Interactive display and gauge
An analog gauge for use in a vehicle instrument panel is provided. The analog gauge includes, but is not limited to, an analog indicator overlying a first substrate and graphics aligned with the analog indicator. The graphics are generated using a display device. The graphics change depending on a driving condition or the position of the analog indicator.
1. An analogue gauge for use in a vehicle instrument panel comprising:
an analogue indicator overlying a substrate; and
graphics aligned with the analogue indicator, wherein the graphics are generated using a display device, and wherein the graphics change depending on a driving condition or the position of the analogue indicator;
wherein the display device comprises a transmissive display member comprising a transparent portion which continuously remains transparent and a non-transparent portion which continuously remains non-transparent, the transparent portion aligned directly over or directly under the analogue indicator, the non-transparent portion configured to digitally display the graphics.
2. The analogue gauge of claim 1 , wherein the graphics include a scale and numerals pertinent to the analogue indicator.
3. The analogue gauge of claim 1 , wherein the graphics change color, shape, animate, or display a predetermined message based on the position of the analogue indicator.
4. The analogue gauge of claim 1 , wherein the display device is located underneath the analogue indicator.
5. The analogue gauge of claim 1 , wherein the display device overlies the analogue indicator.
6. The analogue gauge of claim 1 , wherein the analog indicator is rotatably coupled to an electromechanical device for a movement by the electromechanical device.
7. The analogue gauge of claim 1 , wherein the driving condition is one of a vehicle condition, an external condition, or an occupant's condition.
8. The analogue gauge of claim 1 , wherein the driving condition is an occupant's condition.
9. The analogue gauge of claim 1 , wherein the driving condition is a road hazard.
10. The analogue gauge of claim 1 , wherein the graphics change color or flash based on the driving condition.
11. The analogue gauge of claim 1 , wherein the graphics change depending on whether the driving condition is over or under a parameter.
12. The analogue gauge of claim 11 , wherein the driving condition comprises an operator's condition, and the parameter comprises a predetermined operator condition.
13. The analogue gauge of claim 11 , wherein the driving condition comprises a vehicle speed, and the parameter comprises a vehicle speed limit.
14. The analogue gauge of claim 11 , wherein the driving condition comprises an amount of fuel or oil in the vehicle, and the parameter comprises a predetermined amount of vehicle fuel or vehicle oil.
15. The analogue gauge of claim 11 , wherein the driving condition comprises a temperature of a vehicle engine, and the parameter comprises a predetermined temperature of the vehicle engine.
16. The analogue gauge of claim 11 , wherein the driving condition comprises a RPM of a vehicle engine, and the parameter comprises a predetermined RPM of the vehicle engine.
17. The analogue gauge of claim 11 , wherein the driving condition comprises a gear position of a vehicle transmission, and the parameter comprises a predetermined gear position of the vehicle transmission.
18. A vehicle instrument panel comprising:
an analogue indicator overlying a substrate; and
a display device, wherein the display device displays graphics aligned with the analogue indicator, wherein the graphics are generated using a computer, and wherein the graphics change depending on a driving condition or the position of the analogue indicator;
wherein the display device comprises a transmissive display member comprising a transparent portion which continuously remains transparent and a non-transparent portion which continuously remains non-transparent, the transparent portion aligned directly over or directly under the analogue indicator, the non-transparent portion configured to digitally display the graphics.
19. The vehicle instrument panel of claim 18 , wherein the graphics include a scale and numerals pertinent to the analogue indicator.
20. The vehicle instrument panel of claim 18 , wherein the graphics change color, shape, animate, or display a predetermined message based on the position of the analogue indicator.
21. The vehicle instrument panel of claim 18 , wherein the display device is positioned underneath the analogue indicator.
22. The vehicle instrument panel of claim 18 , wherein the display device is positioned overlying the analogue indicator.
23. The vehicle instrument panel of claim 18 , wherein the driving condition is one of a vehicle condition, an external condition, or an occupant's condition.
24. A method for displaying information on a vehicle instrument panel comprising:
displaying analogue information via an analogue indicator overlying a substrate; and
displaying graphics via a display device, the display device comprising a transmissive display member comprising a transparent portion continuously remaining transparent and a non-transparent portion continuously remaining non-transparent, the transparent portion aligned directly over or directly under the analogue indicator, the non-transparent portion digitally displaying the graphics, the graphics changing depending on a driving condition or the position of the analogue indicator.
25. The method of claim 24 , wherein the substrate is the display device.
26. The method of claim 24 , wherein the graphics change background, color, shape, animate, or display a predetermined message based on the position of the analogue indicator.
27. The method of claim 24 , wherein the display device is positioned overlying the analogue indicator.
28. The method of claim 24 , wherein the driving condition is one of a vehicle condition, an external condition, or an occupant's condition.