The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 20, 2024
Filed:
Nov. 16, 2020
Ford Global Technologies, Llc, Dearborn, MI (US);
Stuart C. Salter, White Lake, MI (US);
Hussein Berry, Dearborn, MI (US);
Tom F. Boettger, Dearborn, MI (US);
Paul Kenneth Dellock, Northville, MI (US);
Harry Kon, South Lyon, MI (US);
Terry Vandenbrink, Carleton, MI (US);
Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
An apparatus and method, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a switchable glass structure supported within a vehicle and comprised of a plurality of layers. A power source is selectively applied to the switchable glass structure to change the switchable glass structure from opaque to clear. Markings are formed within at least one of the plurality of layers to identify user input areas. A control system includes a circuit configured cooperate with the power source to allow the switchable glass structure to act as a capacitive sensor such that user input to the user input areas can be sensed to change the switchable glass structure between opaque and clear modes.