Contaminant detecting touch sensitive element
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A touch sensitive control interface for a controlled device, said control interface comprising:
- a panel defining an interface area configured to selectively input command instructions of an operator of the device, wherein the panel comprises a primary touch sensor portion configured to receive an activation signal and a secondary touch sensor portion configured to receive a contamination signal, the primary and secondary touch sensor portions being normally isolated from one another, and the primary and secondary touch sensor portions being coupled to one another upon a presence of a contaminant such that the primary touch sensor portion senses the contamination signal.
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Abstract
A touch sensitive control interface for a controlled device includes a panel defining an interface area configured to selectively input command instructions of an operator of the device. The panel includes a primary touch sensor portion configured to receive an activation signal and a secondary touch sensor portion configured to receive a contamination signal. The primary and secondary touch sensor portions are normally isolated from one another, and the primary and secondary touch sensor portions are coupled to one another upon a presence of a contaminant such that the primary touch sensor portion senses the contamination signal.
12 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A touch sensitive control interface for a controlled device, said control interface comprising:
a panel defining an interface area configured to selectively input command instructions of an operator of the device, wherein the panel comprises a primary touch sensor portion configured to receive an activation signal and a secondary touch sensor portion configured to receive a contamination signal, the primary and secondary touch sensor portions being normally isolated from one another, and the primary and secondary touch sensor portions being coupled to one another upon a presence of a contaminant such that the primary touch sensor portion senses the contamination signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A touch sensitive control system for controlling a device, said control system comprising:
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an interface comprising a touch sensitive element configured to receive an activation signal and a contaminant sensor element configured to receive a contamination signal, the contaminant sensor element being normally isolated from the touch sensitive element, and the contaminant sensor element being coupled to the touch sensitive element upon a presence of a contaminant overlapping each of the touch sensitive element and the contaminant sensor element, the touch sensitive element being configured to send an output signal being characterized by the activation signal when no contaminant is present and being characterized by both the activation signal and the contamination signal when a contaminant is present; and a controller electrically connected to the touch sensitive element and receiving the output signal therefrom, the controller being operatively responsive to the output signal. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A device having a touch sensitive control system, the device comprising:
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an interface comprising a touch sensitive element configured to receive an activation signal and a contaminant sensor element configured to receive a contamination signal, the contaminant sensor element being normally isolated from the touch sensitive element, and the contaminant sensor element being coupled to the touch sensitive element upon a presence of a contaminant overlapping each of the touch sensitive element and the contaminant sensor element, the touch sensitive element being configured to send an output signal being characterized by the activation signal when no contaminant is present and being characterized by both the activation signal and the contamination signal when a contaminant is present; a controller electrically connected to the touch sensitive element and receiving the output signal therefrom, the controller configured to send a control signal responsive to the output signal; and an operating component operatively coupled to the controller and receiving the control signal. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification