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.
Claims16
A panel comprising a plurality of electronic sensor apparatus, each of said sensor apparatus comprising:
- a touch pad comprising at least a first electrode;
- and
- a control circuit disposed on an integrated circuit, said control circuit comprising:
- a signal source;
- an input section comprising a first input channel and a second input channel;
- a decision section having a first input, a second input, and an output;
- and
- an output section;
- wherein signal source is coupled to said touch pad;
- wherein said first input channel is coupled to said signal source, said first electrode and said first input of said decision section;
- wherein said second input channel is coupled to said signal source and said second input of said decision section;
- and
- wherein said output of said decision section is coupled to said output section.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.