SWITCH DEVICE WITH INTEGRATED TOUCH SENSOR
This disclosure is generally directed to a multi-value selection switch that includes an engagement surface with an integrated touch sensor. The integrated touch sensor includes a plurality of detectable positions that correspond to, for instance, a range of absolute or relative target input values between a predefined minimum and maximum. The engagement surface further defines a switch that actuates/activates based on detecting a user-supplied force and/or based on a user momentarily holding a finger/pointer position. A user can select a target input value by bringing a finger or other pointer within operable proximity of an associated detectable position and actuating the switch and/or momentarily pausing. In response, the selection switch outputs a control signal to an associated device to cause the same to adjust operation.
1 . A switch device, the switch device comprising:
an engagement surface with a touch sensor to detect a pointer of a user within operable proximity, the touch sensor defining a plurality of detectable locations that extend across the engagement surface,
a switch defined by the engagement surface, the switch configured to detect force supplied by a user and actuate the switch device; and
a controller to receive a signal from the touch sensor that includes a representation of one or more of the plurality of detectable locations based on the pointer of the user being detected proximate thereto, and in response to actuation of the switch, output a control signal based on the representation of one or more detectable locations.
2 . The switch device of claim 1 , wherein the switch comprises a mechanical rocker switch.
3 . The switch device of claim 1 , wherein the switch comprises a pressure sensor.
4 . The switch device of claim 1 , wherein the touch sensor comprises one or more of a resistive and/or capacitive sensor.
5 . The switch device of claim 1 , wherein the touch sensor comprises an array of resistive and/or capacitive sensors.
6 . The switch device of claim 1 , further comprising a haptic feedback device.
7 . A switch assembly for use in a vehicle to control operation one or more vehicle devices, the switch assembly comprising:
a first switch comprising:
an engagement surface for receiving user input;
a touch sensor disposed on the engagement surface having a plurality of locations to detect user input, each location of the plurality of locations corresponding to a different target value within a range of predefined minimum and maximum target values;
a switch device coupled to the engagement surface, the switch device to detect a user-supplied force and cause the first switch to output a signal in response thereto, the signal including a representation of a selected value, the selected value being between the minimum and maximum target values based on a detected position of the user input;
a controller to receive the output signal from the first switch and send a control signal to a vehicle device associated with the first switch, the control signal to cause the vehicle device to adjust operation based on the selected value.
8 . The switch assembly of claim 7 , wherein the switch device of the first switch comprises a mechanical rocker switch.
9 . The switch assembly of claim 7 , wherein the switch device of the first switch comprises a pressure sensor.
10 . The switch assembly of claim 7 , wherein the vehicle device comprises a window controller, and wherein the control signal causes the window controller to transition position to the selected value without further user action.
11 . The switch assembly of claim 7 , further comprising a second switch, the second switch having an engagement surface that extends substantially transverse with the touch sensor of the vehicle device.
12 . The switch assembly of claim 11 , wherein the controller is further configured to send the control signal in response to actuation of the second switch, the control signal including a representation of the selected value received via the output signal from the first switch.
13 . The switch assembly of claim 7 , wherein the first switch is implemented as a pull-to-close switch.