A virtual image type meter includes a virtual image display (3) for projecting a first image reflected by a half mirror (10) toward an range of sight (ER), and a real image display (11) positioned at the back side of the half mirror (10) for projecting a second image to be seen through the half mirror (10) toward the range of sight (ER). According to above configuration, the virtual image type meter can display a larger number of useful information. Further, a total display width, which is a sum of the first and the second image widths, can be narrower than that of the meter in which the real image display (11) is positioned in front of the half mirror (10).

A system for indicating the operational status and parameters of a cruise control system for use in a human operated vehicle. The system includes apparatus for storing and recalling a preset speed for the cruise control system. The system further includes apparatus for indicating this preset speed to the operator, along with apparatus configured to indicate to the user whether or not the cruise control system is engaged. One embodiment is a system for use with vehicles with digital speedometers. In this embodiment, the system includes digital memory for storing the preset speed, and a digital display configured to show the preset speed and the operational status of the cruise control system. Another embodiment is for use with vehicles having analog speedometers. The analog system includes an array of LEDs and detectors arranged around a speed indicating dial and under the speedometer needle. The LEDs and detectors are arranged so that a preset speed may be stored into the system by detection of light reflected from one of the LEDs off a reflective surface on the back side of the needle, and onto one of the detectors. The LEDs of the analog system are further configured to indicate the preset speed and the operational status of the system.

The present invention relates to a synchronously lighting apparatus of a vehicle meter. The digital signal transformed from the measured value triggers the light-emitting device of the light-outputting group so as to change the lighting status and triggers the display machine synchronously. Accordingly, an obvious warning is obtained.

A color-changeable warning apparatus of a vehicle meter transforms a measured value of the target position into a first digital signal and adopts a setting value as a second digital signal. The first digital signal and the second digital signal are compared by a comparison program, wherein the parameter comparison result is read by a processing unit so as to trigger a light-emitting device of a light-outputting group to change the outputted light color thereby achieving the warning purpose.

One of two images is selectively displayed on a single displaying screen of a display 11. The light of the displayed image is reflected from a mirror 13a and a half-mirror 13b toward a first reflective area 21a or second reflective area 21b of a translucent reflecting film 21 which is located in a field of view ahead of a driver's seat. An optical path is exchanged so that when the one image is displayed by the display, only the light of the one image reflected by the mirror 13a is incident on the first reflective area 21a, whereas when the other image is displayed by the display, only the light of the second image is incident on the second reflective area 21b. Two images are reflected from the translucent reflecting film 21 and visually recognized as a single virtual image ahead of a windshield 20 by a driver. In this configuration, a head-up display capable of displaying a larger image can be installed in a vehicle without being upsized.