A capacitive sensor and switch assembly is provided. The assembly includes a first electrode forming a decorative conductive component on a vehicle, and a second electrode dielectrically isolated from the first electrode and electrically coupled therewith to generate an activation field. The assembly also includes a dielectric layer disposed between the first and second electrodes, and a controller for processing a signal generated from the activation field and sensing an object, wherein the controller determines activation of a switch based on the signal generated from the activation field.

An operating device for a motor vehicle having a driving mode and a stationary mode includes an operating part, by which an operating process can be executed for a communication device, and a control device coupled to the operating part. The control device is designed to provide the driver of the motor vehicle with a first selection of operating options for the communication device in the stationary mode and a second selection of operating options for the communication device in the driving mode. The operating options of the second selection are chosen according to the degree of automation of the driving mode.

A proximity detection device according to the present invention includes: a plurality of light emitting elements; a plurality of light receiving elements; a drive circuit configured to sequentially drive the plurality of light emitting elements; a measurement circuit configured to measure a light reception signal of a corresponding light receiving element when the plurality of light emitting elements are sequentially driven; and a control unit configured to i) control a drive current of a light emitting element such that a light emission amount of the light emitting element is suppressed, and ii) amplify a detection signal of a light receiving element to compensate for the suppressed light emission amount during measurement with a relatively short distance between the light emitting element and the light receiving element.

A sensor that includes a switch unit and that detects a pressure applied from the front side to the switch unit or a finger approaching the switch unit from the front side is located on the back side of upholstery. A base member has a protruding portion on its surface. The upholstery includes: a light-transmitting region that is located over a light guide portion of the base member and the switch unit of the sensor and that allows light from a light source to transmit therethrough to the front side; and a non-light-transmitting region that blocks the light from the light source. A raised portion that is raised on the front side of the upholstery is located near the light-transmitting region in the non-light-transmitting region of the upholstery. The protruding portion of the base member is placed in the raised portion from the back side of the upholstery.

A switch assembly comprising a housing configured to operably couple to a trim panel and defining a cavity, a feedback device operably coupled to the housing and positioned within the cavity, a printed circuit board operably coupled to the feedback device, a proximity sensor operably coupled to a connector and configured to actuate the feedback device, and a light source operably coupled the printed circuit board and configured to luminesce in response to actuation of the proximity sensor. The trim panel comprises a panel substrate operably coupled to a backup layer, an icon layer positioned within the cavity and operably coupled to the backup layer, an outline positioned about a periphery of the backup layer, and a translucent panel skin bonded to a foam layer positioned over the panel substrate, wherein the panel skin stretches over the panel substrate and the backup layer.

A method and a device for displaying information and for operating an electronic device in a vehicle, wherein a plurality of list elements are displayed on a display surface with a touch-sensitive surface; a contact of a list element on the touch-sensitive surface with an actuating object or an approach of the actuating object to the list element is detected, whereupon the list element is activated, and after the activation of the list element, a first swiping movement of the actuating object on or in the vicinity of the touch-sensitive surface is detected, and with or after the detection of the first swiping movement of the actuating object, at least the list elements which are not activated are removed from the display surface and a multimedia additional element associated with the activated list element is inserted into the display surface.

A method for operating an air-conditioning apparatus of a vehicle wherein the air-conditioning apparatus has at least three display modes including a status mode, a transition mode, and a setting mode. A current value of a setting parameter of the air-conditioning apparatus and whether an operating intention of a user exists are detected. If no operating intention is detected, the status mode is activated. If an operating intention is detected, the transition mode or the setting mode is activated. Depending on the activated display mode, graphical data of a graphical representation of an interior of the vehicle is generated and displayed so the status mode is activated. The representation of the interior includes a display element for outputting the currently set value of the setting parameter.

A vehicle input device including: a cover configured to include a touch sensor portion that is flexible and that detects operation by an occupant, the cover covering a main body portion of an arm rest that supports an arm of the occupant; and a control unit that outputs an operation signal to an on-board instrument on the basis of a signal detected by the touch sensor portion.

The invention relates to an operating device for an infotainment system of a motor vehicle that has an operating element (3a) for operating the infotainment system (2), a sensor device (6) for determining at least one finger position (10, 11, 12) of an operator on the operating element (3a), and an evaluation device (7) for determining the location of the operator based on the at least one finger position (10, 11, 12) determined by the sensor device (6), wherein the evaluation device (7) is configured to activate a predetermined function of the infotainment system (2) when the location of the operator meets a predetermined criterion. The invention also relates to a method for determining the location of the operator of an operating element for an infotainment system.

A vehicle console includes a trim ring disposed over a periphery of a housing. The trim ring includes a polymeric material and is electrically conductive and grounded. A proximity switch assembly is retained in the housing. The proximity switch assembly includes a proximity sensor proximate a sensing pad for generating an activation field. The sensing pad is proximate the trim ring.