Visteon Global Technolgoies, Inc.

Douglas Allen Pfau

David Michael Whitton

Shadi Mere

Jay Patrick Dark

Steven Christopher Tengler

Andrew Cyril Krochmal

James Frederick Krier

Andrew DeScisciolo

Christopher W Gattis

Daren Lee Harris

Thomas J Buckingham

Rhodri Elliott

An input knob for use with a touch screen device includes stationary and moveable members. The stationary member adheres to a touch screen of the device. The moveable member moves relative to the stationary member, and is secured to the surface via the stationary member. The moveable member produces touch events on the touch surface as bits of data in response to movement of the moveable member. The moveable member may include a rotary encoder. The stationary member may include conductive pads in contact with the surface and in selective contact with a conductive mass of the moveable member. The moveable member may be ring-shaped, removeable and repositionable with respect to the surface, and/or constructed of or coated by dielectric materials. The knob may lack a direct hardwired electrical connection to or through the surface. A display system includes the touch screen device and knob.

Input knob for a touch-sensitive surface in a display system

A button assembly includes a touchpad having an upper surface extending in a generally flat plane and movable between a first position and a second position displaced from the first position in response to the application of a pressing force perpendicular to the upper surface. Additional, smaller pushbuttons may be located adjacent the touchpad. A sub-bezel includes a housing defining a cavity for holding a linear bearing for guiding the touchpad in a linear path perpendicular to the upper surface. The linear bearing includes a plurality of first ball bearings and second ball bearings separated by a first distance perpendicular to the upper surface. The ball bearings may be sandwiched between a bearing outer member and a bearing inner member which includes an inner-top member secured to an inner-bottom member with a screw. A bearing carrier holds the ball bearings within troughs in the bearing outer member.

Touchpad guided by a linear bearing

Systems for implementing a morphing pad are provided herein. The systems include various components to receive data, the data being translated to a morphing pad engager to engage a morphing pad. Also included is a description of a method of manufacturing a morphing pad. Additionally, a morphing pad is described in detail above.

Morphing pad, system and method for implementing a morphing pad

A method of operating a touch assembly having a touch surface, a haptic feedback device and a switch is provided. The method includes activating the haptic feedback device in response to the switch deactivating. The method also includes monitoring and adjusting the monitoring of the switch in response to the switch deactivating to prevent continued deactivation of the switch by the haptic feedback. A method of operating a touch assembly having a touch surface, a base, a haptic feedback device and a switch is also provided. The method includes sensing the location of a touch force on the touch surface and deactivating a switch in response to the touch force moving the touch surface relative to the base. The method proceeds with transmitting a signal only in response to the location of the touch force being sensed and the at least one switch being in the deactivated configuration.

Touch surface and microprocessor assembly

A touch assembly is provided including a touch surface for receiving a touch force. At least one haptic feedback device is coupled to the touch surface for selectively vibrating the touch surface. At least one switch is operably coupled with the touch surface and is adjustable between an activated configuration and a deactivated configuration. At least one microprocessor is in electrical communication with the at least one haptic feedback device and the at least one switch for actuating the at least one haptic feedback device in response to the at least one switch adjusting from the activated configuration to the deactivated configuration.

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.

Gradient light halo for a remote input device

The aspects of the present disclosure provide an apparatus for and method of reducing rotary knob produced by a plurality of detents. In particular, a rotary retainer within a rotary knob assembly. The rotary retainer has a generally cylindrical body and an angular flange protruding outwardly from and around the generally cylindrical body and a plurality of detents disposed on the angular flange. The angular flange is made of a first material capable of sustaining a torque exceeding a first predetermined threshold and wherein the plurality of detents are made from a second material different from the first material, the second material being capable of sustaining a torque exceeding a second predetermined threshold, and the first material and the second material are configured to dampen noise generated by the plurality of detents when the rotary knob is operated.

Apparatus for and method of reducing rotary knob noise

A capacitive sensor includes a conductive elastomer portion formed into a pre-determined shape to sense a touch of a user within a sensing zone of the conductive elastomer portion, a dielectric portion disposed adjacent the conductive elastomer portion within the sensing zone of the conductive elastomer portion, and a controller in electrical communication with the conductive elastomer portion to detect a change in an electrical characteristic of the conductive elastomer portion.

Proximity sensor including a multilayer elastomer assembly

A haptic system including a plurality of mechanical buttons driven by a single haptic feedback driver. The mechanical buttons are integrated within the haptic surface and are configured to move with the haptic interface relative to said base. The haptic surface may include a touch screen interface.

Haptic surface with mechanical buttons

A haptic system including a compliant member which limits the direction of motion of an interface surface providing haptic feedback to motion along a single axis. The compliant member allows for easy assembly, reduced ports, lighter weight and improved longevity and performance. The compliant member typically has a longitudinal extent that is greater than its lateral extent and height, and its height is greater than its lateral extent.

Mounting apparatus for a haptic surface

A method for reducing noise in a vehicle by adjusting the rotational speed of various rotational components.

Method for reducing audible noise in a vehicle

A vibration control system and a method for controlling vibration in a material surface are disclosed, wherein the vibration control system provides a desired motion of the material surface while militating against any undesirable motion of the surface. The vibration control system includes a sensor disposed adjacent a material surface having a first set of dynamic vibration properties, a displacement generating device disposed adjacent the material surface adapted to generate a localized motion in the material surface, and a controller adapted to receive an input signal from the sensor and transmit a control signal to the displacement generating device thereby controlling the localized motion in the material surface.

Vibration control system

A tactile laminate and a method for generating tactile feedback, wherein the tactile laminate and method provide a flexible laminate for creating a tactile sensation on a desired surface without the need for separate motion generating devices, is disclosed. A tactile laminate includes a first layer having a first conductive pad disposed thereon, the first conductive pad adapted to receive a first desired electric charge, a second layer having a second conductive pad disposed thereon, the second conductive pad adapted to receive a second desired electric charge, and a third layer having a desired permittivity disposed between the first layer and the second layer.

Thin laminate construction for the creation of tactile feedback

The present invention provides a human-machine interface where control is achieved without the use of buttons. By providing multiple knobs, the audio system maximizes functionality while minimizing cost and space requirements. Each knob is capable of two selection modes: a first selection mode provided by rotating the knob and a second selection mode provided by depressing the knob. The two selection modes correspond to ergonomic selection pairs for controlling the audio system. The reduced area required for controls allows for a larger display area; which provides the user with a more attractive display that can convey more information. When a change in a status, through knob manipulation is sensed by the audio system, the display automatically provides a menu that corresponds to the ergonomic pair assigned to that knob. The automated switching of menus minimizes navigation between screens, while providing full manipulation of that audio system function using a single knob control. The present invention also provides for the display to visually indicate which knob is being used.

Radio human-machine interface using knobs and menu picks

A knob for an instrument panel is provided having a body portion, a first end portion adjacent to the body portion, and a second end portion adjacent to the body portion and defining a generally wave-shaped surface. The wave-shaped surface includes a plurality of peaks and a plurality of troughs, the peaks extending away from the body portion in a direction generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the body portion. An adjustment assembly may also be provided having a first contact member with a contact portion, a second contact member with a contact portion, and an adjustment member with a plurality of protrusions. The protrusions are configured to selectively engage the contact portion of the first contact member and induce an electrical connection, and to selectively engage the contact portion of the second contact member and induce a second electrical connection.

Growing community of inventors

Canton, MI, United States of America

Douglas Allen Pfau