Abstract: A conditionally transparent touch control surface including a base layer, a display layer, and a surface layer. The display layer includes a plurality of display areas each with an OFF state and an ON state. The surface layer covers the plurality of display areas and each display area is visible through the surface layer only while that display area is in the ON state. The control surface is flexible and contours to a shape such as the shape of an interior surface of a vehicle. The display areas can be reconfigured to match with a specific function and to display a specific icon, and the display areas can be hidden from view when not in use.

Abstract: A vehicle including illuminated stitching as a trim on a vehicle interior surface. The method for installing the illuminated stitching includes cutting a continuous channel into the vehicle interior surface. The method also includes installing an illuminated fiber into the channel. The illuminated fiber is at least partially exposed and emits light. The illuminated fiber is secured in the channel to ensure the fiber stays in the channel.

Abstract: A vehicle interior component including a patterned padding surface positioned proximate to an occupant of the vehicle. The component includes a substrate layer with a plurality of padding projections and an exterior layer connected to the substrate layer and including a plurality of gaps matching the location of the substrate layer's plurality of padding projections. Each of the plurality of padding projections aligns with one of the plurality of gaps and is exposed above the exterior layer to thereby form a pattern of padding on the surface of the vehicle interior component.