Adaptive instrument cluster
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorRobert A. Dziurda
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An adaptive instrument cluster for a vehicle actively repositions during driving so that at least one or more depicted instruments remain viewable at most steering wheel angles. The instrument cluster may include an electronic display on which one or more instruments are depicted during vehicle operation. An instrument cluster controller receives data representative of the steering wheel angle, and responsive thereto repositions the represented instruments on the electronic display so that at least one instrument remains viewable within an opening formed within the steering wheel.
Claims18
An adaptive instrument cluster disposed within an instrument panel of a vehicle relative to a steering wheel of the vehicle that is rotatable through a range of angles, the adaptive instrument cluster comprising:
- an electronic display capable of depicting an instrument;
- and
- a controller coupled to the electronic display, the controller operable to cause the depiction of the instrument on the display, such that the instrument is depicted on a first portion of the display viewable through a first apparent opening within the steering wheel corresponding to a first angle of the steering wheel and on a second portion of the display, different than the first portion of the display, viewable through a second apparent opening within the steering wheel different than the first apparent opening corresponding to a second angle of the steering wheel different than the first angle of the steering wheel;
- wherein the depiction is a scaled depiction of the instrument of the vehicle, the scaled depiction of the instrument being sized to be viewed in its entirety within the second apparent opening, and wherein the controller is operable to determine a portion of the display on which to depict the instrument, such that the instrument appears to rotate as a smooth continuous animation in absolute orientation with the first apparent opening of the steering wheel as the steering wheel is rotated from the first angle to a second angle.
A vehicle having an instrument panel and a steering wheel that is rotatable through a range of angles, the vehicle comprising:
- an adaptive instrument cluster disposed within the instrument panel such that the adaptive instrument cluster is viewable through an opening within the steering wheel,
- the adaptive instrument cluster having an electronic display capable of depicting an instrument;
- and
- a controller couple to the electronic display, the controller operable to cause the depiction of the instrument on the display, such that the instrument is depicted on a first portion of the display viewable through a first apparent opening within the steering wheel corresponding to a first angle of the steering wheel and on a second portion of the display, different than the first portion of the display, viewable through a second apparent opening within the steering wheel different than the first apparent opening corresponding to a second angle of the steering wheel different than the first angle of the steering wheel;
- wherein the depiction is a scaled depiction of the instrument of the vehicle, the scaled depiction of the instrument being sized to be viewed in its entirety within the second apparent opening, and wherein the controller is operable to determine a portion of the display on which to depict the instrument, such that the instrument appears as a smooth continuous animation in absolute orientation with the first apparent opening of the steering wheel as the steering wheel is rotated from the first angle to a second angle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.