Method and apparatus for reconfiguring a computerized monitoring system

An apparatus for indicating levels of sensed parameters on any of a plurality of vehicles, comprising:

• sensor means for producing parameter signals indicative of the levels of the sensed parameters;
• means for producing an identification code, each of the plurality of vehicles having a unique identification code for identifying the vehicle to which the apparatus is connected;
• a plurality of gauge means for indicating a level of the sensed parameters, each of said gauge means having an outline segment means for illustrating a range of levels of the sensed parameter indicated by said gauge means and a symbol means for identifying the sensed parameter indicated by said gauge means, said outline segment means and symbol means being illuminable;
• control means for receiving said identification code and said parameter signals;
• a second electronic control;
• and
• a communication link connected to and between said control means and said second electronic control, said control means producing data in response to said parameter signals and selectively transmitting all or a portion of said data to said external electronic control via said communication link in response to said identification code, whereby said data transmitted via said communication link is uniquely determined for each vehicle in response to said identification code.

An apparatus for indicating levels of sensed parameters on any of a plurality of vehicles, comprising:

• means for producing an identification code, each of the plurality of vehicles having an identification code for identifying a particular gauge configuration for use in connection with that vehicle;
• a plurality of gauge means for indicating a level of the sensed parameters, each of said gauge means having an outline segment means for illustrating a range of levels of the sensed parameter indicated by said gauge means and
• a plurality of symbol means for identifying the sensed parameter being indicated on each of said plurality of gauge means, each of said outline segment means and symbol means being selectively illuminable in response to an electrical control signal;
• control means for receiving said identification code and, in response to said identification code, selectively enabling one or more of said gauges and selectively producing said electrical control signal for each of said outline segment means and symbol means associated with each of the enabled gauge means whereby only the outline segment means and symbol means associated with the desired gauge configuration of the vehicle indicated by the identification code are illuminated;
• and
• optical filter means for causing said outline segment means and said symbol means to be substantially visible to an operator only when illuminated by said control means.

An apparatus for indicating levels of sensed parameters on any of a plurality of vehicles, comprising:

• means for producing an identification code, each of the plurality of vehicles having an identification code for identifying the type of brightness controls to be used in connection with that vehicle;
• a plurality of gauge means for indicating a level of the sensed parameters, each of said gauge means having an outline segment means for illustrating a range of levels of the sensed parameter indicated by said gauge means and a symbol means for identifying the sensed parameter indicated by said gauge means, said outline segment means and symbol means being illuminable at a brightness level;
• a photocell;
• one of a plurality of brightness switches,;
• and
• a control means for identifying which of said plurality of brightness switches is to be used in conjunction with the photocell in response to said identification code and for establishing said brightness level in response to both said photocell and said one of said plurality of brightness switches.

An apparatus for indicating levels of sensed parameters on a vehicle, comprising:

• instrument means for displaying a plurality of parameters, said instrument means including a microprocessor;
• means for producing a vehicle identification code and delivering said code to said instrument means;
• a plurality of electronic controls each being adapted to control different vehicle functions;
• and
• a communication link connecting the electronic controls to said instrument means and delivering a serial data message including the vehicle identification code and an electronic control identifier to said plurality of controls.

An apparatus for indicating levels of sensed parameters on a vehicle, comprising:

• means for producing an identification code, each of the plurality of vehicle types having a unique identification code for identifying the type of brightness controls to be used in connection with the associated vehicle type;
• a plurality of gauge means for indicating a level of the sensed parameters, each of said gauge means having an outline segment means for illustrating a range of levels of the sensed parameter indicated by said gauge means and a symbol means for identifying the sensed parameter indicated by said gauge means, said outline segment means and symbol means being illuminable at a brightness level;
• a photocell means for controlling the intensity at which the outline segment means and symbol means are illuminated;
• and
• means for determining in response to said identification code whether a brightness switch is to be used in connection with said photocell means to collectively control the intensity at which the outline segment means and symbol means are illuminated.