Vehicle Keypad Illumination Using Segmented Phosphors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle keypad systems lack effective visual feedback mechanisms to indicate successful or unsuccessful button activations, particularly in exterior touch-sensitive keypads adjacent to transparent panels, which can lead to user confusion and errors.
Innovation Solution
The use of different phosphors, activated by ultraviolet and visible light sources, to illuminate virtual buttons in various color combinations and intensities, providing clear feedback on activation status and reminding users of available functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a single-color illumination system is used for the keypad, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to provide clear visual feedback on button activation status is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual button is divided into multiple areas (first area and second area) that can be illuminated independently with different colors. This segmentation allows the system to provide differentiated visual feedback for different button states without requiring a completely complex multi-color illumination system, as each area can be controlled separately to convey specific information.
Solution Approach 2:
Different phosphors are applied to different areas of the virtual button, creating local quality variations. The first phosphor emits a first color when activated, while the second phosphor emits a second color, allowing each area to have its own optical characteristics tailored to provide specific visual feedback for different activation states.
2Loss of information
If multiple phosphors and light sources are used to provide color feedback, then the visual feedback capability is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual button area is segmented into distinct regions that can be independently coated with different phosphors. This segmentation allows for controlled application of phosphors to specific areas, reducing the need for extremely high precision in phosphor placement while still achieving clear visual differentiation between button states.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses different phosphors with distinct emission characteristics (first phosphor emitting first color, second phosphor emitting second color) to provide clear visual feedback. By selecting phosphors with sufficiently different emission properties, the system achieves reliable activation status indication without requiring extremely precise control over phosphor layer thickness or positioning.
3Ease of operation
If the keypad provides detailed visual feedback through multiple colors, then user interaction clarity is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system can activate different phosphors in different time periods or sequences to provide visual feedback. Rather than continuously illuminating all areas with all colors, the system can use periodic or sequential activation of the first and second phosphors, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining clear user interaction feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The system illuminates only specific areas (first area or second area) with specific colors based on the button activation state, rather than illuminating the entire keypad uniformly. This localized illumination approach reduces energy consumption by activating only the necessary phosphor areas to convey the required information to the user.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances user interaction by clearly indicating successful or unsuccessful button activations and reminding users of keypad functions through customizable color patterns and intensities, improving usability and reducing errors.
Implementation Method 1
A first phosphor is between the first area and a light source
Implementation Method 2
A different, second phosphor is between the second area and the light source
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary vehicle keypad assembly includes, among other things a virtual button having a first area and a second area, a first phosphor between the first area and a light source, and a different, second phosphor between the second area and the light source. An exemplary vehicle keypad illumination method includes, among other things, selectively illuminating a first area of a keypad in one of a plurality of different colors while illuminating a different, second area of the keypad in a single color.