A method includes detecting at least one remote vehicle that is within a predetermined distance from the host vehicle, detecting that the light of the remote vehicle that is on, determining a luminous intensity of a light beam emitted by the light of at least one remote vehicle that is within the predetermined distance from the host vehicle, comparing the luminous intensity of the light beam emitted by the light of at least one remote vehicle to a predetermined threshold to determine whether the luminous intensity of the light beam emitted by the light is greater than the predetermined threshold in response to determining the luminous intensity of the light of at least one remote vehicle that is within the predetermined distance from the host vehicle, and dimming at least a portion of the windshield of the host vehicle.

The invention relates to a motor vehicle instrument cluster, comprising a digital display screen which is intended to be hidden from the vehicle passengers and capable of displaying a source image containing a multitude of indicator modules for the driver of the vehicle, and a panel (20) located below the digital display screen, at least the main central (20A) and upper (20B) portions of said panel being opaque and reflective, the panel (20) being inclined relative to the display screen so as to reflect the source image towards the driver so that the latter perceives, in his/her field of vision, a virtual image located in front of the panel (20), characterized in that the lateral (20C) and lower (20D) portions of the panel (20) are transparent.

The invention relates to a motor vehicle instrument cluster, comprising a digital display screen which is intended to be hidden from the vehicle passengers and capable of displaying a source image containing a multitude of indicator modules for the driver of the vehicle, and a panel (20) located below the digital display screen, at least the main central (20A) and upper (20B) portions of said panel being opaque and reflective, the panel (20) being inclined relative to the display screen so as to reflect the source image towards the driver so that the latter perceives, in his/her field of vision, a virtual image located in front of the panel (20), characterized in that the lateral (20C) and lower (20D) portions of the panel (20) are transparent.

A pointer for a gauge or an instrument cluster assembly is provided. The pointer is formed of a light conducting material. In one form, indicia are disposed about the axis of rotation and/or on a surface, the plurality of indicia configured to be selectively illuminated by the pointer. A second end of the pointer may be configured to be selectively rotated adjacent to each indicium of the plurality of indicia and to illuminate the indicia when the light guide pointer is disposed adjacent to the indicia. The second end may be wider than a first end of the pointer. In some variations, the pointer may have a fan shape, and the indicia may be configured as tick marks defining a bar graph. In some forms, opaque material may be disposed on the pointer, the opaque material defining a plurality of indicia on the pointer.

A display apparatus including a display that has a screen; a wall portion (instrument panel) where the display is attached to an attachment portion; and a display control section that displays an information image showing information to be provided to a user (occupant) in a partial range of the screen, and displays a wall portion image having the same texture, color, or pattern as the wall portion, in a range of the screen in which the information image is not displayed.

A display apparatus including a display that has a screen; a wall portion (instrument panel) where the display is attached to an attachment portion; and a display control section that displays an information image showing information to be provided to a user (occupant) in a partial range of the screen, and displays a wall portion image having the same texture, color, or pattern as the wall portion, in a range of the screen in which the information image is not displayed.

A vehicle safety system comprising a series of lights. One set of lights in a prominent turn indicator device indicates to the driver in a more prominent way whether the driver has indicated a turn. The turn indicator lights are either heads-up on a windshield, visible to the driver atop the dashboard or on an interior vehicle pillar, and away from vehicle instrument clusters. Another set of lights on a seatbelt compliance light device indicate to motorists external to the vehicle whether one or more occupants of a vehicle is in seatbelt. Each light system can be used to improve both the safety of the driver, pedestrians, surrounding vehicles, and vehicle occupants.

A vehicle safety system comprising a series of lights. One set of lights in a prominent turn indicator device indicates to the driver in a more prominent way whether the driver has indicated a turn. The turn indicator lights are either heads-up on a windshield, visible to the driver atop the dashboard or on an interior vehicle pillar, and away from vehicle instrument clusters. Another set of lights on a seatbelt compliance light device indicate to motorists external to the vehicle whether one or more occupants of a vehicle is in seatbelt. Each light system can be used to improve both the safety of the driver, pedestrians, surrounding vehicles, and vehicle occupants.

A display panel has a first and second layers and a control unit. The first layer is a pixel matrix. The control unit is designed to actuate at least one pixel element for displaying at least one graphic display object. In a respective non-actuated state each pixel element is transparent. The second layer is partitioned into predetermined primary subareas each having an adjustable degree of light transmission. The primary subareas are separated by a primary space. The control unit is adapted to adjust a respective light transmission to a predetermined individual degree for each of the predetermined primary subareas independent of each other. The display panel also has a third layer designed to attenuate light in the primary space.

A display panel has a first and second layers and a control unit. The first layer is a pixel matrix. The control unit is designed to actuate at least one pixel element for displaying at least one graphic display object. In a respective non-actuated state each pixel element is transparent. The second layer is partitioned into predetermined primary subareas each having an adjustable degree of light transmission. The primary subareas are separated by a primary space. The control unit is adapted to adjust a respective light transmission to a predetermined individual degree for each of the predetermined primary subareas independent of each other. The display panel also has a third layer designed to attenuate light in the primary space.