Position sensing and indicating device

A position sensing device comprising:

• 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.

A position sensing device comprising:

• 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;
• and
• circuit 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.

In an automated control system having programmed control means for controlling the level of a utilization device connected thereto, a manual override control comprising:

• display means connected to the programmed control means for displaying the current level of the utilization 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.

In an automated control system having programmed control means for controlling the level of a utilization device connected thereto, a manual override control comprising:

• display means connected to the programmed control means for displaying the current level of the utilization 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.