INTELLIGENT USER INTERFACE INCLUDING A TOUCH SENSOR DEVICE

US 20090015420A1
Filed: 09/26/2008
Published: 01/15/2009
Est. Priority Date: 10/09/1998
Status: Active Grant

First Claim

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1. An electronic module for use with a product, said product comprising a power source or a connection for a power source, and an energy consuming load, said module also comprising,a circuit comprising a microchip and a touch sensor forming part of a user interface, wherein the microchip also controls a visible indicator that is activated in response to an activation signal received from the user interface when the load is not activated by the user.

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Abstract

The present invention, according to a preferred embodiment, is directed to portable electronic devices which operate on exhaustible power sources, for example, batteries. The electronic devices of the present invention comprise at least one signal switch and a microchip in communication with the switch wherein the switch is only capable of transmitting a signal to the microchip that the switch has been activated or deactivated. The microchip is in communication with the exhaustible power source of the electronic device and controls (i) the power on/off function of the device, (ii) at least one other function of the device in response to activation and deactivation signals from the switch, and (iii) an automatic shut off function in response to the receipt of an activation signal from the switch.

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31 Claims

1. An electronic module for use with a product, said product comprising a power source or a connection for a power source, and an energy consuming load, said module also comprising,a circuit comprising a microchip and a touch sensor forming part of a user interface, wherein the microchip also controls a visible indicator that is activated in response to an activation signal received from the user interface when the load is not activated by the user.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
- - 2. An electronic module according to claim 1, wherein the power source is mains.
  - 3. An electronic module according to claim 1, wherein the power source is non-mains and contained in the product housing.
  - 4. An electronic module according to claim 1, wherein the user interface also selects activation and deactivation functions of the product.
  - 5. An electronic module according to claim 1, wherein a location indicator is activated and is then subject to an automatic time out.
  - 6. An electronic module according to claim 5, wherein the location indicator is controlled by the microchip to have a duty cycle.
  - 7. An electronic module according to claim 1, wherein a function selected and activated by a user interface activation signal is automatically shut off after a predetermined period of time.
  - 8. An electronic module according to claim 5, wherein a function selected and activated by a user interface activation signal, automatically shuts off, a predetermined period of time after a signal was received from the user interface switch.
  - 9. An electronic module according to claim 5, wherein the product it works with comprises audio signals generating circuitry and radio frequency circuitry.
  - 10. An electronic module according to claim 1, wherein the indicator is at least an LED.
  - 11. An electronic module according to claim 1, wherein the indicator also shows the state or condition of the product.
  - 12. An electronic module according to claim 1, wherein the user interface is implemented using conductive paint or similar substance.
  - 13. An electronic module according to claim 1, wherein the user interface is implemented using flexible tape comprising conductive material.
  - 14. An electronic module according to claim 8, wherein the user interface is implemented using conductive paint or similar substance.
  - 15. An electronic module according to claim 8, wherein the user interface is implemented using flexible tape comprising conductive material.
  - 16. An electronic module according to claim 8, wherein the power source is non-mains and contained in the product housing.
  - 17. An electronic module according to claim 5, wherein the product comprises an electric motor.
  - 18. An electronic module according to claim 14, wherein the product comprises an electric motor.
  - 19. An electronic module according to claim 15, wherein the product comprises an electric motor.
  - 20. An electronic module according to claim 1, adapted for use with a product comprising radio frequency (RF) circuitry, an electric motor and audio signal generating circuitry.
  - 21. An electronic module according to claim 5, adapted for use with a product comprising radio frequency (RF) circuitry.
  - 22. An electronic module according to claim 8, adapted for use with a product comprising radio frequency (RF) circuitry.
  - 23. An electronic module according to claim 17, wherein the electric motor is connected to a fan.
  - 24. An electronic module according to claim 5, wherein a touch sensor switch is connected to the circuit and/or the microchip with only one connection and is used to adjust the power level to the load.
  - 25. An electronic module according to claim 8, wherein a touch sensor switch is connected to the circuit and/or the microchip with only one connection and is used to adjust the power to the load.
  - 26. An electronic module according to claim 14, wherein a touch sensor switch is connected to the circuit and/or the microchip with only one connection and is used to adjust the power to the load.
  - 27. An electronic module according to claim 5, wherein the location indicator is an LED.
  - 28. An electronic module according to claim 25, wherein the location indicator is an LED.
  - 29. An electronic module according to claim 5, wherein the location indicator also gives an indication of the product condition or state of the product.
  - 30. An electronic module according to claim 1, adapted to be positioned as a serial element in the circuit that transfers power from the power source to the load, wherein the power switch is in parallel to the microchip, the module comprises an energy storage element to power the microchip at least when the power switch is conducting power to the load.
  - 31. An electronic module according to claim 11, adapted to be positioned as a serial element in the circuit that transfers power from the power source to the load, wherein the power switch is in parallel to the microchip, the module comprises an energy storage element to power the microchip at least when the power switch is conducting power to the load.

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Current Assignee
Global Touch Solutions LLC (Intellectual Discovery Co., Ltd.)
Original Assignee
Azoteq Pty Ltd.
Inventors
Bruwer, Frederick J.

Granted Patent

US 7,781,980 B2
Time in Patent Office

Days
Field of Search
US Class Current

340/654
CPC Class Codes

H05B 39/041   the light-intensity of the ...

H05B 39/044   continuously H05B39/042 tak...

H05B 39/085   by touch control

H05B 39/09   in which the lamp is fed by...

H05B 47/10   Controlling the light source

H05B 47/16   by timing means

H05B 47/165   following a pre-assigned pr...

H05B 47/175   by remote control

H05B 47/185   via power line carrier tran...

Y02B 20/00   Energy efficient lighting t...

Y02B 20/40   Control techniques providin...

INTELLIGENT USER INTERFACE INCLUDING A TOUCH SENSOR DEVICE

First Claim

2 Assignments

0 Petitions

Accused Products

Abstract

7 Citations

31 Claims

Specification

Solutions

Use Cases

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INTELLIGENT USER INTERFACE INCLUDING A TOUCH SENSOR DEVICE

First Claim

2 Assignments

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Subscription Required

0 Petitions

Subscription Required

Accused Products

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Abstract

7 Citations

31 Claims

Specification

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Solutions

Use Cases

Quick Links