BACKGROUND

In-vehicle communication systems may be located at different places within the vehicle. However, certain positions and arrangements may not be suitable for passenger-type vehicles able to operate in autonomous driving modes.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The technology relates to a console provided in a vehicle configured to operate in one or more self-driving modes for partial or fully autonomous driving operation. The console can be used as an interactive communication hub for passengers. It includes an audiovisual display with inputs for one or more client devices.

According to one aspect, an information console is provided for use in a vehicle configured to operate in an autonomous driving mode. The information console includes a monitor assembly, a lower endcap and an armrest. The monitor assembly is arranged to face one or more passengers in a second row of seats of the vehicle, in which the monitor assembly has a bottom edge and a top edge. The lower endcap is affixed to the bottom edge of the monitor assembly and is configured to be secured to a floor of the vehicle between a pair of seats in a first row of seats, the second row of seats being located behind the first row of seats. The armrest is affixed to the top edge of the monitor assembly. The monitor assembly includes a display screen and a notification region. The notification region includes one or more displayable icons and at least one device port for a communication device of a passenger. The notification region has a first section comprising an outer cover layer engaged with a first series of masking, diffuser and illuminating layers to selectively illuminate the one or more displayable icons. And the notification region has a second section comprising the outer cover layer engaged with a second series of masking, diffuser and illuminating layers to selectively illuminate the at least one device port for the communication device.

In an example, the at least one device port comprises a pair of device ports. Here, a first one of the device ports is arranged along a left side of the notification region and a second one of the device ports is arranged along a right side of the notification region. The one or more displayable icons may include a first icon disposed between the pair of device ports. The one or more displayable icons may further include a second icon disposed adjacent to the first device port and a third icon disposed adjacent to the second device port. In this case, the second and third icons are configured to identify a battery status upon illumination.

In another example, the first series of masking, diffuser and illuminating layers of the first section of the notification region includes: a light guide panel having a first surface facing the masking layer and a second surface opposite the first surface; a set of reflectors attached to one or more surfaces of the light guide panel including at least the second surface and a third surface adjacent to an end of the second surface; and a light emitting module operatively engaged with the light guide panel along a fourth surface thereof opposite the third surface. The masking layer includes one or more portions that are masked to block light emitted from the light guide panel and one or more portions that are unmasked to pass the light emitted from the light guide panel.

In one scenario, the console further comprises a diffusing pattern disposed along the second surface of the light guide panel, in which the diffusing pattern is configured to diffuse the light emitted from the light emitting module. The light guide panel may be configured to scatter the light emitted from the light emitting module.

The second series of masking, diffuser and illuminating layers of the second section of the notification region may include the device port optically coupled to the light guide panel, in which the device port includes a receptacle for the communication device, and the receptacle has an opening flush with an exterior surface of the outer cover layer. The device port may be adhesively affixed to the second surface of the light guide panel. The device port may include an illumination element arranged around at least part of the receptacle. The illumination element may be configured to diffuse or scatter the light emitted from the light emitting module. The illumination element may extend from the exterior surface of the outer cover layer through the light guide panel and into the device port.

The light emitting module may include a set of light emitting diodes distributed along the notification region. In this case, the set of light emitting diodes may be uniformly arranged along the notification region. The set of light emitting diodes may include a first set clustered in one or more areas of the notification region to selectively illuminate the at least one device port, and a second set clustered in one or more areas of the notification region to selectively illuminate the one or more displayable icons.

The fourth surface of the light guide panel may be enlarged relative to the second surface to operatively engage with the light emitting module. The outer cover layer may include a transparent white, grey or colored surface for areas of the notification region encompassing the one or more displayable icons, and a non-transparent surface for areas of the notification region not encompassing the one or more displayable icons.

According to another aspect, a vehicle comprising a control system having one or more processors configured to operate the vehicle in an autonomous driving mode based on objects and conditions in an environment external to the vehicle. The vehicle also comprises a user interface system operatively coupled to the control system, the user interface system including the information console described above. The information console is configured to communicate information about a trip to the one or more passengers in the second row of seats of the vehicle.

In an example, the first series of masking, diffuser and illuminating layers of the first section of the notification region includes: a light guide panel having a first surface facing the masking layer and a second surface opposite the first surface; a set of reflectors attached to one or more surfaces of the light guide panel including at least the second surface and a third surface adjacent to an end of the second surface; and a light emitting module operatively engaged with the light guide panel along a fourth surface thereof opposite the third surface. In this case, the masking layer including one or more portions that are masked to block light emitted from the light guide panel and one or more portions that are unmasked to pass the light emitted from the light guide panel. The control system of the vehicle is configured to control illuminance of the light emitting module. The control system of the vehicle may also be configured to control the illuminance depending on at least one of an amount of ambient light or an ambient temperature.

