Proximity switch based door latch release
First Claim
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1. A door latch assembly comprising:
- a first proximity sensor on a first side of a door handle;
a second proximity sensor on a second side of the door handle;
a latch operative to latch the door closed and to unlatch the door to allow the door to open; and
control circuitry for activating the latch to unlatch the door based on an object sensed with both the first and second proximity sensors, wherein the control circuitry further detects movement of the object in a direction on one of the first and second proximity sensors and determines a swipe motion indicative of one of a door lock and unlock command, wherein the control circuitry causes the door latch to lock or unlock based on the command.
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Abstract
A vehicle door latch assembly includes a first proximity sensor on a first side of a door handle and a second proximity sensor on a second side of the door handle. The assembly also includes a latch operative to latch the door closed and to unlatch the door to allow the door to open. The assembly further includes control circuitry for activating the latch to unlatch the door based on an object such as an operator'"'"'s hand sensed with both the first and second proximity sensors.
483 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A door latch assembly comprising:
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a first proximity sensor on a first side of a door handle; a second proximity sensor on a second side of the door handle; a latch operative to latch the door closed and to unlatch the door to allow the door to open; and control circuitry for activating the latch to unlatch the door based on an object sensed with both the first and second proximity sensors, wherein the control circuitry further detects movement of the object in a direction on one of the first and second proximity sensors and determines a swipe motion indicative of one of a door lock and unlock command, wherein the control circuitry causes the door latch to lock or unlock based on the command. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A door latch assembly comprising:
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a first proximity sensor on a first side of a door handle; a second proximity sensor on a second side of the door handle; a latch operative to latch the door closed and to unlatch the door to allow the door to open; and control circuitry or activating the latch to unlatch the door based on an object sensed with both the first and second proximity sensors, wherein the control circuitry determines a size of the object relative to one of the first and second proximity sensors based on a plurality of sensor fields and provides an output signal to the latch only when the size exceeds a predetermined size.
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10. A vehicle door latch assembly comprising:
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a first proximity sensor located on a first side of a vehicle door handle; a second proximity sensor located on a second side of the vehicle door handle; a latch operative to latch the door closed and to unlatch the door open; and control circuitry for activating the latch to unlatch the door based on an object sensed with both the first and second proximity sensors, wherein the control circuitry determines a size of the object relative to one of the first and second proximity sensors based on a plurality of sensor fields and provides an output signal to the latch only when the size exceeds a predetermined size. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification