IP Library Granted Patent US 7,291,939
Granted Patent B2
US 7,291,939 · App. 10/844,934 · Granted Nov 6, 2007

Two wire touch sensor interface

Assignee: TouchSensor Technologies, LLC
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,291,939
App. No.
10/844,934
Granted
Nov 6, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

A touch sensor interfaces with a control system or controlled device using two wires. The output of the touch sensor controls an output switch.

Claims (13)

1. A touch controlled switch apparatus having a two wire interface, comprising:

a high voltage terminal coupled to a source of high voltage;

a low voltage terminal coupled to a source of low voltage;

an output switch having a first terminal coupled to said high voltage terminal and a second terminal coupled to said low voltage terminal;

a first diode having a first terminal coupled to said high voltage terminal;

a first capacitor having a first terminal coupled to said low voltage terminal and a second terminal coupled to a second terminal of said first diode;

a touch sensor comprising at least one sensing electrode and a control circuit coupled to said at least one sensing electrode, said control circuit having an input coupled to the junction of said first diode and said first capacitor, said control circuit further having a control output coupled to a control input terminal of said output switch;

a voltage regulator having a power input coupled to said second terminal of said first diode and said second terminal of said first capacitor and a power outout coupled to said control circuit; and

an enablement circuit adapted to selectively enable and disable said output switch according to a predetermined criterion.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a zener diode coupled between said first diode and said low voltage terminal.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said zener diode is coupled in parallel with said first capaeitor.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said output switch is disabled when said output of said voltage regulator falls below a predetermined voltage.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said output switch is open when said output of said voltage regulator falls below a predetermined voltage.

Assignments (5)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 11, 2024
From: TOUCHSENSOR TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 067958/0721 →
NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT Recorded Nov 6, 2006
From: MATERIAL SCIENCES CORPORATION
To: MATERIAL SCIENCES CORPORATION, ELECTRONIC MATERIALS AND DEVICES GROUP, INC.
Reel/Frame 018483/0401 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNOR'S NAME PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 016675 FRAME 0185. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE THE CONVEYANCE OF ENTIRE INTEREST. Recorded Dec 6, 2005
From: MATERIAL SCIENCES CORPORATION, ELECTRONIC MATERIALS AND DEVICES GROUP, INC.
To: TOUCHSENSOR TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 016857/0821 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 24, 2005
From: MATERIAL SCIENCES CORPORATION
To: TOUCHSENSOR TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 016675/0185 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 8, 2005
From: HOEKSTRA, ERIC J.
To: MATERIAL SCIENCES CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 016496/0470 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 6047096100 · May 15, 2003
Related Publication 20050168909A1 · Aug 4, 2005