Concealed user interfaces

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10656777-B1
Application number	US-201815933980-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Mar 23, 2018
Priority date	Jun 29, 2017
Publication date	May 19, 2020
Grant date	May 19, 2020

Abstract

One method includes receiving inputs from one or more input devices, and determining a user interest in use of the interface device based on the inputs. In response to the user interest, changing a state of the first interface device from a deactivated state in which the first interface device is concealed behind a surface to an activated state in which the first interface device emits light through the surface.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus, comprising:
a seating surface that is configured to support a user that is seated on the seating surface;
an input device that is concealed behind the seating surface;
a wall panel surface; and
a display device that has a deactivated state in which the display device is concealed behind the wall panel surface, has an activated state in which the display device emits light through the wall panel surface, and is located behind the wall panel surface such that the display device is not visible in the activated state, and
wherein the input device is operable to control a user interface displayed by the display device when the display device is in the activated state.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the wall panel surface is a portion of an automotive interior.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the wall panel surface includes a textile material.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the wall panel surface includes a faux leather material.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the wall panel surface includes a wood veneer.

6. An apparatus, comprising:
a first surface wherein the first surface is a seating surface that is formed on a seat base;
a first interface device that is located behind the first surface;
a first input device that generates an input signal representing a user position, wherein the input signal indicates that the user position is located on the seat base and on a portion of the first interface device; and
a controller, wherein:
the first interface device has a deactivated state in which the first interface device is concealed behind the first surface such that the first interface device is not visible,
the first interface device has an activated state in which an active area of the first interface device emits light through the first surface, a user interface is displayed using the active area of the first interface device, and a portion of the first interface device outside of the active area does not emit light through the first surface, and
the controller is operable to determine a location for the active area based on the user position as represented by the input signal.

7. An apparatus, comprising:
a first surface;
a first interface device that is located behind the first surface;
a first input device that generates an input signal; and
a controller, wherein:
the first interface device has a deactivated state in which the first interface device is concealed behind the first surface such that the first interface device is not visible,
the first interface device has an activated state in which an active area of the first interface device emits light through the first surface, a user interface is displayed using the active area of the first interface device, and a portion of the first interface device outside of the active area does not emit light through the first surface,
the controller is operable to determine a location for the active area based on the input signal, and
the first surface is a seating surface that is formed on a seat base, a user is sitting on the seat base, the user is sitting on a portion of the first interface device, and the controller determines the location for the active area based on the position of the user relative to the seat base.

Assignees

• Boulanger Catherine N
• Silva Felipe Bacim De Araujo E
• Bark Karlin Y
• Kim Seung Wook
• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Boulanger Catherine N
• Silva Felipe Bacim De Araujo E
• Bark Karlin Y
• Kim Seung Wook

Classifications

• G06F3/017

  Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures (interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883) · CPC title

• G06F3/041

  Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means · CPC title

• G06F3/04886

  by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus · CPC title

• G06F3/0481 Primary

  based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance · CPC title

• D03D1/0088

  Fabrics having an electronic function · CPC title