A vehicle interior component includes a first surface, a second surface that is adjacent to the first surface, an edge disposed between the first surface and the second surface, and an operating element where an item of operating information can be input by the operating element. The operating element is disposed adjacent to the edge on the first surface and/or on the second surface and the operating element is nonvisible in an inoperative state and is visible in an operative state.

A vehicle interior component includes a first surface, a second surface that is adjacent to the first surface, an edge disposed between the first surface and the second surface, and an operating element where an item of operating information can be input by the operating element. The operating element is disposed adjacent to the edge on the first surface and/or on the second surface and the operating element is nonvisible in an inoperative state and is visible in an operative state.

A component for a vehicle interior may comprise a housing; a cover structure comprising a cover surface; and a user interface at the cover surface comprising a light display. The light display may comprise a light guide comprising a projection. The cover structure may comprise a cover base and a cover layer. The cover layer may be molded on the cover base. The cover base may comprise the light guide. The cover layer may comprise an aperture. The projection may extend into the aperture. The cover base may comprise an aperture, recess, notch and/or indentation. The cover layer may comprise a generally opaque material preventing visibility of a recess in the cover base. The cover base may comprise a different color and/or softness than the cover layer. The cover structure may comprise apertures and/or recesses for the light guide.

A component for a vehicle interior may comprise a housing; a cover structure comprising a cover surface; and a user interface at the cover surface comprising a light display. The light display may comprise a light guide comprising a projection. The cover structure may comprise a cover base and a cover layer. The cover layer may be molded on the cover base. The cover base may comprise the light guide. The cover layer may comprise an aperture. The projection may extend into the aperture. The cover base may comprise an aperture, recess, notch and/or indentation. The cover layer may comprise a generally opaque material preventing visibility of a recess in the cover base. The cover base may comprise a different color and/or softness than the cover layer. The cover structure may comprise apertures and/or recesses for the light guide.

An object of the present invention is to provide a display device for a vehicle which brings a relation between a linear display section of a display panel placed at a dashboard and a linear lighting placed at the dashboard. A display device for a vehicle includes a display panel and a linear lighting placed at a dashboard of an automobile, a linear lighting placed on a lining of a door on a driver seat side, and a linear lighting placed on a lining of a door on a passenger seat side. The display panel is a panel with liquid crystal on its full range, and includes a linear display section which is continuous with an end of the linear lighting. The linear lighting and the linear display section are capable of linked light emission.

An object of the present invention is to provide a display device for a vehicle which brings a relation between a linear display section of a display panel placed at a dashboard and a linear lighting placed at the dashboard. A display device for a vehicle includes a display panel and a linear lighting placed at a dashboard of an automobile, a linear lighting placed on a lining of a door on a driver seat side, and a linear lighting placed on a lining of a door on a passenger seat side. The display panel is a panel with liquid crystal on its full range, and includes a linear display section which is continuous with an end of the linear lighting. The linear lighting and the linear display section are capable of linked light emission.

A vehicle interior component configured to present a user interface for a vehicle occupant with vehicle systems may comprise a housing, cover structure and user interface system to present the user interface at a cover surface. The user interface may comprise a light display to transmit light from a light source and/or an input device comprising a mechanical coupling to interface with a sensor arrangement. The user interface may comprise output from the light display and/or input by interaction with the input device at the cover surface. The component may comprise a module comprising the light display and the input device. The module may comprise an absorber. The light display may comprise a light guide and/or display panel. The light guide may comprise a projection and/or icon to transmit light through an aperture and/or recess of the cover structure.

The invention provides a method for light projection in the interior of an automotive vehicle. The method includes sensing, by at least one sensor, the presence of an object or person in the interior of the vehicle, wherein the sensor comprises a plurality of image sensing devices. A protection zone is defined by using the data of the at least one sensor, thus obtaining a three-dimensional protection zone. A first light pattern is projected with a first pattern zone by means of a first projector associated to a first image sensing device. A second light pattern is projected with a second pattern zone by means of a second projector associated to a second image sensing device, wherein the first pattern zone and/or the second pattern zone are projected over the protection zone and wherein the light pattern forms a projected image on an interior surface of the automotive vehicle.

The invention provides a method for light projection in the interior of an automotive vehicle. The method includes sensing, by at least one sensor, the presence of an object or person in the interior of the vehicle, wherein the sensor comprises a plurality of image sensing devices. A protection zone is defined by using the data of the at least one sensor, thus obtaining a three-dimensional protection zone. A first light pattern is projected with a first pattern zone by means of a first projector associated to a first image sensing device. A second light pattern is projected with a second pattern zone by means of a second projector associated to a second image sensing device, wherein the first pattern zone and/or the second pattern zone are projected over the protection zone and wherein the light pattern forms a projected image on an interior surface of the automotive vehicle.

A surface lighting module may include: a light source configured to emit light; a main reflection part configured to reflect light emitted from the light source; a light guiding part that is provided at an upper portion of the main reflection part and spreads light reflected from the main reflection part to have a surface shape; and a lateral reflection part that is attached to a lateral surface of the light guiding part and reflects light leaking to the lateral surface of the light guiding part.