Position sensing and indicating device
First Claim
1. A .[.level.]. controlling device comprising:
- position sensing transducer means having an elongated transducing surface for detecting the presence and position of an actuating device that is arbitrarily positionable by a user on the transducing surface independent of any previous position of the actuating device on the transducing surface, said detection being independent of the electrical properties of the human body; and
circuit means connected to the transducer means for producing a fist signal representative of the fact that an actuating device is present at the transducing surface and a second signal representative of the position of the actuating device at the transducing surface for controlling .[.the level of.]. a utilization device.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The position of the operator'"'"'s finger or an actuating device on a transducing surface is used for controlling the level of utilization devices including theater lights controlled by an automated theater light control system. The transducing surface, which may be either an analog or a digital device, is elongated in shape and is immediately adjacent to an elongated display having individual light emitting devices to indicate the level of the utilization device being controlled. Circuitry connected to the transducing surface produces a first signal to indicate when an operator'"'"'s finger or an actuating device is present on the transducing surface, and it produces a second signal to indicate the position of the operator'"'"'s finger or the actuating device on the transducing surface. The second signal is supplied to the display, and the first and second signals are supplied to the utilization device.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A .[.level.]. controlling device comprising:
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position sensing transducer means having an elongated transducing surface for detecting the presence and position of an actuating device that is arbitrarily positionable by a user on the transducing surface independent of any previous position of the actuating device on the transducing surface, said detection being independent of the electrical properties of the human body; and circuit means connected to the transducer means for producing a fist signal representative of the fact that an actuating device is present at the transducing surface and a second signal representative of the position of the actuating device at the transducing surface for controlling .[.the level of.]. a utilization device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A position sensing device comprising:
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an arbitrarily user positionable actuating device; a transducer sensitive to the proximity and position of the actuating device independent of the electrical properties of the human body and independent of any previous position of the actuating device proximate to the transducer; and circuit means connected to the transducer for producing a first signal in response to the actuating device being brought into proximity with the transducer and for producing a second signal to indicate the position of the actuating device after it is brought into proximity with the transducer. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A position sensing device comprising:
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an arbitrarily user positionable actuating device;
a transducer sensitive to the presence and position of the actuating device independent of the electrical properties of the human body and independent of any previous position of the actuating device on the transducer; andcircuit means connected to the transducer for producing a first signal in response to the actuating device being brought into contact with the transducer and for producing a second signal to indicate the position of the actuating device on the transducer. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. In an automated control system having programmed control means for controlling .[.the level of.]. a utilization device connected thereto, a manual override control comprising:
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display means connected to the programmed control means for displaying the current .[.level of the.]. utilization .Iadd.of the .Iaddend.device under control; an actuating device; a control panel sensitive to the proximity and position of the actuating device; circuit means connected to the display means and the control panel for detecting the proximity of the actuating device to the control panel for producing a first signal to cause the program control means to interrupt program control .[.of the level.]. of the utilization device, and for determining the position of the actuating device when it is brought into proximity with the control panel and producing a second signal to establish the .[.level of the.]. utilization device in response to the position of the actuating device. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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24. In an automated control system having programmed control means for controlling .[.the level of.]. a utilization device connected thereto, a manual override control comprising:
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display means connected to the programmed control means for displaying the current .[.level of the.]. utilization .Iadd.of the .Iaddend.device under control; an actuating device; a control panel sensitive to the presence and position of the actuating device; circuit means connected to the display means and the control panel for detecting the presence of the actuating device on the control panel and for producing a first signal to cause the program control means to interrupt program control of the .[.level of the.]. utilization device, and for determining the position of the actuating device on the control panel and producing a second signal to establish the level of the utilization device in response to the position of the actuating device. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27)
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Specification