Cosmetic Integration of Displays

Abstract

A light-based output device may be used to display images, symbols, and other information for a user of a system such as a vehicle. A display may be formed from a display layer, a covering layer that covers the display layer, and components such as force and touch sensors and electronic shutters. Haptic feedback may be provided using actuators that are coupled to the covering layer. A movable button member may be used to press the covering layer outwardly within an opening, thereby creating a portion of the covering layer that protrudes from other portions of the covering layer. The button member may also be placed in a position in which the covering layer on the button member is flush with other portions of the covering layer. A touch sensor may be incorporated into the covering layer and may overlap a display and areas outside the display.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vehicle comprising:
 a vehicle body having an interior;   a support structure in the interior that has at least one opening;   a covering layer on the support structure that overlaps the opening;   a button member having an end that presses against the covering layer through the opening; and   a device that moves the button member within the opening.   
     
     
         2 . The vehicle defined in  claim 1  wherein the covering layer comprises fabric and wherein the device that moves the button member comprises an actuator that is configured to move the button member between a first position in which the end of the button member causes a portion of the fabric overlapping the opening to be flush with other portions of the fabric and a second position in which the end of the button member causes the fabric overlapping the opening to protrude outwardly relative to the other portions of the fabric. 
     
     
         3 . The vehicle defined in  claim 1  wherein the device that moves the button member comprises an actuator that positions the button member and a force sensor that detects force applied to the button member. 
     
     
         4 . The vehicle defined in  claim 1  further comprising a touch sensor that overlaps the end of the button member. 
     
     
         5 . The vehicle defined in  claim 1  further comprising a display that overlaps the end of the button member. 
     
     
         6 . The vehicle defined in  claim 1  further comprising:
 a dashboard in the interior, wherein the support structure is part of the dashboard, wherein the covering layer covers at least part of the dashboard, and wherein the button member and the opening are on the dashboard. 
 
     
     
         7 . The vehicle defined in  claim 1 , wherein the button member comprises an arm that extends from the end. 
     
     
         8 . The vehicle defined in  claim 7 , further comprising attachment structures that couple the arm to the support structure. 
     
     
         9 . The vehicle defined in  claim 8 , wherein the attachment structures comprise an attachment structure selected from the group consisting of: a weld, a screw, and adhesive. 
     
     
         10 . The vehicle defined in  claim 1 , wherein the covering layer comprises leather. 
     
     
         11 . A vehicle comprising:
 a dashboard;   an opening in the dashboard;   a covering layer on the dashboard and overlapping the opening;   a transparent button member having an end that presses against the covering layer and that is moveable within the opening; and   a display in the dashboard, wherein the display is configured to emit light through the transparent button member and the covering layer.   
     
     
         12 . The vehicle defined in  claim 11 , wherein the covering layer has a transparent region overlapping the opening, the transparent button member, and the display. 
     
     
         13 . The vehicle defined in  claim 11 , wherein the covering layer has an additional opening that overlaps the opening, the transparent button member, and the display. 
     
     
         14 . The vehicle defined in  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a button switch, wherein the transparent button member is configured to actuate the button switch and wherein the button switch is laterally offset with respect to the display.   
     
     
         15 . The vehicle defined in  claim 14 , wherein the transparent button member comprises an arm extending from the end, the arm is coupled to the dashboard by attachment structures, and the arm is configured to actuate the button switch responsive to pressing on the end of the transparent button member through the covering layer. 
     
     
         16 . The vehicle defined in  claim 15 , wherein the attachment structures comprise an attachment structure selected from the group consisting of: a weld, a screw, and adhesive. 
     
     
         17 . A vehicle comprising:
 a dashboard having an opening;   a covering layer on the dashboard that overlaps the opening;   a button member having an end that presses against the covering layer through the opening, the button member being moveable within the opening; and   an actuator configured to vibrate the button member.   
     
     
         18 . The vehicle of  claim 17 , wherein the actuator is configured to produce a haptic feedback by vibrating the button member. 
     
     
         19 . The vehicle of  claim 17 , further comprising a touch sensor on the end of the button member. 
     
     
         20 . The vehicle of  claim 17 , further comprising display pixels on the end of the button member.