Delphi Inspires Innovation With Integrated Controls, Displays and Security Systems

Delphi demonstrates leading edge technologies on Ford's Mustang GT

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 2 -- At the 2007 International Consumer Electronics Show, Delphi Corporation will demonstrate its one-piece electronic Integrated Center Panel with dual control and display zones.

The system is another example of Delphi technology that can help vehicle manufacturers lower production costs, simplify assembly and differentiate their products in today's competitive global marketplace.

Delphi is showing this unique technology on a Ford Mustang GT at its exhibit (#5206) at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The vehicle also features Delphi's award-winning selectable color instrument cluster, and ultrasonic content theft detection and inclination sensing, both of which are available on the current production Mustang.

In addition, Delphi has included a keyless entry fob which includes a display for vehicle information.

Integrated Controls

Delphi's Integrated Center Panel delivers a host of benefits to automakers. It replaces separate HVAC, radio, entertainment and communications, accessory switches and other functional switches with a single mechatronic module. This eliminates clutter on the instrument panel and enhances interior aesthetics.

The innovative design also reduces wiring harness mass and cost, provides for easier vehicle assembly, and greatly reduces the difficulty of matching colors and finishes across a variety of separate components. And, because the system offers a wide array of packaging options, it can help automakers deliver distinctive vehicles that stand out from the competition.

"We continue to find ways to help our customers provide new technology while staying competitive in the market," said Jugal Vijayvargiya, Delphi Electronics & Safety vice president of Controls & Security product business unit. "Our Integrated Center Panel with dual view brings both - innovation and value together."

The Integrated Center Panel is available with touch-screen and traditional switching interfaces. Delphi can integrate switch functions for a centrally mounted touch screen which allows for intuitive selection of climate, audio, video, navigation, telephone and vehicle personalization settings.

The touch screen system also features Delphi's patent-pending Driver/Passenger Discrimination sensing. This feature enables the driver and passenger to use the same controls to generate different responses from the vehicle - for example permitting the passenger to use vehicle navigation features that are inaccessible to the driver while the vehicle is in motion. By applying active infrared sensors on the integrated center panel and an adaptive human machine interface design, Delphi's innovative technology can discriminate between driver and passenger control inputs, offering a "dual- zone control" capability.

Another unique patent-pending feature is detection of a driver attempting to lean over to view the passenger's display. This technology disables the display when this occurs.

Displays: Color Selectable Instrument Cluster

The Mustang GT on display features Delphi's award-winning color-selectable instrument cluster. The cluster display has been expanded to include color- selectable cockpit switch backlighting controlled by an intuitive human machine interface (HMI). The instrument cluster and cockpit switches can be subtly or dramatically illuminated using red, green and blue light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Using Delphi's innovative "light pipe" technology, the driver can mix and blend the intensity of red, green and blue LEDs to create up to 240 different custom-colored illumination schemes. This unique feature allows the driver to modify all of the cockpit illumination from door-to-door to provide a personalized interior environment. The color selection is all controlled via a simple, intuitive control scheme within the Integrated Center Panel control and display.

"Interior aesthetics and lighting provide a huge level of overall owner satisfaction, Vijayvargiya said. "By offering customization, Delphi's instrument cluster technology provides this enjoyment for each individual driver."

Security Systems

Using a transponder and hidden antennas which communicate bi- directionally, Delphi's Keyless Entry System with Vehicle Information Display enables the vehicle to be locked from further away than before. It also enables the driver to access critical information about the vehicle at ranges greater than 500 meters.

Delphi's two-way communication key fob provides the vehicle owner with actual status of the car such as whether the car is locked or the alarm is activated. Other information included in the display are interior temperature, alarm condition, fuel level and vehicle location. The information is displayed in a large, easy-to-read organic LED display on the driver's personal fob while using very little current to prolong battery life. The two-way communication device also includes a communication range management feature which ensures that returned information to the car is always received by the identification device. The Delphi show car is started by pressing a start switch when the key fob is in range.

Delphi's ultrasonic content theft detection sensors on the vehicle provide security by detecting movement within the passenger compartment while the Delphi inclination sensors improve vehicle theft protection level with the ability to trigger the alarm in case of wheel thefts or towing thefts. This sensor can be used as a standalone feature or as an integrated component of the total alarm systems.

"Delphi security products value is immeasurable as they provide drivers with peace of mind regarding their vehicles," said Vijayvargiya.

Delphi is a leader in automotive alarm systems supplying more than 2.5 million alarm systems in 2006 and has delivered over 20 million systems since the product was launched.

For more information about Delphi , visit www.delphi.com.