# US 7,725,365 B2 · Custom gauge panel ordering apparatus method and system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,725,365 B2 - Document ID: US7725365B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/435,595 - Filed: 2006-05-17 - Published: 2006-09-28 - Granted: 2010-05-25 - Earliest claimed: 2003-03-31 - Assignees: Speedhut Inc. - Inventors: Aaron R. Westberg - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7725365B2 ## CPC - G06Q 30/0621: {by configuring or customising goods or services} - B60K 35/21: using visual output, e.g. blinking lights or matrix displays - B60K 35/28: characterised by the type of the output information, e.g. video entertainment or vehicle dynamics information; characterised by the purpose of the output information, e.g. for attracting the attention of the driver - G06Q 30/0635: {replenishment orders; recurring orders} - B60K 35/654: {the user being the driver} - B60Y 2304/076: by add-on parts, e.g. retrofit - B60Y 2410/12: Production or manufacturing of vehicle parts - Y10S 707/944: Business related - Y10T 156/12: Surface bonding means and/or assembly means with cutting, punching, piercing, severing or tearing - G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - 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 - Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A custom gauge ordering apparatus facilitates selecting options related to a gauge panel, previewing the selected options under daylight or nighttime conditions, and submitting orders for a gauge panel with the selected options. The order may be automatically received by an order fulfillment system and used to direct or control manufacture of the custom gauge panel. In another aspect of the invention, a custom gauge panel includes a user-selected design printed on a translucent medium that is bonded to an electro-luminescent substrate. In one embodiment, the custom gauge panel also includes substantially transparent layer that stiffens and protects the translucent medium and user-selected design printed thereon during manufacture, installation, and use. The simplicity of the custom panel reduces the material and labor costs associated with producing a custom gauge panel. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for ordering a custom manufactured gauge panel, the apparatus comprising: a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium for storing a plurality of executable modules; and a processor coupled to the storage medium for executing the plurality of executable modules, the plurality of executable modules comprising: a plurality of option selectors including an option selector selected from a group consisting of a background pattern selector and a graphic selector, the plurality of option selectors configured to enable a user to select a plurality of selected gauge panel options, a lighting selector configured to enable a user to select a selected lighting condition from a plurality of viewable lighting conditions, and a preview module configured to receive the selected gauge panel options and the selected lighting condition and preview on a user viewable display a gauge panel with the selected gauge panel options from the group consisting of a background pattern selection and a graphic selector under the selected lighting condition. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the selected lighting condition is selected from the group consisting of daytime, twilight, dawn, dusk, streetlight, and nighttime conditions. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the group consisting of a background pattern selector and a graphic selector also includes a background color selector. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the option selector is selected from the group consisting of a text position selector, a text alignment selector, a font style selector, a font color selector, and a font size selector. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the option selector is selected from the group consisting of a tick mark style selector, a tick mark color selector, a scale font style selector, a scale font size selector, a scale font color selector, a shift line range selector, a shift line style selector, and a shift line color selector. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a graphical editor integrated with the preview module, the graphical editor configured to enable graphical editing of a custom dial face. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an upload module configured to receive a dial face design provided by a user. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a text editor configured to enable entry of a desired text string. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a text position selector configured to enable selection of a desired text position. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a dial scale selector configured to enable selection of a desired dial scale. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an order status module configured to display a status for a submitted order. ### Claim 12 An apparatus for ordering a custom manufactured gauge panel, the apparatus comprising: a non-transitory storage medium for storing a plurality of executable modules; and a processor coupled to the storage medium for executing the plurality of executable modules, the plurality of executable modules comprising: a plurality of option selectors including an option selector selected from a group consisting of a background pattern selector and a graphic selector, the plurality of option selectors configured to enable a user to select a plurality of selected gauge panel options, a lighting selector configured to enable a user to select a night-time lighting condition from a plurality of viewable lighting conditions, and a preview module configured to receive the selected gauge panel options and the selected lighting condition and preview on a user viewable display a gauge panel with the selected gauge panel options from the group consisting of a background pattern selection and a graphic selector under the night-time lighting condition. ### Claim 13 A method for enabling a user to order, via a software program or web page stored on a non-transitory storage medium and executed on a digital processing apparatus, a custom manufactured gauge panel, the method comprising: displaying a plurality of gauge panel options selectors including an option selector selected from a group consisting of a background pattern selector and a graphic selector to a user operating a computing device comprising a viewable display; displaying a lighting conditions selector to the user; receiving a plurality of selected gauge panel options and a selected lighting condition from the user; and previewing a gauge panel with the selected gauge panel options from the group consisting of a background pattern selection and a graphic selector under the selected lighting condition on the viewable display. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13 wherein the selected fighting condition is selected from the group consisting of daytime, twilight, dawn, dusk, streetlight, and nighttime conditions. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the group consisting of a background pattern selector, and a graphic selector also includes a background color selector. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the selected gauge panel option is selected from the group consisting of a text position option, a text alignment option, a font style option, a font color option, and a font size option. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the selected gauge panel option is selected from the group consisting of a tick mark style option, a tick mark color option, a scale font style option, a scale font size option, a scale font color option, a shift line range option, a shift line style option, and a shift line color option. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising displaying an option to graphically edit a custom dial face. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising displaying an option to receive a dial face design from a user. ### Claim 20 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising displaying an option to receive a custom text string. ### Claim 21 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising displaying an option to select a desired text position. ### Claim 22 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising displaying an option to select a desired dial scale. ### Claim 23 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising displaying a status for a submitted order.