Illumination functionality is combined with a touch-sensing functionality. A first electrical conductor and a second electrical conductor are located on a substrate. A pressure-sensitive element (113) is connected across the conductors and a light-emitting device (114) is also connected between the conductors. A control circuit alternates between energizing the pressure-sensitive element with current flowing in a first direction and driving the light-emitting device with current flowing in an opposite direction.

A switch apparatus for an automobile with a reduced size by installing a touch type switch apparatus inside a dial switch apparatus is provided. A switch apparatus for an automobile according to the present disclosure includes a main body which has an open lower side, a cover body which is inserted into the open lower side of the main body and is coupled to the main body, a dial switch apparatus which is installed on the main body and has an annular wheel knob rotatable with a virtual rotation axis disposed in a vertical direction as a rotation center, a touch type switch apparatus which is installed on the main body and has a capacitive touch pad which is touched by a user and pressed in an up-down direction, a main PCB which is coupled to the cover body to be disposed in the main body and into which a switch signal is input from the dial switch apparatus and the touch type switch apparatus, and a case body which is coupled to the main body and has a hole, through which the wheel knob and the capacitive touch pad are exposed, on an upper side, in which the capacitive touch pad is disposed inside the wheel knob.

An apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a transducer to transform a load in the housing to an electric current, upon receipt of a load exceeding a load threshold. The apparatus further comprises a light source coupled to the transducer to emit light upon receiving the electric current.

An user interface device includes a lens with a top surface and a bottom surface, where the bottom surface includes at least one graphic that is visible through the top surface of the lens. The user interface device further includes a transparent circuit film with a top surface and a bottom surface, at least one light emitting diode (LED), at least one silver conductor, and a layer of transparent pressure-sensitive adhesive that secures the bottom surface of the lens to the top surface of the transparent circuit film.

A vehicle interior component configured to provide a user interface for interaction with a vehicle system is disclosed. The component may comprise a composite structure comprising a substrate, cover and functional layer. The user interface may comprise a light source/display and an input device comprising a switch and/or control element. The switch may project through a hole in the cover. The functional layer may comprise a soft layer, foam, fleece, fabric, textile, spacer, etc.; the functional layer may comprise a light-transmissive material. The light source/display may provide illumination through a light-transmissive section of the substrate, the functional layer and/or the cover. Illumination may indicate location of the input device. The light-transmissive section of the substrate may comprise illuminated display elements for the light display. Operation of the user interface may comprise an animation effect from illumination of display elements in a sequence.

The present disclosure relates to an input device comprising a flat panel defining an array of control surfaces, a support disposed on a side of the panel, and a substantially flat film layer placed between the panel and the support defining an array of capacitive sensors, wherein each control surfaces comprises backlightable luminous surfaces and are disposed on a surface of the panel facing towards an operator, wherein each capacitive sensor forms a measuring capacitance assigned to one control surface, wherein the panel has a light-conducting layer covering the luminous surfaces, wherein a lighting means is provided for each control surface for backlighting the associated luminous surface of the control surface while transmitting light through the light-conducting layer, wherein the support forms a web which protrudes towards the panel and is connected to the panel in order to fix the film layer structure between the panel and the support.

Illumination functionality is combined with a touch-sensing functionality. A first electrical conductor and a second electrical conductor are located on a substrate. A pressure-sensitive element (113) is connected across the conductors and a light-emitting device (114) is also connected between the conductors. A control circuit alternates between energizing the pressure-sensitive element with current flowing in a first direction and driving the light-emitting device with current flowing in an opposite direction.

A switch apparatus for an automobile with a reduced size by installing a touch type switch apparatus inside a dial switch apparatus is provided. A switch apparatus for an automobile according to the present disclosure includes a main body which has an open lower side, a cover body which is inserted into the open lower side of the main body and is coupled to the main body, a dial switch apparatus which is installed on the main body and has an annular wheel knob rotatable with a virtual rotation axis disposed in a vertical direction as a rotation center, a touch type switch apparatus which is installed on the main body and has a capacitive touch pad which is touched by a user and pressed in an up-down direction, a main PCB which is coupled to the cover body to be disposed in the main body and into which a switch signal is input from the dial switch apparatus and the touch type switch apparatus, and a case body which is coupled to the main body and has a hole, through which the wheel knob and the capacitive touch pad are exposed, on an upper side, in which the capacitive touch pad is disposed inside the wheel knob.

The present disclosure relates to an input device and a method of producing the device. The input device includes a flat panel defining an array of control surfaces, a support disposed on a side of the panel facing away from an operator, and a flat film layer structure disposed between the flat panel and the support which defines an array of capacitive sensors; wherein each capacitive sensor forms a measuring capacitance assigned to one of the control surfaces; wherein the support forms at least one web, which protrudes towards the flat panel and connects to the flat panel to fix the film layer structure between the flat panel and the support.

A decorative element comprising a faceted transparent body having a front surface and a back surface, and a coating on at least part of the back surface of the faceted transparent body. The coating comprises a reflective layer of semiconductor material and a layer of lacquer over the reflective layer, and the reflective layer of semiconductor material has a thickness of at least about 400 nm or at least about 250 nm. Methods of making a decorative element, uses of the decorative element, a switch cover comprising the decorative element, and a switch comprising a sensor for detecting actuation of the switch and a cover protecting the sensor and comprising the decorative element are also described.