Switch device with integrated touch sensor
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 includes a plurality of detectable locations that extend linearly on the engagement surface, in a direction along a longitudinal length of the switch device, wherein said engagement surface with said touch sensor includes one or more physical features comprising a raised projection on said engagement surface and configured to inform the user as to a setting of said touch sensor;
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 signals from the touch sensor, each signal from the touch sensor based on a respective position of the pointer of the user being detected proximate thereto and including a representation of a detectable location of the plurality of detectable locations, respectively, and in response to actuation of the switch, output a control signal based on the representation the detectable location, respectively.
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. The switch device of claim 1 wherein said one or more physical features comprises a depression on said engagement surface.
8. The switch device of claim 1 wherein said switch device is positioned in a vehicle having a horizontal plane and said switch device engagement surface is disposed at an angle of 90°+/−30° with respect to said horizontal plane of the vehicle.
9. The switch device of claim 1 wherein said switch device includes a bezel and said bezel includes said touch sensor.
10. A switch assembly for use in a vehicle to control operation one or more vehicle devices, the switch assembly comprising:
a first switch implemented as a pull-to-close 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, the plurality of locations extending linearly on the engagement surface in a direction along a longitudinal length of the switch device, each location of the plurality of locations corresponding to a different target value within a range of predefined minimum and maximum target values, respectively;
a switch device coupled to the engagement surface, the switch device to detect a user-supplied force input 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 in said range of the predefined minimum and maximum target values based on a detected position of said user-supplied force 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.
11. The switch assembly of claim 10 , wherein the switch device of the first switch comprises a mechanical rocker switch.
12. The switch assembly of claim 10 , wherein the switch device of the first switch comprises a pressure sensor.
13. The switch assembly of claim 10 , 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.
14. The switch assembly of claim 10 , further comprising a second switch, the second switch having an engagement surface that extends substantially transverse with the touch sensor of the vehicle device.
15. The switch assembly of claim 10 , 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.
16. The switch assembly of claim 10 , wherein said engagement surface with said touch sensor includes one or more physical features which features inform the user as to a setting of said touch sensor.
17. The switch assembly of claim 16 wherein said one or more physical features comprises a raised projection on said engagement surface.
18. The switch assembly of claim 16 wherein said one or more physical features comprises a depression on said engagement surface.
19. The switch assembly of claim 10 wherein said switch assembly is positioned in a vehicle having a horizontal plane and said switch assembly engagement surface is disposed at an angle of 90°+/−30° with respect to said horizontal plane of the vehicle.
20. 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, the plurality of locations extending linearly on the engagement surface in a direction along a longitudinal length of the switch device, each location of the plurality of locations corresponding to a different target value within a range of predefined minimum and maximum target values, respectively wherein said engagement surface with said touch sensor includes one or more physical features which features inform the user as to a setting of said touch sensor wherein one or more of said physical features comprises a raised projection on said engagement surface;
a switch device coupled to the engagement surface, the switch device to detect a user-supplied force input 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 in said range of the predefined minimum and maximum target values based on a detected position of said user-supplied force input; and
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.
21. The switch assembly of claim 20 , wherein the switch device of the first switch comprises a mechanical rocker switch.
22. The switch assembly of claim 20 , wherein the switch device of the first switch comprises a pressure sensor.
23. The switch assembly of claim 20 , 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.
24. The switch assembly of claim 20 , further comprising a second switch, the second switch having an engagement surface that extends substantially transverse with the touch sensor of the vehicle device.
25. The switch assembly of claim 20 , 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.
26. The switch assembly of claim 20 wherein said switch assembly is positioned in a vehicle having a horizontal plane and said switch assembly engagement surface is disposed at an angle of 90°+/−30° with respect to said horizontal plane of the vehicle.