Vehicle trim panel having a switching function comprising a decorative front panel which conceals a switching device having switching areas defined on the decorative front panel for controlling vehicle functions and a lighting device for backlighting said switching areas. Particularly the switching device comprises a sensor foil comprising a light transmitting film wherein several independent sensing areas are configured and an elastic rubber-like portion configured to be compressed between the back side of the decorative front panel and the front side of the light guide in order to keep the sensor foil in tight contact free of air-gaps with the back side of the decorative front panel. The elastic rubber-like portion comprises first attaching means to tightly and removably attach the sensor foil to either the light guide or to the decorative front panel.

Disclosed is a vehicle lighting device intended to improve convenience and safety. A vehicle lighting device includes a light disposed in a vehicle interior, a controller controlling the light, and a detecting unit detecting position or motion of a detecting object by detecting a detection object at a plurality of positions, and the controller controls the light when the position or motion of the detection object is detected by the detecting unit.

Disclosed is a vehicle lighting device intended to improve convenience and safety. A vehicle lighting device includes a light disposed in a vehicle interior, a controller controlling the light, and a detecting unit detecting position or motion of a detecting object by detecting a detection object at a plurality of positions, and the controller controls the light when the position or motion of the detection object is detected by the detecting unit.

An illumination apparatus for a vehicle storage cavity is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a circuit disposed proximate to and extending significantly along an opening of the cavity. At least one proximity sensor and a plurality of LEDs suspended in a semiconductor ink are printed on the circuit. The circuit is configured to activate an emission from the LEDs in response to the proximity sensor detecting an object entering the storage cavity.

An illumination apparatus for a vehicle storage cavity is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a circuit disposed proximate to and extending significantly along an opening of the cavity. At least one proximity sensor and a plurality of LEDs suspended in a semiconductor ink are printed on the circuit. The circuit is configured to activate an emission from the LEDs in response to the proximity sensor detecting an object entering the storage cavity.

A multi-touch smartphone display used as a track pad in a motor vehicle is provided. A system includes a handheld device having a multi-touch display, a vehicle controller that transmits and receives data from the handheld device when the handheld device is docked into the vehicle, and a display that is mounted within the vehicle. The docked handheld device functions as a track pad to receive user input. The display is configured to display vehicle functions and applications on the handheld device. The vehicle controller is configured to transmit one or more commands to one or more vehicle components based on the received user input to execute the command.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a light assembly of a vehicle is provided herein. The light assembly includes an array of light sources and a plurality of light-directing elements, each configured to direct light received from the light sources in an associated direction. A sensor arrangement is configured to sense a user-supplied action and a controller determines which light sources to activate in response to the sensed user-supplied action.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a light assembly of a vehicle is provided herein. The light assembly includes an array of light sources and a plurality of light-directing elements, each configured to direct light received from the light sources in an associated direction. A sensor arrangement is configured to sense a user-supplied action and a controller determines which light sources to activate in response to the sensed user-supplied action.

A lens, a vehicle lamp, and a corresponding vehicle, the lens including a lens portion with a touch area and an antenna portion including a flange portion, the antenna portion being electrically conductive and at least partially opposite to the touch area. When the touch area of the lens provided with the antenna portion is touched, the capacitance of a capacitor formed by the antenna portion will change.

A vehicle interior lighting device according to an embodiment includes a housing, a cover provided on one end portion side of the housing, a light-emitting section provided on the inside of the housing, and a detecting section provided on the inside of the housing and configured to detect, via the cover, a change in energy involved in a motion of an operator and convert the detected change in the energy into an electric signal.