US 12,015,399 B2 · Switch device with integrated touch sensor

Abstract

A multi-value selection switch that includes an engagement surface with an integrated touch sensor. The integrated touch sensor includes a plurality of detectable positions that correspond to, for instance, a range of absolute or relative target input values between a predefined minimum and maximum. The engagement surface further defines a switch that actuates/activates based on detecting a user-supplied force and/or based on a user momentarily holding a finger/pointer position. A user can select a target input value by bringing a finger or other pointer within operable proximity of an associated detectable position and actuating the switch and/or momentarily pausing. In response, the selection switch outputs a control signal to an associated device to cause the same to adjust operation.

Claims26

Dependent claims

A switch device, the switch device comprising:

an engagement surface with a touch sensor to detect a pointer of a user within operable proximity, the touch sensor includes a plurality of detectable locations that extend linearly on the engagement surface, in a direction along a longitudinal length of the switch device, wherein said engagement surface with said touch sensor includes one or more physical features comprising a raised projection on said engagement surface and configured to inform the user as to a setting of said touch sensor;
a switch defined by the engagement surface, the switch configured to detect force supplied by a user and actuate the switch device;
and
a controller to receive signals from the touch sensor, each signal from the touch sensor based on a respective position of the pointer of the user being detected proximate thereto and including a representation of a detectable location of the plurality of detectable locations, respectively, and in response to actuation of the switch, output a control signal based on the representation the detectable location, respectively.

1 more element

A switch assembly for use in a vehicle to control operation one or more vehicle devices, the switch assembly comprising:

a first switch comprising:
an engagement surface for receiving user input;
a touch sensor disposed on the engagement surface having,
a plurality of locations to detect user input, the plurality of locations extending linearly on the engagement surface in a direction along a longitudinal length of the switch device, each location of the plurality of locations corresponding to a different target value within a range of predefined minimum and maximum target values, respectively wherein said engagement surface with said touch sensor includes one or more physical features which features inform the user as to a setting of said touch sensor wherein one or more of said physical features comprises a raised projection on said engagement surface;
a switch device coupled to the engagement surface, the switch device to detect a user-supplied force input and cause the first switch to output a signal in response thereto, the signal including a representation of a selected value, the selected value being in said range of the predefined minimum and maximum target values based on a detected position of said user-supplied force input;
and
a controller to receive the output signal from the first switch and send a control signal to a vehicle device associated with the first switch, the control signal to cause the vehicle device to adjust operation based on the selected value.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Switch device with integrated touch sensor

Life of this patent

Switch device with integrated touch sensor

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims26