# US 12,015,399 B2 · Switch device with integrated touch sensor > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,015,399 B2 - Document ID: US12015399B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/309,442 - Filed: 2020-12-18 - Published: 2022-12-22 - Granted: 2024-06-18 - Earliest claimed: 2019-12-24 - Applicants: International Automotive Components Group GmbH - Inventors: Carter Scott Cannon; Aaron Michael Delong; David M. Pascoe - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12015399B2 ## CPC - H03K 17/9622: {using a plurality of detectors, e.g. keyboard} - G06F 3/016: {Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user} - G06F 3/017: {Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures (interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883)} - H03K 17/945: Proximity switches (H03K17/96 takes precedence) - H03K 17/96: Touch switches (specially adapted for electronic time-pieces with no moving parts G04G21/08) - H03K 17/962: {Capacitive touch switches} - H03K 17/9647: {using a plurality of detectors, e.g. keyboard} - H01H 2003/008: {with a haptic or a tactile feedback controlled by electrical means, e.g. a motor or magnetofriction} - H01H 2300/01: Application power window - H03K 2217/96054: Double function: touch detection combined with detection of a movable element - H03K 2217/96066: Thumbwheel, potentiometer, scrollbar or slider simulation by touch switch - H03K: PULSE TECHNIQUE (measuring pulse characteristics G01R; modulating sinusoidal oscillations with pulses H03C; transmission of digital information H04L; discriminator circuits detecting phase difference between two signals by counting or integrating cycles of oscillation H03D3/04; automatic control, starting, synchronisation or stabilisation of generators of electronic oscillations or pulses where the type of generator is irrelevant or unspecified H03L; coding, decoding or code conversion, in general H03M) - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00) ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The switch device of claim 1, wherein the switch comprises a mechanical rocker switch. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The switch device of claim 1, wherein the switch comprises a pressure sensor. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The switch device of claim 1, wherein the touch sensor comprises one or more of a resistive and/or capacitive sensor. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The switch device of claim 1, wherein the touch sensor comprises an array of resistive and/or capacitive sensors. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The switch device of claim 1, further comprising a haptic feedback device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The switch device of claim 1 wherein said one or more physical features comprises a depression on said engagement surface. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The switch device of claim 1 wherein said switch device is positioned in a vehicle having a horizontal plane and said switch device engagement surface is disposed at an angle of 90°+/−30° with respect to said horizontal plane of the vehicle. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The switch device of claim 1 wherein said switch device includes a bezel and said bezel includes said touch sensor. ### Claim 10 A switch assembly for use in a vehicle to control operation one or more vehicle devices, the switch assembly comprising: a first switch implemented as a pull-to-close 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; 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; 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. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The switch assembly of claim 10, wherein the switch device of the first switch comprises a mechanical rocker switch. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The switch assembly of claim 10, wherein the switch device of the first switch comprises a pressure sensor. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The switch assembly of claim 10, wherein the vehicle device comprises a window controller, and wherein the control signal causes the window controller to transition position to the selected value without further user action. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The switch assembly of claim 10, further comprising a second switch, the second switch having an engagement surface that extends substantially transverse with the touch sensor of the vehicle device. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The switch assembly of claim 10, wherein the controller is further configured to send the control signal in response to actuation of the second switch, the control signal including a representation of the selected value received via the output signal from the first switch. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The switch assembly of claim 10, 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. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The switch assembly of claim 16 wherein said one or more physical features comprises a raised projection on said engagement surface. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The switch assembly of claim 16 wherein said one or more physical features comprises a depression on said engagement surface. ### Claim 19 (depends on 10) The switch assembly of claim 10 wherein said switch assembly is positioned in a vehicle having a horizontal plane and said switch assembly engagement surface is disposed at an angle of 90°+/−30° with respect to said horizontal plane of the vehicle. ### Claim 20 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. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The switch assembly of claim 20, wherein the switch device of the first switch comprises a mechanical rocker switch. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) The switch assembly of claim 20, wherein the switch device of the first switch comprises a pressure sensor. ### Claim 23 (depends on 20) The switch assembly of claim 20, wherein the vehicle device comprises a window controller, and wherein the control signal causes the window controller to transition position to the selected value without further user action. ### Claim 24 (depends on 20) The switch assembly of claim 20, further comprising a second switch, the second switch having an engagement surface that extends substantially transverse with the touch sensor of the vehicle device. ### Claim 25 (depends on 20) The switch assembly of claim 20, wherein the controller is further configured to send the control signal in response to actuation of the second switch, the control signal including a representation of the selected value received via the output signal from the first switch. ### Claim 26 (depends on 20) The switch assembly of claim 20 wherein said switch assembly is positioned in a vehicle having a horizontal plane and said switch assembly engagement surface is disposed at an angle of 90°+/−30° with respect to said horizontal plane of the vehicle.