Vehicle emblem incorporating capacitive switch and LED lighting

• US 9,694,735 B2
• Filed: 01/26/2015
• Issued: 07/04/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Flex, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Flextronics International USA Incorporated (Flex, Ltd.)
• Inventors: Sheehan, Shaun, Buermann, Kevin Roman, Olson, Bruce D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bocure, Tesfaldet
• Application Number:
  US14/605,262
• Publication Number:
  US 20160214525A1
• Time in Patent Office: 890 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0023 the element being a sensor, e.g. distance sensor, camera
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0002 with electromagnets
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/08 using electromagnets or solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/73 responsive to movement or presence of persons or objects
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/76 responsive to devices carried by persons or objects, e.g. magnets or reflectors E05F15/77 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/818 Visual
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/854 Switches
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/546 Tailboards, tailgates or sideboards opening upwards
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00365 in combination with a wake-up circuit
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00619 by using capacitive transmission
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00777 by induction
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/63 Comprising locating means for detecting the position of the data carrier, i.e. within the vehicle or within a certain distance from the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/955 using a capacitive detector
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/960785 with illumination

Abstract

A system, device and method for opening an electromechanical system of a vehicle. The system includes a capacitive emblem switch and a transponder, where the transponder includes an identifier of the vehicle. The capacitive emblem switch is activated when the user is in proximity of the vehicle with the transponder. The electromechanical system, such as a rear hatch of the vehicle opens when the user motions in front of the activated capacitive emblem switch. In embodiments, the capacitive emblem switch may be incorporated into a vehicle logo or a vehicle model number. In an embodiment, LED lights are used to indicate activation of the capacitive emblem switch. The LED lights may change color to indicate a completion of the method. The capacitive emblem switch may be transparent. The transponder may be a key fob.

Claims

1. A method for opening a rear hatch of a vehicle, the method comprising:

approaching the vehicle, by a user, with a transponder, wherein the transponder includes an identifier of the vehicle;

detecting of the transponder by the vehicle;

verifying by the vehicle, an identification signal transmitted by the transponder;

activating a capacitive emblem switch with the transponder following verification of the identification signal transmitted by the transponder;

illuminating LED lights in response to activation of the capacitive emblem switch to highlight a position of the capacitive emblem switch and indicate activation of the capacitive emblem switch;

motioning in front of the activated capacitive emblem switch; and

opening the rear hatch of the vehicle.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the capacitive emblem switch is incorporated into a vehicle logo.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the capacitive emblem switch is incorporated into a vehicle model number.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the LED lights change color to indicate a completion of the method.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the capacitive emblem switch is at least one of translucent or transparent.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the transponder is a key fob.

7. A capacitive emblem switch comprising:

circuitry configured to activate the capacitive emblem switch when a user approaches a vehicle with a transponder, wherein the transponder includes an identifier of the vehicle;

circuitry configured to turn on LED lights in response to activation of the capacitive emblem switch; and

circuitry configured to open an electromechanical system of the vehicle when the user is in proximity to the activated capacitive emblem switch and motions in front of the activated capacitive emblem switch,

wherein the capacitive emblem switch detects the transponder and verifies an identification signal transmitted by the transponder prior to activation of the capacitive emblem switch, and

the LED lights are used to illuminate a position of the capacitive emblem switch and indicate activation of the capacitive emblem switch.

8. The capacitive emblem switch of claim 7, wherein the capacitive emblem switch is incorporated into a vehicle logo.

9. The capacitive emblem switch of claim 7, wherein the capacitive emblem switch is incorporated into a vehicle model number.

10. The capacitive emblem switch of claim 7, wherein the LED lights change color to indicate a completion of the method.

11. The capacitive emblem switch of claim 7, wherein the capacitive emblem switch is at least one of translucent or transparent.

12. A system for opening an electromechanical system of a vehicle by a user comprising:

a capacitive emblem switch;

LED lights; and

a transponder that transmits an identification signal, wherein

the capacitive emblem switch is activated when the user is in proximity of the vehicle with the transponder, and the identification signal transmitted by the transponder is verified by the capacitive emblem switch,

the LED lights, in response to activation of the capacitive emblem switch, highlight a position of the capacitive emblem switch and indicate activation of the capacitive emblem switch, and

the electromechanical system of the vehicle opens when the user motions in front of the activated capacitive emblem switch.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the capacitive emblem switch is incorporated into a vehicle logo.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the capacitive emblem switch is incorporated into a vehicle model number.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the LED lights change color to indicate a completion of the method.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the capacitive emblem switch is at least one of translucent or transparent.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the transponder is a key fob.