Digital, touchless electrical switch
First Claim
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1. A non-contact electrical toggle switch, comprising:
- an electronic switching element;
a motion detection element configured to detect two independent movements which mimic the movements required to physically switch a conventional toggle switch, wherein the mimicking includes the movement characteristics of duration, direction, and distance; and
if the motion detection element detects one of the two movements, causing the electronic switching element to switch between a first and second electrical state in a manner which corresponds to only how a conventional toggle switch would operate in response to the detected movement, wherein the first electrical state corresponds to an electrical on state and the second electrical state corresponds to an electrical off state.
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Abstract
A touchless, digital electrical switch includes at least one sensor that is oriented or associated with other elements in such a way as to detect substantially vertical sweeping, or switching, motions. When an intended switching motion is sensed by the optical sensors within a predetermined period of time, loads are switched and the status of a switch is communicated to other switches, if any, along the same circuit (i.e., the “position” of the switch is changed). An indication of the “position” of the switch may be provided by way of a visual indicator. An acceptable switching motion may also result in an audible “click” or other signal.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A non-contact electrical toggle switch, comprising:
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an electronic switching element; a motion detection element configured to detect two independent movements which mimic the movements required to physically switch a conventional toggle switch, wherein the mimicking includes the movement characteristics of duration, direction, and distance; and if the motion detection element detects one of the two movements, causing the electronic switching element to switch between a first and second electrical state in a manner which corresponds to only how a conventional toggle switch would operate in response to the detected movement, wherein the first electrical state corresponds to an electrical on state and the second electrical state corresponds to an electrical off state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A non-contact electrical toggle switch, comprising:
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at least one processor; an electronic switching element in communication with the at least one processor; a pair of substantially aligned emitters configured to emit electromagnetic radiation, each emitter of the pair in communication with and under control of the at least one processor; at least one detector positioned between the emitters of the pair and in substantial alignment therewith, the at least one detector configured to detect electromagnetic radiation of at least one wavelength emitted by the emitters, the at least one detector in communication with the at least one processor so as to change between a first and second electrical state of the electronic switching element upon detection of a movement which mimics a movement required to physically switch a conventional toggle switch, wherein the mimicking includes the movement characteristics of duration, direction, and distance, by the at least one detector, wherein the state of the electronic switching element is changed in a manner which corresponds to only how a conventional toggle switch would respond to the detected movement, and wherein the first electrical state corresponds to an electrical on state and the second electrical state corresponds to an electrical off state. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for switching a state of an electrical circuit, comprising:
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effecting a movement which mimics a movement required to physically switch a conventional toggle switch, wherein the mimicking includes the movement characteristics of duration, direction, and distance, in front of a non-contact electrical switch; detecting the movement; timing the movement; determining whether the timing of the movement occurs within a predetermined time range; determining whether the movement is effected in a direction which corresponds to a change in the state of the electrical circuit; and switching between a first and second electrical state of the electrical circuit when the movement occurs within the predetermined time range and is effected in a direction that corresponds to a change in the state of the electrical circuit, wherein the state of the electronic switching element is changed in a manner which corresponds to only how a conventional toggle switch would respond to the detected movement, and wherein the first electrical state corresponds to an electrical on state and the second electrical state corresponds to an electrical off state. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification