Vehicles such as automobiles are often equipped with multiple displays at the dashboard including an instrument display, with a control panel display and with a secondary display. The displays may be glaring and distracting a driver while driving at dark road conditions along non-illuminated streets or country roads or tunnels .

A button is used to switch the displays off if not in use. High-end cars make use of light sensing devices to adjust the brightness, which is just a day or night setting with two different brightness levels . Yet other practices are to employ manual rheostat scroll wheels or different human machine interface (HMI) to manually dim the overall interior brightness for driving in dark road conditions.

US 06/322,297 discloses a display intensity control apparatus for controlling under dark ambient conditions the display intensity of an automobile display system comprises a plurality of display units for providing displays effected by display elements of different types .

US 07/862,183 discloses an illumination control circuit for an on-vehicle apparatus having an optical remote control device. The circuit has a photoreceptor built in the remote control device that receives a light signal for remote control of the on-vehicle apparatus as well as the ambient visible light in a passenger space of the vehicle. It is an object of the present specification to provide an improved dashboard and a dashboard control unit, as well as a method to control the brightness of the information which is provided on the dashboard.

This object is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Further solutions are given by the dependent claims .

A cockpit control module for controlling an adjustable dashboard unit is provided. Usually the brightness of the displayed information is adjustable, and this comprises both the luminance of an actively displayed information as well as the brightness of a lighting unit which illuminates a passive display, such as a hand of a clock on a face of the clock. While dashboard faces usually have a passive face with additional light elements, a projector of a overhead display would provide actively laminating information. The vehicle comes with at least one instrument for displaying an operational status of the vehicle, such as a speedometer, a fuel gauge, a tachometer, etc. The cockpit control module comprising at least one dashboard output port for connecting a dashboard unit and at least one contactless sensor input port for connecting at least one contactless sensor. The cockpit control unit is often provided as a module with a stand-alone microprocessor or a microcontroller. The cockpit control module derives at least one pre-determined body state information such as a movement of finger or hand or direction of the face of the driver from a contactless sensor signal at the contactless sensor input port and it provides a corresponding pre-determined body state brightness signal at the dashboard output port, which in turn adjusts the brightness - sometimes also called luminance - of the displayed infor- mation .

The cockpit control module may provide a body part state recognition, e.g. of the hand or the face, from the contact- less sensor signal at the contactless sensor input port. In another form, the cockpit control module can also provide a body part proximity recognition from the contactless sensor signal at the contactless sensor input port. A body part state recognition, e.g. of the hand or the face, allows to discern between a driver looking ahead on the street and a driver monitoring the instruments on the dashboard, which re quires the instruments to be brighter, especially during a bright day. A body part proximity recognition allows to detect a driver trying to tap a specific control element, such as a heater switch, upon which the control element can be highlighted, making it easier to find.

In a further embodiment, the cockpit control module is provided with an ambient light input port for connecting an ambient light sensor, wherein the cockpit control module is adapted to derive at least one pre-determined ambient light information from an ambient light sensor signal and to provide a corresponding pre-determined default brightness signa at the dashboard output port. In a still further embodiment, the pre-determined ambient light information is derived from a current position signal and a local time information into provide a corresponding pre-determined default brightness signal at the dashboard output port. The default brightness signal is useful in situations where there is absolute darkness, such as in tunnels or during night-time on streets without lighting. To this purpose, a pre-determined ambient light information can also be derived from a current position signal and a pre-determined map information, which contains information about tunnels and lighting equipment on a specific road.

In one embodiment, the cockpit control module is adapted to super-impose the body state brightness signal with the default brightness signal, while in another embodiment the cockpit control module is adapted to apply either the body state brightness signal or the default brightness signal, depending on the result of a comparison of the ambient light information with a pre-determined brightness threshold value. This allows for individually right adjustment of the dashboard brightness .

The application also provides a dashboard unit for a vehicle with such a cockpit control module, wherein the dashboard output port being communicatively connected with the dashboard unit and the contactless sensor input port being communicatively connected with at least one contactless sensor.

In one embodiment, the contactless sensor comprises an optical camera, which is directed towards the driver, while in another embodiment, the contactless sensor can comprise a proximity sensor, such as an infrared sensor.

