Abstract:
A vehicle display device includes a display panel having a light emitting device. The display device further includes a display panel cover coupled to the display panel. The display panel cover has a translucent indicium that corresponds to the light emitting device. A signal transmitting device is provided on the display panel cover for sending a signal corresponding to the indicium on the display panel cover. The display device also has a signal receiving device capable of receiving a signal transmitted by the signal transmitting device and sending the signal to a control module. The control module is adapted to selectively operate the light emitting device according to the signal transmitted by the signal transmitting device.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Most vehicles include instrument clusters to provide visual indicators that inform a vehicle operator of various operating conditions. A typical known instrument cluster, such as the one shown in  FIG. 1 , can include gauges for indicating fuel level, oil pressure, engine temperature, vehicle speed, engine speed, etc. 
         [0002]    In addition to standard dials and gauges, many instrument clusters also include a telltale warning light system. The telltale warning light system comprises one or more icons (telltales), which are selectively illuminated to indicate a particular operating condition. When a telltale is not illuminated, it is generally not visible to the vehicle operator and appears as a blank area on the vehicle cluster. When a telltale is illuminated, it is visible to the vehicle operator and relays information through visual means, such as a text message or an icon. For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the letter “P” may be illuminated to indicate to the vehicle operator that the parking brake is engaged. Other typical telltales include turn signal indicators, high beam indicators, engine overheating warnings, and “check engine” lights. In addition to switching between an illuminated state and an unilluminated state, a particular telltale may be selectively illuminated with different colors in order to provide different states of a given system with a single telltale. For example, a telltale for displaying information about engine temperature may be illuminated as green under normal operating conditions, yellow as the engine temperature approaches a predetermined threshold, and red if the engine temperature exceeds the threshold. Because telltales are present in a wide variety of vehicle types, including automobiles, heavy duty trucks, motorcycles, ATV&#39;s, boats, aircraft, etc., telltale configurations can vary greatly, depending on the type of information that would be relevant to the operator of a particular vehicle. 
         [0003]    For a typical instrument cluster, a telltale comprises one or more light sources disposed behind a generally opaque display cover. A translucent telltale icon is formed in the display cover proximate to the one or more light sources. When the one or more light sources emit light, a portion of the emitted light passes through the icon, providing an illuminated image in the shape of the icon. When the one or more light sources are not emitting light, the icon, and thus the telltale, are generally inconspicuous to the vehicle operator. 
         [0004]    Telltale warning light systems further include a control module to control the illumination of the telltales. Sensors located on the vehicle detect predetermined parameters and send signals to the control module. The control module is programmed to determine the presence of certain operating conditions based on the signals received from the sensors. When the control module determines the presence of a predetermined vehicle condition, the control module communicates with the display panel to selectively control illumination of the associated telltale. 
         [0005]    The control module can be programmed to accommodate various telltale configurations. Thus, the telltale configuration of an instrument cluster can be configured by selecting a display cover with the desired telltale icons and programming the control unit to illuminate the telltales in response to the appropriate operating conditions. Similarly, an existing instrument cluster can be reconfigured by replacing the existing display cover with a display cover having different telltales and reprogramming the control module to operate according to the requirements of the new telltales. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    A system and a method of automatic telltale identification are disclosed. In one embodiment, a vehicle display device includes a display panel and a display panel cover attached thereto. The display panel includes a selectively operable light emitting device, and the display panel cover includes a translucent indicium that corresponds to the light emitting device. When the vehicle display cover is attached to the vehicle display, the light emitting device is located behind the translucent indicium so that when the light emitting device emits light, an illuminated image in the shape of the indicium, i.e., a telltale, is visible on the display panel cover. The telltales are illuminated in response to detected operating conditions in order to make the vehicle operator aware of the detected conditions. 
         [0007]    A signal transmitting device is provided on the display panel cover for transmitting a signal corresponding to the translucent indium included on the display panel cover. A signal receiving device is adapted to receive the signal from the signal transmitting device and send the signal to a control module. The control module selectively operates the light emitting device according to the signal. 
         [0008]    A method of programming a microprocessor that controls telltales on a vehicle display device is disclosed. The method includes transmitting a signal from a transmitter that is provided on a display panel cover to be attached to the vehicle display device. The method further includes receiving the transmitted signal with a receiver, sending the received signal to the microprocessor, and programming the microprocessor to selectively operate a light emitting device on the display device according to the signal received by the receiver. 
         [0009]    A method of installing a display cover for a vehicle display having telltales is also disclosed, wherein the display cover has a translucent indicium corresponding to a selectively operable light emitting device located on a vehicle display. The display cover further includes a transmitter adapted to transmit a signal to identify the translucent indicium on the display cover. The method includes providing the display cover and attaching the display cover to the vehicle display so that the light emitting device selectively emits light to illuminate the indium. A receiver is adapted to receive a signal transmitted from the transmitter and send the signal to the a control module. The control module is adapted to selectively operate the light emitting device according to the signal transmitted from the transmitter and received by the receiver. 
         [0010]    A display panel cover for a vehicle display device is disclosed, wherein the vehicle display device has a selectively operable light emitting device and a signal receiving device. The display panel cover includes at least one translucent indicium corresponding to the selectively operable light emitting device. The display panel further includes a signal transmitting device for sending a signal to the signal receiving device. The signal corresponds to the at least one indicium included on the display panel cover. 
         [0011]    This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a known instrument cluster installed in a vehicle dashboard; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of an instrument cluster having one embodiment of the presently disclosed automated telltale identification system; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a front view of an icon card shown in  FIG. 2 ; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the presently disclosed automated telltale identification system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    While illustrative embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
         [0018]    The presently disclosed subject matter relates to a system and method of automatically identifying the telltales included in a telltale warning light system. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the interior of a vehicle is shown wherein a dashboard  10  is located forward of a steering wheel  12 . A plurality of gauges and instruments are disposed within the dashboard  10  so as to be visible to the vehicle operator. In addition, a modular instrument cluster  20  is positioned in the dashboard  10  in front of the steering wheel  12 . The instrument cluster  20  includes a tachometer  22  and a speedometer  24 . The instrument cluster  20  further includes a plurality of telltales  30  to display information about various vehicle operating conditions to the vehicle operator. While the telltales  30  described herein are included in an instrument cluster  20 , it should be understood that the telltales are not limited to embodiments that include instrument clusters located on the dashboard, but can be included on any display panel located at any location on the vehicle. 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , one embodiment of an instrument cluster  20  is shown. The components of the instrument cluster  20  are disposed within a housing  27 , which is open on one side to define a display side  28  of the instrument cluster. A plurality of telltales  30  is located in each of the upper corners of the instrument cluster  20 . Each plurality of telltales  30  comprises a plurality of lighting means  34 , an eggcrate assembly  32 , and an icon card  40 . It should be appreciated that the number and location of telltales can vary for different instrument cluster configurations. For the sake of clarity, a single group of telltales having a common eggcrate assembly  32  and icon card  40  are described herein. 
         [0020]    The eggcrate assembly  32  comprises a plurality of interconnected tubes arranged so that the centerlines of the tubes are generally parallel. The eggcrate assembly  32  is disposed within the housing  27  of the instrument cluster  20  and positioned so that the ends of the tubes open to the display side  28  of the instrument cluster  20 . A circuit board (not shown) is disposed within the housing  27  behind the eggcrate assembly  32 . 
         [0021]    A plurality of lighting means  34  are mounted on the circuit board so that each of the lighting means  34  is positioned within one of the tubes of the eggcrate assembly  32 . The lighting means  34  can be light emitting diodes (LED), incandescent bulbs, or any other suitable light emitting device. Further, lighting means  34  that produce different colored lights can be used to provide telltales having different colors when illuminated. A plurality of lighting means, each having a different color can be disposed within a single tube of the eggcrate assembly in order to illuminate a particular telltale with a different color light for each of a plurality of operating conditions. For example, a single tube in the eggcrate assembly  32  can contain red, yellow and green lighting means to illuminate a telltale indicating engine temperature. When the engine temperature is within an acceptable range, the green lighting means illuminates the telltale, indicating normal operating conditions. When the engine temperature is approaching an unacceptable threshold, the yellow lighting means illuminates the telltale, warning the vehicle operator of an impending undesirable condition. The red lighting means illuminates the telltale when the engine temperature has exceeded the acceptable threshold, signaling to the operator that corrective action is required. 
