Method and apparatus for automotive variable impedance touch sensor array

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11003274-B2
Application number	US-201916414419-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 16, 2019
Priority date	Sep 13, 2018
Publication date	May 11, 2021
Grant date	May 11, 2021

Abstract

The present invention relates to automotive interface systems and methods. In one embodiment, an automotive interface system includes a steering wheel and an integrated interpolated variable impedance array that comprises a grid of sensing elements. The sensing elements are configured to power on simultaneously and to simultaneously generate multiple currents along multiple current paths in response to sensing a touch wherein the amount of current generated by a sensing element of the grid is directly proportional to the force applied by the touch. The automotive interface system also includes an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and a processor communicatively coupled to the interpolated variable impedance array that are configured to receive the multiple currents along multiple current paths and determine a location, a duration, an area, and a force of the touch from the multiple currents along multiple current paths.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An automotive interface system comprising:
a seat belt;
an interpolated variable impedance array disposed on or about the seat belt comprising a grid of sensing elements that are configured to power on simultaneously and to simultaneously generate multiple currents along multiple current paths in response to sensing a touch wherein the amount of current generated by a sensing element of the grid of sensing elements is directly proportional to the force applied by the touch; and
an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and a processor communicatively coupled to the interpolated variable impedance array and configured to receive the multiple currents along multiple current paths and determine a location, a duration, an area, and a force of the touch from the multiple currents along multiple current paths, wherein the interpolated variable impedance array is incorporated in a fabric portion of the seat belt.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the interpolated variable impedance array and the processor are configured to determine a fit of the seat belt on a passenger.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the interpolated variable impedance array and the processor are configured to determine instantaneous force signatures and patterns over time to determine the fit of the seat belt.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the interpolated variable impedance array and the processor are configured to send a control signal to realign a seat based on the instantaneous force signatures and patterns over time.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the seat is a seat occupied by a child.

6. The system of claim 4 wherein the seat is a child seat.

7. An automotive interface system comprising:
a seat belt;
an interpolated variable impedance array disposed on or about the seat belt comprising a grid of sensing elements that are configured to power on simultaneously and to simultaneously generate multiple currents along multiple current paths in response to sensing a touch wherein the amount of current generated by a sensing element of the grid of sensing elements is directly proportional to a force applied by the touch; and
an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and a processor communicatively coupled to the interpolated variable impedance array and configured to receive the multiple currents along multiple current paths and determine a location, a duration, an area, and a force of the touch from the multiple currents along multiple current paths, wherein the interpolated variable impedance array and the processor are configured to determine a fit of the seat belt on a passenger.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the interpolated variable impedance array is incorporated in a fabric portion of the seat belt.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein the interpolated variable impedance array is incorporated in a buckle portion of the seat belt.

10. The system of claim 7 wherein the interpolated variable impedance array and the processor are configured to determine instantaneous force signatures and patterns over time to determine that the fit of the seat belt.

11. The system of claim 7 wherein the interpolated variable impedance array and the processor are configured to send a control signal to realign a seat based on instantaneous force signatures and patterns over time.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the seat is a seat occupied by a child.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein the seat is a child seat.

14. The system of claim 11 wherein the interpolated variable impedance array is incorporated in a buckle portion of the seat belt.

15. An automotive interface system comprising:
a seat belt;
an interpolated variable impedance array disposed on or about the seat belt comprising a grid of sensing elements that are configured to power on simultaneously and to simultaneously generate multiple currents along multiple current paths in response to sensing a touch wherein the amount of current generated by a sensing element of the grid of sensing elements is directly proportional to a force applied by the touch; and
an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and a processor communicatively coupled to the interpolated variable impedance array and configured to receive the multiple currents along multiple current paths and determine a location, a duration, an area, and a force of the touch from the multiple currents along multiple current paths wherein the interpolated variable impedance array and the processor are configured to determine instantaneous force signatures and patterns over time to determine the fit of the seat belt on a passenger.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the seat is a child seat.

17. The system of claim 15 wherein the interpolated variable impedance array is incorporated in a fabric portion of the seat belt.

18. The system of claim 15 wherein the interpolated variable impedance array is incorporated in a buckle portion of the seat belt.

19. The system of claim 15 wherein the interpolated variable impedance array and the processor are configured to determine a fit of the seat belt on a passenger.

20. The system of claim 15 wherein the interpolated variable impedance array and the processor are configured to send a control signal to realign a seat based on the instantaneous force signatures and patterns over time.

Assignees

• Sensel Inc

Inventors

• Grau Alexander Meagher
• Haniger Bethany Noel
• Rosenberg Mark Joshua
• Martinez Reuben Eric
• Isaacson Scott Gregory
• Oberg Stephanie Jeanne
• Miller Timothy James
• Moscovich Tomer

Classifications

• B60K35/60

  Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles (arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10) · CPC title

• B60K35/10

  Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor · CPC title

• B60Q9/00

  Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 {, e.g. haptic signalling} · CPC title

• B60Q1/1484

  mounted on the steering wheel · CPC title

• H03M1/22

  pattern-reading type · CPC title