Decorative element comprising modular touch-sensitive interface

Abstract

The invention relates to a decorative element comprising an image generating device, a display surface (16) and a sensor arranged to detect a contact on the display surface, the image generating device being arranged to project an image onto a display area (20) of the display surface. The decorative element comprises control means (29) arranged such that an activation area (30) of the display surface (16) is contactably activatable in order to control a function associated with the image projected onto the display area and such that the display surface (16) is not contactably activatable outside the activation area (30). When the sensor detects a contact on the active area including the display area, the control device controls a function associated with the image projected onto the display area.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a type of decorative element comprising at least one image generating device, at least one display element defining at least one display surface, and at least one sensor arranged to detect contact on the display surface, the image generating device being arranged to project at least one image onto at least one display area of the display surface.

[0002] Passenger vehicles offer the user a wide range of functions for modifying certain vehicle-related parameters, such as interior climate conditions, the lighting of the vehicle interior or multimedia parameter management.

[0003] However, the increase in the number of these functions leads to an increased cognitive load for users, especially for vehicle drivers, who must cope with managing these functions in addition to monitoring the driving of the vehicle.

[0004] In practice, each function is typically associated with one or more buttons or knobs, for example on a vehicle instrument panel, with which a user must interact in order to control the function, or with a touch-sensitive surface with which a user can interact by contact.

[0005] In case a touch-sensitive display surface is used in combination with an image projection device, such as a screen, which projects images onto the display surface, it is known to engrave or print icons representing the functions of the vehicle to be controlled on the display surface.

[0006] A force sensor or capacitive sensor is mounted opposite each engraved icon to detect when a user presses or touches the icon, thereby triggering control of the associated function.

[0007] However, engraving icons on the display surface may damage the display surface and thus reduce the quality of an image displayed on the display surface.

[0008] Furthermore, once the icon has been engraved on the display surface, it is fixed in a position and size that cannot be adjusted, regardless of the vehicle's configuration or the user's current needs.

[0009] One of the objects of the present invention is therefore to provide a decorative element which makes it easier for the user to control vehicle functions according to the vehicle configuration and / or the user's needs.

[0010] To this end, the present invention relates to a decorative element comprising a control device arranged so that an activation area of a display surface can be activated by contact for controlling at least one function associated with an image projected onto the display area, the activation area comprising at least a display area, a sensor being arranged outside the display area, the control device further being arranged so that the display surface cannot be activated by contact outside the activation area, and when the sensor detects contact on the activation area including the display area, the control device controls the function associated with the image projected onto the display area.

[0011] Since the control device is capable of making one or more activation areas on the modulatable display surface contact-activatable according to the image projected by the image generating device, and making the rest of the display surface non-contact-activatable, a touch-sensitive display surface is obtained that can be modulated according to the image projected by the image generating device, and thus provides a variety of accessible configurations for controlling different functions controlled by the control device.

[0012] Thus, depending on the specific needs of the user or the configuration of the vehicle, images (e.g., icons representing vehicle functions to be controlled) are projected onto the display surface, and each activation area with which the user can interact has a position and size that can be modulated and adapted over time.

[0013] This makes it easier for the user to control the functions of the vehicle and reduces the cognitive load involved in controlling the functions of the vehicle.

[0014] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the decorative element comprises one or more of the following features, considered alone or in any technically feasible combination:

[0015] - the active area further comprises a peripheral area surrounding the display area, the peripheral area having a surface area of, for example, 1.1 to 1.5 times the area of the display area it surrounds;

[0016] - the image generating means is arranged to project a plurality of images onto different display areas of the display surface, the control means being arranged to render a plurality of activation areas of the display surface activatable by contact for controlling functions associated with the images projected onto the different display areas, the control means being further arranged to render the display surface inactivatable by contact outside each activation area;

[0017] - the control means calculates the position of the activation area on the display surface from the position of the image generated on the screen of the image generating means;

[0018] The display element has an outer surface defining a display surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface, the sensor being disposed on at least a portion of the inner surface of the display element;

