sensor. The dynamic aim of the image sensor is configured as a function of at least one feature extracted from at least a portion of an image. The processors are further configured to generate at least one vehicle equipment control signal as a function of the extracted feature.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a mirror support with a pivot element and a mirror mount configured for attachment to an attachment element at a vehicle. The mirror assembly includes a mirror head having a housing and a reflective element, with the mirror head pivotally attaching to the mirror support via a single pivot joint of the mirror assembly. The mirror assembly includes an imaging sensor disposed at the mirror support and having a forward field of view through the windshield of the vehicle. The mirror assembly includes a headlamp controller that, responsive to sensing of at least one of an oncoming headlight of another vehicle and a taillight of another vehicle by the imaging sensor, at least partially controls a headlight of the equipped vehicle. The mirror support may be configured to accommodate at least one of circuitry and an accessory.

Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes at least one imaging sensor for sensing images of objects in a forward field of view of the imaging sensor. The imaging system includes a control responsive to an output of the imaging sensor. The control modulates at least one headlamp of the vehicle in response to the output of the imaging sensor. The control may process an output of the imaging sensor to identify a headlamp or taillight of another vehicle in the forward field of view of the at least one imaging sensor and to determine a distance between the controlled vehicle and the identified headlamp or taillight of another vehicle. The control may modulate the at least one headlamp of the vehicle in response to the image processing.

Abstract: Information display systems capable of iconically representing the components of a hybrid powertrain and method thereof. In operation, the information display systems indicate the specific powertrain components in the hybrid system that are active in various hybrid operational modes (e.g., electric launch, blended torque, etc.). In particular, active components are highlighted (i.e., increased intensity) by the display and non-active components are faded (i.e., decreased intensity). In one embodiment, the vehicle wheels are depicted with a static intensity in-between that of the active components and the non-active components. This allows the vehicle operator to clearly see which components are active during each hybrid system mode, and to gain a simplified picture of hybrid system behavior during normal operation at a glance.

Abstract: A novel display apparatus and method that enables the operator to shift gears smoothly on motor vehicles is described. The display shows engine revolutions per minute (RPM) at various traveling speeds for any gears all in one dial. The display may also show shifting paths for different driving styles. The static version of the display may be overlaid on top of existing tachometer. The dynamic version of display runs on portable devices with Global Positioning System (GPS) will show optimal RPM and shift indicator continuously. Further, the dynamic display is wireless networked to provide real-time driving instructions.

Abstract: An in-vehicle display device includes (a) a display unit provided on a surface of an instrument panel of a vehicle, opposed to a windshield of the vehicle, and configured to indicate a plurality of information dots V in a row or in a rectangular array on the windshield such that the necessary information dots are selectably displayed from among the plurality of the information dots and superposed upon a real image viewed through the windshield, (b) a target information acquisition unit that obtains target information of which a driver of the vehicle is to be notified, and (c) a display control unit that controls the display unit and makes the display unit indicate the predetermined information dots V that correspond to the target information that has been obtained by the target information acquisition unit.

Abstract: An on-vehicle display device mounted on a ceiling including an open and close mechanism, which secures the rearward visibility during the backward driving of the vehicle and also enables the user to continue to enjoy display images. The on-vehicle display device includes a control means which controls the display 1, when the display 1 is open at a best view-angle position, to move in even more widely open direction to a predetermined angle (an displacement-angle position 1b), upon detection of entering a backward driving state of the vehicle. The display 1 is controlled to return to the best view-angle position when the backward driving state of the vehicle is terminated.

Abstract: A display device for a motor vehicle comprises only a single pointer and two scales. The scales may indicate, with the pointer, vehicle speed and engine rotational speed. At least one of the scales may be dynamic. Scaling may indicate available gears in segments, and the segments may be illuminated. Illumination may vary in length and an illuminated surface and/or intensity may be a function of engine speed.

Abstract: A head-up display device includes a light source, a display unit for producing display virtual images including an alarm display image, a mirror for reflecting the light to show the alarm display image in a field of front view of a driver, at least one on-vehicle device that the driver operates, a visual-line shift detecting means and a display position shifting means. The mirror reflects the light representing the alarm display image so that a driver can see the alarm display image in a display area that is set on one of a front windshield and a combiner in front of the driver and in a field of front vision of the driver. The visual-line shift detecting means detects a visual line shift of the driver from a usual forward visual range of the driver toward the on-vehicle device that the driver operates.

Abstract: Heads-up display systems for vehicles which generate a virtual display in a field of view of an occupant of the vehicle when facing outward of the vehicle. A control system is coupled to the heads-up display system and detects an action by the occupant, e.g., touching of a touch pad, and controls the content of the virtual display being generated by the heads-up display system based on the detected action. The touch pad may include a surface acoustical wave (SAW) device whereby touching causes a particular returned signal from the SAW substrate, with this particular returned signal being processable into an activation of the manner in which the touch pad was touched.