The application also provides a vehicle with such a dashboard unit, wherein the cockpit control module is connected with components of the car for deriving an operational status of the car. In other words, the application provides a method for adjusting the brightness of displayed information of a dashboard unit of a vehicle, with at least one instrument for displaying an operational status of the vehicle, which comprises:

- deriving at least one pre-determined body state information (movement of finger or hand, direction of face) of the driver with a contactless measurement,

- retrieving a corresponding pre-determined body state brightness signal,

- adjusting the brightness of the brightness of the displayed information according to the pre-determined body state brightness signal.

The application relates among others to a method and a device for a varying illuminated display based on facial recognition, hand position, and location of the vehicle.

At least a camera, and a plurality of proximity sensors are installed in the vehicle. The camera is used to acquire stream of images of a face of a driver. The said facial image is then analysed to determine the direction of view of the driver. A proximity sensor detects the proximity of the hand of the driver and a location based system to locate the vehicle. The abovementioned acquired input variables are to control the luminance level of the display faces comprising an instrument cluster display face, a control display on the centre stack, a secondary display screen, and the control elements on the steering wheel.

A device for controlling the brightness of a display on a dashboard of a vehicle, comprises means for detecting a movement of a driver of the vehicle, such as a turn of the head or a movement of his hand or finger, a control unit means fo controlling the luminance of at least a display means for de tecting light rays, means for detecting the location of the vehicle, and/or means for connecting the detected signals to a control unit and to a display unit.

More specifically, a device for controlling the brightness o a display on a dashboard of a vehicle, comprises means for detecting a face of a driver, means for detecting a hand of the driver, means for detecting an activation of a button on a steering wheel, means for detecting light rays, means for detecting the location of the vehicle, means for connecting the detected signals to a control unit and to a display unit and/or means for controlling the luminance of at least a dis play .

A camera is able to acquire streaming images of a face of a driver and send information to the control unit, while the control unit determines the direction of view of the driver or the direction of view of the eyes of the driver.

If a proximity sensor is provided, it may be located at the centre stack to detect the hand movement around its vicinity It is also possible to detect the activation of the control elements on the steering wheel, which could trigger a change in luminance of the display face on the dashboard.

The dashboard of a vehicle can include an instrument cluster display, a secondary display screen, control elements at the centre stack, and control elements on the steering wheel. A light sensor can be provided which is able to detect the ambient light intensity when vehicle is in a closed space like a tunnel, in open spaces on a normal street, in inclement weather, or day and night.

A global positioning system (GPS) receiver and a map can be used to locate the vehicle with reference to locations stored in the memory in the vehicle of streets with and without illumination so as to change the luminance of the display unit.

In another embodiment, a cellular phone transmitter can be used to locate the vehicle. An antenna is able to transmit and receive information from a remote server over the cellular data network. The current location of the vehicle is compared with information provided by the remote server. The remote server has information of the streets with and without illumination .

A device of controlling the luminance of at least a display on a dashboard of a vehicle as in claim 1, wherein the connection between the detected inputs to the control unit and to the display unit is using Controller Area Network (CAN) protocol or other wireless protocol or hardwire connection.

The control unit can determine the output signal to the display unit with reference to a set of pre-determined ambient light levels for the luminance of the display unit. The output signal to the display unit can be based on the detected inputs from the camera, at least a proximity sensor, at least a light sensor, at least a control element on the steering wheel, a GPS and a map, and a cellular antenna. A further method of adjusting - also called controlling - the luminance of at least a display on a dashboard of a vehicle comprises

detecting a face in a stream of images,

detecting the position of the eyes of the driver, determining the direction of view of the driver,

detecting the ambient light,

detecting the movement of a hand near the centre stack, detecting the activation of at least a control element on the steering wheel, and/or

detecting the location of the vehicle.

The application also provides that streaming images acquired by the camera are sent to a control unit to perform facial recognition, especially with an algorithm to recognise a human face, determining the position of the eyes from the acquired images, or even determining the direction of view of the driver.

In a further embodiment, a set of pre-determined ambient light levels for the luminance of the display unit is stored in the control unit, wherein the input ambient levels from at least a light sensor is compared with the stored predetermined ambient light levels to produce the relevant output signal from the control unit to the display unit.

Detecting a hand of a driver near the centre stack by at least a proximity sensor can change the luminance level of the display unit, and in a further embodiment, activating at least a control element on the steering wheel changes the luminance level of the display unit. The subject of the present application is now explained with respect to the following Figures in which

Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of a vehicle with a camera- based dimming display device in connection with an instrument cluster display face,

Fig. 2 shows a front perspective of a dashboard of the car of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 shows a flowchart of an algorithm of a method of operating the camera-based dimming device,

Fig. 4 shows a block diagram of a further embodiment of a car with a camera-based dimming display device in connection with a secondary display screen,

Fig. 5 shows a front perspective of a dashboard of the car of Fig. 4,

Fig. 6 shows a block diagram of a further embodiment of a vehicle with a camera-based dimming display device in connection with a control element push button,

Fig. 7 shows a front perspective of a dashboard of the car of Fig. 6,

Fig. 8 shows another further embodiment of a car with a dashboard that comprises a proximity sensor and a secondary display,

Fig. 9 shows a further embodiment of a car with a dashboard that comprises a Global Positioning System (GPS) and a secondary display,

Fig. 10 shows another embodiment of a car with a dashboard that comprises a Global Positioning System (GPS) that is communicatively connected with an external server and a secondary display, and Fig. 11 shows a further embodiment of a car with a steering wheel that comprises a plurality of control elements and a secondary display.

In the following description, details are provided to describe the embodiments of the present specification. It shall be apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that the embodiments may be practised without these details or with other details.

Some embodiments have similar parts. The similar parts may have the same names or similar part numbers. The description of one part applies by reference to another similar part, where appropriate, thereby reducing the repetition of text without limiting the disclosure of the description.

Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of a vehicle in the form of a car 10 with a camera-based dimming display device 11 in connection with an instrument cluster display face 1 .

The dimming display device 11 comprises a camera 12 and a processor 13. The camera 12 is connected to the processor 13.

The instrument cluster display face 14 includes a light bulb symbol, which represents a plurality of light emitting devices 15 and a plurality of meters 16. The meters 16 include a speedometer 17, a tachometer 18, a fuel gauge 19, an engine coolant temperature meter 20, an oil pressure gauge 21, and a battery level indicator 22. The camera 12 and the instrument cluster display face 14 are installed on a dashboard 25 of the car 10, as shown in

Fig. 2.

In use, a driver who is not shown here, operates the car 10 for transporting people or goods .

The camera 12 acquires a stream of images of a face of the driver. The camera 12 is adapted to receive the images both during low ambient light conditions, which occurs in the night or in enclosed areas like tunnels, and during normal ambient light conditions .

The processor 13 acts for receiving the stream of images from the camera 12. The processor 13 then detects a face of the driver and determines a direction of a view of the driver from the stream of images. After this, the processor 13 determines an electrical signal according to the direction of view of the driver. The processor 13 later activates the light emitting devices 15 according to the signal.

The light emitting devices 15, which are best seen in Fig. 1 serve to produce light rays . The light rays are directed at the meters 16 for illuminating the meters 16. The light emit ting devices 15 are provided such that a first pre-determine signal from the processor 13 produces brighter light rays. Conversely, a second pre-determined signal would produce dim mer light rays .

The meters 16 provide readings of different conditions of the vehicle 10 for the driver of the vehicle 10. In a general sense, the light emitting devices 15 can be provided by any type of light source, such as filament bulbs or light emitting diodes (LEDs).

The car 10 further has an ambient light sensor that is not shown here. The light sensor serves to differentiate between day and night as well as inclement weather during the day where the sun's light rays are obstructed by clouds. The luminance level of the light emitting devices 15 can be dimmed or adjusted according to the first pre-determined signal or the second pre-determined signal of the processor 13 based on the ambient light intensity.

The car 10 further includes a location-based system that employs global positioning system (GPS) and cellular data network that are not shown here.

The GPS together with the map information serves to locate the car 10 in the open spaces. The car 10 can also be located by using acceleration sensors working together with the GPS when travelling in the tunnel or close spaces. The GPS also provides the time information, which can be used to determine the light intensity of the light emitting devices 15.

The car 10 further includes a cellular antenna that is not shown here. The antenna serves to communicate with the cellular base stations so as to locate the position of the car 10. The location of the car 10 can be superimposed digitally on the relevant maps that are provided by a remote server communicated over a cellular data network. The remote server can also provide the time information over the cellular data network . The luminance level of the light emitting devices 15 can be dimmed or adjusted according to the first pre-determined signal or the second pre-determined signal of the processor 13 based on the time information and location of the car 10 either by the GPS or over the cellular data network.

In an embodiment not shown here, the instrument cluster display is provided in the form of a head-up display that projects instrument readings, such as a speedometer, onto a windscreen not shown here of the vehicle. The intensity of the light, which is used to project the instrument readings can be dimmed or adjusted according to the first predetermined signal or the second pre-determined signal of the processor 13.

In an embodiment not shown here, the basic level of brightness for the light emitting devices 15 in the car 10 are set at a pre-determined level or a default level. These default levels are set for conditions when car 10 is in the tunnel, inclement weather, day and night. Then the luminance of the light emitting devices 15 are adjusted according to the direction of view of the driver with reference to the default levels .

Fig. 3 shows a flowchart 30 of an algorithm of a method of operating the camera-based dimming device 11.

The flowchart 30 includes a step 31 of acquiring an image of the driver by the camera 12, e.g. of the face of the driver. The processor 13 then executes instructions of a program to detect the presence of a face from the acquired image, in a step 32.

The algorithm then determines the direction of the driver' s view in step 33.

The method of operating the camera-based dimming device 11 to control the brightness of the instrument cluster display face 14 provides a driver looking ahead mode and driver not- looking ahead mode.

In the looking ahead mode, the algorithm in the processor 13 sends an output signal to decrease the luminance of the light emitting devices 15 in step 34. the not-looking ahead mode, the algorithm in the processor sends an output signal to resume to its predetermined lev- of luminance of the light emitting devices 15 in step 35.

Fig. 4 shows a block diagram of a further embodiment of a car 10' with a camera-based dimming display device 11' in connection with a secondary display screen 40.

The dimming display device 11' comprises a camera 12' and a processor 13' . The camera 12' is connected to the proces- sor 13' . The processor 13' is connected to the secondary dis- play screen 40, which is provided in the form of a black and white screen, presenting contents such as navigation, radio or phone . The camera 12' and the secondary display screen 40 are installed on a dashboard 25' of the car 10' , as shown in

Fig. 5.

In an embodiment not shown here, the secondary display screen 40 is provided in the form of a colour screen. The secondary display screen 40 of Fig. 4 is located on a centre stack of the car 10' or (not shown here) centre console where the driver can reach the screen easily. The screen provided can be in the form of a haptic display, which is interfacing through touch.

The method of operating the camera-based dimming device 11' to control the brightness of the secondary display screen 40 provides a driver looking ahead mode and driver looking at the secondary display mode.

In the looking ahead mode, the algorithm in the processor 13' signals to the secondary display screen 40 to reduce the brightness .

In the looking at the secondary display screen mode, the processor 13 increases the brightness of the secondary display screen 40.

Fig. 6 shows a block diagram of a further embodiment of a vehicle 10' ' with a camera-based dimming display device 11' ' in connection with a control element push button 50.

The dimming display device 11'' comprises a camera 12'' and a processor 13''. The camera 12'' is connected to the processor . The processor 13' ' is connected to the control element button 50.

The control element push button 50 is provided in the form of push buttons on the centre stack or centre console.

The camera 12'' is installed on a dashboard 25'' of the car 10' ' and the control element push button 50 is installed on the centre stack, as shown in Fig. 7.

In use, the camera 12'' acquires the images of a human face. The image is sent to the processor 13' ' . An algorithm in the processor 13' ' detects the facial features of a human and determines the direction of view of the driver. The output signal from the processor 13' ' controls the brightness level of the light emitting devices 15' located behind the control element push button 50.

In Fig. 6, the push button is at an opened position 51 with a light emitting device 15' not illuminated. The push button is in the closed position 52 and the light emitting device 15' is illuminated.

When the driver depresses the button, the light emitting device behind the button will light up. The button is provided is in the form of on/off switches with no control of the brightness intensity.

The method of operating the camera-based dimming device 11' ' to control the brightness of light emitting devices 15' behind the control element push button 50 provides a driver looking ahead mode and driver looking at the control element push button mode .

In the looking ahead mode, the algorithm in the processor 13' ' signals the light emitting devices 15' to decrease the brightness level of the control element push button 50.

In the looking at the control element push button 50 mode, the algorithm in the processor 13' ' signals the light emitting devices 15' to increase the brightness level of the con trol element push button 50.

Fig. 8 shows another further embodiment of a car 10 ¹¹¹ with a dashboard 25 ¹¹¹ that comprises a proximity sensor 70 and a secondary display 40' .

The proximity sensor 70 is located at the centre stack or th> centre console.

The proximity sensor 70 and the secondary display 40' are in stalled on a dashboard 25 ¹¹¹ of the car 10 ¹¹¹ , as shown in Fig 8.

In use, the proximity sensor 70 detects the presence of a hand in its vicinity, without any physical contact on the centre stack. Upon detection of the hand, a signal is sent t the processor 13 ¹¹¹ , which will then increase the brightness of the secondary d isp1ay 40'.

The method of operation for controlling the brightness of th> secondary display 40' by proximity provides a driver's hand close to the centre stack and a driver' s hand away from the centre stack mode.

In the driver' s hand close to the centre stack mode, the proximity sensor 70 detects movement of the hand triggering the processor 13 ¹¹¹ to increase the luminance of the

the secondary display 40' .

In the driver's hand away from the centre stack mode, the proximity sensor 70 does not detect movement in its vicinity, the processor 13 ¹¹¹ will not signal for an increase in luminance of the secondary display 40' . The brightness of the secondary display 40' will not increase and will remain or resume to its predetermined luminance state.

Fig. 9 shows a further embodiment of a car 10 with a dashboard 25 ^IV that comprises with a Global Positioning System (GPS) 81 and a secondary display 40'' .

The Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver 81 is located on the vehicle.

The memory 80 is connected to the processor 13 . The outputs from the GPS receiver 81 and the memory 80 are sent to the processor 13 ^IV . The processor is connected to the secondary display 40' ' .

In use, a vehicle 10 having a memory 80 bank of navigation coordinates of streets with and without street illumination.

The GPS receiver 81 determines the current location of the vehicle 10 ^IV based on data provided by satellites in space . The processor 13 ^IV has a comparison algorithm, which takes the inputs from the current location of the car 10 ^IV provided by the GPS receiver 81 and a list of known coordinates of streets with or without street illumination in the memory 80. The memory 80 acts as a lookup table for the processor 13 ^IV to search for coordinates of streets having illumination and without illumination.

The processor 13 will then send a signal to the secondary display 40' ' to control the brightness of the screen based on the comparison result.

The method of controlling the brightness of the secondary display 40' ' using GPS provides a car 10 ^IV travelling on street with street illumination and a car 10 ^IV travelling on street without street illumination.

In the car travelling on street with street illumination mode, the secondary display 40'' brightness increases. If the car 10 ^IV is travelling on a city road, the current location from the GPS receiver 81 matches the known coordinates from the memory 80, the processor 13 ^IV increases the brightness of the secondary display 40' ' .

In the car travelling on street without street illumination mode, the secondary display 40'' brightness decreases. If the car 10 ^IV is travelling on a countryside road, the current location from the GPS receiver 81 matches with the known coordinates from the memory 80, the processor 13 ^IV decreases the brightness of the secondary display 40' ' . Fig. 10 shows another embodiment of a car 10 with a dashboard 25 ^v that comprises a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver 81' that is communicatively connected with an external server at a remote site 90 and a secondary display 40 ¹¹¹ .

The car 10 ^v has a GPS receiver 81' and a cellular antenna 94, a secondary display 40 ¹¹¹ and a processor 13 ^v .

The processor 13 ^v is connected to the GPS receiver 81' , cellular antenna 94 and the secondary display 40 ¹¹¹ .

The remote site 90 comprises a cellular base station 91, a server 92 and a memory 93. The cellular base station 91 is connected to the server 92. The server 92 is connected to the memory 93.

The car 10 ^v is remotely linked to the remote site 90 through a wireless cellular data network 95.

In use, the GPS receiver 81 receives the current location of the car 10 ^v from the satellites in space and sends this information to the processor 13 ^v .

The information is then passed to the cellular antenna 94 that acts to transmit and receive information wirelessly across the network 95.

At the remote site 90, the information is received by the cellular base station 91 and the server 92 compares the location of the car 10 ^v with the stored data in the memory 93. The stored data in the memory 93 serves as a lookup table of coordinates of streets with and without street illumination.

After the server has performed the comparison, a signal is sent to the car 10 ^v through the cellular data network 95, this signal is then interpreted by the processor 13 ^v to control the brightness of the secondary display 40 ¹¹¹ .

The method of controlling the brightness of the secondary display 40 ¹¹¹ using GPS and a remote server provides a car 10 travelling on street with street illumination and a car 10 ^v travelling on street without street illumination.

In the car travelling on street with street illumination mode, the secondary display 40 ¹¹¹ brightness increases. If the car 10 ^v is travelling on a city road, the current location from the GPS receiver 81' is transmitted to the remote site 90 wherein the server will perform comparison with the known coordinates of streets with street illumination from the memory 93. Once a match is found, a signal is sent back to the car 10 ^v and the processor 13 ^v will increase the luminance of the secondary display 40 ¹¹¹ .

In the car travelling on street without street illumination mode, the secondary display 40 ¹¹¹ brightness decreases. If the car 10 ^v is travelling on a countryside road, the current location from the GPS receiver 81' is transmitted to the remote site 90 wherein the server will perform comparison with the known coordinates of streets without street illumination from the memory 93. Once a match is found, a signal is sent back to the car 10 ^v and the processor 13 ^v will decrease the luminance of the secondary display 40 ¹¹¹ . In another implementation, the GPS receiver 81' is not used. This arises when the car 10 ^v is travelling in a tunnel or roads densely populated with tall buildings or inclement weather conditions like thunderstorm with overcasting clouds .

The cellular data network is available in all modern civilization. The location of the car 10 ^v can be located by identifying which base station the car 10 ^v is situated. The cellula antenna 94 of the car 10 ^v in the cellular data network 95 determines the location of the car 10 ^v , the remote site 90 can then perform the processing and feedback to the car 10 ^v with the appropriate signal to adjust the brightness of its display .

Fig. 11 shows a further embodiment of a car 10 with a steering wheel 54 that comprises a plurality of control elements 53 and a secondary display 40 ^IV .

The car 10 ^VI having a dashboard 25 ^v has a steering wheel 54 that has a plurality of control elements 53 located on the left and right side of the periphery of the steering wheel 54. The control elements 53 are connected to a processor 13 ^VI . The processor 13 ^VI is connected to the secondary display 40 ^IV .

In use, the activation of at least one of the control elements 53 on the steering wheel 54 will trigger a signal to the processor 13 ^VI , which will adjust the brightness of the secondary display 40 ^IV .

The method of operating the control elements 53 to control the brightness of the secondary display 40 ^IV provides an acti- vation of the control element 53 mode and the control element 53 not activated mode.

In the activated mode, the driver depresses at least one of the control elements 53 on the steering wheel 54, a trigger signal is sent to the processor 13 ^VI . The processor 13 ^VI will then increase the luminance of the secondary display 40 ^IV .

In the not activated mode, the driver does not depress any of the control elements 53 on the steering wheel 54, no trigger signal is sent to the processor 13 ^VI . The processor 13 ^VI will not increase the luminance of the secondary display 40 ^IV . The brightness of the secondary display 40 ^IV will be based on a pre-determined brightness level.

The following itemized list of elements describes further embodiments of the present application.

Item 1: Cockpit control module for controlling an adjustable dashboard unit of a vehicle with at least one instrument for displaying an operational status of the vehicle, the cockpit control module comprising

at least one dashboard output port for connecting a dashboard unit and at least one contactless sensor input port for connecting at least one contactless sensor, wherein the cockpit control module is adapted to derive at least one pre-determined body state information of the driver from a contactless sensor signal at the contactless sensor input port and to provide a corresponding pre-determined body state brightness signal at the dashboard output port. Item 2: Cockpit control module according to item 1, wherein the cockpit control module is adapted to provide a body part state recognition from the contactless sensor signal at the contactless sensor input port.