[0019] - the sensors are arranged on the periphery of the inner surface of the display element;

[0020] - the portion of the inner surface of the display element that receives the sensor accounts for 5% to 10% of the total surface area of the display surface;

[0021] - the decorative element comprises an opaque mask arranged between the sensor and the display element, facing at least the sensor, the mask being arranged to hide the sensor from the outside of the decorative element;

[0022] the image generation means are capable of projecting at least one dynamic image, the characteristics of which depend on characteristics related to the vehicle and / or the user's operation, the activation zone being linked to said characteristics related to the vehicle and / or the user's operation via the display zone; and

[0023] The display element is an at least partially translucent semi-reflective plate, at least some of the images projected by the image generating device and reflected by the display surface being formed as virtual images behind the display surface.

[0024] The invention also relates to a method for using a decorative element as described above, comprising the following steps:

[0025] - projecting at least one image by the image generating device onto at least one display area of the display surface,

[0026] - activating the or each display zone by means of an activation zone control,

[0027] - rendering the display surface outside the or each active area inactive by the control means, and

[0028] - controlling, by the control means, a function associated with the image projected onto the display area when the sensor detects a contact on an activation area comprising said display area.

[0029] The invention will become more apparent on reading the following description, given by way of non-limiting example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0030]

Figure 1

[0031]

Figure 2

[0032] See also Figure 1 , a vehicle trim element 1 is described comprising a vehicle body 2. Such a trim element 1 forms, for example, part of a vehicle instrument panel, a center console, a door panel or the like.

[0033] The body 2 is arranged to impart its general shape and its mechanical properties to the trim element 1. The body 2 comprises at least a first portion 8 extending in a portion of the vehicle's passenger compartment visible by at least one passenger of the vehicle.

[0034] The vehicle body 2 includes, for example, a second portion 9 extending opposite at least a portion of the first portion 8 of the vehicle body 2 .

[0035] The second portion 9 of the vehicle body 2 is spaced apart from the first portion 8 , for example in an elevation direction corresponding to the height of the vehicle.

[0036] exist Figure 1 In the example shown, the trim element 1 is an instrument panel, and the first portion 8 corresponds to the lower portion of the vehicle body 2, which extends opposite the front passenger seat of the vehicle and serves as a support for several functional elements, such as the instrument panel, the glove box, the audio and / or air conditioning system, etc. The second portion 9 is then formed, for example, by a shoulder extending in cantilevered fashion above the first portion 8. The first portion 8 and the second portion 9 can be made in one piece or from two separate parts.

[0037] Hereinafter, the terms "interior" and "inside" refer to the portion facing the interior of the vehicle on which the trim element 1 is mounted, and the terms "exterior" and "outside" refer to the portion facing the outside of the trim element 1, i.e., the vehicle passenger compartment.

[0038] The interior trim 1 comprises an image generating device 10 and a display element 12. The display element 12 has an outer surface 14 defining a visual display surface 16 and an inner surface 18 opposite the outer surface 14.

[0039] Visible surface refers to the surface that is visible to a passenger of the vehicle when the trim element 1 is mounted in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0040] As will be described in more detail later, the image generating device 10 is arranged to project at least one image onto a display surface 16. In other words, at least a portion of the display surface 16 of the display element 12 defines at least one display area 20 onto which an image from the image generating device 10 is projected.

[0041] Each display area 20 corresponds to an intersection area of a light beam emitted by the image generating device 10 toward the display element 12 (forming an image to be projected) and the display surface 16 .

[0042] According to the present invention, image-generating device 10 extends outside of first portion 8 of vehicle body 2. In other words, image-generating device 10 is not positioned "under" display element 12 relative to inner surface 18 of display element 12, and images emitted by image-generating device 10 do not pass through display element 12, as would be the case if image-generating device 10 were positioned within first portion 8 of vehicle body 2 so as to backlight display surface 16.

[0043] In particular, in one exemplary embodiment, the image generating device 10 is integrated with the second portion 9 of the vehicle body 2 facing the display surface 16 of the display element 12 .

[0044] Thus, when the decorative element 1 is an instrument panel and the first portion 8 is formed by a lower portion of the vehicle body 2, the second portion 9 is formed, for example, by an upper portion of the vehicle body 2 which is separated in height from the first portion 8 and extends cantilevered above the display element 12, as shown. Figure 1 shown.

[0045] The height direction is, for example, a direction connecting the vehicle floor and the vehicle roof.

[0046] The image generating device 10 is mounted in the second portion 9 of the vehicle body 2 so as to be oriented as required relative to the outer surface 14 of the display element 12 so that the image emitted by the image generating device 10 is directed toward the display surface 16 and reflected thereon toward the eyes of a vehicle passenger seated facing the display surface 16.

[0047] To this end, the angle α formed between the outer surface 14 and the display surface of the image generating device 10 is, for example, between 30° and 60°, preferably 45°.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the second portion 9 of the body 2 is rotatable relative to the first portion 8 of the body 2 such that the angle α is adjustable.

[0049] According to the present invention, Figure 1 As shown, the images emitted by the image generating device 10 are made visible to vehicle passengers by reflecting these images onto the display surface 16 .

[0050] The position of the image projected onto display surface 16 depends on the position of the image emitted by image generating device 10. Specifically, the position of the image projected onto display surface 16 depends on the position of the image on the screen of image generating device 10. For example, an image is formed by a plurality of pixels in a region of the screen of image generating device 10, and the positions of these pixels are known. Then, when the image is projected onto the region of display surface 16, the position of the region can be determined using the known positions of the plurality of pixels forming the image on the screen.

[0051] The display element 12 is, for example, a semi-reflective plate.

[0052] The semi-reflective plate is made of, for example, a plastic material selected from poly(methyl acrylate) and polycarbonate, or is made of glass.

[0053] As previously described, display element 12 is configured to reflect at least some of the light received from image generating device 10 .

[0054] “Configured to reflect” means that when a light beam with a wavelength between 400 nm and 750 nm strikes outer surface 14 and / or inner surface 18 of display element 12 , the light beam is partially reflected by display element 12 , in particular by display surface 16 .

[0055] In one embodiment, display element 12 is at least partially translucent and / or transparent.

[0056] Thus, when the image-generating device 10 is inactive or switched off, the first portion 8 of the body 2 of the trim element 1 is visible to a user inside the vehicle via the display element 12 .

[0057] Furthermore, since the display element 12 is at least partially translucent and / or transparent, at least some of the images projected by the image generating device 10 and reflected by the display surface 16 are formed behind the display surface 16, in particular between the display surface 16 and the first portion 8 of the vehicle body 2, thereby creating virtual images. As a result, these images appear to float to the user.

[0058] In one embodiment, the display element 12 is at least partially opaque.The image projected by the image generating device 10 and reflected by the display surface 16 towards the user is then formed on the display surface 16 and appears "flat" on the display surface 16 to the user.

[0059] For example, the second portion 9 of the vehicle body 2 is arranged such that the image generating device 10 is not directly visible to a vehicle passenger when the vehicle passenger is seated facing the display surface 16 .

[0060] According to the invention, in the normal use position of the vehicle, the image emitted by the image generating device 10 is not directly visible to the eyes of the user.

[0061] As previously mentioned, the image generating device 10 is arranged to display an image on said display surface 16 when the image generating device 10 is activated or switched on.

[0062] In particular, the image generating device 10 may be used to display information about the driving of the vehicle (speed, energy meter, safety pictograms, etc.), its geographical location, about the status of certain vehicle functions and / or display audiovisual content; in the display surface 16 .

[0063] Thus, the image projected by the image generating device 10 is, for example, an image related to information about the driving vehicle, its geographical location or the status of certain vehicle functions. In particular, the image is, for example, an icon or pictogram representing said vehicle-related information.

[0064] The image generating device 10 is, for example, a screen illuminated by a plurality of light emitting diodes or a liquid crystal screen.

[0065] In a particular embodiment, the image generating device 10 is capable of projecting at least one dynamic image, the characteristics of which depend on characteristics related to the operation of the vehicle and / or the user.

[0066] A "dynamic image" refers to an animated image formed from a series of static images forming a sequence, the shape, brightness and / or size of the animated image being modified between consecutive images to create a moving image.

[0067] An electronic system, not shown, can collect and use information related to the vehicle and / or user's operation in order to control the projection of images from image generating device 10 .

[0068] For example, the position and / or size of the image projected onto the display area 20 can be modulated in real time by the image generating device 10 to adapt the projected image to traffic conditions (vehicle speed, light levels outside and / or inside the vehicle, weather, etc.) and / or the user's condition (fatigue, concentration, visual ability, specific needs, etc.).

[0069] For example, when the vehicle is traveling at high speed, the image generating device 10 may project an enlarged icon representing a vehicle function to be controlled so that a user wishing to control the function by interacting with the icon on the display surface 16 needs to concentrate less.

[0070] In a similar manner, if the user wishes to control certain vehicle functions, such as those linked to multimedia management, the image generation device 10 may project images and / or icons representing only those functions linked to multimedia management (on / off function, previous / next function, volume management function, etc.). This makes it easier for the user to control the vehicle's functions by simply viewing and interacting with the icons he needs in real time.

[0071] Thus, on the one hand, the electronic system enables icons representing the functions to be controlled to become visible (projected onto the display surface 16) only when the user wishes to control said functions, and on the other hand, enables icons representing the functions to be controlled to be adapted to specific driving conditions and / or users.

[0072] User interaction with display surface 16 is thus simplified and the user's cognitive load is reduced, as unused functionality remains invisible and does not unnecessarily intrude upon display surface 16 .

[0073] According to the invention, the decorative element comprises at least one sensor 25 arranged to detect a contact on the display surface 16. The sensor 25 is, for example, a force sensor, such as a piezoelectric transducer.

[0074] exist Figure 1 In the example shown, each sensor 25 is arranged on at least a portion of the inner surface 18 of the display element 12 , in particular, each sensor 25 is arranged on the periphery of the inner surface 18 of the display element 12 .

[0075] exist Figure 1 In the example shown, the trim element 1 comprises at least two sensors 25 , each arranged on opposite peripheral edges of the inner surface 18 .

[0076] Two peripheral strips 28 of the inner surface 18 are equipped with force sensors 25 capable of detecting contact with the display surface 16 .

[0077] The two peripheral strips 28 of the inner surface 18 account for example for 5% to 10% of the total surface area of the display surface 16 .

[0078] On the other hand, the sensors 25 are able to detect and locate contacts on the entire display surface 16 and not just on the two peripheral strips 28 behind which they are arranged.

[0079] The localization of the contact by sensors 25 on display surface 16 is performed, for example, by triangulation of the different signals received by sensors 25 according to the force detected by each sensor 25. This force depends in particular on the position of said sensor 25 relative to the contact made on display surface 16.

[0080] For this purpose, the display element 12 is slightly flexible.Vibrations caused by a user pressing a local area of the display surface 16 may be detected and localized by the sensor 25, thereby making the entire display surface 16 touch sensitive.

[0081] Thus, as will be described in greater detail later, a user may interact with the touch-sensitive display surface 16 to control certain vehicle functions.

[0082] See also Figure 2 , the trim element 1 comprises a control device 29 which is arranged such that an activation area 30 of the display surface 16 is contact-activatable for controlling at least one vehicle function associated with the image projected onto the display area 20 .

[0083] The control device 29 is also arranged such that the display surface 16 cannot be activated by contact outside the activation area 30 .

[0084] When the sensor 25 detects a contact on the activation area 30 comprising said display area 20 , the control means 29 control functions associated with the image projected onto the display area 20 .

[0085] By “making the activation zone 30 contact-activated” we mean that the control device 29 controls a function associated with the projected image only when the contact detected by the sensor 25 is located in the activation zone 30 .

