Abstract: A locking device for car doors without door handles, including: an electronic control unit for authorization of access, the electronic control unit being connected to one or more sensors and/or to an antenna for wireless communication for communication with a smart device; and a driven mechanical lock/or unlock unit including a latching element for latching a closed end position of a car door, wherein the latching element is provided to block an intermediate position of the car door, into which the car door is movable dependent on a correct access authorization and wherein the intermediate position of the car door enables a grip behind an outside surface of the car door to unlock the intermediate position of the car door and to allow further movement of the car door into an open end position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a locking device for car doors, especially for car doors without door handles, having an electronic control unit for the authorization of access, which is connected to one or more sensors for a first operating step, i.e. a proximity sensor, a touch sensor etc. and/or an antenna for a wireless communication, i.e. a NFC (near field communication) antenna for NFC-communication with a smart device like a smart card, a mobile phone, a smart watch, a smart key, etc., and a driven mechanical lock/or unlock unit including a latching element for latching the closed door end position. According to the invention, a latching element is provided to block an intermediate position 3 of the car door 1, wherein at least one sensor 5, 5? is accessible and/or active in the intermediate position 3 of the car door 1 for a second operating step and not accessible and/or not, active in the closed end position 2 of the car door.

Abstract: A communication system, comprising a pendant and a base (comprising a transmitter, a receiver, and a wireless power transmitter) and a pendant (comprising a transmitter, a receiver, and a wireless power receiver configured to wirelessly receive electrical energy from the wireless power transmitter). The transmitters, the receivers, the wireless power receiver, and the wireless power transmitter (at least) are sealed. The communication system is configured affect actions and operations in equipment based on conjectures of whether the pendant is in close proximity or medium proximity to the base by analyzing a power quantity that the wireless power receiver is receiving from the wireless power transmitter, the strength with which a signal emitted from a transmitters is received by a receiver, and/or comparing an extent to which motion detected by a motion detector in the base corresponds to motion detected by a motion detector in the pendant.

Abstract: A locking system (3) has a first device (4), with at least two states and configured as a control system for releasing and/or locking the car doors (6), the ignition lock, the steering wheel lock, for releasing and/or blocking the immobilizer, the motor control device or the like. An associated second device (5) is in the form of an electronic key, an ID transmitter, a chip card or the like. Both devices (4, 5) have transmission and/or receiving units (10) for the transmission of an electromagnetic signals (7). The transmission and/or receiving unit (10) has an antenna for transmitting the signals (7). At least one of the signals (7) transmitted between the second device (5) and the first device (4) is a coded operating signal for authenticating the second device (5). Thus, once the transmitted operating signal has been positively identified for the authorized second device (5), the state of the first device (4) can be modified.

Abstract: A multi-function controller, comprising a control element, a support element, at least a first light emitter and at least a first light receiver. A multi-function controller, comprising a control element, at least a first magnet and at least a first sensor. In some aspects, one or more occluders is provided. In some aspects, a control element is rotatable and/or tiltable, and/or the control element can be pushed or pulled, and movement of the control element is detected optically or by Hall effect sensors. In some aspects, an icon cap is not rotatable. A method comprising rotating and/or tilting a control element on a multi-function controller, and detecting a position of the control element.

Abstract: A communication system, comprising a pendant and a base (comprising a transmitter, a receiver, and a wireless power transmitter) and a pendant (comprising a transmitter, a receiver, and a wireless power receiver configured to wirelessly receive electrical energy from the wireless power transmitter). The transmitters, the receivers, the wireless power receiver, and the wireless power transmitter (at least) are sealed. The communication system is configured affect actions and operations in equipment based on conjectures of whether the pendant is in close proximity or medium proximity to the base by analyzing a power quantity that the wireless power receiver is receiving from the wireless power transmitter, the strength with which a signal emitted from a transmitters is received by a receiver, and/or comparing an extent to which motion detected by a motion detector in the base corresponds to motion detected by a motion detector in the pendant.

