# US 7,609,452 B2 · 3D gauge face for vehicle dashboard > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,609,452 B2 - Document ID: US7609452B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/450,864 - Filed: 2006-06-12 - Published: 2007-12-13 - Granted: 2009-10-27 - Earliest claimed: 2006-06-12 - Assignees: Guardian Industries Corp. - Inventors: Matthew Zabiega - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7609452B2 ## CPC - B60K 35/22: Display screens - B60K 35/50: Instruments characterised by their means of attachment to or integration in the vehicle (B60K35/231 takes precedence) - B60K 35/211: {producing three-dimensional [3D] effects, e.g. stereoscopic images} - B60K 35/60: Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles (arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10) - B60K 35/90: Calibration of instruments, e.g. setting initial or reference parameters; Testing of instruments, e.g. detecting malfunction - B60Y 2410/12: Production or manufacturing of vehicle parts - B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES - B60Y: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY ## Abstract A system and/or method that displays images in a vehicle dashboard area that appear, to an operator of the vehicle, to float above and/or below the vehicle's gauge face in a three-dimensional manner. In certain example embodiments, a system and/or method is provided wherein a gauge face includes a first sheet (e.g., vinyl sheet) having images laser-etched therein based on a design template, and a second sheet (e.g., polycarbonate sheet) to which the first sheet is applied. In certain example embodiments, when light from a dashboard backlight shows through the gauge face, the one or more of the laser-etched images appear to float above and/or below the gauge face in a three dimensional manner. In certain example embodiments, the images can be used in combination with and/or in place of conventional digital and/or analog gauges. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of making a vehicle dashboard including a gauge face, the method comprising: providing a first sheet including a microlens array; laser-etching a designed pattern into the first sheet, the designed pattern comprising at least first and second images; applying the first sheet to a second sheet; connecting at least one vehicle sensor to a plurality of light sources, the at least one vehicle sensor being operable to measure a status and/or parameter associated with the vehicle; locating the first and second sheets in a dashboard area of the vehicle; providing at least one said light source at a location in the vehicle to cause the first image to appear to an operator of the vehicle to be floating above and/or below the gauge face when said light source is turned on, said light source being turned on in response to one said vehicle sensor connected thereto, and providing at least two said light sources at locations in the vehicle to cause associated portions of the second image to appear to the operator of the vehicle to be floating above and/or below the gauge face when said at least two light sources are turned on, said at least two light sources being turned on in response to one said vehicle sensor connected thereto. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) the method of claim 1, wherein the first sheet comprises vinyl. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is operable to measure one or more of vehicle speed, actuation of a vehicle turn signal, actuation of vehicle high beams, vehicle engine temperature, vehicle fuel level, vehicle engine trouble, and/or vehicle safety belt status. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the images displayed vary based at least on one or more of the presence and/or absence of light, the amount of light, and/or the viewing angle. ### Claim 5 A gauge face for a vehicle, comprising: a first sheet laser-etched with a design pattern comprising a plurality of images, the first sheet being applied to a second substantially transparent sheet; wherein a first image in the design pattern appears to an operator of the vehicle as floating above and/or below the gauge face when illuminated, and wherein portions of a second image in the design pattern appear to the operator of the vehicle as floating above and/or below the gauge face when selectively illuminated by a plurality of light source. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The gauge face of claim 5, wherein the first sheet comprises a vinyl inclusive sheet. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The gauge face of claim 5, wherein the second sheet comprises a polycarbonate inclusive sheet. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The gauge face of claim 5, further comprising a third sheet applied to the first sheet opposite the second sheet. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The gauge face of claim 5, wherein the images depict one or more of vehicle speed, actuation of a turn signal, actuation of high beams, engine temperature, fuel level, engine trouble, and/or safety belt status. ### Claim 10 (depends on 5) The gauge face of claim 5, wherein the first sheet is a retroflective sheet. ### Claim 11 A method of displaying images that float above and/or below a gauge face of a vehicle in a vehicle dashboard, the method comprising: mounting the gauge face at a dashboard area of the vehicle; sensing a parameter associated with the vehicle; actuating one or more lights, at and/or behind the dashboard area of the vehicle, in response to the parameter sensed, each said light being associated with at least a portion of one said image; and wherein the gauge face is designed so that at least some images portrayed thereby appear to an operator of the vehicle to be floating above and/or below a plane of the guard face in a three dimensional manner, and wherein at least one said image is divided into portions such that the portions are selectively portrayed as floating above and/or below the plane of the guard face in response to selective actuation of the lights associated therewith in dependence on the parameter sensed. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the images are not visible before one or more of the lights is actuated. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein already visible images change in appearance based on one or more of the light's presence, absence, and/or amount. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the images indicate one or more of vehicle speed, actuation of a turn signal, actuation of high beams, engine temperature, fuel level, engine trouble, and/or safety belt status.