TOUCH SWITCHES AND PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS THEREFOR
First Claim
1. An apparatus emulating a mechanical switch, comprising:
- a substrate;
a first field effect sensor disposed on said substrate; and
a first electric field stimulator operably associated with said first field effect sensor, wherein said first electric field stimulator is movable along a predetermined path, said predetermined path having at least a first point relatively near to said first field effect sensor and a second point relatively far from said first field effect sensor.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A touch switch apparatus emulating a mechanical switch includes a field effect sensor and an electric field stimulator mechanically associated with the field effect sensor. A field generation signal applied to the field effect sensor causes an electric field to be generated thereabout. The electric field stimulator can be moved between first and second positions with respect to the field effect sensor. When moved into proximity with the field effect sensor, the electric field stimulator disturbs the electric field. A detection circuit coupled to the field effect sensor detects and responds to the disturbance to the electric field.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. An apparatus emulating a mechanical switch, comprising:
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a substrate; a first field effect sensor disposed on said substrate; and a first electric field stimulator operably associated with said first field effect sensor, wherein said first electric field stimulator is movable along a predetermined path, said predetermined path having at least a first point relatively near to said first field effect sensor and a second point relatively far from said first field effect sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An apparatus for emulating a mechanical switch, comprising:
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a substrate, said substrate defining a surface substantially comprising at least a portion of a sphere; at least one field effect sensor operably associated with said substrate proximate said surface; a substantially spherical member shaft in operable association with said surface; and at least one electric field stimulator in operable association with said substantially spherical member; whereby rotation of said substantially spherical member with respect to said surface causes said at least one electric field stimulator to travel through a path substantially toward and away from said at least one field effect sensor.
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16. An apparatus for emulating a mechanical switch, comprising:
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a variable impedance wire having a length, a first end and a second end, said first end of said wire electrically connected to a first terminal of a signal generation and detection circuit and said second end of said wire electrically connected to a second terminal of said signal generation and detection circuit; and an electric field stimulator operably associated with said wire, said electric field stimulator movable between a first position along the length of said wire relative to said first end of said wire and a second position along the length of said wire relative to said first end of said wire.
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Specification