PROXIMITY SWITCH AND METHOD OF ADJUSTING SENSITIVITY THEREFOR
First Claim
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1. A proximity switch having sensitivity control comprising:
- a proximity sensor providing a sense activation field and generating a signal; and
control circuitry detecting activation of the proximity switch based on the signal compared to a threshold and adjusting the threshold to control sensitivity, wherein the threshold is decreased when the signal is less than the threshold for a minimum time period, and is increased when the signal exceeds the threshold by a predetermined value.
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Abstract
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.
70 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A proximity switch having sensitivity control comprising:
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a proximity sensor providing a sense activation field and generating a signal; and control circuitry detecting activation of the proximity switch based on the signal compared to a threshold and adjusting the threshold to control sensitivity, wherein the threshold is decreased when the signal is less than the threshold for a minimum time period, and is increased when the signal exceeds the threshold by a predetermined value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A vehicle capacitive switch having sensitivity control comprising:
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a capacitive sensor installed in a vehicle providing a sense activation field and generating a signal; and control circuitry detecting activation of the proximity switch based on the signal compared to a threshold and adjusting the threshold to control sensitivity, wherein the threshold is decreased when the signal is substantially stable and less than the threshold for a minimum time period, and is increased when the signal exceeds the threshold by a predetermined value.
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11. A method of sensing user proximity, said method comprising:
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generating a sense activation field with a proximity sensor; generating a signal with the proximity sensor in response to user interaction; detecting activation of the proximity switch by comparing the signal to a threshold; decreasing the threshold when the signal is detected below the threshold for a minimum time period; and increasing the threshold when the signal exceeds the threshold by a predetermined value. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification