US 5,382,791 A · Dual mode switch for handicapped

Abstract

A dual mode switch for use as a communication aid for the handicapped. The switch can be light activated or around activated, each have a momentary mode and a latching mode. In the momentary mode, the light switch is activated by a given change of impinging light from a first condition to a second condition, and the switch stays on as long as the light remains in the second condition, but turns off when the light returns to the first condition. In the latching mode, the switch stays on even after the light returns to the first condition, and turns off when the impinging light changes again to the second condition. The light switch is activated by moving a hand or other object over a photosensor to block or reduce impinging light, and the switch stays on as long as the hand is over the photosensor, but turns off when the hand is removed. In the latching mode, one pass of the hand turns the switch on, and another pass of the hand turns it off. In the momentary mode of the sound or voice switch, the switch is on only as long as a person keeps talking, and turns off when the person stops talking. In the latching mode, the voice switch stays on after the person stops talking, and turns off when the person starts talking again.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A light responsive control switch comprising:

a photosensor;
detection circuitry responsive to said photosensor and outputting a trigger signal when light impinging said photosensor changes from a first condition to a second condition;
a selection switch having a first condition comprising a momentary mode, and a second condition comprising a latching mode;
an output switch actuated by said trigger signal between first and second states for controlling energization of a load,
such that when said selection switch is in said first condition, said output switch is actuated to said first state by said trigger signal, and is actuated to said second state in response to removal of said trigger signal due to said impinging light changing from said second condition to said first condition,
and when said selection switch is in said second condition, said output switch is actuated to said first state by said trigger signal and remains in said first state upon removal of said trigger signal due to said impinging light changing from said second condition to said first condition, and is actuated to said second state in response to another trigger signal due to said impinging light changing from said first condition to said second condition.

3 more elements

A shadow switch comprising:

a photosensor;
detection circuitry responsive to said photosensor and outputting a trigger signal in response to a given reduction of light impinging said photosensor;
a selection switch having a first condition comprising a momentary mode, and a second condition comprising a latching mode;
an output switch actuated by said trigger signal between first and second states for controlling energization of a load,
such that when said selection switch is in said first condition, said output switch is actuated to said first state by said trigger signal, and is actuated to said second state in response to removal of said trigger signal due to increased light impinging said photosensor,
and when said selection switch is in said second condition, said output switch is actuated to said first state by said trigger signal and remains in said first state upon removal of said trigger signal due to increased light impinging said photosensor, and is actuated to said second state in response to another trigger signal due to reduced light impinging said photosensor.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Dual mode switch for handicapped

Life of this patent

Dual mode switch for handicapped

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims11