Visual indicators on vehicle steering wheel displayed in response to hand position
OwnerCharles J. Kulasinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Visual indicators on a steering wheel of a vehicle provide information to a driver of the vehicle. In one embodiment an input stage is used to receive an input signal. The signal is processed to provide a signal for an indicator on the steering wheel. Conditions of the steering wheel can be sensed to provide modification of the indicator display. For example, the rotation or orientation of the steering wheel can be taken into account to modify the display for better viewing. The position or placement of a driver's hand on the steering wheel can be used to change the display of indicators so that the indicators are less obscured.
Claims25
An apparatus for displaying information to a vehicle's driver, the apparatus comprising:
- an input stage configured to receive an input signal about a condition;
- a hand sensor configured to determine the position of a hand on the steering wheel;
- and
- a plurality of indicators spaced along a perimeter portion of a steering wheel of the vehicle,
- wherein the indicators are operably coupled to the input stage and configured to display an indication of the condition in response to the input signal, and
- wherein the indication of the condition is selectively displayed among the plurality of indicators in response to the position of the hand on the steering wheel.
A method for displaying information to a driver of a vehicle, the method comprising:
- receiving an input signal about a condition;
- processing the received input signal;
- determining a position of a hand on a steering wheel and
- displaying the processed input signal using an indicator on the steering wheel of the vehicle in response to the determined position of the hand on the steering wheel.
An apparatus for displaying information to a driver of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
- means for receiving an input signal about a condition;
- means for determining the position of a hand on the steering wheel;
- and
- means for displaying an indication of the condition in response to the input signal, wherein the means for displaying are arranged along a perimeter portion of a steering wheel of the vehicle, and wherein the indication of the condition is selectively displayed among the means for displaying in response to the position of the hand on the steering wheel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.