Operator control method and operator control device for a vehicle

• US 8,688,330 B2
• Filed: 11/05/2012
• Issued: 04/01/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hella KGaA Hueck & Company, Volkswagen AG
• Original Assignee: Hella KGaA Hueck & Company, Volkswagen AG
• Inventors: Grave, Dietmar, Thiele, Andreas, Werner, Stefan, Scharwald, Lothar
• Primary Examiner(s): CHEUNG, CALVIN K
• Application Number:
  US13/668,615
• Publication Number:
  US 20130060431A1
• Time in Patent Office: 512 Days
• Field of Search: 340/562, 340/5.61, 340/5.72, 340/545.7, 340/438, 324/661, 324/686, 324/679, 324/658, 703/27, 702/781, 318/272, 318/286, 701/36, 701/49, 738/62
• US Class Current: 701/49
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0224 Non-manual adjustments, e.g. with electrical operation
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0228 Hand-activated mechanical switches B60N2/0229 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0244 with logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0248 with memory of positions
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0296 Central command actuator to selectively switch on or engage one of several special purpose circuits or mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 77/32 allowing simultaneous actuation of locking or unlocking elements and a handle, e.g. preventing interference between an unlocking and an unlatching action
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 85/01 Mechanical arrangements specially adapted for hands-free locking or unlocking handles with means for initiation of a hands-free locking or unlocking process E05B81/78
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/695 Control circuits therefor
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/79 using time control
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/00 Details, accessories and auxiliary operations not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/424 against unintended use, e.g. protection against vandalism or sabotage
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/542 Roof panels
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/55 Windows
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7068 Actuated after correct combination recognized [e.g., numerical, alphabetical, or magnet[s] pattern]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/739 Motion-restraining means

Abstract

A first operator control function is activated if it is detected by means of a first sensor that a first physical variable is higher than a predetermined first threshold value. In a similar way, a second operator control function is activated if it is detected by means of a second sensor that a second physical variable is higher than a predetermined second threshold value. A third operator control function is activated if it is detected by means of the first sensor that the first physical variable is higher than a predetermined third threshold value and if at the same time it is detected by means of the second sensor that the second physical variable is higher than a predetermined fourth threshold value, the third threshold value being higher than the first threshold value.

Claims

1. An operator control method for a vehicle, the method comprising:

activating, by a control, a first operator control function if it is detected via a first sensor that a first physical variable is higher than a predetermined first threshold value;

activating, by the control, a second operator control function if it is detected via a second sensor that a second physical variable is higher than a predetermined second threshold value; and

activating, by the control, a third operator control function if it is detected via the first sensor that the first physical variable is higher than a predetermined third threshold value and if at the same time it is detected via the second sensor that the second physical variable is higher than a predetermined fourth threshold value and that the third threshold value is higher than the first threshold value,

wherein a sensitivity of the first sensor is variable and a change in the sensitivity is established based on a difference between the first threshold value and the third threshold value.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first sensor is a capacitive sensor and the first physical variable is a capacity, or wherein the second sensor is a capacitive sensor and the second physical variable is a capacity.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the fourth threshold value is equal to the second threshold value.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are attached adjacently to the vehicle such that the two sensors are configured to be activated at substantially the same time by one operator.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are attached to an outer door handle of the vehicle.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the first operator control function is a door of the vehicle assigned to an outer door handle that is automatically locked, and wherein the second operator control function is the door that is automatically unlocked, and wherein the third operator control function is at least one closing element of the vehicle that is automatically opened.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the third operator control function includes that all windows and sliding doors of the vehicle are opened automatically.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the at least one closing element is opened only when beforehand an authorized ID transmitter is detected.

9. An operator control device for a vehicle, the device comprising:

a control;

a first sensor; and

a second sensor,

wherein the control automatically activates a first operator control function if the first sensor detects that a first physical variable is higher than a predetermined first threshold value,

wherein the control automatically activates a second operator control function if the second sensor detects that a second physical variable is higher than a predetermined second threshold value, and

wherein the control automatically activates a third operator control function if the first sensor detects that the first physical variable is higher than a predetermined third threshold value and if at substantially a same time the second sensor detects that the second physical variable is higher than a predetermined fourth threshold value and that the third threshold value is higher than the first threshold value, and

wherein a sensitivity of the first sensor is variable and a change in the sensitivity is established based on a difference between the first threshold value and the third threshold value.

10. A vehicle locking system, comprising:

a control;

a first capacitive sensor arranged on an exterior of an outer door handle of a vehicle;

a second capacitive sensor arranged on an interior of the door handle;

wherein the control automatically locks the vehicle if the first sensor detects that a first physical variable is higher than a predetermined first threshold value,

wherein the control automatically unlocks the vehicle if the second sensor detects that a second physical variable is higher than a predetermined second threshold value,

wherein the control automatically opens a window on the vehicle if the first sensor detects that the first physical variable is higher than a predetermined third threshold value and if at substantially a same time the second sensor detects that the second physical variable is higher than a predetermined fourth threshold value and that the third threshold value is higher than the first threshold value, and

wherein a sensitivity of the first sensor is variable and a change in the sensitivity is established based on a difference between the first threshold value and the third threshold value.