INTELLIGENT USER INTERFACE INCLUDING A TOUCH SENSOR DEVICE

US 20100309015A1
Filed: 08/12/2010
Published: 12/09/2010
Est. Priority Date: 10/09/1998
Status: Active Grant

First Claim

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1. A method for controlling a product comprising a power source, or a connection for a power source, and an energy consuming load, said method including the step of providing an electronic module comprising an electronic circuit including a microchip and a touch sensor forming part of a user interface, said microchip adapted to control the activation of a visible indicator in response to an activation signal received from the user interface while operation of the load is unaffected.

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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.

4 Citations

26 Claims

1. A method for controlling a product comprising a power source, or a connection for a power source, and an energy consuming load, said method including the step of providing an electronic module comprising an electronic circuit including a microchip and a touch sensor forming part of a user interface, said microchip adapted to control the activation of a visible indicator in response to an activation signal received from the user interface while operation of the load is unaffected.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
- - 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the power source is mains.
  - 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the power source is not mains and wherein the power source is enclosed in the product housing.
  - 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the method also includes the step of activating or deactivating the product via commands received from the user interface.
  - 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the method also includes the step of automatically deactivating the visible indicator a predetermined period of time after it was activated.
  - 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the method also includes the step of automatically deactivating a function that was activated in response to an activation signal, received from said user interface, a predetermined period of time after it was activated.
  - 7. The method of claim 5 wherein the method also includes the step of automatically deactivating a function that was activated in response to an activation signal, received from said user interface, a predetermined period of time after it was activated.
  - 8. The method of claim 1 wherein the method is also used in a product comprising audio signal generating circuitry and radio frequency circuitry.
  - 9. The method of claim 5 wherein the method is also used in a product comprising audio signal generating circuitry and radio frequency circuitry.
  - 10. The method of claim 1 wherein the method is used in a product wherein the indicator is at least an LED.
  - 11. The method of claim 5 wherein the method also includes the step wherein the indicator also shows a state of the product or a condition of the product.
  - 12. The method of claim 5 wherein the method also includes the step using electrically conductive paint or a similar substance to implement the user interface.
  - 13. The method of claim 5 wherein the method also includes the step using electrically conductive flexible tape to implement the user interface.
  - 15. The method of claim 12 wherein the method also includes the step using the microchip to control activation and deactivation of the load as well as adjustment of the average power to the load in response to signals received from the user interface.
  - 16. The method of claim 13 wherein the method also includes the step using the microchip to control activation and deactivation of the load as well as adjustment of the average power to the load in response to signals received from the user interface.
  - 17. The method of claim 1 wherein the method is also used in a product comprising audio signal generating circuitry and radio frequency circuitry.
  - 18. The method of claim 1 wherein the method is also used in an electronic module comprising a touch sensor pad connected with only one connection to the microchip and/or the circuitry.
  - 19. The method of claim 5 wherein the method is also used in an electronic module comprising a touch sensor pad connected with only one connection to the microchip and/or the circuitry.
  - 20. The method of claim 9 wherein the method also includes the step wherein the indicator also shows a state of the product or a condition of the product.
  - 21. The method of claim 1 wherein the method also includes the step of using the electronic module as a serial element in the circuit that transfers power from the power source to the load, with the electronic module comprising a power switch in parallel with the microchip, and wherein the method further includes powering the microchip from an energy storage element at least when the power switch is conducting power to the load.
  - 22. The method of claim 5 wherein the method also includes the step of using the electronic module as a serial element in the circuit that transfers power from the power source to the load, with the electronic module comprising a power switch in parallel with the microchip, and wherein the method further includes powering the microchip from an energy storage element at least when the power switch is conducting power to the load.
  - 23. The method of claim 16 wherein the method also includes the step of using the electronic module as a serial element in the circuit that transfers power from the power source to the load, with the electronic module comprising a power switch in parallel with the microchip, and wherein the method further includes powering the microchip from an energy storage element at least when the power switch is conducting power to the load.
  - 24. The method of claim 20 wherein the method is applied to a product comprising the electronic user interface module, the power source and the load enclosed in the product casing.
  - 25. The method of claim 16 wherein the method is applied to a product using mains power.

26. An electronic module for use with a product comprising a power source or a connection for a power source, and an energy consuming load, said module comprising an electronic circuit comprising a microchip and a touch sensor wherein said microchip and touch sensor form part of a product user interface, said microchip adapted to control the activation of a visible indicator in response to an activation signal received from the user interface while operation of the load is unaffected.

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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 7,994,726 B2
Time in Patent Office

Days
Field of Search
US Class Current

340/815.4
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

4 Citations

26 Claims

Specification

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INTELLIGENT USER INTERFACE INCLUDING A TOUCH SENSOR DEVICE

First Claim

2 Assignments

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Subscription Required

0 Petitions

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Accused Products

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Abstract

4 Citations

26 Claims

Specification

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Solutions

Use Cases

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