Virtual electronic switch system
First Claim
Patent Images
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.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
-
Citations
20 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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
-
-
5. A switch system comprising:
-
a switch assembly having a front end including customizable first and second user accessible features, and a back end including first and second actuator members coupled to the first and second user accessible features, respectively, wherein the first and second actuator members provide a switch assembly interface; a switch interface configured to engage the switch assembly interface, the switch interface including first and second non-contact sensor units configured to detect a pre-defined movement pattern of the first and second actuator members, respectively; and a computer coupled to the switch interface, wherein the computer is configured receive information from the first and second non-contact sensor units, and to manipulate at least one function of an electrical system using the received information, wherein the manipulated function is selected from a plurality of available functions and assigned to one of the first and second sensor units based on instructions provided to the computer. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A switch system comprising:
-
a switch assembly having a front end including a customizable user-accessible feature, and a back end including an actuator member coupled to the customizable user-accessible feature, wherein the actuator member provides a switch assembly interface; a switch interface configured to engage the switch assembly interface, the switch interface including a non-contact sensor unit configured to detect a pre-defined movement pattern of the actuator member; and a computer coupled to the switch interface, wherein the computer is configured receive information from the non-contact sensor unit, and to manipulate at least one function of an electrical system using the received information, wherein the manipulated function is selected from a plurality of available functions and assigned to the non-contact sensor unit based on instructions provided to the computer. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
-
Specification