         [0022]    The telltale image is formed by placing a display panel cover over the eggcrate assembly  32  to cover the lighting means  34 . In one embodiment, the display panel cover comprises an icon card  40 . Referring to  FIG. 3 , an icon card  40  is formed from a substantially opaque material. A plurality of icons  42  are printed on the card so that each icon is located proximate to an open end of an eggcrate housing tube when the icon card  40  is installed on the instrument cluster  20 . Each icon  42  is a translucent image formed on the otherwise opaque icon card  40 . As referred to herein, an image is considered translucent if it allows any amount of incident light to be transmitted therethrough, up to and including  100 % of the incident light. As a result, when the lighting means  34  disposed within an eggcrate assembly tube emits light, the illuminated icon  42  is visible on the front of the icon card  40 . 
         [0023]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the instrument cluster  20  is connected to and controlled by a control module  14 . The control module  14  is in turn connected to a plurality of sensors  18  located throughout the vehicle. The sensors  18  sense various parameters and send signals to the control module  14 . The control module  14  is programmed to determine the occurrence of predetermined vehicle operating conditions from the received signals. When a condition is determined, the control module  14  sends a control signal to the instrument cluster  20  to activate or deactivate one or more telltales according to the determined condition. In addition to signaling a simple on/off telltale condition, the control module can also instruct the instrument cluster  20  with respect to other telltale characteristics, such as flashing or telltale color. 
         [0024]    Because instrument clusters  20  can be configured with different telltales  30  each control module  14  must be programmed to cooperate with the particular telltales  30  present in the installed instrument cluster  20 . Currently known control modules  14  are normally programmed when the vehicle is manufactured; however, after an icon card  40  is installed, it is difficult to verify that the control module  14  is properly programmed for the installed icon card  40  without performing a full diagnostic check of the telltales  30 . This difficulty arises because the part numbers that identify the icon card configurations are not visible after the icon cards have been installed. 
         [0025]    As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the presently disclosed icon card  40  includes a signal transmitting device  44  formed or attached thereon. The signal transmitting device  44  is encoded with information regarding the telltale configuration, including the type, location, and operating characteristics of telltale icons  42  present on the icon card  40 . A receiver  26  is mounted within the instrument cluster housing  27  to receive the signals transmitted by the signal transmitting device  44 . The receiver  26  is in communication with the control module  14  and transmits information regarding the telltale configuration to the control module  14 . In response to the information transmitted from the receiver  26 , the control module  14  is programmed to operate according to the telltale configuration of the installed icon card  40 . That is, the control module  14  is programmed to determine operating conditions to be displayed by the telltales based on signals received by the sensors  18  and to control the operation of the telltales accordingly. 
         [0026]    In the illustrated embodiment, the signal transmitting device  44  is a radio frequency identification transponder (RFID tag) and the receiver  26  is an RFID antenna that receives the radio frequencies emitted by the RFID tag. Thus, the signal transmitting device  44  transmits information to the receiver wirelessly, obviating the need for physical contact between the signal transmitting device  44  and the receiver  26 . It should be understood that the signal transmitting device  44  can also transmit information wirelessly using methods other than radio frequencies, including infrared light, laser light, visible light, acoustic energy, or other suitable means. Further, while the receiver  26  is illustrated as being disposed within the instrument cluster housing  27 , alternate locations that allows the receiver  26  to detect the signal transmitted by the transmitting device  44  can be utilized. In other embodiments, the receiver  26  is located so that it is does not detect the signal from the signal transmitting device  44  when the icon card  40  is installed. Such embodiments include a receiver located on the vehicle remote to the instrument cluster  20  so that the icon card  40  is temporarily positioned proximate to the receiver  26  to “scan” the icon card  40  prior to installation. In another alternate embodiment, the receiver  26  is temporarily connected to the vehicle to scan the icon card  40  during installation and then removed after the scanned information is transmitted to the control module  14 . In still another alternate embodiment, the receiver  26  physically contacts the transmitting decive  44  when the icon card  40  is installed, thereby creating a hardwired connection through which telltale information is transmitted. 
