Display device having guides linking buttons to display information

• US 7,961,455 B2
• Filed: 06/05/2009
• Issued: 06/14/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Toyota Motor Corporation
• Original Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America Incorporated (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Wippler, Erik Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): Gandhi; Jayprakash N
• Assistant Examiner(s): Edwards; Anthony Q
• Application Number:
  US12/479,180
• Publication Number:
  US 20100309610A1
• Time in Patent Office: 739 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679.02, 361/679.21
• US Class Current: 361/679.02
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0017 with operator interface units

Abstract

A housing for mounting a display device is provided. The display device includes a display screen capable of displaying an executable function and an input selector which corresponds to the displayed function such that upon actuation of the input selector the displayed function is executed. The housing includes a generally planar surface disposed spaced apart from the display screen. An aperture is formed in the generally planar surface so that the display screen is visible through the generally planar surface. A ledge bounding at least a portion of the aperture extends from the generally planar surface to the display screen. A guide formed on the ledge links the input selector to the displayed function. The ledge has a first reflectance and the guide has a second reflectance which is different than the first reflectance so as to provide a contrast between the ledge and the guide due to the different amounts of light emitted from the display screen reflecting off the ledge and the guide.

Claims

1. A display housing for mounting a display having a display screen capable of displaying at least one function, and at least one input selector corresponding to the at least one function, said housing comprising:

a generally planar surface disposed spaced apart from the display screen;

an aperture formed in said generally planar surface, said aperture dimensioned to receive the display screen;

a ledge extending between the display screen and said generally planar surface, said ledge having a first reflectance; and

at least one guide disposed on said ledge to link the at least one input selector to the at least one function displayed on the display screen, said at least one guide having a second reflectance;

said first reflectance being different from said second reflectance so that said first reflectance reflects a different amount of emitted light than said second reflectance to contrast said ledge from said at least one guide to provide a visual link between the at least one input selector and the at least one function displayed on the display screen.

2. The housing of claim 1, wherein said at least one guide extends from a proximate end of said ledge to a distal end of said ledge.

3. The housing of claim 1, wherein said at least one guide is a groove disposed in said ledge.

4. The housing of claim 1, wherein said at least one guide is an elongated rib extending outwardly from said ledge.

5. The housing of claim 1, wherein said ledge is formed of a first material and said at least one guide is formed of a second material so as to differentiate said first reflectance from said second reflectance.

6. The housing of claim 1, wherein said ledge has a first surface texture and said at least one guide has a second surface texture so as to differentiate said first reflectance from said second reflectance.

7. The housing of claim 1, wherein one of said ledge or said at least one guide has a surface coating so as to differentiate said first reflectance from said second reflectance.

8. The housing of claim 1, furthercomprising a semi-opaque lens covering said aperture and at least a portion of said generally planar surface area.

9. The housing of claim 1, wherein said at least one guide is composed of a light transmitting material.