Touch switches and practical applications therefor
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus emulating a mechanical switch, comprising:
- a substrate;
a first field effect sensor disposed on said substrate;
a shaft penetrating and adapted to slide with respect to said substrate; and
a first electric field stimulator operably associated with said shaft, 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 at least a second point relatively far from said first field effect sensor,in response to sliding of said shaft with respect to said substrate.
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Abstract
A touch switch apparatus for detecting the presence of an object such as a human appendage, the apparatus having a touch pad, an electric field generated about the touch pad and also having a preferably integrated and local control circuit connected to the touch pad and to a controlled device. Practical applications for touch switch apparatus, including use of touch switch apparatus in connection with other structure to emulate mechanical switches.
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Citations
29 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; a shaft penetrating and adapted to slide with respect to said substrate; and a first electric field stimulator operably associated with said shaft, 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 at least a second point relatively far from said first field effect sensor, in response to sliding of said shaft with respect to said substrate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An apparatus emulating a mechanical switch, comprising:
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a substrate; a first field effect sensor disposed on said substrate; a shaft penetrating and adapted to rotate with respect to said substrate; and a first electric field stimulator operably associated with said shaft, 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 at least a second point relatively far from said first field effect sensor, in response to rotation of said shaft with respect to said substrate. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An apparatus emulating a mechanical switch, comprising:
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a substrate; a first field effect sensor disposed on said substrate; a shaft penetrating and adapted to pivot with respect to said substrate; and a first electric field stimulator operably associated with said shaft, 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 at least a second point relatively far from said first field effect sensor, in response to pivoting of said shaft with respect to said substrate. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. An apparatus emulating a mechanical switch, comprising:
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a substrate; a first field effect sensor disposed on said substrate; a shaft engaged with said substrate; a first electric field stimulator operably associated with said shaft, 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 at least a second point relatively far from said first field effect sensor; a second field effect sensor disposed on said substrate; a second shaft extending from said substrate and in pivotable engagement with said substrate; and a second electric field stimulator operably associated with said second shaft, wherein said second electric field stimulator is movable along a second predetermined path, said second predetermined path having at least a third point relatively near to said second field effect sensor and at least a fourth point relatively far from said first field effect sensor; wherein said shaft extends from said substrate and is in pivotable engagement with said substrate, and wherein said first electric field stimulator moves with respect to said first field effect sensor in response to pivoting of said shaft with respect to said substrate. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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26. An apparatus emulating a mechanical switch, comprising:
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a substrate; a first field effect sensor disposed on said substrate; a shaft extending from said substrate; a first knob disposed about said shaft; a first electric field stimulator associated said knob, wherein said first electric field stimulator is movable along a predetermined path in response to rotation of said first knob, said predetermined path having at least a first point relatively near to said first field effect sensor and at least a second point relatively far from said first field effect sensor; a second field effect sensor disposed on said substrate; a second knob disposed about said first knob; and a second electric field stimulator disposed on said second knob; wherein said second electric field stimulator is movable along a second predetermined path in response to rotation of said second knob, said second predetermined path having at least a third point relatively near to said second field effect sensor and at least a second point relatively far from said second field effect sensor. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28)
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29. An apparatus emulating a mechanical switch, comprising:
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a substrate; a first field effect sensor disposed on said substrate; a shaft engaged with said substrate; and a first electric field stimulator operably associated with said shaft, 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 at least a second point relatively far from said first field effect sensor; a second field effect sensor, a first resistor coupled in series between a first terminal of said first field effect sensor and a first terminal of said second field effect sensor; a detection circuit coupled in series between a second terminal of said first field effect sensor and a second terminal of said second field effect sensor; a third field effect sensor; and a second resistor coupled in series between said second terminal of said second field effect sensor and a first terminal of said third field effect sensor; wherein said detection circuit is coupled in series between said second terminal of said first field effect sensor and a second terminal of said third field effect sensor.
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Specification