Operating device for motor vehicles

• US 9,891,755 B2
• Filed: 07/17/2015
• Issued: 02/13/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SMR Patents Sarl (SMR Patents)
• Original Assignee: SMR Patents Sarl (SMR Patents)
• Inventors: Wieczorek, Romeo, Shah, Nitesh
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Kiho
• Application Number:
  US15/327,152
• Publication Number:
  US 20170160874A1
• Time in Patent Office: 942 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/04 Systems determining the presence of a target
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/06 Systems determining position data of a target
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/88 Lidar systems specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4812 transmitted and received beams following a coaxial path
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4818 using optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0421 by interrupting or reflecting a light beam, e.g. optical touch-screen
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/941 using an optical detector H03K17/968 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/9638 using a light guide

Abstract

An operating device includes at least one ToF sensor for emitting transmission signals, in particular in the form of light, receiving reception signals and outputting information signals, at least one optical waveguide for directing the transmission signals from the ToF sensor to at least one deflection point, for directing the deflection signals deflected where the operating device can be installed in a motor vehicle.

Claims

1. An operating device, comprising:

at least one Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensor for emitting transmission signals in the form of light, receiving reception signals, and outputting information signals;

at least one optical waveguide for guiding the transmission signals from the ToF sensor to at least one deflection point, and guiding deflection signals deflected at the deflection point to at least one assigned exit point acting as an operating element on a first surface of the optical waveguide, the first surface acting as an operating surface, in response to an object, in the form of a finger of a user, approaching the exit point or touching same for guiding reception signals deflected at the object; and

a control unit, which triggers at least one function assigned to the operating element or the exit point dependent on the information signals outputted by the ToF sensor dependent on the reception signals,

wherein the operating device can be installed in a motor vehicle,

wherein the deflection point is provided on a second surface which is opposite to the first surface of the optical waveguide and constitutes a deflection surface of the optical waveguide via an extraction element, and

wherein the ToF sensor comprises a transmitter for emitting the transmission signals in the beam path before a first end of the optical waveguide having a coupling surface and a receiver for receiving the reception signals when deflection at the exit point also before the first end of the optical waveguide.

2. The operating device according to claim 1, wherein the extraction element reflects transmission signals, by means of total reflection, in the direction of the exit point, which either reach the extraction element directly from the transmitter of the ToF sensor or after deflection, a single reflection, on the first surface of the optical waveguide.

3. The operating device according to claim 2, wherein the extraction element is provided by a recess, in the form of a milled point, in the material of the optical waveguide or via a material inclusion, and wherein via the contour of the extraction element or a coating of said element, the number, location or dimensions of the assigned exit point(s) or the intensity of the deflection signals is or are determined.

4. The operating device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of extraction elements, deflection points or exit points is provided, or each exit point provides at least a portion of an operating element, in the form of a key or a slide control, or

each extraction element is assigned an operating element.

5. The operating device according to claim 4, wherein

each operating element is assigned the same quantity of deflection signals or light intensity, or

a cone φ

of light rays transmitted from the transmitter, which covers an angle area of 12.5 to 60°

, essentially has partial cones of equal sizes, of which each is assigned to an extraction element, or

the deflection signals leave the exit point with an essentially equal angle to the first surface, and vertically to it.

6. The operating device according to claim 1, wherein

at least one mark in the area of the exit point(s), in the form of a coating, surface processing including polishing or similar or illumination of the optical waveguide, and

for illumination purposes, visible light can be transmitted along the beam path of the transmission signals of the transmitter, when an object approaches, such as in the form of a finger of a user or with greater intensity when registering a touch of at least one operating element by the object.

7. The operating device according to claim 1, wherein

a fastening device for attachment in the motor vehicle, or in an inner mirror, an outer mirror, a fittings cover or a door of the motor vehicle, and

the fastening device is molded as a single piece with the optical waveguide, and in a 2K injection molded part.

8. The operating device according to claim 1, wherein the optical waveguide is part of an illumination module of the motor vehicle.

9. The operating device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission and reception signals lie in the range of infra-red or visible light.

10. The operating device according to claim 1, wherein

at least two coupling surfaces are provided which are respectively assigned at least one extraction element, at least one deflection point or at least one exit point, and

the coupling surfaces are assigned to one or more optical waveguides, or one or more ToF sensors are assigned to the coupling surfaces.

11. An inner mirror of a motor vehicle having an operating device according to claim 1, wherein the operating surface is arranged in a frame of a mirror element or adjacent to the mirror element or in an illumination module of the inner mirror, for an adjusting or dimming of the inner mirror, adjusting of at least one outer mirror, opening of at least one window, setting an air conditioning system, or switching a warning signal.

12. An outer mirror of a motor vehicle having an operating device according to claim 1, wherein the operating surface is arranged in a frame of a mirror element or adjacent to the mirror element or in an illumination module of the outer mirror, in the form of a blinker module.

13. A door of a motor vehicle having an operating device according to claim 1, wherein the operating surface is arranged in a frame of a window or adjacent to the window or in an illumination module of the door, for an adjusting or dimming of the inner mirror, adjusting of at least one outer mirror, opening of at least one window, setting an air conditioning system, or switching a warning signal.