# US 9,751,461 B2 · Device for displaying at least one pictogram inside a vehicle passenger compartment > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,751,461 B2 - Document ID: US9751461B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/013,815 - Filed: 2016-02-02 - Published: 2016-08-04 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2015-02-03 - Assignees: Faurecia Interieur Industrie - Applicants: Faurecia Interieur Industrie - Inventors: Thierry Vourlat - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9751461B2 ## CPC - B60Q 3/82: Switches specially adapted for vehicle interior lighting, e.g. switching by tilting the lens - B60K 35/10: Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor - B60K 35/22: Display screens - B60K 35/28: characterised by the type of the output information, e.g. video entertainment or vehicle dynamics information; characterised by the purpose of the output information, e.g. for attracting the attention of the driver - B60K 35/81: for controlling displays - B60Q 3/14: lighting through the surface to be illuminated - B60Q 3/16: Circuits; Control arrangements - B60Q 3/68: using ultraviolet light - B60K 35/53: Movable instruments, e.g. slidable - B60K 37/00: Dashboards (as road-vehicle superstructure sub-units B62D25/14) - B60K 37/20: Dashboard panels - B60K 2360/28: for instruments which are not visible when inactive - B60K 2360/331: Electroluminescent elements - B60K 2360/332: Light emitting diodes - B60K 2360/339: Translucent dashboard skins - B60K 2360/34: Backlit symbols - B60K 2360/48: Sensors - B60Q 2500/00: Special features or arrangements of vehicle interior lamps - B60R 2013/0287: {integrating other functions or accessories} - B60Q: ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL - B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A device for displaying at least one pictogram inside a vehicle passenger compartment. The device includes a light source suitable for emitting light in response to a control signal, and an opaque covering layer having a through opening defining the pictogram. A photosensitive layer extends facing or in the opening. When the light source is deactivated, the photosensitive layer is opaque and has the same color as the covering layer. When the light source is activated, the photosensitive layer reacts so as to render the pictogram defined by the opening of the covering layer visible for an occupant of the vehicle passenger compartment. ## Claims ### Claim 1 Device for displaying at least one pictogram inside a vehicle passenger compartment, comprising: a light source connected to a control system and suitable for emitting light in response to a control signal; an opaque covering layer having a certain color and comprising a through opening defining said pictogram; and a photosensitive layer having an inner face facing the light source and an outer face opposite the inner face and facing the vehicle passenger compartment, and extending facing and/or in said opening; wherein, when said light source is deactivated, said photosensitive layer is opaque and has the same color as the covering layer and, when said light source is activated, said photosensitive layer reacts so as to render the pictogram defined by the opening of the covering layer visible for an occupant of the vehicle passenger compartment. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) Display device according to claim 1, wherein the covering layer is formed from a layer of opaque paint. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) Display device according to claim 1, wherein the photosensitive layer is formed from a layer of photosensitive paint. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) Display device according to claim 1, wherein the photosensitive layer reacts above an illumination threshold by the light source, said threshold being greater than the average illumination of a vehicle passenger compartment. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) Display device according to claim 1, wherein the light source is suitable for emitting light situated in a wavelength range to which the photosensitive layer reacts and further comprising a filter situated on the side of the outer face of the photosensitive layer and suitable for blocking at least the wavelength range to which the photosensitive layer reacts of light emitted from the vehicle passenger compartment. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) Display device according to claim 1, wherein the covering layer is mounted on the photosensitive layer and defines with said photosensitive layer a cavity at the opening, and further comprising a layer of transparent varnish covering said covering layer and filling said cavity. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) Display device according to claim 1, wherein the covering layer is mounted on the photosensitive layer and defines with said photosensitive layer a cavity at the opening, and further comprising a layer of transparent varnish transparent covering said covering layer, filling said cavity and constituting the filter. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) Display device according to claim 1, wherein the light source is suitable for emitting light comprising light waves situated in a given plane to which the photosensitive layer reacts, and further comprising a polarizing film situated on the side of the outer face of the photosensitive layer such that the light from the vehicle passenger compartment and polarized by passing through said film is polarized such that it does not make the photosensitive layer react. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) Display device according to claim 1, wherein the photosensitive layer has negative photochromism properties and the light source is suitable for emitting UV radiation when activated in order to activate the negative photochromism. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) Display device according to claim 1, wherein the light source is a first light source and further comprising a second light source connected to the control system and suitable for emitting light in response to a second control signal following the activation of the first light source, the inner face of the photosensitive layer facing the first and second light source. ### Claim 11 Vehicle equipment control device having a pressure detection sensor and a display device comprising: a light source connected to a control system and suitable for emitting light in response to a control signal, and; an opaque covering layer having a certain color and comprising a through opening defining said pictogram, wherein the display device further comprises a photosensitive layer having an inner face facing the light source and an outer face opposite the inner face and facing the vehicle passenger compartment, and extending facing and/or in said opening, and when said light source is deactivated, said photosensitive layer is opaque and has the same color as the covering layer and, when said light source is activated, said photosensitive layer reacts so as to render the pictogram defined by the opening of the covering layer visible for an occupant of the vehicle passenger compartment. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) Vehicle equipment control device according to claim 11, wherein the pressure detection sensor is formed from a capacitive film. ### Claim 13 Vehicle instrument panel having a display device comprising: a light source connected to a control system and suitable for emitting light in response to a control signal, and; an opaque covering layer having a certain color and comprising a through opening defining said pictogram, wherein the display device further comprises a photosensitive layer having an inner face facing the light source and an outer face opposite the inner face and facing the vehicle passenger compartment, and extending facing and/or in said opening, and when said light source is deactivated, said photosensitive layer is opaque and has the same color as the covering layer and, when said light source is activated, said photosensitive layer reacts so as to render the pictogram defined by the opening of the covering layer visible for an occupant of the vehicle passenger compartment. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) Vehicle instrument panel according to claim 13 further comprising a pressure detection sensor. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) Vehicle instrument panel according to claim 14 wherein the pressure detection sensor is formed from a capacitive film.