Intelligent user interface including a touch sensor device

• US 8,823,273 B2
• Filed: 04/30/2013
• Issued: 09/02/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Global Touch Solutions LLC (Intellectual Discovery Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Global Touch Solutions LLC (Intellectual Discovery Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Bruwer, Frederick J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Tung X
• Application Number:
  US13/873,418
• Publication Number:
  US 20130300304A1
• Time in Patent Office: 490 Days
• Field of Search: 315/129, 315/136, 315/200.A, 315/200.R, 315/291, 315/307, 315/360, 315/362
• US Class Current: 315/200.A
• 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 to control a light generating load used with a power supply circuit, said module comprising a microchip and an AC to DC voltage conversion circuit, said microchip comprising a first switch, a control module and timing circuit, said first switch used for regulating power to said light generating load, wherein the module receives operating function selection commands through one of the following configurations:

wiring of the power supply circuit is used to transfer commands to the module; and

a touch sensing input that facilitates input of commands by a user to the module.

2. The electronic module of claim 1, wherein said power supply circuit is adapted to be connected to a mains type power source providing an AC voltage.

3. The electronic module of claim 2, wherein said light generating load comprises an LED or LEDs.

4. The electronic module of claim 3, wherein an operating function comprises a specific adjustment in the level of light being emitted by said light generating load.

5. The electronic module of claim 3, wherein an operating function comprises a delayed shut off function of said light generating load.

6. The electronic module of claim 3, wherein the microchip is adapted to also receive commands over the power supply circuit from another microcontroller for controlling the light generating load and the user interface comprises a touch sensor.