# US 2014/0151356 A1 · Hand sensing on steering wheel using heater element > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0151356 A1 - Document ID: US20140151356A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/092,204 - Filed: 2013-11-27 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-11-30 - Assignees: TK Holdings Inc. - Applicants: TK Holdings Inc. - Inventors: Philip B. MAGUIRE; Jeff Bennett - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140151356A1 ## CPC - B62D 1/046: {Adaptations on rotatable parts of the steering wheel for accommodation of switches} - B62D 1/06: Rims, e.g. with heating means; Rim covers (B62D1/11 takes precedence) - B62D 1/065: {Steering wheels with heating and ventilating means (heating and ventilation of steering wheel when connected to vehicle HVAC B60H1/00292)} - H05B 1/0236: {for vehicles} - B60N 2/002: {Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon (detection means responsive to presence or absence of children B60N2/266)} - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - H05B: ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL - B60N: SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A steering wheel system for vehicle includes a steering wheel configured to be gripped by an occupant and a first electrode positioned within a first sensing zone on the steering wheel. The first electrode is configured to generate heat when a first signal is supplied to the first electrode. The first electrode is configured to be used to determine the proximity of a hand of an occupant of the vehicle to the first sensing zone when a second signal is supplied to the first electrode. The steering wheel system also includes a controller configured to control the supply of the first and second signals to the first electrode based on the proximity of the hand of the occupant to the first sensing zone. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A steering wheel system for a vehicle. comprising: a steering wheel configured to be gripped by an occupant; a first electrode positioned within a first sensing zone on the steering wheel; and wherein the first electrode is configured to generate heat when a first signal is supplied to the first electrode; wherein the first electrode is configured to be used to determine the proximity of a hand of an occupant of the vehicle to the first sensing zone when a second signal is supplied to the first electrode; and a controller configured to control the supply of the first and second signals to the first electrode based on the proximity of the hand of the occupant to the first sensing zone. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The steering wheel system of claim 1, further comprising a second electrode positioned within a second sensing zone on the steering wheel; wherein the second electrode is configured to generate heat when a first signal is supplied to the second electrode; wherein the second electrode is configured to be used to determine the proximity of a hand of the occupant of the vehicle to the second sensing zone when a second signal is supplied to the second electrode; wherein the controller is configured to control the supply of the first and second signals to the second electrode based on the proximity of the hand of the occupant to the second sensing zone. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The steering wheel system of claim 2, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged in a parallel configuration. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The steering wheel system of claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to supply the first and second signals to the first and second electrodes on an alternating basis at a pre-determined time interval. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The steering wheel system of claim 2, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged in a series configuration. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The steering wheel system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to supply the first and second signals in a time multiplexed manner when the occupant's hand is determined to be proximate to the first sensing zone. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The steering wheel system of claim 3, wherein a first inductor is positioned on a first side of the first and second electrodes and a second inductor is positioned on a second side of the first and second electrodes, opposite the first side. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) The steering wheel system of claim 3, wherein the first electrode is positioned between a first inductor and a second inductor; wherein the second electrode is positioned between a third inductor and a fourth inductor. ### Claim 9 A steering wheel system for a vehicle, comprising: a steering wheel; a first electrode positioned within a first sensing zone on the steering wheel; and a second electrode positioned within a second sensing zone on the steering wheel; wherein each of the first and second electrodes are configured to generate heat when a first signal is supplied to the electrode; wherein each of the first and second electrodes are configured to be used to determine the proximity of a hand of an occupant of the vehicle to one of the sensing zones when a second signal is supplied to the electrode; a sensing circuit for determining the proximity of the hand of an occupant of the vehicle to one of the sensing zones based on the second signal supplied to the first and second electrodes. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The steering wheel system of claim 9, further comprising a controller configured to control the supply of the first and second signals to the first and second electrodes based on an output of the sensing circuit. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The steering wheel system of claim 10, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged in a parallel configuration. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The steering wheel system of claim 11, wherein the controller is configured to supply the first and second signals to the first and second electrodes on an alternating basis at a pre-determined time interval. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The steering wheel system of claim 10, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged in a series configuration. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The steering wheel system of claim 10, wherein the controller is configured to supply the first and second signals in a time multiplexed manner when the occupant's hand is determined to be proximate to at least one of the sensing zones.