Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080297507 | Method And Apparatus For Determining Item Orientation - A computer-implemented method and computer software for calculating an orientation for an item. A bounding cube is constructed which encompasses a mesh representation of the item. The bounding cube is divided into a plurality of voxel elements. A data structure may be used to subdivide the bounding cube. Calculations are performed to determine which of the plurality of voxel elements intersect with the mesh, defining a voxel representation of the item. A statistical analysis is performed on the voxel representation to determine an orientation for the item. | 12-04-2008 |
20090038426 | Haptic Gear Shifter - The subject of the present invention is a haptic gear shifter and a method of controlling a haptic gear shifter for use in a vehicle or a vehicle simulator. A method is disclosed for establishing gear shifter characteristics, for calibrating a haptic gear shifter, and for operating the haptic gear shifter. | 02-12-2009 |
20100198458 | NAVIGATION SYSTEM WITH HAPTIC ASSIST - An apparatus and method of indicating to a vehicle operator a desired left/right direction of a turn required to follow a desired route generated by a navigation system. Haptic stimuli are provided to the operator in advance of the turn point by activating vibration generators to create vibrations in a steering input controller, such as a steering wheel, contacted by one or both hands of the operator. The vibration generators are activated in a sequence to generate haptic stimuli that are distinguishable by the operator as progressing through the steering input controller in a pattern indicating a left turn versus a pattern that indicates a right turn. Additional information related to the turn point is haptically communicated, such as a required lane change, a traffic signal, or a relative sharpness of the turn. | 08-05-2010 |
20120312676 | PROXIMITY SWITCH HAVING LEARNED SENSITIVITY AND METHOD THEREFOR - A vehicle proximity switch and method are provided having learned sensitivity control. The switch includes a proximity sensor, such as a capacitive sensor, installed in a vehicle and providing a sense activation field. Also included is sense control circuitry processing the activation field to sense user activation of the switch by comparing the activation field to a threshold. The switch further includes sensitivity control circuitry learning a user sensitivity based on user activation of a sensor and controlling the sensitivity of one or more proximity switches. | 12-13-2012 |
20130113397 | LAMP AND PROXIMITY SWITCH ASSEMBLY AND METHOD - A lamp and proximity assembly is provided that includes a lens having a transparent window and a light source disposed to illuminate light through the transparent window of the lens. The lamp and proximity assembly further includes a proximity switch having one or more proximity sensors disposed near a perimeter of the transparent window of the lens and generating an activation field proximate to the transparent field of the lens to sense activation of the proximity switch to control activation of the light source. | 05-09-2013 |
20130113544 | PROXIMITY SWITCH HAVING WRONG TOUCH FEEDBACK - A proximity switch assembly and method are provided having wrong touch feedback. The switch includes a plurality of proximity switches each including proximity sensors providing a sense activation field. Control circuitry processes the activation field of each proximity switch to sense activation, detects an allowed activation of one of the proximity switches and further detects an attempted activation that is not allowed. The switch further includes an output coupled to a device to perform a function when an allowed activation is detected. The switch includes one or more user perceived feedback devices for generating user perceived feedback when an attempted activation that is not allowed is detected. | 05-09-2013 |
20130270896 | PROXIMITY SWITCH ASSEMBLY AND ACTIVATION METHOD - A proximity switch assembly and method for detecting activation of a proximity switch assembly is provided. The assembly includes a plurality of proximity switches each having a proximity sensor providing a sense activation field and control circuitry processing the activation field of each proximity switch to sense activation. The control circuitry monitors the signal responsive to the activation field and determines a differential change in generated signal, and further generates an activation output when the differential signal exceeds a threshold. The control circuitry further distinguishes an activation from an exploration of the plurality of switches and may determine activation upon detection of a stable signal. | 10-17-2013 |
20130270899 | PROXIMITY SWITCH ASSEMBLY AND CALIBRATION METHOD THEREFOR - A proximity switch assembly and method for detecting activation of a proximity switch assembly and calibrating the switch assembly. The assembly includes proximity switches each having a proximity sensor providing a sense activation field and control circuitry processing the activation field to sense activation. The control circuitry generates an activation output when a differential change in the signal exceeds a threshold and distinguishes an activation from an exploration of the plurality of switches. The control circuit further determines a rate of change and generates an output when the rate of change exceeds a threshold rate to enable activation of a switch and performs a calibration of the signals to reduce effects caused by changes in condensation. | 10-17-2013 |
20130271157 | PROXIMITY SWITCH ASSEMBLY AND ACTIVATION METHOD WITH EXPLORATION MODE - A proximity switch assembly and method for detecting activation of a proximity switch assembly is provided. The assembly includes a plurality of proximity switches each having a proximity sensor providing a sense activation field and control circuitry processing the activation field of each proximity switch to sense activation. The control circuitry monitors the signal responsive to the activation field and determines a differential change in generated signal, and further generates an activation output when the differential signal exceeds a threshold. The control circuitry further distinguishes an activation from an exploration of the plurality of switches and may determine activation upon detection of a stable signal. | 10-17-2013 |
20130271182 | PROXIMITY SWITCH ASSEMBLY AND ACTIVATION METHOD USING RATE MONITORING - A proximity switch assembly and method for detecting activation of a proximity switch assembly is provided. The assembly includes a plurality of proximity switches each having a proximity sensor providing a sense activation field and control circuitry processing the activation field of each proximity switch to sense activation. The control circuitry monitors the signal responsive to the activation field and determines a differential change in generated signal, and further generates an activation output when the differential signal exceeds a threshold. The control circuitry further distinguishes an activation from an exploration of the plurality of switches and determines activation upon detection of a stable signal. The control circuit further determines a rate of change and generates an output when the rate of change exceeds a threshold rate to enable activation of a switch. | 10-17-2013 |
20130271202 | PROXIMITY SWITCH ASSEMBLY AND METHOD HAVING ADAPTIVE TIME DELAY - A proximity switch assembly and method for detecting activation of the proximity switch assembly is provided. The assembly includes a plurality of proximity switches each providing a sense activation field and control circuitry processing the activation field of each proximity switch to sense activation. The control circuitry monitors the signal responsive to the activation field, determines a rate of change in signal amplitude for each signal, and generates an adaptive time delay based on the control circuitry. The control circuitry further detects a peak amplitude of the signal and determines activation of the switch after expiration of the time delay following the peak amplitude detection. | 10-17-2013 |
20130271203 | PROXIMITY SWITCH ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF SENSING USER INPUT BASED ON SIGNAL RATE OF CHANGE - A proximity switch assembly and method for detecting activation of a proximity switch assembly is provided. The assembly includes a plurality of proximity switches each having a proximity sensor providing a sense activation field and control circuitry processing the activation field of each proximity switch to sense activation. The assembly and method detects a signal associated with each proximity switch, determines a rate of change of the signal associated with the first switch and a rate of change of the signal associated with a neighboring second switch and determines whether to activate the first switch based on at least one of the first rate of signal change and second rate of signal change. | 10-17-2013 |
20130271204 | PROXIMITY SWITCH HAVING DIFFERENTIAL CONTACT SURFACE - A proximity switch assembly and method for activating a proximity switch is provided. The assembly includes a proximity sensor generating a signal, and a contact surface proximate to the proximity sensor and having a differential elevation change feature. The proximity switch also includes control circuitry processing the signal to detect a differential increase in the activation signal indicative of a hard press on the contact surface. The control circuitry detects activation of the switch based on the differential increase exceeding a differential threshold. Activation can further be determined based on a stable signal. | 10-17-2013 |
20130307610 | PROXIMITY SWITCH ASSEMBLY HAVING DYNAMIC TUNED THRESHOLD - A method of activating a proximity switch is provided. The method of activating the proximity switch includes the step of sensing a signal associated with a proximity sensor and sensing a dynamic parameter. The method also includes the step of tuning a threshold value based on the sensed dynamic parameter. The method further includes the step of activating the switch based on the signal and the threshold value. | 11-21-2013 |
20130321065 | PROXIMITY SWITCH ASSEMBLY HAVING NON-SWITCH CONTACT AND METHOD - A proximity switch assembly includes first and second proximity switches comprising first and second proximity sensors and a tactile feature disposed between the first and second proximity switches. The assembly also includes controlling circuitry detecting an object on the tactile feature based on sensed signals from the first and second proximity sensors and preventing activation of the first and second switches when an object is detected on the tactile feature. The assembly further includes a resting pad having a third sensor, wherein the control circuitry detects an object with the first sensor and an object on the resting pad and determines activation of the first and second proximity switches based on the detected objects. | 12-05-2013 |
20130328616 | PROXIMITY SWITCH AND METHOD OF ADJUSTING SENSITIVITY THEREFOR - A vehicle proximity switch and method are provided having sensitivity control. The switch includes a proximity sensor, such as a capacitive sensor, installed in a vehicle and providing a sense activation field. Control circuitry processes the activation field to sense user activation of the switch by comparing the activation field to a threshold. The threshold is adjusted down when a substantially stable sensor signal is detected below the threshold for a minimum time period, and the threshold is adjusted up when a sensor signal greater than the threshold by a predetermined value is detected. | 12-12-2013 |
20140002405 | PROXIMITY SWITCH ASSEMBLY HAVING VARYING SIZE ELECTRODE FINGERS | 01-02-2014 |
20140069015 | PROXIMITY SWITCH BASED DOOR LATCH RELEASE - A vehicle door latch assembly includes a first proximity sensor on a first side of a door handle and a second proximity sensor on a second side of the door handle. The assembly also includes a latch operative to latch the door closed and to unlatch the door to allow the door to open. The assembly further includes control circuitry for activating the latch to unlatch the door based on an object such as an operator's hand sensed with both the first and second proximity sensors. | 03-13-2014 |
20140116869 | PROXIMITY SWITCH ASSEMBLY HAVING GROUND LAYER - A vehicle proximity switch assembly includes a ground layer, a first proximity switch provided on a first major side of the ground layer and a second proximity switch provided on an opposite second major side of the ground layer. The first proximity switch includes a first proximity sensor and a first dielectric layer for controlling movement of a window panel in a first direction. The second proximity switch includes a second proximity sensor and a second dielectric layer for controlling movement of the window panel in a second direction. | 05-01-2014 |
20140145733 | PROXIMITY SWITCH ASSEMBLY AND ACTIVATION METHOD HAVING VIRTUAL BUTTON MODE - A proximity switch assembly and method for detecting activation of a proximity switch assembly is provided. The assembly includes a plurality of proximity switches each having a proximity sensor providing a sense activation field and control circuitry processing the activation field of each proximity switch to sense activation. The control circuitry controls the activation field of each proximity switch to sense activation, monitors signals indicative of the activation field, and determines a first stable signal amplitude and a subsequent second signal amplitude, and generates an activation output when the second stable signal amplitude exceeds the first stable amplitude by a known amount. | 05-29-2014 |
20140210257 | PROXIMITY SWITCH ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF TUNING SAME - A proximity switch assembly and method for detecting activation of a proximity switch assembly and tuning the assembly. The assembly includes proximity switches each having a proximity sensor providing a sense activation field and control circuitry processing the activation field to sense activation. The method of tuning includes generating an activation field with a proximity sensor, generating a signal in response to the activation field, detecting noise associated with the signal, and adjusting a parameter based on the detected noise, wherein the parameter is used to detect a proximity state such as activation of the proximity switch. | 07-31-2014 |
20140252879 | PLIABLE PROXIMITY SWITCH ASSEMBLY AND ACTIVATION METHOD - A proximity switch assembly and method for detecting activation of a proximity switch assembly is provided. The assembly includes a plurality of proximity switches each having a proximity sensor providing a sense activation field and control circuitry processing the activation field of each proximity switch to sense activation. A pliable material overlays the proximity sensors. The control circuitry monitors the activation field and determines an activation of a proximity switch based on a signal generated by the sensor in relation to a threshold when a user's finger depresses the pliable material. The pliable material may further include an elevated portion and an air gap between the elevated portion and the sensor. | 09-11-2014 |
20140278194 | PROXIMITY INTERFACE DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM HAVING ANALYZER AND METHOD - A development system and method are provided for testing proximity sensor interfaces, such as a capacitive switch assembly which may be employed in an automotive vehicle. The system includes software routines stored in memory for operating a proximity sensor interface having a plurality of sensors, and a data log including user outputs of the proximity sensors. The development system includes a replicator for replicating the proximity sensor interface based on the software routines and the data log and generating outputs of the proximity sensor interface to determine performance. The system further includes an analyzer for processing the test data for proper activation of the proximity sensor interface and generating an output indicative of the test results. | 09-18-2014 |
20140278240 | PROXIMITY INTERFACE DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM HAVING REPLICATOR AND METHOD - A development system and method are provided for testing proximity sensor interfaces, such as a capacitive switch assembly which may be employed in an automotive vehicle. The system includes software routines stored in memory for operating a proximity sensor interface having a plurality of sensors, and a data log including user outputs of the proximity sensors. The development system includes a replicator for replicating the proximity sensor interface based on the software routines and the data log and generating outputs of the proximity sensor interface to determine performance. The system further includes an analyzer for processing the test data for proper activation of the proximity sensor interface and generating an output indicative of the test results. | 09-18-2014 |
20140306723 | PROXIMITY SWITCH ASSEMBLY HAVING PLIABLE SURFACE AND DEPRESSION - A proximity switch assembly and method for detecting activation of a proximity switch assembly is provided. The assembly includes a plurality of proximity switches each having a proximity sensor providing a sense activation field and control circuitry processing the activation field of each proximity switch to sense activation. A pliable material overlays the proximity sensors. A depression is formed in a substrate between the pliable material and the sensor. A groove may extend into the substrate between adjacent proximity switches. The pliable material may further include an elevated portion. | 10-16-2014 |
20140306724 | PROXIMITY SWITCH ASSEMBLY HAVING GROOVE BETWEEN ADJACENT PROXIMITY SENSORS - A proximity switch assembly and method for detecting activation of a proximity switch assembly is provided. The assembly includes a plurality of proximity switches each having a proximity sensor providing a sense activation field and control circuitry processing the activation field of each proximity switch to sense activation. A pliable material overlays the proximity sensors. The control circuitry monitors the activation field and determines an activation of a proximity switch based on a signal generated by the sensor in relation to a threshold when a user's finger depresses the pliable material. The pliable material may further include an elevated portion and an air gap between the elevated portion and the sensor. | 10-16-2014 |
20140380240 | System and Method for a Human Machine Interface - A vehicle computer system comprising a wireless transceiver configured to send a nomadic device human machine interface to a nomadic device in a web browser format. The vehicle computer system further comprises a vehicle server utilizing a contextual data aggregator that utilizes vehicle data and off-board data to generate a dynamic human machine interface, the server further configured to generate an in-vehicle human machine interface for output on a vehicle display and generate the nomadic device human machine interface for the nomadic device to display. | 12-25-2014 |
20150077227 | PROXIMITY SWITCH BASED DOOR LATCH RELEASE - A vehicle door latch assembly includes a first proximity sensor on a first side of a door handle and a second proximity sensor on a second side of the door handle. The assembly also includes a latch operative to latch the door closed and to unlatch the door to allow the door to open. The assembly further includes control circuitry for activating the latch to unlatch the door based on an object such as an operator's hand sensed with both the first and second proximity sensors. | 03-19-2015 |