PCB WITH INTEGRATED TOUCH SENSORS

• US 20200133431A1
• Filed: 10/31/2018
• Published: 04/30/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2018
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Allore, Joseph, Lombardi, Michael J., Dalvi, Sajid, Hodges, Mitchell T., Szot, Krzysztof
• Application Number:
  US16/176,778
• Publication Number:
  US 20200133431A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0073 Light emitting diode [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0339 Touch strips, e.g. orthogonal touch strips to control cursor movement or scrolling; single touch strip to adjust parameter or to implement a row of soft keys
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0416 Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0421 by interrupting or reflecting a light beam, e.g. optical touch-screen
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/9622 using a plurality of detectors, e.g. keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/96066 Thumbwheel, potentiometer, scrollbar or slider simulation by touch switch
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0213 Electrical arrangements not otherwise provided for

Abstract

An electrical control system includes a switch module configured to control power delivery to at least one external load, and a removable user interface module configured to connect to the switch module, receive power from the switch module and display an interface in accordance with a status of the external load, the user interface including a printed circuit board (PCB) having a touch controller that detects signals from a plurality of touch sensors integrated on a first side of the PCB, and a light-emitting diode (LED) controller that controls a plurality of LED'"'"'s, a light guide, attached to the first side of the PCB, that partially obstructs light emitted from the plurality of LED'"'"'s, a tactile switch electrically connected to the first side of the PCB between the transparent cover and the PCB, and a cover attached to the tactile switch over the first side of the PCB.

Claims

1. An electrical control system for installation in an electrical box of a premises, comprising:

a switch module configured to control power delivery to at least one external load; and

a removable user interface module configured to connect to the switch module, receive power from the switch module and display an interface in accordance with a status of the external load, the user interface including;

a printed circuit board (PCB) including;

a touch controller that detects signals from a plurality of touch sensors integrated on a first side of the PCB, and

a light-emitting diode (LED) controller that controls a plurality of LED'"'"'s;

a light guide, attached to the first side of the PCB, that partially obstructs light emitted from the plurality of LED'"'"'s;

a tactile switch electrically connected to the first side of the PCB between the transparent cover and the PCB; and

a cover attached to the tactile switch over the first side of the PCB.

2. The electrical control system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of LED'"'"'s are aligned along opposing edges of the light guide.

3. The electrical control system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of LED'"'"'s include at least two different colors disposed in an alternating pattern.

4. The electrical control system of claim 1, wherein the tactile switch comprises a hinged button assembly that travels toward the PCB.

5. The electrical control system of claim 1, wherein the cover comprises a non-transparent plate including a translucent portion aligned over the light guide.

6. The electrical control system of claim 5, wherein the cover further comprises a protective glass plate attached to the non-transparent plate.

7. A user interface device, comprising:

a rear housing;

a hinge assembly connected to the rear housing;

a front cover connected to the hinge assembly;

a printed circuit board (PCB) disposed between the front cover and rear housing, the PCB including;

a plurality of touch sensors integrated on a first side of the PCB;

a touch controller that determines a first type of input based on signals from the plurality of touch sensors, and

a processor that receives the first type of input and executes a first operation based on the first type of input; and

a tactile switch electrically connected to the first side of the PCB between the front cover and the PCB,

wherein the processor determines a second type of input based on signals from the tactile switch and executes a second operation based on the second type of input.

8. The user interface device of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LED'"'"'s) disposed between the front cover and the PCB, wherein the processor controls the plurality of LED'"'"'s based at least in part on the first type of input determined from the plurality of touch sensors.

9. The user interface device of claim 8, wherein the plurality of LED'"'"'s include at least two different colors disposed in an alternating pattern.

10. The user interface device of claim 8, further comprising a light guide, attached to the first side of the PCB, that partially obstructs light emitted from the plurality of LED'"'"'s.

11. The user interface device of claim 10, wherein the plurality of LED'"'"'s are aligned along opposing edges of the light guide.

12. The user interface device of claim 7, wherein the cover comprises a non-transparent plate including a translucent portion aligned over the light guide.

13. The user interface device of claim 12, wherein the cover further comprises a protective glass plate attached to the non-transparent plate.