RECONFIGURABLE CENTER STACK WITH TOUCH SENSING

• US 20090268163A1
• Filed: 04/28/2008
• Published: 10/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Inventors: Channey, Royce Duchante', Bowden, Upton Beall, Pope, Henry Lee
• Granted Patent: US 8,142,030 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 353/13
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/29 Holographic features
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/334 Projection means
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/365 Guidance using head up displays or projectors, e.g. virtual vehicles or arrows projected on the windscreen or on the road itself

Abstract

A display system for a center stack of a vehicle is disclosed including a translucent material and a projection system. Dynamic graphical content derived from an input by a passenger of the vehicle via at least one of simulated controls and hard-tooled switches is projected onto the material by the projection system.

Claims

1. A display system for a vehicle center stack comprising:

a substantially pliable translucent material disposed on a main body of a vehicle center stack, the material having a first surface and a second surface;

a projection system adapted to project a light beam containing graphical content onto the second surface of the translucent material, wherein the graphical content is visible on the first surface of the material; and

at least one manipulable input device in electrical communication with the projection system.

2. The display system according to claim 1, wherein the translucent material is produced from a plastic material.

3. The display system according to claim 1, wherein the translucent material includes at least one of a pattern and a texture.

4. The display system according to claim 1, wherein the light beam produced by the projection system is projected to a plurality of locations.

5. The display system according to claim 1, wherein the projection system includes a full color laser projector.

6. The display system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one manipulable input device is a switch.

7. The display system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one manipulable input device is a touch grid disposed adjacent the second surface of the translucent material.

8. The display system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one actuator disposed adjacent the translucent material to provide tactile feedback.

9. A vehicle center stack comprising

a main body;

and

a display system disposed in the main body, the display system further including;

a substantially pliable translucent material disposed on the main body, the translucent material having a first surface and a second surface;

a projection system adapted to project a light beam containing graphical content onto the second surface of the translucent material, wherein the graphical content is visible on the first surface of the material; and

at least one manipulable input device in electrical communication with the projection system, wherein the at least one manipulable input device is at least one of a switch and an touch grid.

10. The center stack according to claim 9, wherein the display system is adapted to provide sensory feedback.

11. The center stack according to claim 9, wherein the translucent material is produced from a plastic material having at least one of a pattern and a texture formed therein.

12. The center stack according to claim 9, wherein the projection system includes a full color laser projector.

13. The center stack according to claim 9, wherein the graphical content includes at least one of an image, a simulated control, and text.

14. The center stack according to claim 9, wherein the display system further includes at least one actuator disposed adjacent the translucent material to provide tactile feedback.

15. The center stack according to claim 9, wherein the touch grid is produced from a substantially transparent material.

16. The center stack according to claim 9, wherein the touch grid is produced from a substantially pliable material.

17. A vehicle center stack comprising:

a main body; and

a display system disposed in the main body and adapted to provide sensory feedback, the display system further including;

a substantially pliable translucent material disposed on the main body, the translucent material having a first surface and a second surface;

at least one actuator disposed adjacent the translucent material to provide tactile feedback;

a projection system adapted to project a light beam containing graphical content onto the second surface of the translucent material, wherein the graphical content is visible on the first surface of the material; and

at least one manipulable input device in electrical communication with the projection system, wherein the at least one manipulable input device is at least one of a switch and a substantially pliable transparent touch grid.

18. The center stack according to claim 17, wherein the display system provides at least one of audible, visual, and tactile feedback.

19. The center stack according to claim 17, wherein the translucent material is produced from a plastic material having at least one of a pattern and a texture formed therein.

20. The center stack according to claim 17, wherein the projection system includes a full color laser projector