Patent classifications
H03K17/962
INTELLIGENT LIGHTING CONTROL SYSTEM AUTOMATED ADJUSTMENT APPARATUSES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS
The present disclosure provides an intelligent lighting control system for automated lighting adjustments. The system includes a first light control module configured to cause a transmission of a first quantity of electrical energy to a first lighting circuit of a first light fixture electrically connected to the first lighting control module. The system transmits a control message from the first light control module to at least one second light control module configured to cause a transmission of a second quantity of electrical energy to at least one second lighting circuit of at least one second light fixture electrically connected to the at least one second lighting control module. The system changes a flow of electricity from the at least one second light control module to the at least one second lighting circuit based on the input received via the first light control module.
REMOTE LOAD CONTROL DEVICE CAPABLE OF ORIENTATION DETECTION
A remote control device is provided that is configured for use in a load control system that includes one or more electrical loads. The remote control device includes a mounting structure and a control unit, and the control unit is configured to be attached to the mounting structure in a plurality of different orientations. The control unit includes a user interface, an orientation sensing circuit, and a communication circuit. The control unit is configured to determine an orientation of the control unit via the orientation sensing circuit. The control unit is also configured to translate a user input from the user interface into control data to control an electrical load of the load control system based on the orientation of the control unit and/or provide a visual indication of an amount of power delivered to the electrical load based on the orientation of the control unit.
DEVICE FOR OPENING/CLOSING AN OPENING ELEMENT BY DETECTING MOVEMENT OF A USER'S LIMB, AND ASSOCIATED OPENING/CLOSING METHOD
Disclosed is a device for opening/closing an opening element of a motor vehicle by detecting movement of a users limb, the device including an approach and/or contact detection sensor including a single electrode and an analyzer for analyzing the variations in capacitance of the electrode, and an opening element opening/closing control unit. The device also includes: a sealed housing including first and second metal surfaces; and a unit for detecting a predetermined form of the variations of the electrode, exhibiting a succession of a predetermined number of peaks of predetermined amplitude within a predetermined period; the first and second surface being separate, and the electrode being located outside the sealed housing, in such a way that the electrode is coupled electrically to the at least one first surface and to the at least one second surface so as to create at least two approach and/or contact detection areas.
Heating and capacitive sensing device for a steering wheel of a vehicle
A heating and capacitive sensing device for a steering wheel of a motor vehicle. The device includes a support made from an electrically insulating flexible material to which at least an electrically conductive first track and at least an electrically conductive second track are fixed. An electronic control unit including a capacitance reading module is electrically connected to the at least one second track. The electronic control unit is configured to control the at least one first track and at least one second track, so that the at least one first track is suited to generate heat for heating the steering wheel, and at least one second track is configured to operate as a capacitive sensor means by sending capacitance values to the electronic control unit.
Load control device having a capacitive touch surface
A control device configured for use in a load control system to control an electrical load external to the control device may comprise an actuation member having a front surface defining a capacitive touch surface configured to detect a touch actuation along at least a portion of the front surface. The control device includes a main printed circuit board (PCB) comprising a control circuit, a tactile switch, a controllably conductive device, and a drive circuit operatively coupled to a control input of the controllably conductive device for rendering the controllably conductive device conductive or non-conductive to control the amount of power delivered to the electrical load. The control device also includes a capacitive touch PCB that comprises a touch sensitive circuit comprising one or more receiving capacitive touch pads located on the capacitive touch PCB and arranged in a linear array adjacent to the capacitive touch surface.
On/off detection device and vehicle interior component
An ON/OFF detection device is configured to detect ON/OFF of an input unit using a load sensor, and includes a threshold setting unit, a comparison unit, and an ON/OFF determination unit. The threshold setting unit is configured to set a threshold value with respect to a previous detection value of the load sensor. The comparison unit is configured to compare the threshold value and a current detection value. The ON/OFF determination unit is configured to determine ON/OFF of the input unit based on a comparison result. When a previous determination result of the ON/OFF determination unit is ON, the threshold setting unit is configured to set the threshold value to be lower than the previous detection value. When the previous determination result of the ON/OFF determination unit is OFF, the threshold setting unit is configured to set the threshold value to be higher than the previous detection value.
Displacement sensing
A sensing apparatus comprising a displacement sensor element arranged to sense a separation between a first element (2) and a second element (3) movably mounted with respect to the first element; an acceleration sensor element configured to sense an acceleration associated with the first element; displacement measurement circuitry (4A) configured to make a measurement indicative of separation on the basis of the sensed separation; acceleration measurement circuitry (4C) configured to make a measurement of acceleration on the basis of the sensed acceleration; and a processing element (4D) configured to output a signal to indicate there is determined to be a change in the separation of the second element relative to the first element on the basis of the measurement indicative of separation and the measurement of acceleration.
Pressure-sensitive touch sensor and pressure-sensitive touch sensor module
In a pressure-sensitive touch sensor of a capacitance type, a first electrode and a second electrode are provided on a first surface of a base material sheet. The base material sheet is folded between the first electrode and the second electrode so that a surface of the first electrode and a surface of the second electrode face each other. The base material sheet is folded at a fold line portion in which a slit is formed. An elastic layer is provided between folded parts of the base material sheet. The pressure-sensitive touch sensor is configured to detect pressing on the operation surface based on a change in capacitance, which is caused when the elastic layer is compressed and deformed in a thickness direction by a pressing force to reduce a distance between the first electrode and the second electrode.
SWITCH ASSEMBLY WITH INTEGRATED HAPTIC EXCITER
A switch assembly that provides haptic feedback includes a printed circuit board (PCB) having a first planar surface that faces in a first direction and a second planar surface that faces in a second direction, the second direction being opposite from the first direction, a touch plate having a first surface that faces in the first direction and a second surface that faces in the second direction, wherein the first surface of the touch plate is proximate the second planar surface of the PCB, and a haptic exciter that has a conductive coil of wire having a hollow inner core and a magnet that is at least partially disposed within the hollow inner core of the coil of wire such that the magnet alternatively moves in the first and second directions as an alternating current passes through the conductive coil of wire.
Vehicle interior component having a composite structure providing a user interface
A vehicle interior component configured to provide a user interface for vehicle systems is disclosed. The component may provide a user interface for a vehicle occupant. The component may comprise a composite structure to provide the user interface comprising a cover providing an exterior surface, a sensor, light panel, absorber panel and/or decorative material. The light panel may provide output visible at the exterior surface; the decorative layer and/or absorber panel may provide a visual effect. The cover may comprise a light-transmissive cover; illumination from a display may comprise visible light transmitted through a functional layer and through an at least partially translucent cover. The component may comprise a light panel to provide output visible at the cover exterior surface. A method of operating the user interface provided by the composite structure is also disclosed. The user interface may be coupled to a control system.