In-vehicle animation bypass system and method

1. A method for bypassing an animation sequence of a vehicle display system, the method comprising:

including an in-vehicle display;

starting the animation sequence at the in-vehicle display;

interrupting the animation sequence in response to a user-initiated input; and

displaying a final state of the animation sequence.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the in-vehicle display comprises at least one of an instrument cluster, a center stack display, and an overhead display.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the animation sequence is configured to begin at vehicle start-up.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein displaying the final state of the animation sequence comprises displaying actual vehicle data on the in-vehicle display.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein displaying the final state of the animation sequence comprises displaying current measured values from one or more vehicle systems, the measured values comprising one or more of:

engine revolutions per minute;

engine temperature;

oil level;

fuel level;

gear shift information;

radio station information;

vehicle climate information;

trip information; and

video displays.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the animation sequence comprises two or more events sequentially performed at the in-vehicle display.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein an event comprises at least one of movement of a gauge pointer, lighting of a gauge, displaying numerical data indicating a vehicle condition, a mirror display, displaying indicia on a center stack, and displaying indicia on an overhead display.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the user-initiated input is performed to control vehicle motion.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the user-initiated input comprises one or more of:

depressing a brake pedal;

depressing a clutch;

releasing an emergency brake;

maneuvering a gear shift;

turning a steering wheel; and

depressing an acceleration pedal.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the user-initiated input comprises actuation of a user-actuated switch.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the user-initiated input comprises one or more of:

turning on vehicle lighting;

actuating a trip/odometer;

actuating a hazard switch;

adjusting a navigation display system control;

adjusting an audio control;

adjusting a video control; and

actuating an information control.

12. A method for bypassing an animation sequence of a vehicle display system, the method comprising:

including an in-vehicle display;

providing on the in-vehicle display a sequence of animations ending with a display of sensed vehicle data; and

expediting the display of the sensed vehicle data in response to a user-initiated input.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the display of the sensed vehicle data is expedited by skipping at least one animation in the sequence of animations.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the display of the sensed data is expedited by displaying the sensed vehicle data upon receipt of the user-initiated input.

15. A vehicle display system, comprising:

an in-vehicle display configured to display an animation sequence; and

a control unit configured to control the display and to interrupt the animation sequence in response to a user-initiated input;

wherein the control unit is further configured to initiate the display of a final state of the animation sequence in response to the user-initiated input.

16. The vehicle display system of claim 15 , wherein the in-vehicle display comprises at least one of an instrument cluster, a center stack display, and an overhead display.

17. The vehicle display system of claim 15 , wherein displaying the final state of the animation sequence comprises displaying actual vehicle data on the in-vehicle display.

18. The vehicle display system of claim 15 , wherein the user-initiated input is performed to control vehicle motion.

19. The vehicle display system of claim 15 , wherein the user-initiated input comprises actuation of a user-actuated switch.

20. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

displaying the current state of data, measured values, and/or other information after interrupting the animation sequence in response to a user-initiated input and before displaying the final state of the animation sequence.

21. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:

displaying the current state of data, measured values, and/or other information after providing the in-vehicle display and before expediting the display of the sensed vehicle data in response to the user-initiated input.

22. A control system for an in-vehicle display system that includes a vehicle display, the control system comprising:

an output coupled to the vehicle display; and

a control unit configured to control the vehicle display and to interrupt the animation sequence in response to a user-initiated input;

wherein the control unit is further configured to initiate the display of a final state of the animation sequence and a sensed vehicle data in response to the user-initiated input.

23. The control system of claim 22 , wherein the control unit is further configured to display the current state of data, measured values, and/or other information after interrupting the animation sequence and before displaying the final state of the animation sequence and/or the sensed vehicle data in response to the user-initiated input.