# US 8,772,721 B2 · Operating device

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 8,772,721 B2
- Document ID: US8772721B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/656,950
- Filed: 2012-10-22
- Published: 2013-02-28
- Granted: 2014-07-08
- Earliest claimed: 2010-04-21
- Assignees: Marquardt GmbH
- Applicants: Marquardt GmbH
- Inventors: Ingo Hasselbrinck; Stefan Vogel
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8772721B2

## CPC

- G06F 3/042: by opto-electronic means
- B60K 35/10: Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
- G06F 3/0325: {using a plurality of light emitters or reflectors or a plurality of detectors forming a reference frame from which to derive the orientation of the object, e.g. by triangulation or on the basis of reference deformation in the picked up image}
- G06F 3/0338: with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
- G06F 3/03547: {Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface}
- G06F 3/0362: with detection of one-dimensional [1D] translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts
- B60K 2360/126: Rotatable input devices for instruments
- B60K 2360/141: Activation of instrument input devices by approaching fingers or pens
- B60K 2360/143: Touch sensitive instrument input devices
- B60K 2360/1446: Touch switches
- B60K 2360/145: Instrument input by combination of touch screen and hardware input devices
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)
- 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

## Abstract

The invention relates to an operating device for a motor vehicle having a movable activation element for activating at least one switch element for generating a switch signal. The operating device comprises a sensor face which is arranged on the activation element and an optical reflection sensor device, which has at least one light emitting diode and at least one photodiode for optical radiation. A signal can be generated when the sensor face is approached and/or the sensor face is touched, in particular by means of a finger of a user.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An operating device comprising a movable activation element for activating at least one switch element for generating a switch signal, a sensor face and an optical reflection sensor device that has at least one light emitting diode and at least one photodiode for optical radiation, wherein a signal is generated when the sensor face is approached or touched by a user, and wherein the sensor face is arranged on the activation element, wherein the sensor face is configured as a label made of a first plastic layer which transmits light, and a second layer which does not transmit light and transmits infrared radiation, and wherein the label is manufactured as a two-component part.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The operating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one light emitting diode and the at least one photodiode are a plurality of light emitting diodes and photodiodes that are arranged in a matrix.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The operating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor face is arranged on the activation element such that a direction signal is generated in the manner of a wind rose by correspondingly operating the sensor face on the activation element, and wherein the activation element is moved by at least one of rotating and pressing for additional operating functions, and wherein the activation element for the additional operating function acts on the switch element in order to generate the switch signal.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The operating device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a housing in which the activation element is movably mounted such that the activation element projects out of the housing in order to be operated by the user, and said operating device further comprises additional activation elements located on the housing for electrical switches.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The operating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of light emitting diodes and photodiodes are located on a printed circuit board, and the printed circuit board is arranged in the activation element.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The operating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the optical reflection sensor device has at least one light emitting diode and at least one photodiode for optical radiation, such that a signal is generated when the sensor face is approached or touched by a user, wherein the optical radiation has a wavelength which is not in the range of the light which is visible to the human eye, and wherein the sensor face is substantially transparent to the optical radiation and substantially nontransparent to visible light.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The operating device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the optical radiation is infrared radiation.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The operating device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the optical reflection sensor device has at least one infrared light emitting diode and at least one infrared photodiode.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The operating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor face has regions which transmit visible light for displaying symbols and functional displays.

### Claim 10

An operating device comprising a sensor face and an optical reflection sensor device that has at least one light emitting diode and at least one photodiode for optical radiation, wherein a signal is generated when the sensor face is approached or touched by a user, wherein the optical radiation has a wavelength which is not in the range of the light which is visible to the human eye,
wherein the sensor face is configured as a label made of a first layer which is transparent to visible light and a second layer which is transparent to the optical radiation and nontransparent to visible light, and wherein the optical radiation is infrared radiation.