Patent ID: 11904665
Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Field: Surface technology, coating (Chemistry)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 13:
14. An apparatus, comprising:
a switchable glass structure supported within a vehicle and comprised of a plurality of layers, wherein the switchable glass structure comprises a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) that includes at least one Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) layer;
a power source that is selectively applied to the switchable glass structure to change the switchable glass structure from opaque to clear;
markings formed within the at least one ITO layer of the plurality of layers to identify user input areas, wherein the markings are carved out of the ITO layer to leave open gaps that show up in white on the switchable glass structure, and when the switchable glass structure turns opaque an area around the markings is energized to create a reverse image to allow the markings to be visible; and
a control system that includes a circuit configured to cooperate with the power source to allow the switchable glass structure to act as a capacitive sensor such that user input to the user input areas is able to change the switchable glass structure between opaque and clear modes.