Graphic display assembly for depicting vehicle shifter position

Abstract

A graphic display subassembly integrated into a vehicle shifter assembly includes a surface display that may incorporate either a transistorized LCD or organic LED internal component, such as it may be presented as a segmented or OLED / TFT pixelated image display variant. In either instance, a connector end of an associated wiring harness or ribbon cable extends from the graphic display and is configured to provide variable display options that are not limited to shifter position and include variable auxiliary graphics and other designs when connected to a remote PCB integrated into the shifter assembly.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to USSN 62 / 735,498 filed on September 24, 2018 and USSN 16 / 574,324 filed on September 18, 2019. Technical Field

[0003] A graphic display assembly, such as one incorporated into any rotary or linear gate shifter assembly, including lever, push button, column shifting functionality, and which replaces the lighting features incorporated into conventional shifter assemblies. The graphic display assembly and associated applications provide any of a segmented or TFT, OLED (Thin Film Transistor or Organic Light Emitting) display variant for adapting the surface dial illumination associated with any configuration of a shifter display to provide any non-limiting depiction to accurately and effectively indicate shifter position. Background Art

[0004] The prior art documents embodiments of illuminated displays for vehicle shifter assemblies. Common embodiments of these utilize light emitting elements located on a PCB circuit board integrated into a known shifter assembly, the PCB communicating via a plurality of light pipes (optical fibers) used to tunnel separate light paths to a dedicated painted or etched surface display that is either incorporated into a rotary shifter knob display face or dial, or configured to straddle a linear adjustable shifter lever display face / dial.

[0005] 5, a prior art embodiment (such as mentioned above) is depicted with an existing shifter assembly and includes a housing partially shown in phantom at 2 for incorporating various structural components associated with the operation of the shifter assembly (not shown). A cover 4 is depicted for attachment over the open top rim of the housing 2, the cover including an annular upward projection 6, which in turn defines an open upper rim 8. A printed circuit board assembly 10 (PCBA) is disposed and supported at the bottom completely inside the cylindrical projection 6. The PCBA (printed circuit board assembly) 10 integrates a configuration of LED-type components, embodiments of which are shown at 12, 14, 16, etc. In other variations, the PCBA can be relocated to the bottom interior of the main support housing 2.

[0006] A pad 18 is depicted that is similar in shape to PCBA 10 and may be supported on the PCBA in a stacked form. Stacked on the pad 18 (which is light permeable via cutouts of any transparent or translucent nature), a light pipe frame 20 includes light pipes 30, 32, 34 and 36 that are individually configured to support locations 22, 24, 26, 28, which in turn are used to receive corresponding light pipes 30, 32, 34 and 36, such as light pipes associated with PRND (park, reverse, neutral and drive) gear shift positions.

[0007] The lens 38 is mounted above the frame 20 (such as flush seated on the rim 8 of the cylindrical boss 6), which in turn seats with the light pipe 22-28 for conveying the LED illumination of the embedded PCBA to the surface display represented by the lens. The inner annular rim 40 of the lens 38 is also configured to seat with a motion button 42 for defining another shifter design (such as in conjunction with an additional light pipe communicating with a suitable PCBA with LEDs or similar lighting elements positioned thereon).

[0008] Disadvantages of current designs include the requirement to paint / repaint or laser etch the desired shifter location design into the lens or other display overlay. Other disadvantages include the attendant cost and additional parts content, such as, in particular, light pipes and parts supporting the light pipe frame - used to convey illumination from the LED-mounted PCBA to the etched surface locations (i.e., PRND).

[0009] Other examples from the prior art include Paulo, US 6,568,345, which teaches a clustered display backlight source disposed on a PCB, and which includes a microcontroller for controlling the light and sending display information to each cluster. The clusters are mounted on a single support or frame. A turning mechanism controlled by the driver moves the selected cluster into view of a viewing surface, which is backlit and evenly spread by reflectors across the clusters. The light source is disposed on a PCB incorporating a microcontroller for controlling the light and sending display information to each cluster.

[0010] Specks, US 2004 / 0207607 teaches a programmable integrated display. Niazi, US 2018 / 0143754 also teaches a flat touch-sensitive electronic screen built into the steering wheel and including a graphical user interface for controlling vehicle operations. Summary of the invention

[0011] An improved graphical display is disclosed for incorporation into a shifter assembly for providing identification of a shifter position. The improved display may be incorporated with any of the thin film display (TFT), transistor LCD or organic LED (OLED) display variants and it allows any representation not limited to color, pattern or intensity to be created within the display surface geometry (again such as but not limited to any of the circular displays in a rotary shifter or the rectangular displays associated with a linear gate shifter). The invention also allows the use of a clear display surface (without any coloring or etching associated with a known shifter position indication PNRD) and it is limited only by the operating software communicated from the associated circuit board and microcontroller.

[0012] In each variant, the display housing is located remote from the PCBA and may incorporate a plurality of LEDs or suitable lighting components. A harness and end connectors extending from the surface display housing connect with the PCBA, wherein the surface display in one variant is generally not provided with any particular etching or coloring representation, and it may modify both color and intensity based on input received from the PCBA to achieve a desired lighting scheme.

[0013] An alternative variation provides a segmented display in which the wiring harness is replaced by a strip extending from the PCBA to the display surface (LED or LCD enabled) through which individual wires within the strip lighting communicate with selected segments of the display surface. In this way, the desired lighting scheme is achieved based on a collection of individual inputs communicated from a main microcontroller located on the PCBA.

[0014] Additional features include a programmed surface display (such as associated with an OLED / TFT variant) depicting the currently selected gear shown in an enlarged depiction at the center of the graphical display. The PCBA board may also include a main microcontroller using a serial communication protocol not limited to any of LIN, SPI, and I2C. Other features include the PCBA board exhibiting a main microcontroller using a serial communication protocol not limited to any parallel interface established between the main microcontroller and the graphical display. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, when read in conjunction with the following detailed description, wherein:

[0016] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a rotary shifter assembly housing according to a non-limiting variation of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded view of the shifter assembly;

[0018] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A perspective view of a depicted display subassembly, which may include any variation of either a segmented or TFT / OLED display, capable of being illuminated via a signal originating from a remotely located printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) via an associated connector;

[0019] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 , better depicting any of the alternative forms of display subassemblies utilizing a backlight / LED wire harness for a TFT / OLED display, or alternatively, a cable ribbon extending from a segmented display, wherein selected areas of the display are selectively illuminated by commands issued by the PCBA via the connector;

[0020] Figure 4A is an exploded view of a segmented display variation having the following: a base LCD layer having ribbon circuits to the LCD segments; an intermediate wire mesh polarizer layer having an embodiment of a polarizer to cover the white LCD slots with a red wire mesh; and a top glass layer;

[0021] Figure 4B is a plan view of an LCD layer having LCD segments and a ribbon cable circuit;

[0022] Figure 4C is a plan view of a wire screen polarizer layer applied over an LCD layer;

[0023] FIG5 is a prior art illustration of a shifter assembly whereby each of the shifter gear indication and the gear position is governed by various components including color and brightness changing LED elements mounted directly to the PCBA, and light pipes extending between the PCBA and an etched or colored surface of the shifter display to illuminate the desired shifter position;

[0024] Figure 6 is such as combining Figure 4 An illustration of a segmented cable belt and a graphic display again integrated into the rotary shifter housing;

[0025] Figure 7 is with Figure 1 Illustration of a similar rotary shifter assembly depicting a surface variation of an alternative configuration of an integrated display;

[0026] Fig. 8AA series of related diagrams illustrating segmented display variations that may include specific template surfaces provided for display subassemblies, combined with the ability to illuminate individual segments of the display via a PCBA to achieve a number of alternative lighting patterns;

[0027] Figure 8B and Fig. 8A Similarly, various TFT / OLED surface display options using a common stencil surface are illustrated, which in combination with a remote PCBA and associated harnesses / connectors allows for unconstrained colors and display patterns;

[0028] Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic representation of a linear gate shifter assembly utilizing a graphics display subassembly;

[0029] Fig.10 is combined with Figures 1 to 9 A cross-sectional illustration of a rectangular display surface of any of those consistent segmented or TFT / OLED displays described in; and

[0030] FIG. 11A to FIG. 11D Various embodiments are illustrated of color and pattern schemes that can be applied to any shifter surface display. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the present invention discloses a novel graphic display system that replaces existing prior art shifter assembly designs, such as the design previously described with reference to Figure 5. More specifically, the present invention replaces the use of traditional light emitting diodes that are integrated into a PCBA and require light pipes or sliding color screens, which convey the illumination of the LEDs to a remote surface positioned screen display (which is also etched or colored to provide a specific shifter position design PNRD, with a cheaper, easier to produce and adjustable display subassembly, which can be constructed from any of thin film transistors, printed LCDs and / or organic LED components (collectively referred to as "pixelated images")), or alternatively conveys to a segmented display, which is included in a graphic display assembly that is connected to the PCB via a connector to provide more variation options for creating different illuminated display surfaces that are not limited to those depicted by existing assemblies.

[0032] By way of general explanation of known technology, a thin film transistor (TFT), such as may be incorporated into Figure 3 to Figure 4The thin film transistors in displays are a special type of MOSFET (metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor) made by depositing thin films of active semiconductor layers and dielectric layers and metal contacts on a supporting (but non-conductive) substrate. A common substrate is glass, as the main application of TFTs is in liquid crystal displays (FCDs). This is different from conventional bulk MOSFET transistors, where the semiconductor material is usually a substrate, such as a silicon wafer.

[0033] An organic light emitting diode (OFED or organic FED), also called an organic EL (organic electroluminescent) diode, is a light emitting diode (LED) in which the emissive electroluminescent layer is a film of an organic compound that emits light in response to an electric current. The organic layer is located between two electrodes; typically, at least one of these electrodes is transparent. OLEDs are used to create digital displays in devices such as television screens, computer monitors, portable systems such as smartphones, handheld game consoles, and PDAs. A major area of ​​research is the development of white OLED devices for use in solid-state lighting applications.

[0034] There are two main families of OLEDs: those based on small molecules and those that employ polymers. Adding mobile ions to OLEDs creates a light-emitting electrochemical cell (LEC) with a slightly different mode of operation. OLED displays can be driven using either a passive matrix (PMOLED) or an active matrix (AMOLED) control scheme. In the PMOLED scheme, each column (and row) in the display is controlled sequentially, one by one, while AMOLED control uses a thin-film transistor backplane to directly access and switch each individual pixel on or off, allowing for higher resolutions and larger display sizes.

[0035] OLED displays operate without a backlight because they emit visible light. Therefore, they can display deep black levels and can be thinner and lighter than liquid crystal displays (LCDs). In low ambient light situations (such as a dark room), OLED screens can achieve higher contrast ratios than LCDs, regardless of whether the LCD uses a cold cathode fluorescent lamp or an LED backlight.

[0036] Linearly, as is well known, segmented displays, also known as LCD displays, static displays or just glass displays, are constructed from two sheets of ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) glass with a twisted nematic fluid added between them. Static displays are segmented displays with one pin for each segment. Further reference to embodiments of LCD segmented displays will be made to FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C Further description.

[0037] Liquid crystal display (LCD) is a flat panel display or other electronic modulation optical device that uses the light modulation properties of liquid crystal. Liquid crystal does not emit light directly, but uses a backlight or emitter to produce color or monochrome images. LCD can be used to display arbitrary images that can be displayed or hidden (such as in a general calculator display) or fixed images with low information content, such as preset words, numbers and seven-segment displays, such as in a digital clock. They use the same basic technology, except that the arbitrary image is composed of a large number of small pixels, while other displays have larger elements. Depending on the polarizer arrangement, LCD can be normally open (positive) or normally closed (negative). For example, a character positive LCD with a backlight will have black printing of the color of the backlight on the background, and a character negative LCD will have a black background with text of the same color as the backlight. Optical filters can be added to white-on-blue LCDs to give them a characteristic appearance.

[0038] Considering the above general explanation of known types of TFT, OLED (collectively referred to as the pixelated image created) and LCD printed segmented displays used in the present invention, such display subassemblies are generally Figure 3 is shown in (also in Figure 4 ), which is combined with Figure 1 The perspective view in FIG. 50 is generally depicted as well as in FIG. Figure 2 Components of the overall assembly include a main housing (shifter core) having a generally rectangular body 52 having a hood 54 and a bottom cover 56 to construct an interior 52 for supporting the packaged components of the assembly. Among these is an internally mounted printed circuit board assembly 58 (PCBA) that is typically positioned adjacent the bottom cover 56 and that may include a built-in main microcontroller 59 or other suitable processor component.

[0039] A shifter handle subassembly 60 is provided which is secured to the housing 54 via an annular receiving structure 62. A display subassembly, generally indicated at 64 and forming part of the present invention, includes a display surface 66 supported within a subassembly frame or housing 67 which in turn is mounted within a mating inner support surface 68 of the handle subassembly 60, the handle subassembly forming part of the main shifter body. Without limitation, the housing 67 may be provided as a metallic material, wherein the display surface 66 is any type of image glass, with the desired segmented or TFT / OLED display integrated therein. As will be further described, variations of the display subassembly may include a wiring harness (see the wire pairs collectively indicated at 70) and / or a segmented strip 72, an end connector 74 configured at the end of the wiring harness 70, for ensuring communication between the output locations of the PCBA 58 and the main microcontroller component of the PCBA 58.

[0040] The finishing display 74 is provided to enclose the display subassembly display surface 66 surrounded by the frame housing 67. The lens 76 is also provided to cover the display 74 in a manner to transparently expose and protect the display surface 66.

[0041] like Figure 1 As depicted, the display subassembly 64 is provided separate from the main PCBA 58 and may communicate with the main microcontroller on the main PCBA via a serial communication protocol such as (LIN, SPI, I2C, etc.). Alternatively, a parallel interface is envisioned between the main microcontroller / PCB and the graphics display 66 in lieu of the serial communication options listed above. In such an application, the interface from the main microcontroller / PCB to the graphics display would initially be parallel, with a ribbon cable 72 extending from the graphics display and connected to an input location for the PCB using a suitable mating connector 74. As further understood, the ribbon cable would have a line for each individual LED / LCD segment controlled by the main microcontroller, so that a subgroup area of ​​the display surface 66 is illuminated based on a collection of outputs provided from the PCBA 58.

[0042] The display subassembly of the present assembly has both reduced parts content and the ability to provide higher quality graphics compared to known prior art shifter assemblies (again, see FIG. 5 ). This may also include a display with large characters in the center of the screen indicating the current E shift position (see FIG. 5 ). Figure 1 78 for the P or Parking position), wherein non-current characters are indicated in a smaller font in their relative positions above the enlarged currently indicated position (see further each of the P, R, N, D and M positions at 80, 82, 84, 86 and 88).

[0043] Reiterating the above description, the TFT / OLED (Thin Film Transistor or Organic Light Emitting Diode) display subassembly allows the display surface 66 to be set to the options mentioned above without having to be pre-etched or colored with various text designs, thereby allowing the selection of options located at 80 to 88 on the circumference to be varied at display location 78. In this way, the image set and color are controlled by the main PCBA 58, and the TFT / OLED display can be variably changed to any image set contained in the PCBA memory.

[0044] Further references FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C ,exist Figure 4AThe circuitry in the segmented LCD display shown at 65, 67, 69, 71, etc., connects the FPC ribbon cable channels to the appropriate segments for activation. The LCD segments are also printed corresponding to the shifter positions again referred to at 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, etc., which are particularly in accordance with the display surface (compare with Figure 3 The desired representation associated with variation 66' of FIG. 66 is printed.

[0045] The screen 75 is laminated to the polarizing layer 73 to provide the desired color when the LCD is enabled for the desired segment, so that the desired representation is specifically tooled and contained within the display subassembly, and also so that any color changes for the various segments will require the screen of the desired color to be positioned on the polarizing layer above the LCD segment. Figure 1 The exploded view of FIG. 1 also depicts a top glass layer 77, such as that which may be integrated into Figure 3 In variation 64, which may include any suitable TFT / OLED display. Without limitation, each vehicle platform or desired difference in the image to be displayed would select a separately engineered display, but could be packaged in exactly the same shifter, requiring only the software to be adjusted to control the newly engineered display.

[0046] Refer again Figure 3 , Figure 2 The stereoscopic view of the display subassembly 64 depicted in the overall shifter assembly of can again include any variation of either a segmented display (via ribbon 72) or a TFT / OLED display (via harness 70), the segmented display or TFT / OLED display being capable of being illuminated via a signal originating from a remotely located printed circuit board assembly (PCBA58) through an associated connector, represented at 74 at the end of harness 70 (wherein ribbon cable 72 is typically connected in various forms to PCBA58, communicating with its microcontroller and outputs). While the present invention contemplates variations in aspects in which different types of displays may be incorporated, these variations are generally provided as alternative options.

[0047] Figure 4 Provide again Figure 3 , better depicting the wiring harness 70 used to operate the LEDs associated with the segmented display. Cable ribbon 72 is also used on the segmented display to control / enable the desired segment for allowing LED light 90-06 to pass through. In an alternative variation of the TFT / OLED display, the LED control is built into the ribbon cable communication.

[0048] The internal LCD panel within the display has printed circuitry and printed LCD segments incorporated for the exact image desired. In addition to reducing parts content, such as associated with the prior art shifter assembly style depicted in FIG. 5 , the display subassembly 64 provides additional quality control benefits of establishing better color consistency in the display, and also avoids issues of coloring and etching wear, light diffusion, etc. in the display surface. In this way, the display screen 66 operates without any pre-etching or coloring of the surface to provide the desired shifter position design or additional auxiliary design markings.

[0049] Also generally indicated at 90, 92, 94 and 96 is a collection of lighting elements (such as, but not limited to, LED-type elements), which are noted to be incorporated into the display subassembly housing 67 rather than being located at the remote PCBA 58, which would otherwise require the use of additional light pipes and support structures. The configuration of the LED (or alternatively LCD) lighting elements is such that they are integrated into the display subassembly and communicate with the position of the TFT / OLED or other display components in response to signals from the PCBA 58 to change the visual representation. In this manner, the display glass or other surface 66 can present any desired pixelated image (TFT) or LCD segmented image (segmented display).

[0050] Figure 6 is an illustration of a modified version of a graphics display subassembly, generally designated 98, such as incorporating a variation of a segmented cable strap 100 (similar to that from Figure 4 having an end-positioned connector location 102). The display subassembly is shown integrated into Figure 7 In another variation of the rotary shifter housing, generally indicated at 104, a surface variation of an alternative configuration of an integrated display is again depicted wherein the graphic display surface 106 may include an enlarged design 108 selected from the circumferential designs 110-118 for each of the PRNDM shifter positions (see D1).

[0051] Again, the enlarged selected or circumferential menu position display is understood to be generated by software input from the PCBA and associated microcontroller, so that the TFT / OLED variant display surface 106 is otherwise clear (not etched or colored), and any possible graphic depiction or style is possible, including simply changing future depictions presented on a given display surface by changing the software input. This can include options for the vehicle operator to change any of the color, intensity, font and / or size indicating the shifter position, as well as the ability to change any auxiliary graphics or commercial representations associated with the vehicle type or model.