Abstract: A disclosed accelerator level display device 1 includes an accelerator level detection unit 12 configured to detect an accelerator level; a target accelerator level determining unit 14b configured to determine a target accelerator level for the accelerator level; and a display unit 15a, 20 configured to display a target accelerator level indicator corresponding to the target accelerator level and an accelerator level indicator corresponding to the detected accelerator level. The display unit is configured to display the target accelerator level indicator as a fixed value regardless of the target accelerator level determined by the target accelerator level determining unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-function display and operating system (2) in a motor vehicle (1) and to a method for operating such a system. The multi-function display and operating system (2) comprises at least one display device (6) for displaying information, a control unit (3) controlling the representation of information on a display surface (7) of the display device (6), at least two operating units for capturing user inputs, wherein the control unit (3) is designed to control the representation of the information displayed to support the user inputs on the display surface (7) of the display device (6) by means of different operating displays (21, 23) which are each adapted to one of the at least two operating units via which a user input is captured or for which an operating intention for a user input is captured.

Abstract: A vehicle meter display system that displays vehicle information including important information includes: a steering wheel that has at least one opening formed between spokes; a meter display unit disposed at a position closer to the front of the vehicle than the steering wheel; a steering angle detection unit that detects the steering angle of the steering wheel; and a meter display control unit that changes the manner in which an important information display area is displayed based on the steering angle detected by the steering angle detection unit so that a diver is able to see the important information through the at least one opening.

Abstract: A multisignal device is applicable to a rear-view mirror of a vehicle, the device being installed in the inside of a housing carrying the mirror. The device includes two signaling units arranged in a joint or separate arrangement, one of them comprising an array of light emitters being adapted to be progressively switched on in a sequential, combined and/or consecutive manner as per the vehicle's running direction and speed and thus allowing to cover a wide range with their light beams by extending the illuminated field in a vertically downward direction and in a rearward direction and/or towards an external side of the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention provides a display method of processing images photographed by plural cameras and an apparatus for the same, which synthesizes the images by plural cameras mounted on a vehicle for photographing the surroundings thereof and makes it possible to display an easily viewable three-dimensional object near the vehicle, as if one camera were positioned above the vehicle. An image capture unit captures images photographed by plural cameras that photograph the surroundings of a vehicle. An upper observation point image processing unit synthesizes the captured images into an image viewed as from above the vehicle. An image intensity/chrominance determination unit detects an area wherein the displayed image varies from other areas in the synthesized image based on the intensity/chrominance thereof. When the intensity or the chrominance of the area is continuously varying, a three-dimensional object detection unit determines the detected area as a three-dimensional object.

Abstract: A display device of the present invention is mounted on an automotive vehicle. An obstacle located in front of the vehicle is detected by a camera, and its features including speed, distance, size, etc. are analyzed by electronic circuits. An image showing the features of the front object is outputted from a liquid crystal panel. The outputted image is reflected on the windshield, displaying a virtual image to a driver. The virtual image is displayed in a form of a spot encircling the front obstacle seen through the windshield. The ways of displaying the encircling spot are variously changed according to a degree of collision danger that is determined according to a period in which the vehicle reaches the obstacle. For example, if the degree of collision danger is high, the spot is shown in red-orange color and/or with a high brightness. Thus, the driver easily recognizes the front obstacle in a high degree of collision danger.

Abstract: A method of optimizing fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions of a vehicle may entail utilizing an interior vehicle display to alert a driver as to the state of various vehicle components and parameters and their effect on fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions. The components and parameters may be monitored by or direct information into a vehicle efficiency ECU which communicates with the display. The method may entail reading and displaying a real-time tire pressure into the efficiency ECU and displaying the corresponding fuel economy. a manufacturer's recommended tire pressure and corresponding fuel economy could also be displayed. The method may also entail reading a variety of real-time weather conditions into the efficiency ECU that correspond to a plurality of different road routes to a driver-selected destination. The fuel economy of each route may be displayed for driver selection to optimize fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions.

Abstract: A system for interfacing with a vehicle broadly comprises a processing element, a memory element, a display, a user interface, a network port, a device port, and a vehicle interface unit. The processing element executes computer code or programs and is in communication with the memory element, which stores programs and data. The display presents information to a user. The user interface allows the user to interact with and enter information into the system. The network port allows the system to communicate with other systems or devices. The device port provides communication with a plurality of external components. The vehicle interface unit is coupled with the vehicle components and a plurality of batteries and is configured to determine a voltage level and a charge level of each of the batteries. The vehicle interface unit is alternatively coupled with the vehicle components and components of an engine to determine performance parameters.

