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Self-identifying control switch

  • US 9,619,680 B2
  • Filed: 12/29/2014
  • Issued: 04/11/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2014
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A vehicle communication system comprising:

  • a switch module including a plurality of control switches, each of the plurality of control switches comprising;

    a rocker button moveable between an off position and an activated position;

    a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag secured to the rocker button, the RFID tag including thereon a unique identifier tied to a function of the control switch;

    a switch contact coupled to the RFID tag and to the rocker button, such that the switch contact moves with the rocker button when actuated between the off position and the activated position; and

    an antenna selectively in operable communication with the RFID tag based on a position of the switch contact;

    an RFID reader configured to receive switch messages from RFID tags whose respective rocker button is in an activated position, each switch message including the unique identifier for its respective RFID tag; and

    a vehicle communications link connected to the RFID reader to receive switch messages therefrom, the vehicle communications link providing the switch messages to a vehicle controller for purposes of controlling vehicle outputs associated with the switch messages;

    wherein the switch contact forms a communications path between the RFID tag and the antenna when in a closed position, the switch contact being moved to the closed position responsive to actuation of the rocker button to the activated position; and

    wherein the antenna generates a switch message for transmission to the RFID reader when the communications path is formed between the RFID tag and the antenna.

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