IMPLEMENTING A HIDDEN TOUCH SURFACE

• US 20150169115A1
• Filed: 12/12/2013
• Published: 06/18/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Inventors: Mikolajczak, Matthew, Channey, Royce D., Kornacki, James
• Granted Patent: US 9,569,027 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/143 Touch sensitive instrument input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0414 using force sensing means to determine a position

Abstract

A system and method for implementing a hidden touch surface are provided. The system includes a touch detector to detect a touch applied to a finishing layer associated with the hidden touch surface; a touch sensor to sense an attribute associated with the touch; and a processor to associate the attribute with a predetermined command, wherein the finishing layer hides the hidden touch surface.

Claims

1. A system for implementing a hidden touch surface, comprising:

a touch detector to detect a touch applied to a finishing layer associated with the hidden touch surface;

a touch sensor to sense an attribute associated with the touch; and

a processor to associate the attribute with a predetermined command,

wherein the finishing layer hides the hidden touch surface.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the hidden touch surface is placed in an interior of a vehicle.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the finishing layer is the vehicle'"'"'s upholstery.

4. The system according to claim 2, further comprising a display driver to drive a display associated with the vehicle.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein the display is installed in a cockpit of the vehicle,

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the touch sensor further comprises a pressure sensor, and the attribute is a pressure associated with the detected touch.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the touch sensor further comprises an angle sensor, and the attribute is angle of the detected touch relative to the hidden touch surface.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the touch sensor further comprises a coordinate sensor, and the attribute is a coordinate of the detected touch.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the touch sensor and the touch detector are performed integrally.

10. A method for implementing a hidden touch surface, comprising:

detecting a touch applied to a finishing layer associated with the hidden touch surface;

sensing an attribute associated with the touch; and

associating the attribute with a predetermined command, wherein the finishing layer hides the hidden touch surface.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the hidden touch surface is placed in an interior of a vehicle.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the finishing layer is the vehicle'"'"'s upholstery.

13. The method according to claim 11, further comprising driving a display associated with the vehicle.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the display is installed in a cockpit of the vehicle.

15. The method according to claim 10, wherein the attribute is a pressure associated with the detected touch.

16. The method according to claim 10, wherein the attribute is angle of the detected touch relative to the hidden touch surface.

17. The method according to claim 10, wherein the attribute is a coordinate of the detected touch.

18. The method according to claim 10, wherein the sensing is performed by at least one of a pressure sensor, an angle sensor, and a coordinate sensor.

19. A method for implementing a hidden touch surface in a vehicle, comprising:

providing a touch surface;

forming a finishing layer to cover the touch surface; and

coupling the touch surface to an operation of the vehicle.

20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising a display to be controlled via the touch surface.