Patent ID: 6289332
Filing Date: 2001-09-11
Classification: B60K,Y10S

Abstract:
An integrated message system for a vehicle comprising:two or more electronic control units detecting vehicle operating conditions requiring action;an instrumentation control unit in communication with the one or more electronic control units, the instrumentation control unit including a visual display for displaying displayable vehicle messages and an audio transducer for generating auditory signals;wherein the instrumentation control unit displays a default screen and selectively overrides the default screen with prioritized displayable vehicle messages in response to detection of predetermined vehicle operating conditions via the electronic control units;wherein the displayable vehicle messages indicate the vehicle operating conditions requiring action have been detected; andwherein the prioritized displayable vehicle messages overriding the default screen are organized into levels of importance such that displayable vehicle messages from a more important level override displayable vehicle messages from a less important level, a more important level indicates a more serious condition, when more than one displayable vehicle message is activated to override the default screen, conflicts are resolved based on the priority of the displayable vehicle messages, and each level of importance is associated with a different visual display protocol and a different corresponding auditory signal.