HAND SENSING ON STEERING WHEEL USING HEATER ELEMENT
First Claim
1. A steering wheel system for a vehicle. comprising:
- a steering wheel configured to be gripped by an occupant;
a first electrode positioned within a first sensing zone on the steering wheel; and
wherein the first electrode is configured to generate heat when a first signal is supplied to the first electrode;
wherein the first electrode is configured to be used to determine the proximity of a hand of an occupant of the vehicle to the first sensing zone when a second signal is supplied to the first electrode;
and a controller configured to control the supply of the first and second signals to the first electrode based on the proximity of the hand of the occupant to the first sensing zone.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A steering wheel system for vehicle includes a steering wheel configured to be gripped by an occupant and a first electrode positioned within a first sensing zone on the steering wheel. The first electrode is configured to generate heat when a first signal is supplied to the first electrode. The first electrode is configured to be used to determine the proximity of a hand of an occupant of the vehicle to the first sensing zone when a second signal is supplied to the first electrode. The steering wheel system also includes a controller configured to control the supply of the first and second signals to the first electrode based on the proximity of the hand of the occupant to the first sensing zone.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A steering wheel system for a vehicle. comprising:
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a steering wheel configured to be gripped by an occupant; a first electrode positioned within a first sensing zone on the steering wheel; and wherein the first electrode is configured to generate heat when a first signal is supplied to the first electrode; wherein the first electrode is configured to be used to determine the proximity of a hand of an occupant of the vehicle to the first sensing zone when a second signal is supplied to the first electrode; and a controller configured to control the supply of the first and second signals to the first electrode based on the proximity of the hand of the occupant to the first sensing zone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A steering wheel system for a vehicle, comprising:
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a steering wheel; a first electrode positioned within a first sensing zone on the steering wheel; and a second electrode positioned within a second sensing zone on the steering wheel; wherein each of the first and second electrodes are configured to generate heat when a first signal is supplied to the electrode; wherein each of the first and second electrodes are configured to be used to determine the proximity of a hand of an occupant of the vehicle to one of the sensing zones when a second signal is supplied to the electrode; a sensing circuit for determining the proximity of the hand of an occupant of the vehicle to one of the sensing zones based on the second signal supplied to the first and second electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification