Abstract:
Disclosed is an illumination device for motor vehicles that combines an inverse functioning illuminating engine power indication and a brake light The solid-state segmented horizontal row display is fully illuminated when the engine is at idle. The display illumination decreases from each end as engine power increases, with a minimum of illumination in the center of the display at a maximum power point that is selected and adjusted, and no illumination above that point. Decreasing engine power to the maximum adjusted power point illuminates the center display segments, followed by simultaneously illuminating segments on both sides of the center segments, until all segments are illuminated. Center segment illumination is minimal with increasing illumination intensity of left and right side segment pairs. The brake light has priority over the illuminating power indication, inhibits the power display, and illuminates the complete display at brake light intensity during vehicle braking action.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     (Not applicable) 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates to automotive lighting systems and signals, and more particularly to automotive lights and illuminating signals visible to a driver of a following vehicle.  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART  
       [0003]     The use of a myriad of motor vehicle safety lighting signals and systems is known in the prior art. However rear end collisions have always been and continue to be a major driving hazard regardless of all prior art and the efforts of all automotive regulatory agencies. Automotive manufactures have improved the visibility and placement of present day illuminated automotive signal lights, however as most motor vehicle drivers have experienced, the brake lights of a lead vehicle, regardless of how visible they are, can illuminate with no advance warning or reason visible to a following vehicle driver. Even if a driver of a following vehicle is maintaining a reasonable following distance between his vehicle and a lead vehicle, many factors influence the reaction time of the following vehicle driver to the red brake light indication of the lead vehicle. There are many examples of inventive means disclosed in the crowded prior art intended to mitigate the danger of motor vehicle rear end collisions.  
         [0004]     A first example is U.S. Pat. No. 3,676,844 issued to Hendrickson on Jul. 11, 1972 that discloses an automotive vehicle signal light warning method that signals two conditions to a following vehicle driver to wit: the under power and not under power condition of the vehicle.  
         [0005]     a. Bartilucci, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,663,707, issued Sep. 2, 1997, discloses signal lights of green, red, and yellow light emitting diodes, visible through a rearview window of a vehicle, and operated by electrical signals from a vehicle accelerator pedal, brake. pedal, transmission, and turn signals.  
         [0006]     b. U.S. Pat. No. 3,846,748, issued to Hopwood on Nov. 5, 1974, discloses a signaling system and sensor comprised of a mercury switch sensitive to acceleration, deceleration, and constant motion with associated signaling lights to indicate acceleration or deceleration of a vehicle.  
         [0007]     c. Arnold, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,486,744 issued Nov. 26, 2002, discloses a vehicular deceleration warning system that includes an accelerator pedal pressure sensor and a visual signal means.  
         [0008]     d. U.S. Pat. No. 4,970,493, issued to Yim on Nov. 13, 1990, discloses a lighting system for a motor vehicle with electrical switches that can be removably attached to the accelerator and brake pedal; pressure on said accelerator pedal illuminates a green light and removal of said pressure lights an amber light.  
         [0009]     e. Francis, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,663,706, issued on Sep. 2, 1997, discloses an automotive alert system with a rearward facing light that illuminates when both the brake pedal and accelerator pedal are released.  
         [0010]     However, none of the above-cited references, taken in whole or in part, anticipate, render obvious, suggest or even implies the concept of this new, novel, and unique combination illumination device comprised of an inverse function illuminating engine power indicator and a brake light.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     A first embodiment of this instant invention is an illumination device intended for automotive use that combines an inverse function illuminating engine power level indication and a standard brake light indication. The illuminating engine power level indication is inverse because it displays an increase in illumination corresponding to a decrease in the monitored or measured engine power, with a maximum of light displayed indicating a minimum of engine power. Alternately, the engine power monitor function of the combination illumination device displays decreasing amounts of illumination with increasing amounts of the monitored engine power.  