         [0027]    The presently disclosed automated telltale identification system is suitable for use in a variety of situations. In one exemplary use, the system is used to configure the control module  14  during the vehicle manufacturing process. Many vehicle assembly lines are used to produce vehicles with customizable options or to produce multiple vehicles on the same line. As a result, different vehicles produced on a particular assembly line often have different telltale configurations. Using the presently disclosed telltale identification system, an RFID antenna  26  is installed in the vehicle. One or more icon cards  40 , each having an RFID tag  44  corresponding to the telltale icons  42  contained on the icon card  40 , are installed on the vehicle. Each vehicle has a bill of materials (BOM), which specifies the parts required to assemble that particular vehicle, including one or more icon cards  40  having telltales according to the vehicle&#39;s configuration. Once installed, each RFID tag  44  is in sufficient proximity to the RFID antenna  26  so that the signal transmitted from the RFID tag  44  is received by the RFID antenna  26 . The RFID antenna  26  transmits the received signal to the control module  14 , which is reprogrammed to receive signals from the vehicle sensors  18  and to control the telltales  30  in accordance with the telltale configuration of each icon card  44 . Thus, the control module  14  is automatically programmed according to the information embedded in the installed icon card  40 . As a result, potential errors that could result by manually programming the control module are eliminated. Further, elimination of these potential error also eliminates the need to run a diagnostic check to ensure that the control module  14  is programmed to properly operate the telltales  30  present on the vehicle. 
         [0028]    While parts are normally delivered to a location on the assembly line where they will be installed, this procedure creates the possibility that incorrect parts will be delivered for a particular vehicle and installed thereon. Thus, it is possible that the incorrect icon cards  40  for a particular vehicle will be delivered and installed on the vehicle. One way to prevent this error from occurring requires that the part number for the icon cards be checked against the BOM for the particular vehicle and/or performing a diagnostic check on the instrument cluster  20  after the icon card has been installed. Both options add time and cost to the manufacturing process. 
         [0029]    In another use of the presently disclosed telltale identification system, a device for producing icon cards  40  is located proximate to the location on the assembly line where the icon cards  40  are installed. When a vehicle is in a position to have the icon cards installed, the device for producing icon cards determines the telltales required by that vehicle based on the vehicle&#39;s BOM. The device then produces the appropriate icon cards for that particular vehicle, complete with the correct telltale icons and a corresponding RFID tag. By producing the icon cards  40  at the point of installation and in accordance with just-in-time manufacturing principles, the potential for errors due to misdelivered or misidentified parts is greatly reduced. 
         [0030]    Yet another use of the presently disclosed telltale identification system allows for the control module to be easily reprogrammed when the telltales are changed from one configuration to another. Vehicle manufacturers often sell a base model to a customer that the customer then has configured to his or her specifications by a third party. For example, a customer may purchase from a manufacturer an incomplete chassis, which the customer then takes to a third party manufacturer to be converted into, for example, a dump truck, a cement mixer, or whatever configuration the customer requires. Because the telltale configuration often depends on the vehicle configuration, it may be necessary to install non-standard icon cards  40  for non-standard configurations. 
         [0031]    Using the present telltale identification system, a third party can inform the vehicle manufacturer of the specific telltale requirements for a modified vehicle, and the manufacturer can supply custom icon cards  40  according to the third party&#39;s needs. Because the information about the telltale configuration is contained in an RFID tag  44  included on the icon card  40 , the third party only needs to install the icon card  40  on the vehicle. Once the icon card  40  is installed, the RFID tag  44  transmits information about the telltale configuration to the RFID antenna  26 , which sends a signal to that causes the control module  14  to be programmed or reprogrammed. Alternatively, the third party has a device to manufacture icon cards  40  with an RFID tag  44  and manufactures the icon cards on-site in accordance with the vehicle&#39;s telltale configuration.