Touch switch with integral control circuit
AssigneeTouchsensor Technologies, LLC
InventorDavid W. Caldwell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A touch switch apparatus for detecting the presence of an object such as a human appendage, the apparatus having a touch pad and a local control circuit connected to the touch pad and to a controlled device. The touch pad preferable includes a first electrode and a second electrode spaced from and surrounding the first electrode. The control circuit is preferably in integrated circuit form. A signal is provided to the touch pad to generate an electric field thereabout. Introduction of a stimulus near the touch pad disturbs the electric field. The control circuit detects the electric field disturbance in and generates a control signal in response.
Claims12
An electrical switch apparatus responsive to human proximity and adapted to control a controlled device, comprising:
- a touch pad;
- an integrated circuit coupled to said touch pad, wherein said integrated circuit comprises a startup and bias section, a pulse generator and logic section, a decision section, and a self holding latch section;
- and
- a control line coupled to said integrated circuit, said control line further coupled to said controlled device;
- wherein the distance between said integrated circuit and said controlled device is substantially greater than the distance between said integrated circuit and said touch pad.
An electrical switch apparatus responsive to human proximity and adapted to control a controlled device, comprising:
- a first electrode;
- a second electrode;
- an integrated circuit coupled to said first electrode and said second electrode, wherein said integrated circuit comprises a startup and bias section, a pulse generator and logic section, a decision section, and a self holding latch section;
- and
- a control line coupled to said integrated circuit, said control line further coupled to said controlled device;
- wherein the length of said control line is substantially greater than the distance between said integrated circuit and said touch pad.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.