Multi-function switch apparatus and method of use
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A multi-function switch apparatus comprising:
- a proximity sensor;
a first touch sensor;
a first touch surface associated with said touch sensor, said first touch surface adapted for physical displacement in response to pressure applied thereto;
means for sensing proximity of a stimulus to said apparatus;
means for sensing touch by said stimulus to said touch surface;
means for sensing displacement of said first touch surface by said stimulus;
at least one additional touch sensor;
at least one additional touch surface, each said at least one additional touch surface corresponding to a respective at least one additional touch sensor;
means for sensing touch by said stimulus of said at least one additional touch surface; and
means for sensing displacement of said least one additional second touch surface by said stimulus.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multi-function switch includes a proximity sensor for detecting proximity to the switch-at-large and one or more touch sensors that can distinguish between a touch to a corresponding touch surface and a push to the touch surface.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A multi-function switch apparatus comprising:
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a proximity sensor; a first touch sensor; a first touch surface associated with said touch sensor, said first touch surface adapted for physical displacement in response to pressure applied thereto; means for sensing proximity of a stimulus to said apparatus; means for sensing touch by said stimulus to said touch surface; means for sensing displacement of said first touch surface by said stimulus; at least one additional touch sensor; at least one additional touch surface, each said at least one additional touch surface corresponding to a respective at least one additional touch sensor; means for sensing touch by said stimulus of said at least one additional touch surface; and means for sensing displacement of said least one additional second touch surface by said stimulus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A multi-function switch apparatus comprising:
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a proximity sensor; a first touch sensor; a first touch surface associated with said touch sensor, said first touch surface adapted for selective physical displacement toward said first touch sensor in response to pressure applied to said first touch surface; a control circuit coupled to said proximity sensor and said first touch sensor, said control circuit adapted to detect and distinguish among proximity of a stimulus to said proximity sensor, touch of said stimulus to said first touch surface, and displacement of said first touch surface toward said first touch sensor; at least one additional touch sensor; and at least one additional touch surface, each said additional touch surface corresponding to a respective said additional touch sensor, each said additional touch surface adapted for selective physical displacement toward the respective said additional touch sensor in response to pressure applied to said additional touch surface; wherein said control circuit further is adapted to detect and distinguish among proximity of said stimulus to said apparatus, touch of said stimulus to said first touch surface, displacement of said first touch surface toward said first touch sensor, touch of said stimulus to any said additional touch surface, and displacement of said additional touch surface toward the corresponding said additional touch sensor. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A multi-function switch apparatus comprising:
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a first touch sensor; a first touch surface associated with said touch sensor, said first touch surface adapted for selective physical displacement toward said first touch sensor in response to pressure applied to said first touch surface; a control circuit coupled to said first touch sensor, said control circuit adapted to detect and distinguish among proximity of a stimulus to said first touch surface, touch of said stimulus to said first touch surface, and displacement of said first touch surface toward said first touch sensor; at least one additional touch sensor; and at least one additional touch surface, each said additional touch surface corresponding to a respective said additional touch sensor, each said additional touch surface adapted for selective physical displacement toward the respective said additional touch sensor in response to pressure applied to said additional touch surface; wherein said control circuit further is adapted to detect and distinguish among proximity of said stimulus to said first touch surface, touch of said stimulus to said first touch surface, displacement of said first touch surface toward said first touch sensor, touch of said stimulus to any said additional touch surface, and displacement of said additional touch surface toward the corresponding said additional touch sensor. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification