Shifter assembly including display and actuation for driver control

Abstract

A shifter assembly for a vehicle that includes a shift lever connected to a shifter in communication with the vehicle and a transmission. A display is positioned on the shift lever indicating data of the vehicle or transmission. A start button is positioned on the shift lever and is linked with an ignition of the vehicle.

The following is claimed: 
     
         1 . A shifter assembly for a vehicle having a transmission, the shifter assembly comprising:
 a shift lever connected to a shifter and in communication with a transmission; and   a display disposed on the shift lever, the display displaying images, the images including first information and second information, the first information relating to a current mode of the transmission and the second information different than the first information.   
     
     
         2 . The shifter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the mode of the transmission includes park, reverse, neutral, and drive. 
     
     
         3 . The shifter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second information is an actuation sequence to engage another mode of the transmission. 
     
     
         4 . The shifter assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the actuation sequence includes reverse, neutral and drive modes of the transmission. 
     
     
         5 . The shifter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second information is information needed to switch between the various modes of the transmission. 
     
     
         6 . The shifter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second information is information related to the vehicle. 
     
     
         7 . The shifter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second information relates to an operating parameter of the vehicle. 
     
     
         8 . The shifter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second information relates to an accessory linked with a button on the shift lever. 
     
     
         9 . The shifter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second information relates to a status of an accessory. 
     
     
         10 . The shifter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the display displays a start-up graphical sequence that displays information different than the current mode of the transmission. 
     
     
         11 . The shifter assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the display transitions from the start-up graphical sequence to display the first information and the second information. 
     
     
         12 . The shifter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the display is a screen disposed within the shift lever. 
     
     
         13 . The shifter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the display is a rectangular screen inset from an outer surface of the shift lever. 
     
     
         14 . The shifter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the shift lever includes a display housing positioned over the display and retaining the display in position. 
     
     
         15 . The shifter assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the display housing includes a window to allow the display to show through the housing. 
     
     
         16 . The shifter assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the opening of the window is smaller than the display. 
     
     
         17 . The shifter assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the display housing includes a clear portion that covers the display. 
     
     
         18 . The shifter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the display includes a touch screen that may be actuated by an operator to control the transmission or an accessory. 
     
     
         19 . The shifter assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising an interlock button, wherein activation of the interlock button allows transition between various positions of the shift lever or modes of the transmission. 
     
     
         20 . The shifter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the shifter is a mono-stable shifter actuated by a tilting motion back and forth on the shift lever and returning to a starting position. 
     
     
         21 . A shifter assembly for a vehicle having a transmission, the shifter assembly comprising:
 a shift lever connected to a shifter and in communication with a transmission and an accessory; and   a display screen disposed on the shift lever, the display screen displaying images, the images including first information and second information, the first information relating to the transmission and the second information related to the accessory.