IP Library Granted Patent US 12,321,552
Granted Patent B2
US 12,321,552 · App. 18/294,625 · Granted Jun 3, 2025

Control device for a motor vehicle

Inventor: Matthias Lindner (Graefelfing, DE)
Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
G06F3/044B60Q3/70G03B21/208B60Q3/80G06F2203/04108
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,321,552
App. No.
18/294,625
Granted
Jun 3, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A control device for a motor vehicle, comprising a display element, a projection unit, and a capacitive proximity sensor. At least one control element can be projected onto a visible surface of the display element by the projection unit. Actuation of the control element can be detected by the capacitive proximity sensor.

Claims (42)

1. A control device for a motor vehicle, comprising

a display element;

a projection apparatus configured to project at least one control element onto a viewing surface of the display element, wherein the viewing surface is on a first side of the display element, wherein the projection apparatus comprises:

a light source and at least one lens located on a second side of the display element opposite the first side of the display element; and

a reflection surface located on a second, opposite side of the display element; and

a capacitive proximity sensor configured to detect an actuation of the control element,

wherein the reflection surface is a different surface from the viewing surface and faces the viewing surface, and wherein the reflection surface is configured to receive light beams from the light source and the at least one lens and to reflect reflected light beams from the reflection surface toward the viewing surface and onto the viewing surface.

2. The control device according to claim 1 , wherein the display element is non-conductive.

3. The control device according to claim 2 , wherein the capacitive proximity sensor is arranged at a side of the display element that lies opposite the viewing surface.

4. The control device according to claim 2 , comprising:

a shielding apparatus for selectively influencing an effective region of the capacitive proximity sensor.

5. The control device according to claim 2 , wherein the projection apparatus comprises:

the light source configured to generate the light beams;

a plurality of lenses, including the at least one lens, configured to capture and parallelize the light beams;

a projection object to be projected; and

the reflection surface with which the reflected light beams are projected onto the viewing surface as the control element.

6. The control device according to claim 2 , comprising:

an evaluation apparatus configured to generate a switch signal corresponding to the detected actuation, wherein the switch signal is configured to control and/or trigger a function.

7. The control device according to claim 1 , wherein the display element is a textile, a leather, and/or an imitation leather.

8. The control device according to claim 7 , wherein the capacitive proximity sensor is arranged at a side of the display element that lies opposite the viewing surface.

9. The control device according to claim 1 , wherein the capacitive proximity sensor is arranged at a side of the display element that lies opposite the viewing surface.

10. The control device according to claim 9 , comprising:

a shielding apparatus for selectively influencing an effective region of the capacitive proximity sensor.

11. The control device according to claim 9 , wherein the projection apparatus comprises:

the light source configured to generate the light beams;

a plurality of lenses, including the at least one lens, configured to capture and parallelize the light beams;

a projection object to be projected; and

the reflection surface with which the reflected light beams are projected onto the viewing surface as the control element.

12. The control device according to claim 9 , comprising:

an evaluation apparatus configured to generate a switch signal corresponding to the detected actuation, wherein the switch signal is configured to control and/or trigger a function.

13. The control device according to claim 1 , comprising:

a shielding apparatus for selectively influencing an effective region of the capacitive proximity sensor.

14. The control device according to claim 13 , comprising:

an evaluation apparatus configured to generate a switch signal corresponding to the detected actuation, wherein the switch signal is configured to control and/or trigger a function.

15. The control device according to claim 1 , wherein the projection apparatus comprises:

the light source configured to generate the light beams;

a plurality of lenses, including the at least one lens, configured to capture and parallelize the light beams;

a projection object to be projected; and

the reflection surface with which the reflected light beams are projected onto the viewing surface as the control element.

16. The control device according to claim 1 , wherein the reflection surface is configured to be arranged at a three-dimensional control device configured to control a function of the motor vehicle.

17. The control device according to claim 1 , comprising:

an evaluation apparatus configured to generate a switch signal corresponding to the detected actuation, wherein the switch signal is configured to control and/or trigger a function.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 29, 2024
From: LINDNER, MATTHIAS
To: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
Reel/Frame 066605/0254 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 10 2021 121 955.8 · Aug 25, 2021 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240343188A1 · Oct 17, 2024
References Cited (14)
US 9092136B1 · Patel et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 11097658B1 · Mazuir et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 20140043589A1 · Chifu · 2014 [cited by examiner]
US 20160288462A1 · Yin · 2016 [cited by examiner]
US 20180108207A1 · Lyons · 2018 [cited by examiner]
US 20190377253A1 · Su · 2019 [cited by examiner]
US 20220073089A1 · Lottes et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
DE 102008060363A1 · 2010 [cited by applicant]
DE 102018009543A1 · 2019 [cited by applicant]
DE 102019002884A1 · 2019 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2020148060A1 · 2020 [cited by applicant]
International Search Report (PCT/ISA/210) issued in PCT Application No. PCT/EP2022/071687 dated Nov. 11, 2022 with English translation (4 pages). [cited by applicant]
German-language Written Opinion (PCT/ISA/237) issued in PCT Application No. PCT/EP2022/071687 dated Nov. 11, 2022 with English translation (8 pages). [cited by applicant]
German Search Report issued in German Application No. 10 2021 121 955.8 dated Jun. 22, 2022 with partial English translation (12 pages). [cited by applicant]