         [0012]     The illuminating display of choice for this combination engine power meter and brake light is a segmented horizontal display, although a segmented display in a circular, rectangular, or other shape could be used. An electronic circuit with an analog dc voltage input from a throttle position sensor controls the power display function of this combination-illuminating device, said circuit allows for adjusting and setting a top of range power point and a bottom of range power point. The top power point is that selected engine power level above which there is no illumination of the display segments, and below which the display starts illuminating. As engine power decreases below the top selected point the center segment of the display illuminates. A first incremental decreases in engine power below that point causes the second segments, segments on both sides and adjacent the center segment, to illuminate. A second incremental decrease in engine power causes the third segments, segments on both sides and adjacent the second segments to illuminate. This process repeats untill the power level decrease to or below the bottom of range selected and adjusted power point. At or below the bottom selected power point all segments of the segmented power function display are illuminated.  
         [0013]     The electronic circuit provides for different values of resistance in series with the display segments. The different values of resistance cause the center display segment to illuminate at a relatively dim or decreased value of illumination. The second segments on both sides of the center segment illuminate at a noticeable increase in illumination relative to the center segment, and the third segments on both sides of the second segments illuminate at a higher value of lumens relative to the second segments, and so on, until the final segments of the left and right ends of the display illuminate at a level just noticeably below that of illuminated brake lights.  
         [0014]     The electronic circuit also provides time delays between the illumination of the center segment and the transcending pairs of segments. These time delays are provided so that a human eye can see the increasing or decreasing illumination of the display in defined steps at a time when engine power is abruptly changed from high to low, or low to high. The electronic circuit also causes the brake light function of the combination illumination device to have priority over the engine power function of the device. A brake circuit voltage input to said electronic circuit causes the engine power level indication function to cease, and causes all segments of the display to illuminate at full brake light intensity simultaneously, until the brake light voltage input is removed from said electronic circuit. Removal of the brake light circuit input allows the illuminating display to once again display engine power level.  
         [0015]     A second embodiment of this invention is an illuminating device comprised of multiple rows of illuminating segments, with one or more rows of segments dedicated to operate as a combined engine power and brake light, and one or more rows of segments dedicated to function as a combination park light and left and right turn signals. A brake light function, with primary priority over the engine power level function, would illuminate the rows of segments used for engine power indication as a brake light when the vehicle brakes are applied. A directional light function, with secondary priority over the power level function, would cause the power level function to cease operation so long as a turn is signaling, and the brake is not applied. If the brake is applied at the same time a turn is signaling, the row or rows of segments that display engine power would illuminate as a brake light and the row or rows of segments dedicated as combination park and directional lights would operate as a directional light on the signaled side and as a park light on the non signaled side.  
         [0016]     A third embodiment of this invention is an illuminating device comprised of one or more rows of illuminating segments comprising an illuminating segmented display that varies the amount of illumination as an inverse function of engine power, where the amount of illumination decreases as a function of increasing engine power, and where the amount of illumination increases as a function of decreasing engine power. A maximum of illumination is displayed at a selectable minimum engine power point, and a minimum of illumination is displayed a selectable maximum engine power point. No illumination is displayed above the set maximum engine power point. An, electronic circuit that is part of the illuminating device controls the illumination of the display segments as a function of a dc analog voltage input from a vehicle throttle position sensor. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a first embodiment of the invention with a typical electronic control circuit.  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is a view of a typical electronic control circuit for a second embodiment of the invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  is a front view of a third embodiment of the invention with a typical electronic control circuit. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0020]     The present invention is an illuminating device for use on a motor vehicle. The first embodiment of the invention, as disclosed in  FIG. 1 , is comprised of an inverse function illuminating engine power indicator combined with a break light. A dc voltage from a vehicle throttle position sensor is input to the electronic circuit at  10 , conducts through the normally closed side of contact  20  to input pin  5  of dot/bar display drivers  16  and  17 . Potentiometer R 1  at  22  is adjusted for a selected high-end voltage to be applied at the top end of an internal voltage divider in second bar/dot driver  17 . Variable resistor R 4  at  24  is adjusted for a low-end voltage and applied to the low end of the internal voltage divider in first bard/dot driver  16  at pin  4 . The high end of the voltage divider in first bar/dot driver  16  at pin  6  is connected to the low end of bard/dot driver  17  at pin  4 , electrically connecting the voltage dividers of bar/dot drivers  16  and  17  in series. The selected high and low end voltages applied to bar/dot drivers  16  and  17  determine the input voltage range that will operate the ten driver outputs each of bar/dot drivers  16  and  17 . The outputs of drivers  16  and  17  are connected to the anodes of the light emitting diode loads, (herein after LEDs), between the current adjusting resistors  9  and LEDS  8 . This connection causes the outputs of the bar drivers to switch the LEDs to on with no input, or a low input on pin  5  of bar dot drivers  16  and  17 . As the input voltage at  10  increases above the selected low end voltage of bar driver  16 , the first output of driver  16  at pin  4  is switched to on, and LEDs  20  A&amp;B on the left and right end of display  25  are de-energized. Increasing input voltage at  10  will turn off the LEDs in sequence from a first and a second end of display  25 , working in to the center of display  25 . Input voltage  10  above the high-end set-point voltage  22  will turn on all outputs of drivers  16  and  17  and turn off all LEDs in display  25 . Decreasing the dc input voltage at  10  down to the top of range set point will turn off the top display driver output pin  10  of bar/dot driver  17  illuminating the center segments of display  25 . Further decreases in input  10  voltage will turn off more bar/dot driver  17  and  16  outputs and illuminate more display segments :adjacent both sides of the center display segment.  
         [0021]     Automotive break circuit voltage applied to relay K 1  at  7  would energize K 1  and operate first form “C” contact  20 . Operation of form “C” contact  20  will remove the throttle position sensor voltage from dot/bar driver inputs  5  and connect said inputs  5  to system common  6 . Connection of dot/bar driver input pins  5  to system common  6  would de-energize all bar driver outputs from  16  and  17  and illuminate all LEDs  8  in the display simultaneously. Operation of the second form “C” contact  19  of relay  18  will change the dc voltage supply to the LEDs at  11  and  12  from V 3 +(5 vdc) to V 2 +(7 vdc) illuminating all LEDS in display  25  at full or brake light intensity.  
         [0022]     The second embodiment of the invention is disclosed in  FIG. 2 . Two horizontal rows of LEDs with series current limiting resistors are depicted one above the other. The lower row of LEDs is operated as a combination inverse function engine power indicator and brake light. During non-braking conditions vehicle power  68  conducts through the normally closed side of form C contact  32  to voltage regulator E 6  at location  33 . The 5-vdc output from E 6  conducts though the normally closed contact of relay K 5  at location  67  to the positive side of said lower row of LEDs. Throttle position sensor voltage is conducted through the normally closed side of form C contact  20  to input pins  5  of dot/bar drivers  42  and  43 . The internal voltage dividers of dot/bar drivers  42  and  43  are connected in series. The low end of the voltage operating range of the series dot/bar drivers is adjusted by variable resistor R 12  at location  60  and connected to pin  4  of bar driver  42 . The high end of the voltage operating range is adjusted by potentiometer R 9  at location  61  and connected to bar driver  43  at pin  6 . In put voltage from the throttle position sensor to pins  5  of bar drivers  42  and  43  that is above the adjusted low end voltage, and below the adjusted high end voltage, will operate the bar driver outputs and illuminate the LEDs. Operation of the vehicle brake circuit will energize relay K 2  at location  31  and disconnect input pins  5  of bar drivers  42  and  43  from the throttle position sensor input voltage and connect said input pins  5  to circuit common  69 . Circuit common connected to the inputs of bar drivers  42  and  43  will switch off all bar driver outputs and illuminate all lower row LEDs. Also contact  32  of relay K 2  operates, disconnects vehicle power from regulator E 6  at location  33 , and connects said power to regulator E 5  at location  34 . The 5-Vdc output of E 6  is replaced by the 7-vdc output of E 5  and connected to the positive side of the lower row of LEDs to increase the illumination of said lower row of LEDs to that of brake lights Operation of either left or right turn signal will energize relay K 5  at location  67  and open the normally closed contact  70 . Opening contact  70  will inhibit illumination of this lower row of LEDs operating in the power indication mode. Opening contact  70  during brake light function mode will not inhibit said brake light function.  18 . The upper row of LEDs function as a combination park light and directional signal lights. During non-directional signal operation conditions 5 vdc is supplied to the anodes of all LEDs in the upper row. If a left or right turn is signaled the 5 vdc on the signaled side of the display is replaced by 7 vdc and the signaled side operates as a stepped sequence illuminating from the center to the outer illuminating segment during each signal pulse of voltage on said signaled side. The opposite side continues to illuminate in the park light mode. Also if the lower row of LEDs is operating in the power display mode it will be inhibited during turn signal operation of the upper row of LEDs.  
         [0023]     Park light function of the upper row of LEDs is accomplished by conducting positive vehicle battery voltage through the normally closed side of form C contact  50  as input to display left side bar driver  53 , and through the normally closed side of form C contact  57  to the input of right side bar driver  54 . Plus 5 vdc is conducted through the normally closed side of contact  51  of relay K 3  at location  49  to the anodes of the LEDs on the left half of the upper row of the display at  36 , and through the normally closed side of form C contact  56  to the anodes of the LEDs of the right half of the upper row of the display at  39 . With positive battery as input to pins  5  of bar drivers  53  and  54 , all bar driver outputs are switched on and all LEDs in the upper row illuminate at park light intensity.  
         [0024]     When the first left turn signal positive voltage pulse is applied at  63 , it conducts through diode D 1  charging capacitor C 1  at location  62 , and energizing relay K 3  at location  49 . The discharge of C 1  through the coil of K 3  maintains K 3  in an energized state between turn signal voltage pulses. Form C contact  50  operates removing positive battery from input pin  5  of bar driver  53 , and replaces it with a positive left turn directional signal voltage pulse. The positive left turn signal voltage pulse on input pin  5  of bar driver  53  will cause the outputs of bar driver  53  to switch on, beginning with output one which is connected to the left center LEDs C 1  A&amp;B, and ending with output ten which is connected to left end LEDs C 10  A&amp;B. At the end of the left turn signal voltage pulse the left side display illumination will extinguish until the next left turn signal voltage pulse restarts the illuminating sequence. The second form C contact  51  of relay K 3 , location  49 , operates and switches the anode supply voltage of the LED display left side from positive 5 vdc to positive 7 vdc increasing the illumination intensity of the left side of the display during operation of the turn signal function. Removal of left turn signal positive voltage pulses from  63  de-energizes relay K 3  location  49 , reconnecting battery positive to input pin  5  and allowing the LEDs anode supply voltage to change from plus 7 vdc back to plus 5 vdc thereby returning the left side of said display to the park light function.  
         [0025]     When the first right turn signal positive voltage pulse is applied at  64 , it conducts through diode D 2  charging capacitor C 2  at location  71 , and energizing relay K 4  at location  55 . The discharge of C 2  through the coil of K 4  maintains K 4  in an energized state between turn signal voltage pulses. Form C contact  57  operates removing positive battery from input pin  5  of bar driver  54 , and replaces it with a positive right turn directional signal voltage pulse. The positive right turn signal voltage pulse on input pin  5  of bar driver  54  will cause the outputs of bar driver  54  to switch on beginning with output one, which is connected to the right side center LEDs D 1  A&amp;B, and ending with output ten which is connected to right end LEDs D 10  A&amp;B. At the end of the right turn signal voltage pulse the right side display illumination will extinguish until the next right turn signal voltage pulse restarts type illumination sequence. The second form C contact  56  of relay K 4  location  55 , operates and switches the anode supply voltage of the LED display right side from positive 5 vdc to positive 7 vdc increasing the illumination intensity of the right side of the display during operation of the turn signal function. Removal of right turn signal positive voltage pulses from  64  de-energizes relay K 4  location  55 , reconnecting battery positive to input pin  5  and allowing the LEDs anode supply voltage to change from plus 7 vdc back to plus 5 vdc thereby returning the left side of said display to the park light function.  
         [0026]      FIG. 3  depicts a third embodiment of the invented inverse function illuminating power meter  82  with a typical operational electronic circuit. This description is of an illuminating inverse power meter and operates to wit: An output dc voltage from a throttle position sensor is input to this circuit at  87 . Said dc voltage conducts to input pins  5  of dot/bar drivers  85  and  89 . The bar driver outputs  95  of bar driver  85  are connected to the left side LEDs at L, location  93 , and the bar driver outputs  96  of bar driver  89  are connected to the right side LEDs at M, location  94 . Variable resistor R 24  at location  92  is adjusted for the low end of the operating range and connected to the first bar driver  85  at pin  4 . The high end of range is adjusted with potentiometer R 27 , location  90 , and connected to the second bar driver  89  at pin  6 . Input voltage at or below the adjusted low end of range will illuminate all LEDs of the display. Input voltage increases above the low-end set point will extinguish LEDs of the display beginning with the left and right outermost LEDs  20 A and  20 B and work toward the center of the display. Input voltage at or above the high-end set point will extinguish the center display LEDs  1 A and  1 B, and all LEDs of the display. Voltage regulator E 10  at  83  supplies 7 vdc to the anodes of display  82  LEDs, and regulator E 11  at  84  supplies 5 vdc to the dot/bar drivers  85  and  89 . Battery common is supplied to all components of the circuit at  88 . J at  80  and K at  81  indicate the illuminating elements of left and right halves of display  82 . R 28  at  86  is a required load current adjusting resistor for dot/bar driver  85 . A maximum of illumination is displayed at a selectable minimum engine power point, and a minimum of illumination is displayed a selectable maximum engine power point. No illumination is displayed above the set maximum engine power point. An electronic circuit that is part of the illuminating device controls the illumination of the display segments as a function of a dc analog voltage input from a vehicle throttle position sensor.  
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0027]     FIGS.  1 (A &amp; B) are views of a first embodiment of the invention with a typical electronic control circuit.  
         [0028]     FIGS.  2 (A, B, C, &amp; D) are views of a typical electronic control circuit for a second embodiment of the invention.  
         [0029]     FIGS.  3 (A &amp; B) are views of a third embodiment of the invention with a typical electronic control circuit.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0030]     The present invention is an illuminating device for use on a motor vehicle. The first embodiment of the invention, as disclosed in FIGS. ( 1 A &amp; B), is comprised of an inverse function illuminating engine power indicator combined with a break light. Circuit dc power V 1 +from  13  of  FIG. 1B  is connected to driver ICs  16  and  17  at pins  3  and  9 . A dc voltage from a vehicle throttle position sensor is input to the electronic circuit at  10 , conducts through the normally closed side of contact  20  to input pins  5  of dot/bar display drivers  16  and  17 . Potentiometer R 1  at  22  is adjusted for a selected high-end voltage to be applied at the top end of an internal voltage divider in second bar/dot driver  17 . Variable resistor R 4  at  24  is adjusted for a low-end voltage and applied to the low end of the internal voltage divider in first bard/dot driver  16  at pin  4 . The high end of the voltage divider in first bar/dot driver  16  at pin  6  is connected to the low end of bard/dot driver  17  at pin  4 , electrically connecting the voltage dividers of bar/dot drivers  16  and  17  in series. The selected high and low end voltages applied to bar/dot drivers  16  and  17  determine the input voltage range that will operate the ten driver outputs each of bar/dot drivers  16  and  17 . The outputs of drivers  16  and  17  are connected to the anodes of the light emitting diode loads, (herein after LEDs), between the current adjusting resistors  9  and LEDS  8 . This connection causes the outputs of the bar drivers to switch the LEDs to on with no input, or a low input on pins  5  of bar dot drivers  16  and  17 . As the input voltage at  10  increases above the selected low end voltage of bar driver  16 , the first output of driver  16  at pin  4  is switched to on, and LEDs  20  A&amp;B on the left and right end of display  25  are de-energized. Increasing input voltage at  10  will turn off the LEDs in sequence from a first and a second end of display  25 , working in to the center of display  25 . Input voltage  10  above the high-end set-point voltage  22  will turn on all outputs of drivers  16  and  17  and turn off all LEDs in display  25 . Decreasing the dc input voltage at  10  down to the top of range set point will turn off the top display driver output pin  10  of bar/dot driver  17  illuminating the center segments of display  25 . Further decreases in input voltage  10  will turn off more bar/dot driver  17  and  16  outputs and illuminate more display segments adjacent both sides of the center display segment.  
         [0031]     Automotive break circuit voltage applied to relay K 1  at  7  would energize K 1  and operate first form “C” contact  20 . Operation of form “C” contact  20  will remove the throttle position sensor voltage from dot/bar driver inputs  5  and connect said inputs  5  to system common  6 . Connection of dot/bar driver input pins  5  to system common  6  would de-energize all bar driver outputs from  16  and  17  and illuminate all LEDs  8  in the display simultaneously. Operation of the second form “C” contact  19  of relay  18  will change the dc voltage supply to the LEDs at  11  and  12  from V 3  (+5 vdc) at  15  to V 2  (+7 vdc) at  14  illuminating all LEDS in display  25  at full or brake light intensity.  17  The second embodiment of the invention is disclosed in  FIG. 2 (A, B, C, &amp; D). Two horizontal rows of LEDs with series current limiting resistors are depicted in FIGS.  2 (A &amp; B). The LEDs of  FIG. 2B  are operated as a combination inverse function engine power indicator and brake light. During non-braking conditions vehicle power  68  of  FIG. 2C  conducts through the normally closed side of form C contact  32  to voltage regulator E 6  at location  35 . The 5-vdc output from E 6  conducts though the normally closed contact of relay K 5  at location  67  to the positive side of said LEDs depicted in  FIG. 2B . Throttle position sensor voltage is conducted through the normally closed side of form C contact  20  to input pins  5  of dot/bar drivers  42  and  43 . The internal voltage dividers of dot/bar drivers  42  and  43  are connected in series. The low end of the voltage operating range of the series dot/bar drivers is adjusted by variable resistor R 12  at location  60  and connected to pin  4  of bar driver  42 . The high end of the voltage operating range is adjusted by potentiometer R 9  at location  61  and connected to bar driver  43  at pin  6 . Input voltage  77  from the throttle position sensor to pins  5  of bar drivers  42  and  43  that is above the adjusted low end voltage, and below the adjusted high end voltage, will operate the bar driver outputs and illuminate the LEDs. Operation of the vehicle brake circuit will energize relay K 2  at location  31  and disconnect input pins  5  of bar drivers  42  and  43  from the throttle position sensor input voltage  77  and connect said input pins  5  to circuit common  72 . Circuit common connected to the inputs of bar drivers  42  and  43  will switch off all bar driver outputs and illuminate all LEDs on  FIG. 2B . Also, contact  32   FIG. 2C  of relay K 2  at  31  operates disconnecting vehicle power from regulator E 6  at location  33  and connecting said power to regulator E 5  at location  34 . The 5-vdc output of E 6  is replaced by the 7-vdc output of E 5  and connected to the positive side of the LEDs in  FIG. 2B  to increase the illumination of said LEDs to that of brake lights. Operation of either the left turn signal at  65  or right turn signal at  66  will energize relay KS at location  67  and open the normally closed contact  70 . Opening contact  70  will inhibit illumination of the LEDs of  FIG. 2B  operating in the power indication mode. Opening contact  70  during brake light function mode will not inhibit said brake light function.  
         [0032]     The LEDs of  FIG. 2A  function as a combination park light and directional signal lights. During non-directional signal operating conditions, 5 vdc is supplied to the anodes of the LEDs of  FIG. 2A . If a left or right turn is signaled, the 5 vdc on the signaled side of the display is replaced by 7 vdc, and the signaled side operates in a stepped sequence illuminating from the center to the outer illuminating segment during each signal pulse of voltage on said signaled side. The opposite side continues to illuminate in the park light mode. Also, if the LEDs of  FIG. 2B  are operating in the power display mode, they will be inhibited during turn signal operation of the LEDs of  FIG. 2A .  
         [0033]     Park light function of the  FIG. 2A  LEDs is accomplished by conducting positive vehicle battery voltage on  FIG. 2D  through the normally closed side of form C contact  50  as input to display left side bar driver  53  at pin  5 , and through the normally closed side of form C contact  57  to the input pin  5  of right side bar driver  54 . Plus 5 vdc is conducted through the normally closed side of contact  51  of relay K 3  at location  49  to the left side LED anodes of  FIG. 2A  at G, location  36 , and through the normally closed side of form C contact  56  of relay K 4  to the right side LED anodes of  FIG. 2A  at H. With positive battery as input to pins  5  of bar drivers  53  and  54  in  FIG. 2D , all bar driver outputs are switched on and all LEDs in  FIG. 2A  illuminate at park light intensity.  