Abstract: A communication system, comprising a pendant and a base (comprising a transmitter, a receiver, and a wireless power transmitter) and a pendant (comprising a transmitter, a receiver, and a wireless power receiver configured to wirelessly receive electrical energy from the wireless power transmitter). The transmitters, the receivers, the wireless power receiver, and the wireless power transmitter (at least) are sealed. The communication system is configured affect actions and operations in equipment based on conjectures of whether the pendant is in close proximity or medium proximity to the base by analyzing a power quantity that the wireless power receiver is receiving from the wireless power transmitter, the strength with which a signal emitted from a transmitters is received by a receiver, and/or comparing an extent to which motion detected by a motion detector in the base corresponds to motion detected by a motion detector in the pendant.

Abstract: A communication element, comprising a communication element transceiver, a sensor (configured to detect jerking motion), and an electronic storage device, the communication element configured to: [A] repeat a sequence comprising a broadcast mode in which is sends broadcast signals followed by a sleep mode in which it does not send any broadcast signal, [B] discontinue the sequence and enter a communication mode (in which stored information regarding an asset, e.g., a heavy-duty attachment, is transmitted to a controller, e.g., in a heavy-duty vehicle, upon request) upon receiving (during the broadcast mode or within a set time span after detecting a jerking motion). Also, communication systems comprising one or more such communication elements and one or more controllers, and methods of broadcasting and, upon specific conditions being met, communicating. Also, an element for cumulatively tracking time that an element has been in use.

Abstract: A communication system, comprising a pendant and a base (comprising a transmitter, a receiver, and a wireless power transmitter) and a pendant (comprising a transmitter, a receiver, and a wireless power receiver configured to wirelessly receive electrical energy from the wireless power transmitter). The transmitters, the receivers, the wireless power receiver, and the wireless power transmitter (at least) are sealed. The communication system is configured affect actions and operations in equipment based on conjectures of whether the pendant is in close proximity or medium proximity to the base by analyzing a power quantity that the wireless power receiver is receiving from the wireless power transmitter, the strength with which a signal emitted from a transmitters is received by a receiver, and/or comparing an extent to which motion detected by a motion detector in the base corresponds to motion detected by a motion detector in the pendant.

Abstract: A dispenser control device, comprising: at least a first light emitter and at least a first light detector, a memory component, a calculation component and a signal transmitter. The dispenser control device configured to conduct one or more of (1) calibration, (2) receptacle-type conjecturing, (3) stopping-intensity value determination, (4) receptacle filling status assessment, and (5) dispensing-termination signal transmission. Also methods comprising one or more of (1) calibration, (2) receptacle-type conjecturing, (3) stopping-intensity value determination, (4) receptacle filling status assessment, and (5) dispensing-termination signal transmission.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a control element, in particular, a switching device, for manually controlling and/or activating functions in a motor vehicle, comprising a lever. The lever is mounted on a support such that the lever can be adjusted in at least one direction from a neutral position to an adjustment position. The lever interacts with a pressure element which is guided in a gate track of a gate and is resiliently loaded, in particular, in such a way that a return force in the direction of the neutral position acts on the lever when it is adjusted. A cam is present in the gate. The cam, in the neutral position, acts upon the lever in order to reduce play such that the lever is biased in the direction towards the adjustment position.

Abstract: A shift device, comprising first and second series of touch sensors and an operating mode element. The first and second series of touch sensors are arranged in first and second patterns, respectively, that each extends in a first direction. The first and second series are aligned to provide a series of touch sensor pairs, for each of which the touch sensors are aligned in a second direction, the second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. Each touch sensor pair corresponds to a respective one of a plurality of operating modes. The operating mode element is configured to change from one operating modes to another, and to emit a shift signal, only upon occurrence of a sequence of actions consisting of a shift initiation action and one or more operating mode change action. Also, methods of shifting.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electric switch, in particular a rocker switch, comprising a contact system and comprising a movable actuating element for switching over the contact system between two switch positions, in particular an on position and an off position. The switch has a drivable actuator, which is operatively connected to the actuating element in such a way that the actuating element in at least one of the two switch positions is moved, on driving of the actuator, into the other switch position by the actuator for switching the contact system. In particular, the actuating element is moved by the actuator from the on position to the off position of the contact system.

Abstract: A communication element, comprising a communication element transceiver, a sensor (configured to detect jerking motion), and an electronic storage device, the communication element configured to: [A] repeat a sequence comprising a broadcast mode in which is sends broadcast signals followed by a sleep mode in which it does not send any broadcast signal, [B] discontinue the sequence and enter a communication mode (in which stored information regarding an asset, e.g., a heavy-duty attachment, is transmitted to a controller, e.g., in a heavy-duty vehicle, upon request) upon receiving (during the broadcast mode or within a set time span after detecting a jerking motion). Also, communication systems comprising one or more such communication elements and one or more controllers, and methods of broadcasting and, upon specific conditions being met, communicating. Also, an element for cumulatively tracking time that an element has been in use.

Abstract: A control element, in particular, a switching device for the manual actuation of functions in a motor vehicle, having a handle. The handle is mounted on a carrier such that the handle is adjustable in two different directions from a neutral position into adjustment positions. The control element furthermore can detect the adjustment positions, with the control element having a code carrier for the detection of the adjustment positions, which encodes the adjustment positions, and a sensor which senses the coding, in such a way that all adjustment positions can be detected by way of the one code carrier.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shift operating element, specifically for a motor vehicle, having an actuation surface which can be moved by the manual application of force by means of an element, wherein the element is specifically the finger of a human hand. The shift operating element comprises a sensor which interacts with the actuation surface such that the sensor, upon the movement of the actuation surface by means of the element, generates a signal. The signal is specifically employed to shift and/or trigger a function, in the manner of a shift signal. A mechanical damping and/or restoring element is provided which interacts with the actuation surface upon the movement thereof. The mechanical damping and/or restoring element is a constituent of the sensor, specifically the mechanical damping and/or restoring element is integrated into the sensor.

Abstract: A locking device including a blocking member movable between first and second positions for locking a component. In the first position, the blocking member (i) engages the component in a blocking manner and/or (ii) is brought into engagement with the component in a blocking manner. In the second position, the blocking member is not in engagement with the component. A drive element moves the blocking member between the two positions. The locking device also includes a securing mechanism for the blocking member that cooperates with the blocking member in the first position in the manner of a back pressure securing element for the blocking member for preventing manipulation, and also cooperates with the blocking member in the second position in the manner of a securing device for securing the blocking member in the second position against unintended movement into the first position.

Abstract: A dispenser control device, comprising: at least a first light emitter and at least a first light detector, a memory component, a calculation component and a signal transmitter. The dispenser control device configured to conduct one or more of (1) calibration, (2) receptacle-type conjecturing, (3) stopping-intensity value determination, (4) receptacle filling status assessment, and (5) dispensing-termination signal transmission. Also methods comprising one or more of (1) calibration, (2) receptacle-type conjecturing, (3) stopping-intensity value determination, (4) receptacle filling status assessment, and (5) dispensing-termination signal transmission.

Abstract: An encoder, comprising a first element, a second element, and a plurality of components, in which the first element is movable among a plurality of positions relative to the second element, each position is adjacent to at least one other position, each component generates a signal at each of said positions, and movement of the first element from any position to any adjacent position results in a change in a signal from only one of said components. Also, an encoder that comprises a multi-detector element which comprises two or more sub-detectors that generate sub-signals, the sub-detectors spaced from each other a distance (rotational and/or translational) that is smaller than a distance between two positions of a first element. Also, a method of detecting a position of a first element relative to a second element, comprising moving a first element relative to a second element from a first position to a second position.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical switch, in particular for a motor vehicle, such as for an electric parking brake in the motor vehicle, having a movable operating member, in particular in the manner of a rocker, and a contact system, such that the operating member interacts with the contact system in a switching manner. The operating member interacts via an operating element, which is loaded with an elastic force, with a slotted link for generating a resetting force during the movement of the operating member out of an inoperative position. A further slotted switching link is provided. The operating member has a further operating element in such a manner that each of the two operating elements interacts with one slotted switching link each.