Systems and methods for illuminating a track pad system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016103541-A1
Application number	US-201414509598-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Oct 8, 2014
Priority date	Oct 8, 2014
Publication date	Apr 14, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Various implementations of a track pad system include an array of force sensors disposed between a base surface and a touch interface plate. The touch interface plate passes touch forces incident on an upper surface thereof to one or more of the force sensors in the array. At least one light source is disposed adjacent the touch interface plate such that the light from the light source is directed through the touch interface plate to illuminate at least a portion of the upper surface of the touch interface plate. One or more icons may be disposed adjacent the illuminated portion of the touch interface plate.

First claim

1 . A track pad system comprising:
a two-dimensional array of force sensors arranged to have a length and a width, the array of force sensors being disposed on a base surface; a touch interface plate disposed over the array, the touch interface plate comprising a lower surface disposed facing the array of force sensors and an upper surface opposite the lower surface, and wherein the touch interface plate passes touch forces incident on the upper surface through to one or more of the force sensors of the array of force sensors; and at least one light source disposed adjacent a side of the two-dimensional array, the light source directing light toward the touch interface plate, wherein light from the light source is guided through the touch interface plate to illuminate at least a portion of the upper surface of the touch interface plate.

2 . The track pad system of claim 1 , wherein the illuminated portion of the touch interface plate is transparent.

3 . The track pad system of claim 1 , wherein the illuminated portion of the touch interface plate is translucent.

4 . The track pad system of claim 1 , wherein one or more icons are disposed adjacent the illuminated portion of the touch interface plate.

5 . The track pad system of claim 4 , wherein the illuminated portion of the touch interface plate is translucent and the icons are not visible unless the light source is excited.

6 . The track pad system of claim 4 , wherein the one or more icons are disposed on an overlay that is disposed adjacent the illuminated portion of the touch interface plate.

7 . The track pad system of claim 4 , wherein the one or more icons are etched adjacent the illuminated portion of the touch interface plate.

8 . The track pad system of claim 4 , wherein the one or more icons are displayed on the touch interface plate via an active matrix display.

9 . The track pad system of claim 8 , wherein the active matrix display comprises a graphic screen.

10 . The track pad system of claim 9 , wherein the graphic screen is selected from the group consisting of: an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), a thin-film-transistor liquid crystal display (TFT LCD), a segmented liquid crystal display, and a liquid crystal display (LCD).

11 . The track pad system of claim 1 , further comprising one or more light altering films disposed adjacent at least one surface of the touch interface plate.

12 . The track pad system of claim 1 , wherein the light source is a first light emitting diode, and the system comprises a second light emitting diode.

13 . The track pad system of claim 12 , wherein the first light emitting diode is disposed adjacent a first side of the array and the second light emitting diode is disposed adjacent a second side of the array, wherein the first side and the second side are adjacent each other.

14 . The track pad system of claim 12 , wherein the first light emitting diode is disposed adjacent a first side of the array and the second light emitting diode is disposed adjacent a second side of the array, wherein the first side and the second side are opposite each other.

15 . The track pad system of claim 1 , further comprising a processor in electronic communication with the array of force sensors, the processor configured for:
receiving force information from one or more force sensors; determining from the force information a force position along the width and length and a corresponding force magnitude, the force position identifying the location of the touch force on the upper surface of the touch interface plate.

16 . The track pad system of claim 15 , wherein the processor is configured for adjusting an intensity of the light source in response to ambient lighting conditions.

17 . The track pad system of claim 15 , wherein the processor is configured for adjusting an intensity of the light source in response to a certain amount of force detected by the force sensors.

18 . The track pad system of claim 17 , wherein the processor is configured for adjusting an intensity of the light source based on the location of force detected by the force sensors.

19 . The track pad system of claim 15 , wherein the processor is configured for adjusting an intensity of the light source based on the location of force detected by the force sensors.

20 . The track pad system of claim 15 , wherein the base surface is a printed circuit board that includes the processor and light source.

21 . The track pad system of claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises a feedback generator that generates at least one of a tactile or audible feedback, and the feedback generator is coupled to the touch interface plate.

22 . The track pad system of claim 1 , wherein the force sensors comprise microelectromechanical (MEMS) force sensors.

23 . The track pad system of claim 22 , wherein the MEMS sensors are structure-based piezo-resistive sensors.

24 . The track pad system of claim 1 , wherein the base surface comprises a reflective material, the reflective material configured for directing the light from the light source through the illuminated portion of the touch interface plate.

25 . The track pad system of claim 1 , wherein the lower surface of the touch interface plate comprises a reflective material that faces the upper surface, the reflective material configured for directing light from the light source though the illuminated portion of the touch interface plate.

Assignees

• Tk Holdings Inc

Inventors

• Andrews David William
• Lisseman Jason Carl

Classifications

• G06F3/016

  Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user · CPC title

• B60K35/50

  Instruments characterised by their means of attachment to or integration in the vehicle (B60K35/231 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B60K35/22

  Display screens · CPC title

• B60K35/60

  Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles (arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10) · CPC title

• B60K35/10

  Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor · CPC title