Abstract: A heating blanket that includes: a first heating segment comprising a first heating section and a first sensing section, the first heating section comprises one or more heating elements and the first sensing section comprises one or more sensing elements; a second heating segment comprising a second heating section, the second heating section comprises one or more heating elements; the first sensing section overlaps the second heating section and the one or more sensing elements in the first sensing section monitor or determine an amount of heat generated by the one or more heating elements in the second heating section.

Abstract: A heater having a cover and a heating element. The heating element is configured to generate heat that is transferred through the cover via radiative heating and/or conductive heating.

Abstract: A lens assembly, and a method for providing a lens assembly is disclosed herein. The lens assembly includes a first frame piece with a first edge on the direction in which a viewer of the electronic display would face, the first edge forming a first angle with a second edge; a second frame piece with a third edge on the direction in which a viewer of the electronic display would face, the third edge forming a second angle with a fourth edge; a lens with a first lens edge facing the viewer, a second lens edge and third lens edge connected to the first lens edge and forming a lens angle; a first adhesive layer placed between the second edge and the second lens edge to attach the first frame piece to the lens; and a second adhesive layer placed between the fourth edge and the third lens edge to attach the second frame piece to the lens.

Abstract: Methods of forming a control panel include providing an electrically conductive substrate having a front surface. A first dielectric layer is disposed on the front surface of the substrate. A first electrode layer is disposed on a front surface of the first dielectric layer, wherein the first dielectric layer electrically isolates the first electrode layer from the substrate. The first electrode layer is in electrical communication with a switch circuit adapted to detect a change in a capacitance of the first electrode layer. A substantially transparent film can be provided to cover the electrode. The front surface of the substrate is a decorative surface substantially visible through the first dielectric layer, the first electrode layer, and the film.

Abstract: A seamless instrument cluster is provided herein, and a method for providing a seamless instrument cluster as well. The seamless instrument cluster includes an antireflective (AR) film. The AR films may be provided with an airgap disposed between. Also discussed herein is providing an instrument cluster with an applique with a fade pattern. The aspects disclosed herein may be implemented with an instrument cluster employing a neutral density (ND) filter situated between an antiglare surface on a front layer of the applique and a rear layer of an ink.

Abstract: A lens assembly, and a method for providing a lens assembly is disclosed herein. The lens assembly includes a first frame piece with a first edge on the direction in which a viewer of the electronic display would face, the first edge forming a first angle with a second edge; a second frame piece with a third edge on the direction in which a viewer of the electronic display would face, the third edge forming a second angle with a fourth edge; a lens with a first lens edge facing the viewer, a second lens edge and third lens edge connected to the first lens edge and forming a lens angle; a first adhesive layer placed between the second edge and the second lens edge to attach the first frame piece to the lens; and a second adhesive layer placed between the fourth edge and the third lens edge to attach the second frame piece to the lens.

Abstract: An input mechanism device and a method for providing an edge-to-edge input mechanism are provided. The device includes a lens at a surface facing an engager of the input mechanism; a finishing layer opposite the surface, applied on the lens; an adhesive layer on the finishing layer; a sub-retainer, the sub-retainer and the adhesive layer being bonded with each other via adhesive properties associated with the adhesive layer; and a button retainer to engage with the sub-retainer in response to the engager of the input mechanism applying pressure on the lens.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus includes a light-transmitting member, a first light source, a second light source, and at least one laser-formed light-reducing baffle. The light-transmitting member is for transmitting light within the light-transmitting member. The first light source is for emitting a first light into the light-transmitting member. The second light source is for emitting a second light into the light-transmitting member. The at least one laser-formed light-reducing baffle is disposed in the light-transmitting member for reducing transmission of the first and second lights within the light-transmitting member.

Abstract: A control panel is disclosed. The control panel includes an electrically conductive substrate having a front surface. A first dielectric layer is disposed on the front surface of the substrate. A first electrode layer is disposed on a front surface of the first dielectric layer, wherein the first dielectric layer electrically isolates the first electrode layer from the substrate. The first electrode layer is in electrical communication with a switch circuit adapted to detect a change in a capacitance of the first electrode layer. A substantially transparent film can be provided to cover the electrode. The front surface of the substrate is a decorative surface substantially visible through the first dielectric layer, the first electrode layer, and the film.

Abstract: A control panel is disclosed. The control panel includes an electrically conductive substrate having a front surface. A first dielectric layer is disposed on the front surface of the substrate. A first electrode layer is disposed on a front surface of the first dielectric layer, wherein the first dielectric layer electrically isolates the first electrode layer from the substrate. The first electrode layer is in electrical communication with a switch circuit adapted to detect a change in a capacitance of the first electrode layer. A substantially transparent film can be provided to cover the electrode. The front surface of the substrate is a decorative surface substantially visible through the first dielectric layer, the first electrode layer, and the film.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor includes a conductive elastomer portion formed into a pre-determined shape to sense a touch of a user within a sensing zone of the conductive elastomer portion, a dielectric portion disposed adjacent the conductive elastomer portion within the sensing zone of the conductive elastomer portion, and a controller in electrical communication with the conductive elastomer portion to detect a change in an electrical characteristic of the conductive elastomer portion.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus includes a light-transmitting member, a first light source, a second light source, and at least one laser-formed light-reducing baffle. The light-transmitting member is for transmitting light within the light-transmitting member. The first light source is for emitting a first light into the light-transmitting member. The second light source is for emitting a second light into the light-transmitting member. The at least one laser-formed light-reducing baffle is disposed in the light-transmitting member for reducing transmission of the first and second lights within the light-transmitting member.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor includes a conductive elastomer portion formed into a pre-determined shape to sense a touch of a user within a sensing zone of the conductive elastomer portion, a dielectric portion disposed adjacent the conductive elastomer portion within the sensing zone of the conductive elastomer portion, and a controller in electrical communication with the conductive elastomer portion to detect a change in an electrical characteristic of the conductive elastomer portion.

Abstract: A control panel is disclosed. The control panel includes an electrically conductive substrate having a front surface. A first dielectric layer is disposed on the front surface of the substrate. A first electrode layer is disposed on a front surface of the first dielectric layer, wherein the first dielectric layer electrically isolates the first electrode layer from the substrate. The first electrode layer is in electrical communication with a switch circuit adapted to detect a change in a capacitance of the first electrode layer. A substantially transparent film can be provided to cover the electrode. The front surface of the substrate is a decorative surface substantially visible through the first dielectric layer, the first electrode layer, and the film.

Abstract: A conductive panel includes a film layer formed to a pre-determined shape having a complex curvature, a conductive array having a plurality of electrical traces insulated from one another by a dielectric material, the conductive array disposed adjacent the film layer, and a substrate disposed adjacent at least one of the film layer and the conductive array for supporting the conductive panel.