Patent ID: 6428174
Filing Date: 2002-08-06
Classification: B60K,G01D

Abstract:
A VF display panel including a vacuum fluorescent (VF) display having primary anode segments formed on a bottom layer of said display and selectively activated to display a parameter to a viewer of the display panel, and light conducting panel indicia disposed in proximity to the VF display, further comprising:a secondary anode segment formed on the bottom layer in a marginal area of said VF display laterally displaced from said primary anode segments, and activated to define a secondary light source; a reflector structure disposed relative to said secondary anode segment so as to shield light emanating from said secondary anode segment from the viewer while reflecting such light laterally through a transparent spacer layer of said VF display; and a light-pipe disposed between said spacer layer and said light conducting panel indicia so that the light laterally reflected by said reflector structure illuminates said panel indicia.