Intelligent electrical devices
First Claim
1. An electronic switch module for use with a product connected to a power source and comprising an energy consuming load, said module comprising:
- a microchip having an electromechanical switch connected to it, wherein said microchip can monitor the open and close operations of the switch;
said switch functioning as a user interface for the selection of multiple functions controlled by said microchip;
said microchip configured to control the activation and deactivation of the load as well as at least one other function;
said module configured to receive an input signal from a proximity/touch sensor interface;
wherein said microchip is further configured to function according to at least one configuration selected from the following group;
a) wherein switch activation is required to select an “
ON”
condition from an “
OFF”
condition, and in the “
ON”
condition the proximity/touch sensor is used to de-activate the load when a no-touch condition is sensed, and the load is activated when a touch condition is sensed again;
b) wherein the switch is required to activate the load and wherein upon activation, the proximity/touch sensor establishes a reference level which is used to determine a no-touch condition and adjustment of the reference level is frozen while the no-touch condition is maintained;
c) wherein the activation of multiple locating signals is determined by an input from the proximity/touch sensor in combination with the state of the product; and
d) wherein the switch is used to activate the load in a mode that provides an automatic time-out to deactivate the load, in which the microchip controls an indication before the deactivation occurs and in which an input signal from the proximity/touch sensor showing proximity resets the time-out and continues activation of the load in a period after the indication is given or reactivates the load in a short period after deactivation has occurred.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A module for controlling power supply to a load in a product which includes a microchip, and an electromechanical switch and a proximity/touch sensor connected to the microchip, preferably to the same input. The switch is primarily used to activate or deactivate the load and the proximity/touch sensor to vary the effect of operating the switch, or to control additional functions such as the activation of a signal, typically a light signal, which helps to locate the product, particularly in the dark, and to vary the duration of an automatic time-out period at the end of which the load is deactivated.
64 Citations
12 Claims
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1. An electronic switch module for use with a product connected to a power source and comprising an energy consuming load, said module comprising:
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a microchip having an electromechanical switch connected to it, wherein said microchip can monitor the open and close operations of the switch;
said switch functioning as a user interface for the selection of multiple functions controlled by said microchip;
said microchip configured to control the activation and deactivation of the load as well as at least one other function;
said module configured to receive an input signal from a proximity/touch sensor interface;
wherein said microchip is further configured to function according to at least one configuration selected from the following group;
a) wherein switch activation is required to select an “
ON”
condition from an “
OFF”
condition, and in the “
ON”
condition the proximity/touch sensor is used to de-activate the load when a no-touch condition is sensed, and the load is activated when a touch condition is sensed again;
b) wherein the switch is required to activate the load and wherein upon activation, the proximity/touch sensor establishes a reference level which is used to determine a no-touch condition and adjustment of the reference level is frozen while the no-touch condition is maintained;
c) wherein the activation of multiple locating signals is determined by an input from the proximity/touch sensor in combination with the state of the product; and
d) wherein the switch is used to activate the load in a mode that provides an automatic time-out to deactivate the load, in which the microchip controls an indication before the deactivation occurs and in which an input signal from the proximity/touch sensor showing proximity resets the time-out and continues activation of the load in a period after the indication is given or reactivates the load in a short period after deactivation has occurred. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An electronic switch module for use with a product connected to a power source and comprising an energy consuming load, said module comprising:
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a microchip having multiple proximity/touch sensors connected to it;
said sensors functioning as a user interface for the selection of multiple functions controlled by said microchip;
said microchip being configured to control the activation and deactivation of the load as well as at least one other function; and
wherein the activation of at least one locating signal, selected from a plurality of locating signals, is determined by an input from a proximity/touch sensor in combination with the state of the product.
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Specification