[0086] In a similar manner, by “making the display surface 16 inactivatable by a contact outside the activation zone 30 ”, we mean that if the contact detected by the sensor 25 is outside the activation zone 30 , the control device 29 does not control a function associated with the projected image.

[0087] In this way, the entire display surface 16 is made touch-sensitive by the sensor 25 , but only the activation area 30 is capable of controlling a function through interaction with the user.

[0088] exist Figure 2 In the specific embodiment shown, the image generating device 10 is arranged to project a plurality of images onto a separate display area 20 of the display surface 16. For example, in the example shown, the image generating device 10 is arranged to project, for example, an icon 37 representing a Bluetooth connection to a multimedia device, an icon 39 representing a windshield de-icing function, an icon 41 representing a multimedia playback function, and an icon 43 representing a previous / next track function for a set of multimedia. Each of the icons 37, 39, 41, and 43 is projected onto a display area 20 that is separate from the display surface 16.

[0089] The control device 29 is then arranged such that a plurality of activation areas 30 on the display surface 16 are contact-activatable for controlling functions associated with the images projected onto the separate display areas 20 .

[0090] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control device 29 is arranged such that the display surface 16 cannot be activated by contact outside each activation area 30 .

[0091] In other words, as described above, the entire display surface 16 is touch-sensitive, but only user contact on the activation area 30 can cause control of the function. In this way, the activation area 30 is considered to be activatable by user contact because they can actually be used by the user to control the function.

[0092] like Figure 2 As shown, according to the present invention, each activation area 30 includes a display area 20 of an image projected by the image generating device 10 and a peripheral area 35 surrounding the display area 20 .

[0093] The active area 30 (including the display area 20 and the peripheral area 35) is Figure 2 Shown in dashed lines.

[0094] For example, the surface area of the peripheral region 35 is 1.1 to 1.5 times the surface area of the display region 20 surrounded by the peripheral region.

[0095] The surface area of the peripheral region 35 depends in real time on the area of the display region 20 , which in turn depends on the image projected by the image generating device 10 .

[0096] Each peripheral zone 35 then takes into account the difference in precision between the zone pressed by the user when he wishes to control a function associated with an image projected and displayed on the display zone 20 and the display zone 20 itself.

[0097] In this way, the user does not have to demonstrate perfect precision when controlling vehicle functions.

[0098] The user can press the image associated with the function he wishes to control in a slightly offset manner and, by positioning the press using the sensor 25, can control the function if his press is within the peripheral zone 35 determined by the control device 29. This feature therefore reduces the precision and concentration required by the user to control the vehicle functions, making it easier for the user to control the vehicle functions.

[0099] This feature is particularly advantageous when the user perceives an image floating between display surface 16 and first portion 8 of vehicle body 2. Indeed, when the images displayed on display surface 16 appear to float to the user, the user cannot accurately assess their position. For example, a user wishing to control a command associated with an image that appears to be floating will press display surface 16 where they perceive the image, rather than where it actually is. This lack of precision is then anticipated and compensated for by control device 29, particularly by activating peripheral zone 35, to enable control of the function.

[0100] For example, the control device 29 calculates the position of the activation area 30 on the display surface 16 in real time based on the real-time position of the image projected onto the display area 20 in the image generating device 10 .

[0101] In other words, the control device 29 calculates the geographic correspondence between one or more pixels on the image generating device 10 as described above and their projections on the display surface 16 to determine the display area 20, and then calculates the position and size of the peripheral area 35 in real time based on the real-time position and size of the display area 20.

[0102] Therefore, the active area 30 depends on the display area 20 it includes and the peripheral area 35 surrounding the display area 20.

[0103] Since the peripheral area 35 is modulated in real time according to the display area 20 , and the display area 20 depends on the image projected by the image generating device 10 , the active area 30 may also be modulated on the display surface 16 according to the image projected by the image generating device 10 .

[0104] In other words, the number, location and size of the activation areas vary over time, thereby providing an adaptable display surface 16 to the user.

[0105] If the image generating device 10 is capable of projecting at least one dynamic image, the characteristics of which depend on vehicle and / or user operating characteristics, the activation area 30 is also linked to said vehicle and / or user operating characteristics via the display area 20 .

[0106] The real-time calculations performed by the control device 29 for determining the display area 20 , the peripheral area 35 and the activation area 30 enable the activation area 30 of the display surface 16 to be adapted for the image projection by the image generating device 10 .

[0107] This provides a touch-sensitive display surface 16 that can be adapted to vehicle configuration and / or user requirements.

[0108] Then, when the position of contact of the user's finger on the display surface 16 determined by the sensor 25, for example by triangulation, corresponds to the position of the activation area 30, the control device 29 is able to determine whether the user wishes to control a specific function associated with the image projected onto the display surface 16 and control the function.

[0109] In one embodiment, Figure 1 As shown, the decorative element 1 comprises at least one opaque mask 50 arranged at least between each sensor 25 and the display element 12 , facing the sensor 25 .

[0110] In particular, each mask 50 is disposed between each sensor 25 and the inner surface 18 of the display element 12 .

[0111] Optionally, the decorative element 1 comprises a single mask 50 arranged at least between each sensor 25 and the inner surface 18 of the display element 12 .

[0112] One or more masks 50 are arranged to hide the sensor 25 from the outside of the decorative element 1. In this way, the appearance of the display element 12 is not changed by the presence of the sensor 25. In a particular embodiment, the mask 50 is arranged at a technical interface, in particular at an attachment interface of the display element 12, so that this technical interface can be hidden from the user.

[0113] Additionally, because the masks 50 are opaque, they improve the contrast of the image projected by the image generating device 10 and reflected by the portion of the display surface 16 facing the masks 50 .

[0114] A method of using such a decorative element 1 will now be described.

[0115] The method comprises a first step of activating the image-generating device 10 and projecting at least one image from the image-generating device 10 onto at least one display area 20 of the display surface 16 .

[0116] As mentioned above, the image generating device 10 may be used to display information about the vehicle's driving (speed, fuel level, safety pictograms, etc.), its geographical location, the status of certain vehicle functions (ventilation, defrost, etc.) and / or display audiovisual content.

[0117] Then, the control device 29 calculates the position of the activation area 30 on the display surface 16 based on the position of the image projected onto the display area 20 in the image generating device 10 .

[0118] In other words, at this stage, the control device 29 determines the area of the display surface 16 which can be contact-activated in the future, ie the area which can actually cause the control of the function associated with the projected image.

[0119] Once an activation zone 30 has been determined, the control device 29 activates said activation zone 30 and deactivates the display surface 16 outside the activation zone 30 or each activation zone.

[0120] In other words, at this stage, the control means 29 filters the information received by the sensor 25 according to the location of the pressure detected by the sensor 25 on the display surface 16 (in the activation zone 30 or outside the activation zone 30). The control means 29 only considers the pressure detected by the sensor 25 in the activation zone 30 to control the associated function. The activation zone 30 is considered active, while the display surface 16 outside the activation zone 30 is considered inactive.

[0121] Finally, when the sensor 25 detects a contact on the activation zone 30 , the control means 29 control the functions associated with the image projected on the display area 20 comprised in said activation zone 30 .

[0122] The decorative element 1 according to the invention has numerous advantages.

[0123] Since the control means 29 are able to make one or more activation areas on the display surface contact-activatable and the rest of the display surface non-contact-activatable depending on the image projected by the image generating means, a touch-sensitive display surface is obtained which can be modulated according to the current needs of the user.

[0124] Thus, for example, depending on the configuration of the vehicle, the icons projected onto the display surface 16 have a size and / or position on the display surface 16 that is modulatable and adaptable over time.

[0125] This makes it easier for the user to control the functions of the vehicle and reduces the cognitive load involved in controlling the functions of the vehicle.

[0126] Furthermore, because activation areas 30 are larger than display area 20 (because they include peripheral area 35), the user can reduce the concentration and precision required to control functions. The user can press lightly around display area 20 and still manage to control the desired function.

