Intelligent electrical switching device

• US 7,336,037 B2
• Filed: 02/17/2005
• Issued: 02/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Global Touch Solutions LLC (Intellectual Discovery Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Azoteq Pty Ltd.
• Inventors: Bruwer, Frederick J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Philogene, Haissa
• Assistant Examiner(s): Le, Tung X
• Application Number:
  US11/060,329
• Publication Number:
  US 20050140310A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,104 Days
• Field of Search: 315/200.A, 315/200.R, 315/84, 315/86, 315291-295, 315307-308, 315/362, 307/87, 307/115, 362/184, 362/205, 362/276, 323/325, 323/357, 323/904, 361/190, 361/643, 361/781, 361/837, 363/21.03
• US Class Current: 315/200.00A
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 39/041 the light-intensity of the source H05B39/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 39/044 continuously H05B39/042 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 39/085 by touch control
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 39/09 in which the lamp is fed by pulses automatic circuit devices built into or on the incandescent lamp H01K1/625; vehicle winking devices B60Q1/38
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/10 Controlling the light source
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/16 by timing means
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/165 following a pre-assigned programmed sequence; Logic control [LC]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/175 by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/185 via power line carrier transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/00 Energy efficient lighting technologies, e.g. halogen lamps or gas discharge lamps
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

The present invention, according to a preferred embodiment, is directed to portable electronic devices which operate on exhaustible power sources, for example, batteries. The electronic devices of the present invention comprise at least one signal switch and a microchip in communication with the switch wherein the switch is only capable of transmitting a signal to the microchip that the switch has been activated or deactivated. The microchip is in communication with the exhaustible power source of the electronic device and controls (i) the power on/off function of the device, (ii) at least one other function of the device in response to activation and deactivation signals from the switch, and (iii) an automatic shut off function in response to the receipt of an activation signal from the switch.

Claims

1. An electronic module adapted for use with a product, said product comprising a connection to a mains power source, and an energy consuming load, said module comprising,

a microchip, and

a single touch sensor switch, said switch being an activation/deactivation user interface and connected to an input of the microchip, said switch and input not forming a serial link in the circuit that transfers power from the power source to the load,

wherein said microchip controls a power switch to conduct power from the power source to the load and the control is such that at least a power level other than full power or zero power to the load can also be activated when selected based on user input through the switch,

wherein a function selected through a switch activation signal is automatically switched off a predetermined period of time after a switch operation, and

wherein a visible location indication function is activated to give an indication of switch activation.

2. An electronic module according to claim 1, adapted to be positioned as a serial element in the circuit that transfers power from the power source to the load, wherein the power switch is in parallel to the microchip, the module comprises an energy storage element to power the microchip at least when the power switch is conducting power to the load.

3. An electronic module for use with a product, said product comprising a power source or a connection to a power source and a power switch for conducting power from the power source to an energy consuming load, said module comprising,

an electronic circuit with a microchip and at least a switch, the electronic circuit is powered when the load is not activated, said switch is a user interface and not forming a serial link in the circuit that transfers power from the power source to the energy consuming load, said switch is a touch sensor,

wherein said microchip controls a visible location indicator such that the indicator is activated to at least indicate an activation signal from the switch, and

the microchip controls a function selected and activated based on an activation signal received from the switch, to automatically switch off a predetermined period after a switch operation related to the activation signal.

4. The module according to claim 3, wherein the location indicator is an LED that is activated when the load is not activated and when the product is not connected to mains.

5. The module according to claim 4, wherein the touch sensor switch is also a user interface for gradually adjusting power to the load.

6. The module according to claim 5, wherein the user interface is implemented using flexible tape comprising electrically conductive material.

7. The module according to claim 6, wherein the product comprises radio frequency circuitry.

8. The module according to claim 5, wherein the switch interface is structurally integrated with the casing of the product.

9. The module according to claim 3, wherein the microchip controls the location indicator to have a duty cycle.

10. The module according to claim 9, wherein a touch sensor switch user interface only requires one connection to the circuit and/or the microchip.

11. The module according to claim 3, wherein a touch sensor switch user interface only requires one connection to the circuit and/or the microchip.

12. The module according to claim 11, wherein the location indicator is an LED, is used to give an indication of conditions of the product and is activated when the load is not activated.

13. The module according to claim 11, wherein the location indicator is activated when the load is not activated by the user and wherein the switch is a user interface to gradually adjust the power to the load.

14. The module according to claim 13, wherein the switch interface is structurally integrated with the casing of the product.

15. The module according to claim 3, wherein the location indicator is an LED, is used to give an indication of conditions of the product and is activated when the load is not activated.

16. The module according to claim 3, wherein the location indicator is an LED and wherein the microchip controls the location indicator to give an indication of a condition of the product and to activate the indicator when the load is not powered.

17. The module according to claim 16, wherein the product comprises radio frequency circuitry.

18. The module according to claim 16, wherein the user interface is implemented using flexible tape comprising electrically conductive material.

19. The module according to claim 3, wherein the product comprises radio frequency circuitry.

20. The module according to claim 3, wherein the user interface is implemented using electrically conductive paint or similar substance.

21. The module according to claim 3, wherein the user interface is implemented using flexible tape comprising electrically conductive material.

22. The module according to claim 3, wherein the switch interface is structurally integrated with the casing of the product.