VIRTUAL ELECTRONIC SWITCH SYSTEM

• US 20110190908A1
• Filed: 12/21/2010
• Published: 08/04/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Veedims, LLC
• Original Assignee: Veedims, LLC
• Inventors: BALLARD, CLAUDIO R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,254,734 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/17
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04766 providing feel, e.g. indexing means, means to create counterforce
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 36/004 push-button-operated, e.g. for keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 36/006 comprising a plurality of reed switches, e.g. selectors or joystick-operated
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/969 having a plurality of control members, e.g. keyboard

Abstract

A virtual electronic switch system for a vehicle is provided. In one example, the system includes a switch assembly, a switch interface, and a computer. The switch assembly provides actuators that interface with non-contact sensors in the switch interface. The computer is coupled to the switch interface and assigns functions to each of the actuators. The non-contact sensors detect movement of the actuators and signal the computer, which manipulates an electrical system in the vehicle based on the assigned function.

Claims

1. A vehicle switch assembly comprising:

a plurality of manually operated switching actuators mounted in a vehicle at a location accessible to an operator driving the vehicle, wherein each of the manually operated switching actuators is associated with an electrically powered device mounted on the vehicle;

a plurality of electronic non-contact sensing devices, wherein at least one of the electronic non-contact sensing devices is associated with at least one of the plurality of manually operated switching actuators and mounted in proximity to the manually operated switching actuators such that the non-contact sensing device can sense movement of the manually operated switching actuators;

a microprocessor operatively connected to at least one of the plurality of electronic non-contact sensing devices; and

a memory associated with the microprocessor and including program logic for controlling the electrically powered device, wherein at least one of the electronic non-contact sensing devices senses movement of one of the manually operated switching actuators and transmits a first signal to the microprocessor, wherein the microprocessor is configured to access the memory to retrieve program logic for controlling the electrically powered device and to send a second signal to energize or de-energize the electrically powered device based on the first signal.