Item 3 : Cockpit control module according to item 1 or item 2, wherein

the cockpit control module is adapted to provide a body part proximity recognition from the contactless sensor signal at the contactless sensor input port.

Item 4 : Cockpit control module according to one of the aforementioned items, wherein

the cockpit control module is provided with an ambient light input port for connecting an ambient light sensor, wherein the cockpit control module is adapted to derive at least one pre-determined ambient light information from an ambient light sensor signal and to provide a corresponding predetermined default brightness signal at the dashboard output port .

Item 5 : Cockpit control module according to one of the aforementioned items, wherein

the cockpit control module is provided with a current position input port for connecting a current position detection device, wherein

the cockpit control module is adapted to derive at least a pre-determined ambient light information from a current position signal and a local time information into provide a corresponding pre-determined default brightness signal at the dashboard output port. Item 6: Cockpit control module according to one of the aforementioned claims, wherein

the cockpit control module is provided with a current position input port for connecting a current position detection device, wherein

the cockpit control module is adapted to derive at least a pre-determined ambient light information from a current posi tion signal and a pre-determined map information into provid a corresponding pre-determined default brightness signal at the dashboard output port.

Item 7 : Cockpit control module according to one of items 4 to 6, wherein

the control module is adapted to super-impose the body state brightness signal with the default brightness signal.

Item 8 : Cockpit control module according to one of items 4 to 6, wherein

the control module is adapted to apply either the body state brightness signal or the default brightness signal, dependin on the result of a comparison of the ambient light information with a pre-determined brightness threshold value.

Item 9: Dashboard unit for a vehicle with at least one adjustable instrument for displaying an operational status of the vehicle, and with a cockpit control module according to one of the aforementioned claims, the dashboard output port being communicatively connected with the dashboard unit and the contactless sensor input port being communicatively connected with at least one contactless sensor.

Item 10: Dashboard unit according to item 9, wherein the contactless sensor comprises an optical camera.

Item 11: Dashboard unit according to item 9, wherein the contactless sensor comprises a proximity sensor.

Item 12: Vehicle with a dashboard unit according to one items 9 to 11, wherein

the cockpit control module is connected with components o the vehicle for deriving an operational status of the veh cle .

Item 13: Method to control the brightness of displayed information of a dashboard unit of a vehicle, with at least one instrument for displaying an operational status of the vehicle, comprising

- deriving at least one pre-determined body state information (movement of finger or hand, direction of face) of the driver with a contactless measurement,

- retrieving a corresponding pre-determined body state brightness signal,

- adjusting the brightness of the brightness of the displayed information according to the pre-determined body state brightness signal.

Item 14: Method according to item 13, wherein

deriving at least one pre-determined body state information of the driver comprises a body part state recognition.

Item 15: Method according to claim 13, wherein

deriving at least one pre-determined body state information of the driver comprises a body part proximity recognition. Although the above description contains much specificity, this should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments but merely providing illustration of the foreseeable embodiments. The above stated advantages of the embodiments should not be construed especially as limiting the scope of the embodiments but merely to explain possible achievements if the described embodiments are put into practise. Thus, the scope of the embodiments should be determined by the claims and their equivalents, rather than by the examples given.

REFERENCE LIST

10, 10', 10", 10 ¹¹¹ , 10 ^IV , 10 ^v , 10 ^VI car

11, 11' , 11' ' dimming display device

12, 12', 12'' camera

13, 13', 13", 13 ¹¹¹ , 13 ^IV , 13 ^v , 13 ^VI processor 14 instrument cluster display face

15, 15', 15" light emitting devices

16 meters

17 speedometer

18 tachometer

19 fuel gauge

20 engine coolant temperature meter

21 oil pressure gauge

22 battery level indicator

25, 25', 25", 25 ¹¹¹ , 25 ^IV , 25 ^v dashboard

30 flowchart of an algorithm

31 step of acquiring image

32 step of detecting a face

33 step of determining driver's view

34 step of dimming light emitting devices

35 step of brightening light emitting devices 40, 40', 40", 40 ¹¹¹ , 40 ^IV secondary display screen 50 control element push button

51 opened position

52 closed position

53 control elements

54 steering wheel

70 proximity sensor

80 memory

81, 81' GPS receiver

90 remote site cellular base station

server

memory

cellular antenna

wireless cellular data network