# US 2017/0282953 A1 · Vehicle accessory control circuit > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0282953 A1 - Document ID: US20170282953A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/478,945 - Filed: 2017-04-04 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2016-04-04 - Assignees: TK Holdings Inc. - Applicants: TK Holdings Inc. - Inventors: Corey Christopher Olson; Molly Kay Hengel; John Christopher Bauer; Ryan Edward Jacewicz; Edgar Fernando Garcia - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170282953A1 ## CPC - B62D 1/046: {Adaptations on rotatable parts of the steering wheel for accommodation of switches} - B60K 35/10: Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor - B60K 35/28: characterised by the type of the output information, e.g. video entertainment or vehicle dynamics information; characterised by the purpose of the output information, e.g. for attracting the attention of the driver - B60K 35/60: Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles (arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10) - B60K 35/80: Arrangements for controlling instruments - H03K 17/962: {Capacitive touch switches} - H03K 17/9622: {using a plurality of detectors, e.g. keyboard} - B60K 35/26: using acoustic output - B60K 2360/143: Touch sensitive instrument input devices - B60K 2360/1446: Touch switches - B60K 2360/782: on the steering wheel - H03K 2217/960765: Details of shielding arrangements - 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) - B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES - 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) ## Abstract A vehicle accessory control circuit includes a processor electrically connected to a power source and a memory, the processor executing computer readable instructions stored on the memory to configure the accessory control circuit and an accessory control output. The control circuit includes at least one capacitive touch assembly having an electrically conductive conduit shielded by a portion of a steering mechanism of the vehicle. The capacitive touch assembly is connected to the power source and the processor such that the conduit is configured to transmit a capacitance input data signal to the processor to adjust the accessory control output. The capacitance input data signal is varied by a conductive touch object such as a human finger or palm to manipulate the output from the accessory system. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A vehicle accessory control circuit, comprising: a processor electrically connected to a power source and a memory, the processor executing computer readable instructions stored on the memory to configure the accessory control circuit and an accessory control output; at least one capacitive touch assembly coupled to a steering mechanism of the vehicle, the capacitive touch assembly comprising: a polymer layer; an electrically conductive conduit at least partially encased within the polymer layer and connected at opposite ends to the power source and the processor such that said conduit transmits a capacitance input data signal to the processor to adjust the accessory control output. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A vehicle accessory control circuit according to claim 1, wherein said accessory control output adjusts at least one of a horn output, a windshield wiper system, a cruise control system, an audio system, a video system, or a lighting system. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A vehicle accessory control circuit according to claim 1, wherein said electrically conductive conduit is an electrically conductive wire. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A vehicle accessory control circuit according to claim 1, wherein said electrically conductive conduit is a conductive wire mesh in said polymer layer. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A vehicle accessory control circuit according to claim 1, wherein said electrically conductive conduit is a printed circuit within said polymer layer. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A vehicle accessory control circuit according to claim 1, said capacitive touch assembly further comprising a touch layer having a first side and an exposed side, wherein the first side of said touch layer is coupled to said polymer layer, and said exposed side of said touch layer is positioned to receive a touching object, wherein capacitance between the conductive wire and the touching object in contact with the polymer layer varies the capacitance input data signal transmitted to the processor to adjust the accessory control output. ### Claim 7 A vehicle accessory control circuit according to 1, wherein said polymer layer and said electrically conductive conduit define multiple zones having respective capacitive touch responses within said polymer layer, said zones having respective connections to said processor and providing respective capacitive touch input signals that adjust the accessory control output. ### Claim 8 A vehicle accessory control circuit, comprising: a processor connected to a power source and a memory, the processor executing computer readable instructions stored on the memory to configure the accessory control circuit; at least one capacitive touch assembly coupled to a steering mechanism of the vehicle, the capacitive touch assembly transmitting a capacitance input data signal to the processor, the capacitive touch assembly comprising a touch layer extending over at least one conductive layer, such that the touch layer is exposed on an outer surface opposite the conductive layer; and wherein the conductive layer is in electronic communication with the power source and the processor and conducts the capacitance input data signal, from the capacitive touch assembly to the processor to adjust an accessory control output, wherein capacitance between the conductive layer and a touching object in contact with the outer surface of the touch layer varies the capacitance input data signal transmitted to the processor to adjust the accessory control output. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A vehicle accessory control circuit according to claim 8, wherein said accessory control output adjusts at least one of a horn output, a windshield wiper system, a cruise control system, an audio system, a video system, and a lighting system. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) A vehicle accessory control circuit according to claim 8 wherein said capacitive touch assembly comprises a wire positioned proximate the at least one conductive layer. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) A vehicle accessory control circuit according to claim 8, wherein said capacitive touch assembly comprises a wire mesh positioned proximate the at least one conductive layer. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) A vehicle accessory control circuit according to claim 8, wherein said capacitive touch assembly comprises a coating. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) A vehicle accessory control circuit according to claim 8, wherein said capacitive touch assembly comprises a printed circuit within the at least one conductive layer. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) A vehicle accessory control circuit according to claim 8, wherein said conductive layer comprises a flexible polymeric sheet having a plurality of carbon nanobuds defining a conductive path through said conductive layer. ### Claim 15 (depends on 8) A vehicle accessory control circuit according to claim 8, wherein the capacitance varies while the capacitive touch assembly remains stationary. ### Claim 16 A vehicle accessory actuation system comprising: a vehicle accessory control circuit connecting a vehicle accessory to a power source, a processor, and a memory, wherein the processor executes computer readable instructions stored on the memory to configure the vehicle accessory control circuit and a vehicle accessory output; at least one capacitive touch assembly coupled to a steering mechanism of the vehicle and transmitting a capacitance input data signal to the processor, wherein the capacitive touch assembly comprises: a touch layer having a first side and an exposed side; and at least one conductive layer coupled to the first side of the touch layer and in electronic communication with the power source and the processor such that the conductive layer transmits a capacitance input data signal to the processor to adjust the vehicle accessory output; wherein an air bag module is coupled to the steering mechanism, the air bag module having a cover disposed within the perimeter of the steering mechanism, and wherein the at least one capacitive touch assembly is disposed adjacent the cover. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) A vehicle accessory actuation system according to claim 16, wherein the capacitance input data signal varies as a touch object contacting the exposed side of the touch layer changes the capacitance exhibited in the conductive layer, and wherein corresponding changes in the capacitance input data signal are transmitted to the processor to adjust the vehicle accessory output. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) A vehicle accessory actuation system according to claim 16, wherein the at least one conductive layer comprises a conductive path therein, said conductive path defined by at least one of a conductive wire, a wire mesh, a printed circuit, a coating, a carbon nanotube assembly, and a carbon nanobud assembly. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) A vehicle accessory actuation system according to claim 16, wherein said at least one conductive layer comprises a conductive path through said conductive layer, and said conductive path traverses a section of the cover defined by tear seams in the cover, wherein said capacitive touch assembly comprises perforations that match said tear seams on said cover. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) A vehicle accessory control circuit according to claim 16, wherein said accessory control output adjusts a horn output, a windshield wiper system, a cruise control system, an audio system, a video system, or a lighting system.