TDR-based system and method for hand detection on a steering wheel with elimination of aging and environmental effects
US12071170B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 25, 2021 |
| Grant date | Aug 27, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 17, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S13/88
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method of detecting a hand positioning on a steering wheel using a sensing system having an electrically conducting signal line on a rim of the steering wheel with a priori knowledge about a relation between a distance of any portion of the signal line from a reference point and information on a position on the rim, and which further includes an electric impedance change of predefined magnitude that is permanently arranged at a predefined position along the signal line, a signal voltage source, and a control and evaluation unit. From a received measurement signal traveling along the signal line and having been reflected by the electric impedance change and by another portion or portions of the signal line, a reference travel time is determined. A position or positions on the rim of the other portion or portions of the signal line can then be determined.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.