Dimensional Enhancement Lens

• US 20080278803A1
• Filed: 05/09/2007
• Published: 11/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Inventors: Kraus, Karen M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,647,881 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/440
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/143 Touch sensitive instrument input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1438 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/20 Optical features of instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• 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: G02B 25/002 Magnifying glasses
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 116/05 using light guides

Abstract

A lens for use with a display panel configured to emit light and display images is provided. The lens has a light-emitting surface and a plurality of enhancement portions. A first enhancement portion is configured to physically correspond to a first image displayed on the display screen. The first enhancement portion is further configured to collect at least a portion of the light emitted by the display screen and emit the light through the light-emitting surface of the lens. A second enhancement portion is configured to physically correspond to a second image displayed on the display screen.

Claims

1. A lens for use with a display panel configured to emit light and display images, the lens comprising:

a light-emitting surface; and

a plurality of enhancement portions, a first enhancement portion of the plurality of enhancement portions being configured to physically correspond to a first image displayed on the display screen, the first enhancement portion being further configured to collect at least a portion of the light emitted from the display screen and emit the light through the light-emitting surface, and a second enhancement portion of the plurality of enhancement portions being configured to physically correspond to a second image displayed on the display screen.

2. The lens of claim 1, wherein at least one enhancement portion of the plurality of enhancement portions is configured to separate at least a portion of the images displayed on the display screen.

3. The lens of claim 1, wherein at least one enhancement portion of the plurality of enhancement portions is a magnifying lens.

4. The lens of claim 1, wherein at least one enhancement portion of the plurality of enhancement portions is a portion of a Fresnel lens.

5. The lens of claim 1, further comprising:

a light-collecting surface configured to overlay the display screen, the light-collecting surface being further configured to collect at least a portion of the light emitted by the display screen, the light-collecting surface being disposed opposite to the light-emitting surface; and

a height, the height being defined between the light-emitting and light-collecting surfaces, the height varying in dimension.

6. The lens of claim 5, further comprising portions defining an opening within the lens, the opening extending through the height of the lens.

7. The lens of claim 1, further comprising at least one opaque portion.

8. The lens of claim 1, further comprising portions that include one of the following:

paint and metallization.

9. The lens of claim 1, wherein the lens is further configured to emit light collected from an external light source.

10. The lens of claim 9, wherein the external light source is a light-emitting diode.

11. The lens of claim 1, further comprising anti-reflective coating.

12. A display assembly comprising:

a display panel having a display screen configured to emit light and display a plurality of images;

a lens overlying at least a portion of the display screen, at least a portion of the lens being transparent or translucent, the lens comprising;

a light-emitting surface; and

a plurality of enhancement portions, a first enhancement portion of the plurality of enhancement portions being configured to physically correspond to a first image of the plurality of images displayed on the display screen, the first enhancement portion being further configured to collect at least a portion of the light emitted by the display screen and emit the light through the light-emitting surface, and a second enhancement portion of the plurality of enhancement portions being configured to physically correspond to a second image of the plurality of images displayed on the display screen.

13. The display assembly of claim 12, wherein at least one enhancement portion of the plurality of enhancement portions is configured to separate at least a portion of the plurality of images displayed on the display screen.

14. The display assembly of claim 12, wherein at least one enhancement portion of the plurality of enhancement portions is a magnifying lens.

15. The display assembly of claim 12, wherein at least one enhancement portion of the plurality of enhancement portions is a portion of a Fresnel lens.

16. The display assembly of claim 12, wherein the lens further comprises:

a light-collecting surface overlying the display screen, the light-collecting surface being configured to collect at least a portion of the light emitted by the display screen, the light-collecting surface being disposed opposite to the light-emitting surface; and

a height, the height being defined between the light-emitting and light-collecting surfaces, the height varying in dimension.

17. The display assembly of claim 16, wherein the lens further comprises portions defining an opening within the lens, the opening extending through the height of the lens.

18. The display assembly of claim 12, wherein the display screen is a reconfigurable display screen.

19. The display assembly of claim 18, wherein the display screen is configured to display a first set of images that physically corresponds to the first and second enhancement portions of the lens, and the display screen is further configured to display a second set of images that physically corresponds to the first and second enhancement portions of the lens.

20. The display assembly of claim 12, wherein the display assembly is further configured to be attached to the interior of a motor vehicle.