Proximity sensor with enhanced activation
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A vehicle component comprising:
- a console surface;
at least one circuit board proximate said console surface; and
an array of proximity sensors electrically connected to said at least one circuit board, each of said proximity sensors emit a field that combine to form an activation field to activate a single proximity switch responsive to a user finger, wherein a lateral direction of said activation field extending approximately parallel to said console surface is greater than a longitudinal direction of said activation field extending approximately perpendicular to said console surface.
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Abstract
A vehicle component is provided that includes a console surface, at least one circuit board proximate the console surface, and an array of proximity sensors electrically connected to the at least one circuit board. Each of the proximity sensors emit a field that combine to form an activation field, wherein a lateral direction of the activation field extending approximately parallel to the console surface is greater than a longitudinal direction of the activation field extending approximately perpendicular to the console surface.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A vehicle component comprising:
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a console surface; at least one circuit board proximate said console surface; and an array of proximity sensors electrically connected to said at least one circuit board, each of said proximity sensors emit a field that combine to form an activation field to activate a single proximity switch responsive to a user finger, wherein a lateral direction of said activation field extending approximately parallel to said console surface is greater than a longitudinal direction of said activation field extending approximately perpendicular to said console surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A vehicle component comprising:
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a console surface; at least one circuit board proximate said console surface; at least one light source intermediate to said at least one circuit board and said at least one console surface, wherein said at least one light source emits light into an area between said at least one circuit board and said at least one console surface and said emitted light is viewed through said at least one console surface; and an array of capacitive proximity sensors electrically connected to said at least one circuit board, each of said capacitive proximity sensors emit a capacitive field that combine to form an activation field to activate a single proximity switch responsive to a user finger, wherein a lateral direction of said activation field extending approximately parallel to said console surface is greater than a longitudinal direction of said activation field extending approximately perpendicular to said console surface. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A vehicle component comprising:
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a console surface that defines an activation surface; a circuit board proximate said activation surface; and an array of capacitive sensors, each of which emit a field that combine to form an activation field to activate a single proximity switch responsive to a user finger, wherein a lateral direction of said activation field is approximately equal to said activation surface and greater than a longitudinal direction of said activation field. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A proximity switch comprising:
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an activation surface; and an array of capacitive sensors each emitting a sensor field that combine to form an activation field for activating the proximity switch responsive to a user finger commanded input, wherein a lateral direction of said activation field is approximately equal to said activation surface and greater than a longitudinal direction of said activation field extending approximately perpendicular to said activation surface.
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Specification