Method and apparatus for automotive variable impedance touch sensor array
US11003274B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 16, 2019 |
| Grant date | May 11, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 16, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB62D1/046
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present invention relates to automotive interface systems and methods. In one embodiment, an automotive interface system includes a steering wheel and an integrated interpolated variable impedance array that comprises a grid of sensing elements. The sensing elements are configured to power on simultaneously and to simultaneously generate multiple currents along multiple current paths in response to sensing a touch wherein the amount of current generated by a sensing element of the grid is directly proportional to the force applied by the touch. The automotive interface system also includes an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and a processor communicatively coupled to the interpolated variable impedance array that are configured to receive the multiple currents along multiple current paths and determine a location, a duration, an area, and a force of the touch from the multiple currents along multiple current paths.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.