System and method of operating an output device in a vehicle
First Claim
1. A system for operating an output device in a vehicle, the system comprising:
- a trim component having a front side and a back side;
an initial sensor positioned at the back side of the trim component and defining a first sensing region adjacent to the front side of the trim component, the first sensing region being hidden from view, the initial sensor configured to provide a signal to a display device to selectively display the location of a second sensing region on the front side of the trim component when an object is detected within the first sensing region, the initial sensing region being hidden when the second sensing region is being displayed; and
an operative sensor positioned at the back side of the trim component and respectively defining the second sensing region adjacent the front side of the trim component, the second sensing region being hidden from view until caused to be displayed by the first sensor, the operative sensor configured to provide a signal to at least one output device when an object is detected within the second sensing region.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for operating an output device in a vehicle. The system includes a trim component and operative and initial sensors positioned at the back side of the trim component. An operative sensor provides a signal to at least one output device when an object is detected within a second sensing region adjacent the front side of the trim component. An initial sensor provides a signal to a display device for selectively displaying the location of the second sensing region, when an object is sensed within a first sensing region adjacent the front side of the trim component. Additional aspects of the invention include various systems and methods for operating the output device in a vehicle.
73 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A system for operating an output device in a vehicle, the system comprising:
-
a trim component having a front side and a back side; an initial sensor positioned at the back side of the trim component and defining a first sensing region adjacent to the front side of the trim component, the first sensing region being hidden from view, the initial sensor configured to provide a signal to a display device to selectively display the location of a second sensing region on the front side of the trim component when an object is detected within the first sensing region, the initial sensing region being hidden when the second sensing region is being displayed; and an operative sensor positioned at the back side of the trim component and respectively defining the second sensing region adjacent the front side of the trim component, the second sensing region being hidden from view until caused to be displayed by the first sensor, the operative sensor configured to provide a signal to at least one output device when an object is detected within the second sensing region. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A method of operating an output device in a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
-
providing a trim component having a front side and a back side; sensing an object within a first sensing region adjacent the front side of the trim component and hidden from view; providing a signal to a display device for selectively displaying the location of a second sensing region adjacent the front side of the trim component, the second sensing region being hidden from view until caused to be displayed by the sensing step of the first sensing region, the first sensing region remaining hidden from view during displaying of the second sensing region; and sensing an object within the second sensing region. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification