Compact, multi-function rotational controllers or switches that allow an operator of a vehicle to simultaneously view the status of a plurality of related functions, and to easily change or toggle the status of each of the functions. A multi-function controller of the present disclosure may include a rotatable central control dial that is at least partially surrounded by a visual indicator panel that indicates a current status for the functions that are controlled by the multi-function controller. The multi-function controller may include a selected function indicator that indicates which of the plurality of related functions is currently selected, control input hardware that receives operator input, and control circuitry that toggles the state of the selected function responsive to such operator input. The multi-function controller may include an “all functions off” function that allows the operator to simultaneously turn all of the related functions off via a single input action.

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.

Devices, systems and methods for controlling an exterior and dashboard lights of an autonomous vehicle are described. One example of a method for controlling one or more exterior lights includes receiving, from an autonomous driving system (ADS) of the vehicle, an input to control one or more exterior lights that are part of a lighting system of the vehicle, and transmitting, based on the input, a message to a controller area network (CAN) bus of the lighting system, the message being further based on a driver command upon a determination that a driver-initiated message is received. In an example, the lighting system of the vehicle further comprises a plurality of dashboard lights.

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.

In a light guide pointer, a vertex portion of a light control space is located on a sub-pointer portion side with respect to a center axis of a light entrance shaft, providing appropriate luminance balance between a main pointer portion and the sub-pointer portion. The light control space includes a circular arc portion, thereby broadening diffusion range of light that has passed through the light control space and preventing attenuation of light traveling along inclined portions. A center of the circular arc portion is located on the main pointer portion side with respect to the center axis, allowing strong light that has entered the light control space from the vertex portion to be diffused more. Local focusing and/or attenuation of light can be prevented, while providing appropriate luminance balance between the main pointer portion side and the sub-pointer portion side, thereby reducing luminance unevenness at the light emitting face.

Devices, systems and methods for controlling an exterior and dashboard lights of an autonomous vehicle are described. One example of a method for controlling one or more exterior lights includes receiving, from an autonomous driving system (ADS) of the vehicle, an input to control one or more exterior lights that are part of a lighting system of the vehicle, and transmitting, based on the input, a message to a controller area network (CAN) bus of the lighting system, the message being further based on a driver command upon a determination that a driver-initiated message is received. In an example, the lighting system of the vehicle further comprises a plurality of dashboard lights.

A device for entering information includes an operating element and a control device. The device further includes an angle encoder configured to detect a rotational movement about an axis of rotation of the operating element, a touch encoder configured to detect a pressure movement of the operating element, and a transmission element configured to transmit data from the angle encoder and/or from the touch encoder to the control device. In addition, the device includes an energy transmission device configured to supply energy to the operating element via a cable-free transmission of energy.

According to the present invention, there is provided a display apparatus (D) having a colored light-transmitting base material (10), a black light-transmitting member (56) containing a black colorant, and a light source unit (40), in which the light source unit (40) is disposed such that emission light of a light source is transmitted through the colored light-transmitting base material (10) and the black light-transmitting member (56) in this order, a total light transmittance (T) of a layer obtained by combining a layer of the colored light-transmitting base material (10) and a layer of the black light-transmitting member (56) is 13% or less, and the black light-transmitting member (56) has an L* value of 45 or less. The display apparatus (D) has excellent designability and high luminance.

A carbon decorative panel includes a clear decoration body and a carbon color layer. The clear decoration body has a main body 10a transmitting light and includes a carbon-toned irregular surface provided on the opposite side to the viewer side of the main body and having a carbon-toned pattern formed with protrusions and depressions. The carbon color layer is laminated on the carbon-toned irregular surface, includes a reflective surface reflecting incident light transmitted through the clear decoration body, and is colored in a carbon color.

The present invention discloses an automotive instrument cluster with a continuous LED bar graph. The automotive instrument includes a base, LED light sources placed on the base, LED compartments resulting from mounting plate separating plurality of LED lights from each other, an applique covering the top surfaces of the LED compartments wherein the top surface of the applique is perceived by a user, and the bottom surface of the applique covers the LED compartments from inside. The mounting plate is designed in a manner that the inner walls of subsequent LED compartments maintain a predetermined gap with bottom surface of the applique to enable the light to pass to the adjacent LED compartment.