         [0034]     When the first left turn signal positive voltage pulse is applied at  63  on  FIG. 2D , it conducts through diode D 1  charging capacitor C 1  at location  62 , and energizing relay K 3  at location  49 . The discharge of C 1  through the coil of K 3  maintains K 3  in an energized state between turn signal voltage pulses. Form C contact  50  operates removing positive battery from input pin  5  of bar driver  53 , and replaces it with a positive left turn directional signal voltage pulse. The positive left turn signal voltage pulse on input pin  5  of bar driver  53  will cause the outputs of bar driver  53  to switch on, beginning with output one which is connected to the left center LEDs C 1  A&amp;B, and ending with output ten which is connected to left end LEDs C 10  A&amp;B. At the end of the left turn signal voltage pulse the left side display illumination will extinguish until the next left turn signal voltage pulse restarts the illuminating sequence. The second form C contact  51  of relay K 3 , location  49 , operates and switches the anode supply voltage of the LED display left side from positive 5 vdc to positive 7 vdc increasing the illumination intensity of the left side of the display during operation of the turn signal function. Removal of left turn signal positive voltage pulses from  63  de-energizes relay K 3  location  49 , reconnecting battery positive to input pin  5  and allowing the LEDs anode supply voltage to change from plus 7 vdc back to plus 5 vdc thereby returning the left side of said display to the park light function.  
         [0035]     When the first right turn signal positive voltage pulse is applied at  64 , it conducts through diode D 2  charging capacitor C 2  at location  71 , and energizing relay K 4  at location  55 . The discharge of C 2  through the coil of K 4  maintains K 4  in an energized state between turn signal voltage pulses. Form C contact  57  operates removing positive battery from input pin  5  of bar driver  54 , and replaces it with a positive right turn directional signal voltage pulse. The positive right turn signal voltage pulse on input pin  5  of bar driver  54  will cause the outputs of bar driver  54  to switch on beginning with output one, which is connected to the right side center LEDs D 1  A&amp;B, and ending with output ten which is connected to right end LEDs D 100  A&amp;B. At the end of the right turn signal voltage pulse the right side display illumination will extinguish until the next right turn signal voltage pulse restarts the illumination sequence. The second form C contact  56  of relay K 4  location  55 , operates and switches the anode supply voltage of the LED display right side from positive 5 vdc to positive 7 vdc increasing the illumination intensity of the right side of the display during operation of the turn signal function. Removal of right turn signal positive voltage pulses from  64  de-energizes relay K 4  location  55 , reconnecting battery positive to input pin  5  and allowing the LEDs anode supply voltage to change from plus 7 vdc back to plus 5 vdc thereby returning the left side of said display to the park light function.  
         [0036]      FIG. 3 (A &amp; B) depicts a third embodiment of the invented inverse function illuminating power meter  82 ,  FIG. 3A , with a typical operational electronic circuit. This description is of an illuminating inverse power meter and operates to wit: An output dc voltage from a throttle position sensor is input to this circuit at  87 . Said dc voltage conducts to input pins  5  of dot/bar drivers  85  and  89 . The bar driver outputs  95  of bar driver  85  are connected to the left side LEDs at L,  FIG. 3A  location  93 , and the bar driver outputs  96  of bar driver  89  are connected to the right side LEDs at M,  FIG. 3A , location  94 . Variable resistor R 24  at location  92  is adjusted for the low end of the operating range and connected to the first bar driver  85  at pin  4 . The high end of range is adjusted with potentiometer R 27 , location  90 , and connected to the second bar driver  89  at pin  6 . Input voltage at or below the adjusted low end of range will illuminate all LEDs of the display of  FIG. 3A . Input voltage increases above the low-end set point will extinguish the LEDs of the display,  FIG. 3A , beginning with the left and right outermost LEDs  20 A and  20 B and work toward the center of the display. Input voltage at or above the high-end set point will extinguish the center display LEDs  1 A and  1 B, and all LEDs of the display. Voltage regulator E 10  of  FIG. 3B  at  83  supplies 7 vdc to the anodes of display  82  LEDs of  FIG. 3A , and regulator E 11  at  84  supplies 5 vdc to the dot/bar drivers  85  and  89 . Battery common is supplied to all components of the circuit at  88 . J at  80  and K at  81  of  FIG. 3A  indicate the illuminating elements of left and right halves of display  82 . R 28  at  86  is a required load current adjusting resistor for dot/bar driver  85 .