[0127] This is particularly advantageous when the user perceives a floating image whose position on the display surface cannot be accurately assessed by the user.

[0128] In fact, since each peripheral zone takes into account the difference in precision between the zone pressed by the user when the user wishes to control a function associated with an image projected and displayed on the display area and the display area itself, the user does not have to display perfect precision when the user wishes to control a vehicle function.

[0129] For example, a user who wishes to control a command associated with an image that appears to be floating will press the display surface where he perceives the image, rather than where it actually is. This lack of precision is then anticipated and compensated for by the control means, in particular by the activation of the peripheral zone, in order to enable the desired function to be controlled.

[0130] Additionally, since activation area 30 is a localized area of display surface 16 and display surface 16 is inactive outside activation area 30 , the risk of a user selecting the wrong function to control due to a lack of precision when pressing display surface 16 is minimized.

[0131] Thus, the user can focus on the road or driving, thereby simplifying interaction with the display surface 16 .

Claims

1. A vehicle trim element (1), comprising at least one image generating device (10), at least one display element (12) defining at least one display surface (16), and at least one sensor (25) arranged to detect contact on the display surface (16), the image generating device (10) being arranged to project at least one image onto at least one display area (20) of the display surface (16), It is characterized by: The decorative element (1) comprises a control device (29) arranged such that an activation area (30) of the display surface (16) can be activated by contact for controlling at least one function associated with the image projected onto the display area (20), the activation area (30) comprising at least the display area (20), the sensor (25) being arranged outside the display area (20), the control device (29) being further arranged such that the display surface (16) cannot be activated by contact outside the activation area (30), When the sensor (25) detects contact on the activation area (30) comprising the display area (20), the control device (29) controls the function associated with the image projected onto the display area (20).

2. The decorative element (1) according to claim 1, wherein the activation area (30) further comprises a peripheral area (35) surrounding the display area (20), the peripheral area (35) having a surface area of, for example, 1.1 to 1.5 times the area of the display area (20) surrounded by the peripheral area.

3. A decorative element (1) according to claim 1, wherein the image generating device (10) is arranged to project a plurality of images onto different display areas (20) of the display surface (16), the control device (29) is arranged to enable a plurality of activation areas (30) of the display surface (16) to be contact-activated for controlling functions associated with the images projected onto the different display areas (20), and the control device (29) is further arranged to prevent the display surface (16) from being contact-activated outside each activation area (30).

4. The decorative element (1) according to claim 1, wherein the control device (29) calculates the position of the activation area (30) on the display surface (16) based on the position of the image generated on the screen of the image generating device (10).

5. The decorative element (1) according to claim 1, wherein the display element (12) has an outer surface (14) defining the display surface (16) and an inner surface (18) opposite to the outer surface (14), and the sensor (25) is arranged on at least a portion of the inner surface (18) of the display element (12).

6. The decorative element (1) according to claim 5, wherein the sensor (25) is arranged on the periphery of the inner surface (18) of the display element (12).

7. The decorative element (1) according to claim 5, wherein the portion of the inner surface (18) of the display element (12) that receives the sensor (25) accounts for 5% to 10% of the total surface area of the display surface (16).

8. The decorative element (1) according to claim 1, wherein the decorative element (1) comprises an opaque mask (50) arranged between the sensor (25) and the display element (12), at least opposite the sensor (25), the mask (50) being arranged to hide the sensor (25) from the outside of the decorative element (1).

9. A decorative element (1) according to claim 1, wherein the image generating device (10) is capable of projecting at least one dynamic image, the characteristics of which depend on characteristics related to the operation of the vehicle and / or the user, and the activation area (30) is linked to the characteristics related to the operation of the vehicle and / or the user via the display area (20).

10. The decorative element (1) according to claim 1, wherein the display element (12) is an at least partially translucent semi-reflective plate, and at least some of the images projected by the image generating device (10) and reflected by the display surface (16) are formed as virtual images behind the display surface (16).

Images