Abstract: An operation unit for a vehicle air conditioner includes a display device, a setting input portion of a control parameter of the air conditioner other than a set temperature, an obtaining portion configured to obtain a present set value of the control parameter, and an operating state identification portion configured to identify whether an air-conditioning operating state is in a plurality of predetermined operating states of the air conditioner. In the operation unit, a moving pattern of a pointer of the display device is changed according to the operating state of the air conditioner. For example, a pointer operation control portion can be configured to control an operation of a pointer driving motor such that the pointer moves on a dial of the display device at different moving speeds according to the air-conditioning operating state.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery includes a housing having an external surface including a user interface region. A battery cell within the housing is characterized by a charging status, a state of charge, and a state of health. A processor disposed within the housing determines and/or stores the charging status as well as one or more of the state of charge and the state of health of the battery cell. The user interface region provides a plurality of visual components configured to provide a plurality of visual cues relating to the charging status, the state of charge, and the state of health of the battery cell. The plurality of visual components may include a persistent display, an on-demand display, and an input component. The input component may be used to select the manner in which the visual cues are provided.

Abstract: An indicating instrument for a vehicle may employ an analog type lighted pointer arranged on a rotatable, circular shaped pointer disk, a liquid crystal display arranged over the pointer disk, and a first dial with indicia located outboard of or adjacent to and/or inboard of the LCD. A second or inboard dial may be located over the liquid crystal display. The pointer disk may be a translucent light collector for the pointer yet also transmit light to provide backlighting for the LCD. Depending upon the analog gauge arrangement, the pointer may point outboard of the pointer disk or toward the LCD center. The dials, especially the second dial, may be in the shape of rings to permit viewing of the LCD from the perspective of a viewer, such as a vehicle driver.

Abstract: A pointer type indicating apparatus includes dial plates each of which has an index portion for indicating operation information items of an operation object, pointers each of which is driven to point one of the operation information items, driving units for driving the pointers, and operation units, each of which is adjustable by an user to actuate the driving unit so that the pointer points preferable one of the operation information items. The operation unit has a substantial cylinder shape and is rotatable. The dial plate, the index portion and the pointer are arranged at the inner side of the operation unit. Thus, the appearance of the pointer type indicating apparatus can be simplified, and the user can be provided with an intuitionistic operation.

Abstract: A device for providing a representation of the presence state of a remote party, the device being responsive, when the presence state of a remote party changes, to move from a first mechanical configuration to a second mechanical configuration, the device preferably comprising a puppet portion in the form of a humanoid which can be moved between a standing and another position.

Abstract: A needle meter includes a display device, an indication arrangement, a needle, a first illumination member, a second illumination member, a circuit board, and a movement. The first illumination member illuminates the display device. The second illumination member illuminates the indication arrangement. The circuit board is provided at an opposite side of the display device opposite the reference face of the display device. The needle includes a hub portion, an arm portion, and a pointer portion such that the needle has a generally U-shape and is integrally molded of a translucent resin. The display device, the indication arrangement, the first illumination member, and the second illumination member are integrally received and supported by a bracket to constitute a display unit. The display unit is provided between the pointer portion and the arm portion of the needle in a direction for observing the reference face of the display device.

Abstract: A voltage indicator circuit for indicating a charge state of a power supply, such as a battery pack, is disclosed. The voltage indicator circuit includes a voltage divider circuit that connects to a plurality of series connected light sources, such as light emitting diodes. Upon activation of the voltage divider circuit, one or more of the light sources may illuminate to provide a visual indication of the current charge state of the power supply. More particularly, the number of light sources illuminated varies according to the charge state of the battery pack.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for the controlled return of a pointer driven by a stepping motor in the event of failure of the supply voltage includes a control circuit for actuating the stepping motor. The supply voltage at least for the control circuit for the stepping motor is buffered with at least one buffer capacitor, the capacitance of the at least one buffer capacitor being such that the buffer capacitor supplies the control circuit for the stepping motor with electrical power at least until the control circuit has moved the pointer driven by the stepping motor to a default position. The default position is a zero position in relation to the scale on the display apparatus or to another indicated value which is noncritical in relation to the scaling on the display apparatus.

Abstract: Axial bearing wear in a motor is determined by differencing signals from special coils in the two ends of the motor stator. The signals on the two coils vary in opposite directions with axial displacement of the motor rotor. A dead zone circuit suppresses output when the axial displacement of the rotor is within the normal range of play for the rotor of the particular motor. When the axial displacement exceeds the normal range, the output actuates an indicator in relation to the magnitude of the displacement in excess of the normal range. Sequential LED indicators indicate both magnitude and direction of excess displacement. An analog meter is also disclosed which indicates only the magnitude of the excess displacement.

Abstract: A display unit has multiple illuminators provided in a housing of the unit. The display unit has a right prism composed of at least four side faces each with a unique color and being detachably connected with a step motor. The display unit is able to provide the necessary brightness by means of the illuminators when the ambient light is not sufficient.