Interior panel including capacitive change detection for an interior of a vehicle and a method for making the same

A vehicle comprising:

• a vehicle structure having an interior;
• and
• an interior panel disposed in the interior of the vehicle structure, the interior panel comprising:
• an outer covering having a first surface that is exposed to the interior of the aircraft and a second surface that is disposed opposite the first surface, wherein the second surface has a pattern formed therein that is hidden from the first surface;
• a light source that is configured to generate light and that is disposed adjacent to the second surface generally aligned with the pattern, wherein when the light source generates light, an illuminated pattern corresponding to the pattern formed in the second surface is visible on an area of the first surface;
• a capacitive sensor that is disposed proximate to the second surface and that is configured to generate a capacitance change signal in response to change in capacitance of the capacitive sensor when an object is proximate to the area of the first surface;
• and
• a controller in communication with the capacitive sensor to receive the capacitance change signal and configured to generate a command signal in response to the capacitance change signal.

A method for making an interior panel for an interior of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

• obtaining an outer covering that has a first surface that is configured to be exposed to the interior of the vehicle and a second surface that is disposed opposite the first surface;
• forming a pattern in the second surface that is hidden from the first surface;
• disposing a light source adjacent to the second surface generally aligned with the pattern, wherein the light source is operative to generate light, and wherein when the light source generates light, an illuminated pattern corresponding to the pattern formed in the second surface is visible on an area of the first surface;
• disposing a capacitive sensor proximate to the second surface, wherein the capacitive sensor is configured to generate a capacitance change signal in response to change in capacitance of the capacitive sensor when an object is proximate to the area of the first surface;
• and
• arranging a controller in communication with the capacitive sensor to receive the capacitance change signal, wherein the controller is configured to generate a command signal in response to the capacitance change signal.