PROXIMITY SWITCH ASSEMBLY AND ACTIVATION METHOD HAVING VIRTUAL BUTTON MODE
First Claim
1. A method of activating a proximity switch, comprising:
- generating an activation field associated with a proximity sensor;
monitoring a signal indicative of the activation field;
determining a first amplitude when the signal is stable for a minimum time period;
determining a subsequent second amplitude when the signal is stable for the minimum time period; and
generating an activation output when the second amplitude exceeds the first amplitude by a known amount.
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Accused Products
Abstract
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.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of activating a proximity switch, comprising:
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generating an activation field associated with a proximity sensor; monitoring a signal indicative of the activation field; determining a first amplitude when the signal is stable for a minimum time period; determining a subsequent second amplitude when the signal is stable for the minimum time period; and generating an activation output when the second amplitude exceeds the first amplitude by a known amount. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of activating a proximity switch, said method comprising:
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generating a plurality of activation fields with a plurality of proximity sensors; monitoring signals indicative of the activation fields; detecting sliding of a user'"'"'s finger based on multiple signals and entering an exploration mode; determining a first stable amplitude of one of the signals for a time period; determining a second stable amplitude of the one of the signals for the time period; and generating an activation field when the second stable amplitude exceeds the first stable amplitude by a known amount. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A proximity switch assembly comprising:
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a plurality of proximity switches each providing a sense activation field; and control circuitry monitoring signals indicative of the activation fields, determining a first stable amplitude of a signal for a time period, determining a subsequent second stable amplitude of the signal for the time period, and generating an activation output for a proximity switch when the second stable signal exceeds the first stable signal by a known amount. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification