User interface with proximity sensing
First Claim
1. A user interface it integrated with an electronic device, the user interface comprising:
- first and second touch sensor switches; and
a microchip configured to indicate information provided by the electronic device in response to the first touch sensor switch being turned on independently of the second touch sensor switch,wherein the microchip is further configured to perform a function of the electronic device independent of the indicating the information provided by the electronic device, the function being different from the indicating the information provided by the electronic device, in response to the second touch sensor switch being turned on independently of the first touch sensor switch.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electronic circuit including a microchip for use as an intelligent user interface also comprises touch sensor technology that differentiates between proximity and physical contact events to activate and control various loads including light bulbs, products with radio frequency circuitry or electric motors. An input to the microchip is connected to a switch or sensing structure that does not form a serial link between the power source and the load. The electronic circuit controls various functions in response to user actions including automatic delayed shut-off functions, find-in-the-dark indicator and power source level/product state indications. The microchip allows the user to select specific functions based on the time duration of activation signals, the time duration between activation signals and the number of activation signals at the input. The microchip is further configured to interpret and react to the signals received from a user in a way that enhances ease of use of the product and to use the indicators to provide information to the user that is influenced by the signals received as well as the state of the product.
127 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A user interface it integrated with an electronic device, the user interface comprising:
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first and second touch sensor switches; and a microchip configured to indicate information provided by the electronic device in response to the first touch sensor switch being turned on independently of the second touch sensor switch, wherein the microchip is further configured to perform a function of the electronic device independent of the indicating the information provided by the electronic device, the function being different from the indicating the information provided by the electronic device, in response to the second touch sensor switch being turned on independently of the first touch sensor switch. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of controlling a user interface integrated with an electronic device, the user interface comprising first and second touch sensor switches and a microchip configured to control functions of the first and second touch sensor switches, the method comprising:
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indicating, by the microchip, information provided by the electronic device in response to detecting the first touch sensor switch being turned on independently of the second touch sensor switch; and controlling, by the microchip, to perform a function of the electronic device independent of the indicating the information provided by the electronic device, the function being different from the indicating the information provided by the electronic device, in response to detecting the second touch sensor switch being turned on independently of the first touch sensor switch. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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11. An electronic device comprising a load, a power source or connection and a user interface which comprises a microchip and a switch coupled to the microchip,
wherein the switch is configured to activate the microchip to control flow of power from the power source or connection to the load, wherein, in response to an input to the user interface, the microchip is configured to activate at least one function or mode of the electronic device without activating the load; - and
wherein the microchip is further configured to activate a specific function or mode of the electronic device based on a time duration of pressing or activating the switch. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An electronic device comprising a load, a power source or connection and a user interface which comprises a microchip and a switch coupled to the microchip:
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wherein the switch is configured to activate the microchip to control flow of power from the power source or connection to the load, wherein, in response to at least one input to the user interface, the microchip is configured to activate at least one function or mode of the electronic device without activating the load; and wherein the microchip is further configured to activate the load in response to an input to the user interface, control automatic shut-off of the load after a predetermined time of no input to the user interface, and generate a signal to indicate that the automatic shut-off is imminent. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. A method of controlling an electronic device comprising a load, a power source or connection and a user interface which comprises a microchip and a switch coupled to the microchip, the method comprising:
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controlling the switch to activate the microchip to control flow of power from the power source or connection to the load; and in response to an input to the user interface, activating at least one function or mode of the electronic device without activating the load; and activating a specific function or mode of the electronic device based on a time duration of pressing or activating the switch. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A method of controlling an electronic device comprising a load, a power source or connection and a user interface which comprises a microchip and a switch coupled to the microchip, the method comprising:
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controlling the switch to activate the microchip to control flow of power from the power source or connection to the load, in response to at least one input to the user interface, activating at least one function or mode of the electronic device without activating the load; and activating the load in response to an input to the user interface, controlling automatic shut-off of the load after a predetermined time of no input to the user interface, and generating a signal to indicate that the automatic shut-off of the load is imminent. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31)
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Specification