Patent ID: 8614683

Claim:
An input device for a vehicle, comprising: a first physical display device for optical display of information; a transparent second physical display device for optical display of information, the transparent second physical display device distinct from the first physical display device and arranged between the first physical display device and a user such that information displayed on the first physical display device is viewable through the transparent second physical display device; a touchscreen arranged above the transparent second physical display device such that the transparent second physical display device is arranged in line between the first physical display device and the touchscreen, the touchscreen configured for input of commands by touching an operating surface of the touchscreen; a flexible element disposed around a perimeter of the touchscreen so that the flexible element does not cover a display surface of the second physical display device; the flexible element forming an assembly with the touchscreen, the first physical display device, and the second physical display device that prevents penetration of particles between the first physical display device and the second physical display device; the flexible element having a rigidity chosen so that the assembly has a mechanical natural frequency between about 5 Hz and about 150 Hz in the line from the first physical display device through the second physical display device to the user; a controller configured to: classify a user touch at a location on the touchscreen as a light touch or a strong touch, the touch location corresponding to an image displayed on one of the first and second physical display devices; if the user touch is classified as a light touch, move the image displayed on one of the first and second physical display devices to the other one of the first and second physical display devices, but not executing an operation of the vehicle corresponding with the image; and if the user touch is classified as a strong touch, executing an operation of the vehicle corresponding with the image; and an actuator driven by the controller to vibrate the assembly at substantially the mechanical natural frequency of the assembly in response to the user touch at a location on the touchscreen, thereby confirming the touching.