Abstract: The invention is directed to a control element, particularly for automotive electronics, having programmable haptics. Moments of force or a variation of the friction moments are formed on a control element by dynamically adapting the operative currents of electromagnetic arrays in dependence of the adjustment path. The force/path behavior (tactile feedback) of the control element can be modified at will during use so that the actuation forces for different operative functions can be varied. The tactile feedback of the moments of force on the control element takes by way of a locking piece, which, for example, can be comprised of at least one locking disc and a spring, which can be rendered active or inactive via an electromagnetic array.

Abstract: A diagnostic circuit for a potentiometer that connects a load resistor (laboratory resistor) to the slider of the potentiometer to allow a constant comparison of the contact resistance to measured values in the loaded and/or unloaded state when the slider is being adjusted, or when it is being paused at a critical point. This is accomplished by connecting a pull-up resistor to an input of the microprocessor, to which a load resistor is connected, and which is electrically connected to the slider. The slider itself is connected to an additional input of the microprocessor.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a control element, particularly in a central control unit. A magnet clamping system is integrated into a control element in order to render the function “slider setting” unequivocal. In addition to an actuator head that is positioned on a shaft, which is guided in a cylinder, for example, and at least one circuit board having LEDs, the control element includes a magnetic device having a designated magnet, which is functionally connected to the actuator head. When the actuator head is moved vertically by sliding, the magnetic device lifts off the magnet due to tilting, which causes a code disc attached to the actuator head to be brought into an inclined position such that a light flow on the light barriers formed by the LEDs is disrupted and/or opened up. In a further embodiment, this control element also includes press and rotate functions.

Abstract: An operating element with wake-up functionality for a motor vehicle is provided, wherein a setting of an operating element can be selected by means of a translationally and/or rotationally movable grip, having at least one wiper contact track divided into sectors, having a wiper contact connected directly or indirectly to the grip, wherein the wiper contact is movable over the at least one wiper contact track by means of the grip, having an electronic analysis unit that can be switched off, and having at least one switching means connected to the wake-up electronics unit by means of which the electronic analysis unit of the operating element can be activated, wherein the switching means can be actuated by means of the grip.

Abstract: An indicating instrument including at least one display unit including display segments that are used to represent a currently engaged gear and a background surrounding the display segments, and a control circuit configured to apply a first signal having a first polarity to the display segments and a second signal having a second polarity opposite to the first polarity to the background such that the display segments and the background have different contrasts to indicate the currently engaged gear.

Abstract: A control element for a motor vehicle is disclosed that includes at least one rotary actuator and one actuating element integrated in the rotary actuator, whereby the actuating element can be moved relative to the rotary actuator, and whereby a connecting member, which interacts with an optical system, is molded to the actuating element. A connecting member extends into the optical system such that the deflection of the actuating element can be evaluated as a signal by the optical system. The optical system includes at least one light-emitting and at least one light-absorbing light guide element, whereby one light guide element is arranged on one side of the connecting member and one light guide element is arranged outside the connecting member so that a deflection of the actuating element is analogous to the absorption of light.

Abstract: An operating element with wake-up functionality for a motor vehicle is provided, wherein a setting of an operating element can be selected by means of a translationally and/or rotationally movable grip, having at least one wiper contact track divided into sectors, having a wiper contact connected directly or indirectly to the grip, wherein the wiper contact is movable over the at least one wiper contact track by means of the grip, having an electronic analysis unit that can be switched off, and having at least one switching means connected to the wake-up electronics unit by means of which the electronic analysis unit of the operating element can be activated, wherein the switching means can be actuated by means of the grip.

Abstract: A measuring device for detecting a humidity and temperature of a window surface including at least one moisture sensor and at least one temperature sensor placed on the window surface, an evaluation unit connected downstream from the moisture and temperature sensors, and a signal converting and linking unit placed between the moisture and temperature sensors and the evaluation unit. Further, when the temperature sensor detects a change in a temperature of the window surface or the moisture sensor detects a change in a moisture of the window surface, a frequency of an oscillator included in the signal and converting unit is changed.

Abstract: A rotary switch including a control element, a light-emitting device arranged on a printed circuit board and configured to emit light, and at least two receivers arranged on the printed circuit board in correspondence with the light-emitting device and configured to detect switching positions of the rotary switch. Further, the light-emitting device is mounted radially at an outside portion of inside of a hollow cylindrical extension of the control element, and wherein on level with the light-emitting device, the extension includes orifices evenly distributed around a periphery of the extension, and that opposite the light-emitting device, on an exterior side of the extension, the at least two receivers are arranged.

Abstract: A measuring device for detecting a humidity and temperature of a surface of a glass pane facing an interior of a vehicle. The measuring device includes at least one humidity sensor and at least one temperature sensor jointly arranged on the surface of the glass pane, an evaluation unit connected downstream of the humidity and temperature sensors, and a signal conversion and linking unit arranged between the humidity and temperature sensors and the evaluation unit. Further, the converting and linking unit generates a rectangular wave-shaped signal having at least two different impulse lengths, each impulse length being a measure of a detected humidity and temperature.

Abstract: A signal (Snormal) is provided to a heat element of a temperature sensor, which is recorded as a step response (Lruh, Lbew). From the difference of the step response compared with the reaction adaptively determined with the temperature sensor at zero air circulation, air flow or no air flow is determined.

Abstract: A control element is provided with fully integrated control elements with integrated illumination, switching element, and contact set. The functional assignment of the individual control elements in the control panel is accomplished by means of software through a bus system. A universal control panel with complete control elements is thus made available. Along with a drastic reduction in the number of variations, and thus the logistical expenses, later functional expansion of the relevant control panel is possible.

Abstract: An indicating instrument including a light guiding system having at least a first and second light guides, a sensor disposed at a first end of the first light guide and configured to receive incident ambient light that has traveled through the first light guide, a light-emitting device disposed at a first end of the second light guide and configured to emit light through the second light guide, and a covering body disposed at a second end of the first and second light guides that is opposite to the first ends. Further, the incident ambient light is incident upon the covering body and travels through the first light guide and is received by the sensor, and the light emitted by the light-emitting unit travels through the second light guide and exits the covering body.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement is disclosed for controlling an illuminating device, particularly light-emitting diodes, in a control device of a motor vehicle, comprised of at least one illuminating device, which is integrated in a switching circuit having a semiconductor component, and of a microprocessor, in particular having an integrated non-volatile memory, for generating a pulse-width modulated signal, whereby the pulse-width modulated signal is coupled to a control electrode of the semiconductor component, whereby the microprocessor generates at least two pulse-width modulated signals, the pulse-width modulated signals are coupled to the semiconductor component via a logical system and the logical system can be subjected to the action of an additional control signal via the microcomputer.

Abstract: A signal (Snormal) is provided to a heat element of a temperature sensor, which is recorded as a step response (Lruh, Lbew). From the difference of the step response compared with the reaction adaptively determined with the temperature sensor at zero air circulation, air flow or no air flow is determined.

Abstract: A signal (Snormal) is provided to a heat element of a temperature sensor, which is recorded as a step response (Lruh, Lbew). From the difference of the step response compared with the reaction adaptively determined with the temperature sensor at zero air circulation, air flow or no air flow is determined.

Abstract: An evaluation method is disclosed for a control element for a motor vehicle, wherein with an actuating element, an optical system comprised of a transmitter and a receiver is interrupted and electrically evaluated by an actuating element, whereby the interruption of the optical systems is evaluated analogous to the deflection of the actuating element.

Abstract: A switching device for detecting a voltage interruption at a control unit in a motor vehicle, with a nonvolatile memory for storage of calibration data for an actuator that can be adjusted by the control unit and a drive unit. The control unit is supplied with an internal voltage through a voltage regulator and a bistable multivibrator is connected ahead of the voltage regulator in the external voltage supply of the control unit, and, whereby a microcomputer is connected with the multivibrator and is integrated in the control unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an operating element for a motor vehicle, having a housing, a rotary knob, a rotary shaft arranged on the rotary knob, and a brake element engaging with the rotary shaft, by which an adjustable torque is transmitted to the rotary knob. An element exerting a spring effect is arranged between the rotary knob and the braking element such that a relative movement between the rotary knob and the braking element is achieved.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement is disclosed for controlling an illuminating device, particularly light-emitting diodes, in a control device of a motor vehicle, comprised of at least one illuminating device, which is integrated in a switching circuit having a semiconductor component, and of a microprocessor, in particular having an integrated non-volatile memory, for generating a pulse-width modulated signal, whereby the pulse-width modulated signal is coupled to a control electrode of the semiconductor component, whereby the microprocessor generates at least two pulse-width modulated signals, the pulse-width modulated signals are coupled to the semiconductor component via a logical system and the logical system can be subjected to the action of an additional control signal via the microcomputer.