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Intelligent electrical devices

  • US 20060279896A1
  • Filed: 04/19/2006
  • Published: 12/14/2006
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2005
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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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:

  • 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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