Silhouette illuminated vehicle display apparatus
US5257167A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 24, 1989 |
| Grant date | Oct 26, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 24, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01R1/08
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An improved vehicle display apparatus in which both the display and pointer are illuminated for low ambient driver viewing by a single electroluminescent (EL) lamp mounted on the rear face of the display. A generally opaque applique includes a translucent region in registry with the active area of the EL lamp, and bright opaque graphic symbols painted or deposited onto a surface of the applique within the translucent region. A pointer disposed in proximity to the front surface of the applique is provided with juxtaposed bright opaque and transparent regions. In high ambient lighting conditions when the EL lamp is not lit, a viewer of the display perceives the bright opaque graphic symbols and pointer stripes against the relatively dark translucent background regions of the applique. In low ambient lighting conditions when the EL lamp is lit, the viewer perceives the opaque graphic symbols and pointer stripes in silhouette against the relatively bright translucent regions of the applique and pointer, respectively.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.