[0052] Again, instead of referencing a segmented display surface, associated controls allow for enabling / disabling of pre-printed segments on the internal segmented display circuitry. Brightness is also controlled through the shifter PCBA that communicates with the LEDs. Color is controlled through the silkscreen that is predetermined with the design, and the image is predetermined based on the design. If a new image is desired with the platform or with the customer, a different segmented display circuit and silkscreen set will be required, the shifter PCBA software for control and communication will be upgraded, but the rest of the shifter can be common (not true for light pipe / traditional style shifter displays).

[0053] Continue to Fig. 8A , a series of related illustrations are shown at each of 120, 122, 124, 126, 128 and 130 of a segmented display variation (such as used with the ribbon cable 72 variation), which may include specific template surfaces provided for the display subassembly, combined with the ability to illuminate the individual segments of the display via the PCBA to achieve a number of alternative lighting patterns. In addition to the shifter position design PRNDM that can be indicated at any location of the graphic display, additional and altered graphics (such as generally indicated at 132 in the subgroup view for display variation 120) can be adapted to different shapes and styles, such as corresponding to any brand vehicle manufacturer (e.g., Fiat ), and any subgroup vehicle make or model (such as )etc.

[0054] Figure 8B Similar to Fig. 8A , illustrating various TFT / OLED surface display options, such as the use of a harness pattern 70 in conjunction with a general template surface 66, which in conjunction with a remote PCBA 58 and associated harness / connector 74 allows for unconstrained colors and display patterns to be presented. These are individually represented at 134, 136, 138, 140, 142 and 144, which also contemplate indication methods or strategies that are not limited to any gear (shifter position) depicted by the standard PRND as well as providing unconstrained flexibility to change colors and image representations (such as again limited only by software input from the PCBA). This functionality again allows one display to be used for any number of images, thereby rendering them, without the special processing that is otherwise required by many prior art pre-etched or colored display surfaces. Also contemplated are Fig. 8A The segmented images can also be reproduced on any TFT display.

[0055] Fig. 9An illustration of a linear gate shifter assembly, generally designated 146, is provided using another variation of the graphics display subassembly of the present invention, with an associated display screen also designated 148 therefor, also in Fig.10 Without limitation, display screen 148 is not limited to a circular display, such as associated with a rotary shifter, and may alternatively be configured as a rectangular display surface (as shown), or may be configured as a rectangular display surface (as shown). Figures 1 to 9 Any square, octagonal or other shape combined with any of those consistent segmented or TFT / OLED displays described. It is also contemplated that the display technology can be applied to other shifter types, not limited to any of the lever shifters, push button shifters, column shift configurations, etc., and can be applied to any other technology application within the vehicle.

[0056] at last, FIG. 11A to FIG. 11D Various embodiments of color and pattern schemes that can be applied to any shifter surface display (except that depicted at 148) are illustrated at 150, 152, 154, and 156. In addition to variations in lettering and auxiliary graphics, individual schemes can also cover different color patterns or combinations achieved by selected lighting (LED or LCD) components configured within the display subassembly housing, with the lighting components directly engaged with the display surface. By comparison, LED / LCD screens use a backlight to illuminate their pixels, while OLED's pixels actually generate their own light. In this way, OLED pixels are often referred to as "emissive", while LCDs are "transmissive".

[0057] In this manner, the conventional functions for illumination and indication are contained within the graphic display assembly and connected via an extended connector to a separate PCB (not shown). Other advantages of the present design include reduced parts content (e.g., the ability to remove light pipes such as required by prior art PC boards with LEDs), and the ability to provide higher quality graphics to the display, as well as giving the present design the ability to indicate the position of the shifter without being attached to its physical position as opposed to prior art sliding color screens.

[0058] In addition to the variations illustrated and disclosed herein, another possible approach with reference to a TFT / OLED display would be to indicate the current E-shift position in a large character in the center of the screen, with non-current characters arranged in their relative positions above the large currently indicated position in a smaller font. It is also contemplated that the present invention may contemplate other graphical depictions beyond those shown,

[0059] Having described our invention, other and additional preferred embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A vehicle shifter assembly, in combination with a graphic display subassembly, comprising: a main body having a cover; A printed circuit board, the printed circuit board is integrated into the interior of the main body; a rotary shifter handle subassembly incorporated into the cover so as to be supported on the main body; a display integrated into a surface of the rotary shifter handle subassembly, the display presenting a series of shifter positions; a lighting component, the lighting component being integrated into the body and separate from the printed circuit board; the display comprising a polarizing layer incorporating a plurality of LCD segments aligned with the shifter positions, the polarizing layer blocking the passage of light generated by the illumination component; as well as a wiring harness extending from the printed circuit board, the wiring harness including at least one wire for powering the lighting component, the wiring harness also including a ribbon cable extending from a second location on the printed circuit board, the ribbon cable incorporating circuitry connected to the LCD segments and, upon a signal from the printed circuit board, causing selected LCD segments to be energized to provide a pathway for light to illuminate the aligned shifter position.

2. The assembly of claim 1, the lighting component further comprising an LED element integrated into the display for presenting a pixelated image on the display.

3. The assembly of claim 1, the display further comprising any of a thin film transistor display or an organic light emitting diode display.

4. The assembly of claim 2, further comprising the at least one wire of the wiring harness that controls any of power, intensity, activation, or deactivation of the LED element.

5. The assembly of claim 4, further comprising the ribbon cable of the harness controlling both individual enabling and disabling of the LCD segments.

6. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising the ribbon cable providing each of illumination, image set, and color control for a pixelated image display.

7. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a glass layer disposed over the polarizing layer and causing a currently selected gear to be represented in the display in an enlarged depiction.

8. The assembly of claim 1, the printed circuit board further comprising a main microcontroller adapted to communicate with the lighting components in the display using a serial communication protocol not limited to any of LIN, SPI, and I2C.

9. The assembly of claim 1, the printed circuit board further comprising a main microcontroller using a serial communication protocol not limited to a parallel interface between the main microcontroller and the display.

10. The assembly of claim 8 further comprising a parallel interface from a main microcontroller incorporated into the printed circuit board that communicates with the display.

11. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a bottom cover supporting the printed circuit board in a bottom position within the interior of the main body.

12. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a finish display and a lens positioned over the display.

13. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising an annular receiving structure configured on the cover for supporting the rotary shifter handle subassembly.

14. A vehicle shifter assembly comprising: a main body having a cover; A printed circuit board, the printed circuit board is integrated into the interior of the main body; a rotary shifter handle subassembly incorporated into the cover so as to be supported on the main body; a surface display integrated into the rotary shifter handle subassembly for presenting a selected vehicle shifter position; a plurality of LED lighting components, the plurality of LED lighting components being integrated into the body and separate from the printed circuit board; The display includes a polarizing layer having a screen laminated thereon incorporating a plurality of LCD segments, the polarizing layer in an inactive state blocking the passage of light from the LED lighting component to illuminate the shifter position; as well as a wiring harness separately connecting the printed circuit board with the LED lighting component and each of the LCD segments, the wiring harness including at least one wire extending from the LED lighting component and terminating in an end connector secured to a first location of the printed circuit board, the wiring harness also including a ribbon cable connected to a second location of the printed circuit board, an extended end of the ribbon cable incorporating circuitry that communicates with each of the LCD segments, and, upon activation of a selected one of the circuits, the circuitry causing the associated LCD segment to permit illumination of a selected vehicle shifter position.

15. The shifter assembly of claim 14, further comprising the ribbon cable providing each of illumination, image set, and color control for a pixelated image display.

16. The shifter assembly of claim 14, further comprising a glass layer disposed over the polarizing layer and causing a currently selected gear to be represented in an enlarged depiction in the display.

Images