The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 16, 2017
Filed:
Mar. 18, 2015
Ford Global Technologies, Llc, Dearborn, MI (US);
Pietro Buttolo, Dearborn Heights, MI (US);
Stuart C. Salter, White Lake, MI (US);
James Stewart Rankin, II, Novi, MI (US);
Dipanjan Ghosh, Livonia, MI (US);
Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
A proximity switch assembly and method for detecting activation of a proximity switch assembly and providing feedback is provided. The assembly includes a plurality of proximity switches each comprising a proximity sensor providing a sense activation field. The assembly also includes control circuitry processing a signal associated with the activation field of each proximity sensor and detecting a finger located between two proximity switches. The assembly further includes a feedback device generating a feedback when the finger is detected between the two proximity switches. In addition, the assembly may detect speed of movement of a finger interfacing with the proximity switches and vary the feedback based on the detected speed.