Holographic proximity switch

• US 10,164,631 B2
• Filed: 11/09/2016
• Issued: 12/25/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Salter, Stuart C., Dellock, Paul Kenneth, Surman, James J., Glickman, David Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): Truong, Bao Q
• Application Number:
  US15/347,015
• Publication Number:
  US 20180131372A1
• Time in Patent Office: 776 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/64 for a single lighting device
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/76 for spotlighting, e.g. reading lamps spotlighting on or for specific fittings B60Q3/20; spotlighting in mass transit vehicles B60Q3/44
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 1/2202 Reconstruction geometries or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 1/265 Angle multiplexing; Multichannel holograms G03H1/268 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2001/0055 in advertising or decorative art
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2001/2226 Edge lit holograms
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2001/2231 Reflection reconstruction
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2222/34 Multiple light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2223/16 Optical waveguide, e.g. optical fibre, rod
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/955 using a capacitive detector
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2017/9455 constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/960785 with illumination

Abstract

A vehicle switch is provided that includes a substrate. A holographic film is positioned on the substrate. A first light source and a second light source are configured to emit a light onto the film and a proximity switch assembly is positioned on the substrate. The holographic film is configured to create a projected image above the holographic film.

Claims

1. A vehicle switch, comprising:

a substrate;

a holographic film positioned on the substrate;

a first light source and a second light source configured to emit a light onto the holographic film; and

a proximity switch assembly positioned on the substrate, wherein the holographic film is configured to create a projected image above the holographic film.

2. The vehicle switch of claim 1, wherein the proximity switch is configured to emit an activation field.

3. The vehicle switch of claim 2, wherein the projected image is displayed within the activation field.

4. The vehicle switch of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second light sources are positioned on an opposite side of the substrate than the holographic film.

5. The vehicle switch of claim 1, further comprising:

a waveguide optically coupled with at least one of the first and second light sources.

6. The vehicle switch of claim 5, wherein the waveguide is configured to emit the light onto the holographic film.

7. The vehicle switch of claim 5, wherein the proximity switch assembly comprises a capacitive switch comprising one or more capacitive sensors.

8. The vehicle switch of claim 1, wherein the first and second light sources are positioned on opposite sides of the holographic film.

9. A vehicle switch, comprising:

a substrate;

a holographic film positioned on the substrate;

a first light source and a second light source configured to emit a light onto the holographic film; and

a proximity switch assembly positioned on an opposite side of the substrate than the holographic film, wherein the holographic film is configured to create a projected image.

10. The vehicle switch of claim 9, wherein at least one of the first and second light sources is electrically coupled to a light sensor.

11. The vehicle switch of claim 9, wherein at least one of the first and second light sources is electrically coupled to a speedometer.

12. The vehicle switch of claim 9, wherein the holographic film defines at least one interference pattern.

13. The vehicle switch of claim 9, wherein the proximity switch assembly comprises a capacitive switch comprising one or more capacitive sensors.

14. The vehicle switch of claim 9, wherein at least one of the first and second light sources are positioned on an opposite side of the substrate than the holographic film.

15. A switch, comprising:

a substrate;

a holographic film positioned on the substrate;

a light source configured to emit a light onto the film; and

a switch assembly positioned on the substrate, wherein the holographic film is configured to create a projected image above the switch assembly.

16. The switch of claim 15, further comprising:

a second light source positioned proximate the holographic film, the first and second light sources positioned to emit light onto the holographic film from different directions.

17. The switch of claim 16, wherein the switch assembly is a proximity switch assembly configured to generate an activation field and wherein the projected image is within the activation field.

18. The switch of claim 17, wherein the proximity switch assembly comprises a capacitive switch comprising one or more capacitive sensors.

19. The switch of claim 18, wherein the light source is configured to emit coherent light.

20. The switch of claim 19, wherein the proximity switch assembly is in a vehicle.