Abstract: An instrument panel display system displays vehicle information, amenity information, and safety information as images. In this instrument panel display system, data (image data, image layout data, and image output control data) for displaying the images are generated in a shared manner by a vehicle system processor, an amenity system processor, and a safety system processor. On account of this, the stability of image display on an instrument panel of a vehicle or the like is improved and hence safety of driving is increased.

Abstract: In an image information generation device, based on status information representing statuses of various sections of a mobile unit such as a motor vehicle, image information used to display an image required, for instance, for steering this mobile unit on a display device is generated easily. In order to generate, as the image information, a layout identifier that specifies a layout of an image to be displayed on the liquid crystal display device and a component image identifier that specifies a display mode of each component image in the layout, the DPF controller compares the MEN/SEN judging table that stores an identifier table in which a correlation between the status information and the MEN, a correlation between the status information and the SEN, and a correlation between the MEN and the SEN are defined with the status information collected from the ECUs in the various sections of the mobile unit.

Abstract: A rotary quad control interface that allows a vehicle driver to control several vehicle systems without focusing on the interface itself. The interface includes four touch pads disposed in four quadrants of the interface, an outer rotary dial positioned substantially at the center of the four touch pads and an inner rotary dial disposed within the outer rotary dial and being concentric thereto, where the inner rotary dial also operates as a push button. A display screen displays the operation of the interface, and includes a first display portion, a second display portion, a third display portion and a fourth display portion that are provided as quadrants on the display screen and are representative of the touch pads on the interface.

Abstract: An on-vehicle instrument panel display system preferably is mounted on an automobile and operative such that a plurality of pieces of information including information relating to an automobile are converted into images and the images are displayed all on a liquid crystal panel. The on-vehicle instrument panel display system has a vehicle system, an amenity system, and a safety system, each of which creates data for displaying the images. Further, the on-vehicle instrument panel display system has an instrument panel image composition/output section which combines data created by the systems and outputs the result as composed image data to the liquid crystal panel. The instrument panel image composition/output section includes an image composition LSI. Composed image data outputted from the image composition LSI is an RBG signal or a YUV signal.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electronic instrument panel for vehicles consisting of information display that provides on-demand imaging where instruments are not in static, fixed position, but rather change in location, dimension, information presented based on conditions and environment the vehicle is in, and based on user or factory preferences and settings. The display can change colors, be self dimming and offer wide array of telemetry, entertainment, vehicle data, climate control, instrumentation, and powertrain information. The instrument panel will be online through wireless connectivity and provide the occupants real-time on-demand information about the vehicle and its surroundings through electronic display and human voice.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a passenger compartment, a touch-screen for receiving an input signal from an occupant when the occupant touches the touch-screen, an output device, and a controller. The controller changes a characteristic of an electromagnetic wave in the form of visible light and/or an audible sound, which is transmitted into the passenger compartment via the output device in response to the input signal. The output device includes light sources, such as light-emitting diodes (LED) or electro-luminescent (EL) ribbon and a speaker. The controller presents a predetermined set of lighting and/or sound options on the touch-screen which the occupant can touch to generate the input signal, thus selectively illuminating the light sources or playing a particular sound file. The controller can also play a digital sound file whenever a corresponding vehicle condition is detected.

Abstract: A digital radio broadcast receiver, a radio broadcast receiving unit and a digital radio broadcast receiving system are provided. Character information stored in a memory is displayed as image on a display device when such a condition that a vehicle speed is 0 km/h and a foot brake or a hand brake is on is satisfied, i.e., when a vehicle is halted or parked. Or, the character information stored in the memory is outputted as voice through a voice output device when such a condition that the vehicle speed is 0 km/h and the foot brake or the hand brake is on is not satisfied, i.e., when the vehicle is traveling.

Abstract: A first meter cluster panel and a second meter cluster panel are disposed on an instrument panel of a vehicle such that the first meter cluster panel and the second meter cluster panel have respective centers of display disposed substantially coaxially with each other. The first meter cluster panel is disposed near a boundary line at a position deeper than that of the second meter cluster panel as viewed by a driver who is directing his or her line of sight from an eye range in the forward direction of the vehicle. The first meter cluster panel displays information that is visually recognized outside of a steering wheel. The second meter cluster panel displays information that is visually recognized inside the steering wheel when the driver directs his or her line of sight from the eye range in the forward direction of the vehicle.

Abstract: An onboard display device includes a display section attached to an instrument panel of a vehicle. The section has a second display area and a first display area. The second display area shows at least the speed as vehicle condition images indicating the conditions of the vehicle. The first display area shows a navigation image and other secondary images. The display section measures greater in width than in height with an aspect ratio of 7:3 or greater. The aspect ratio is the width/height ratio of a display area. The onboard display device allows for a visibility-improved simultaneous display of the secondary image, such as a navigation image, and the vehicle condition image, such as a speed display, which presents information on the conditions of the vehicle.

Abstract: A display system includes a combination image dividing section arranged to divide a single combination image composed of a plurality of item images into a plurality of image blocks such that each of the image blocks has an item image; an image inputting controlling section arranged to lay out the individual image blocks; and an image inputting controlling section arranged to generate display data based on the image blocks laid out thereby. This can achieve a display system, to be mounted in the maneuverable moving object and having high degrees of freedom for screen layout, at a lower cost.

Abstract: A display device for a vehicle has a display unit that has a meter display area and a navigation display area. The meter display area displays vehicle operation condition, and the navigation display area displays travel route guidance. When a display color changes in the travel route guidance in the navigation display area, color of the vehicle operation condition in the meter display area is also changed so that the color of the travel route guidance becomes more eye-catching than the vehicle operation condition.

Abstract: In a first display mode, a common image function component is displayed to occupy at least a part of a display region of a second specific image function component. In a second display mode, the common image function component is continuously displayed outside the second specific image function component to avoid the overlap therebetween (i.e., such that an exclusive positional relationship is made therebetween). When the display mode is switched, a final transition of the display mode to a display state in the second display mode is made while or after a moving image showing a transition process, in which the common image function component is moved from a display position in the first display mode to a display position in the second display mode, is displayed as a mode transition animation.

Abstract: In a first display mode, a common image function component is displayed to occupy at least a part of a display region of a second specific image function component. In a second display mode, the common image function component is continuously displayed outside the second specific image function component to avoid the overlap therebetween (i.e., such that an exclusive positional relationship is made therebetween). When the display mode is switched, a final transition of the display mode to a display state in the second display mode is made while or after a moving image showing a transition process, in which the common image function component is moved from a display position in the first display mode to a display position in the second display mode, is displayed as a mode transition animation.

Abstract: A method for updating a content of a given warning message emitted in an aircraft by a monitoring system in case of detection of a particular state of at least one monitored system of the aircraft, the method including a step of delivery of a plurality of modification information items to a selection tool, each modification information item defining a modification of a content of a warning message capable of being emitted by the monitoring system, the selection tool being capable of selecting at least one information item among the plurality of modification information items in such a way as to permit modification of the content of the given warning message.

Abstract: A display system for a vehicle system includes at least one light sensor that detects a light condition, and a display member that displays an information message. The information message includes a background and an object that is displayed adjacent the background. The display system further includes a controller that changes legibility of the information message by changing each of the background and the object based on the light condition detected by the light sensor. A method of controlling the display system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A first meter cluster panel and a second meter cluster panel are disposed on an instrument panel of a vehicle such that the first meter cluster panel and the second meter cluster panel have respective centers of display disposed substantially coaxially with each other. The first meter cluster panel is disposed near a boundary line at a position deeper than that of the second meter cluster panel as viewed by a driver who is directing his or her line of sight from an eye range in the forward direction of the vehicle. The first meter cluster panel displays information that is visually recognized outside of a steering wheel. The second meter cluster panel displays information that is visually recognized inside the steering wheel when the driver directs his or her line of sight from the eye range in the forward direction of the vehicle.

Abstract: A display for measured quantities can include a dial plaque with at least one set of indicia spaced around the plaque to indicate the measured quantities. An optical device can be mounted on a shaft within a perimeter of the dial plaque at a location surrounded by the indicia. The optical device can redirect an incident light beam onto the area of the set of indicia. A motor can turn the shaft to rotate the optical device through three-hundred-sixty degrees about an axis of rotation centered on the shaft. Apparatus can be provided for sensing the shaft rotating angular position. A light source can project a light beam on the optical device through the axis of rotation, such that a virtual pointer is generated.

Abstract: A vehicle periphery monitoring apparatus is comprised of a camera installed in the front or rear of a vehicle, for picking up images of side view of the vehicle; a feature point detecting section that detects feature points in the side images and calculates the motion vectors of the detected feature points; a moving object detecting section that detects a set of a plurality of feature points approaching the vehicle in the side images as an approaching object based on the calculated motion vectors of the feature points; a feature point tracking section that tracks the feature points of the detected approaching object; and a passage time calculating section that calculates the time at which the approaching object passes the front or rear of the vehicle from the feature points of the approaching object tracked by the feature point tracking section.

Abstract: An information display for a vehicle includes an indicator arrangement having a visual display configured to provide driver demand information to a vehicle driver. The visual display includes a dynamic target range for operating the vehicle, which includes a first boundary and a second boundary indicating a driver demand that would cause the engine to start. A control system includes at least one controller, and is configured to receive at least one input related to current operating conditions of the vehicle and to provide at least one output to the indicator arrangement to position the target range on the visual display and to indicate to the driver a current level of driver demand. In this way, the visual display indicates to the driver the current level of driver demand relative to the position of the target range.