Gradient light halo for a remote input device

• US 9,500,791 B2
• Filed: 09/22/2014
• Issued: 11/22/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2014
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Inventors: Pfau, Douglas Allen, DeScisciolo, Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): TSO, LAURA K
• Application Number:
  US14/492,734
• Publication Number:
  US 20160085012A1
• Time in Patent Office: 792 Days
• Field of Search: 362/551, 362/559, 362/511, 362/489, 362/23.01, 362/23.09, 362/23.12, 362/23.13, 362/23.16, 362/23.19, 362/23.2
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0005 the light guides being of the fibre type G02B6/0003 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0006 Coupling light into the fibre in general G02B6/4298
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0045 by shaping at least a portion of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/042 by opto-electronic means

Abstract

A gradient light halo device gradient light halo device for creating a gradient light halo for a remote input device is disclosed herein. The device includes a backlight portion to project a backlight onto a first surface of a remote input device; a floodlight portion to project a floodlight onto a second surface of the remote input device, the second surface opposing the first surface; an ink layer disposed on the first surface, the ink layer including a solid portion and a stippled portion; and a blocking layer disposed on the second surface, the blocking layer including a non-ink portion and an ink portion. A method of creating a gradient light halo is also disclosed, as well as a method of manufacturing a gradient light halo assembly.

Claims

1. A gradient light halo device, comprising:

a backlight portion to project a backlight onto a first surface of a remote input device;

a floodlight portion to project a floodlight onto a second surface of the remote input device, wherein the second surface opposes the first surface;

an ink layer disposed on the first surface, the ink layer including a solid portion and a stippled portion; and

a blocking layer disposed on the second surface, the blocking layer including a non-ink portion and an ink portion.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the backlight is propagated via an opening through the stippled portion.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the opening, the stippled portion, and the ink portion correspond to each other.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the floodlight portion propagates floodlight onto the ink portion.

5. The device according to claim 3, wherein the floodlight portion and backlight portion are connected via a light pipe.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the remote input device is a touchpad surface.

7. The device according to claim 5, further comprising a plastic substrate disposed between the light pipe and the ink layer.

8. The device according to claim 7, further comprising an applique layer disposed between the blocking layer and the ink layer.

9. The device according to claim 8, further comprising a hardcoat layer disposed on the blocking layer in the second surface.

10. A method for creating gradient halo light on remote input device, comprising:

providing a floodlight onto a top surface of the remote input device;

propagating a backlight through a stippled portion of a first side of a lens the remote input device; and

providing an inked portion on a second side of the lens of the remote input device.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the inked portion substantially overlaps with the stippled portion.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the floodlight is propagated onto the inked portion.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the floodlight and backlight are provided from a singular source of lighting.

14. A method for manufacturing a gradient halo light assembly for a remote input device, comprising:

fashioning a light pipe to provide floodlighting and backlight;

applying a first layer of ink with a stippled pattern to receive the backlight;

providing an applique layer; and

applying a second layer of ink on an opposing side of the applique layer, the second including a solid portion and a non-solid portion.