Touchsensor Technologies, LLC

Koninklijke Philips Corporation N.v.

Philips Medical Systems (cleveland), Inc.

Donald Charles Mueller

Bahar N Wadia

David W Caldwell

Thomas M Schreiber

Mark Robert Mathews

Rick L Oppor

Robert B Campbell

Anthony V Gioiosa

Daniel Eavenson

Mark S Maska

Norman Wandke

Deron Stambaugh

Anthony Russo

David Allen Wolff

Dan Eavenson

A touch switch apparatus emulating a mechanical switch includes a field effect sensor and an electric field stimulator mechanically associated with the field effect sensor. A field generation signal applied to the field effect sensor causes an electric field to be generated thereabout. The electric field stimulator can be moved between first and second positions with respect to the field effect sensor. When moved into proximity with the field effect sensor, the electric field stimulator disturbs the electric field. A detection circuit coupled to the field effect sensor detects and responds to the disturbance to the electric field.

Touch switches and practical applications therefor

An interconnect apparatus for interconnecting electrical components includes a body and a spring element retained by and extending from the body. The apparatus is configured so that a portion thereof may be captured between first and second substrates and to connect electrical circuits lying in different planes.

System for connecting a first substrate to a second substrate

An intelligent shelving system integrates touch sensors, displays, lighting, and other components into shelves. Touch sensors can be used as limit switches to control shelf motion, to monitor items borne on shelves, to detect spills, and to control lighting and other devices and functions. Displays can provide information relating to objects stored in the shelving system and the operation and status of the shelving system.

Intelligent shelving system

A touch switch apparatus for detecting the presence of an object such as a human appendage, the apparatus having a touch pad, an electric field generated about the touch pad and also having a preferably integrated and local control circuit connected to the touch pad and to a controlled device. Practical applications for touch switch apparatus, including use of touch switch apparatus in connection with other structure to emulate mechanical switches.

A display includes a substrate having front and rear sides and defining one or more optical paths. A light source corresponding to each optical path is associated with the rear side of the substrate. Light propagates from the light source to the front side of the substrate through the corresponding optical path. Offsetting the light source from the centerline of the optical path improves light diffusion by promoting light reflection off the sides of the optical path. Multiple light sources of different colors can be associated with each optical path to provide for variable color output from each optical path at the front side of the substrate.

Display having thin cross-section and/or multi-colored output

A stand-off having a flange and a projecting portion extending from the flange is integrated with a first substrate, for example, a printed circuit board (PCB), by forming a hole in the PCB, inserting the projecting portion of the stand-off through the hole, and attaching a second substrate to the first substrate with the flange therebetween. The flange can be at least partially received by a relief formed in one of the substrates or in an aperture in an adhesive layer between the two substrates. The stand-off can be further secured to the PCB using one or more of adhesives, interference fit techniques, snap-assembly features, and other applicable techniques. Alternatively, the stand-off can be attached to a substrate using a sliding snap feature or sliding interference fit. An attachable component can be attached to the projecting portion of the stand-off.

Apparatus and methods for interconnecting electrical circuit substrates and components

A lighting apparatus includes multiple point light sources housed in a reflector housing. The reflector housing diffuses the light produced by the point light sources to emulate a linear light source. Power supplies are provided to energize the light sources, to control heat generation and energy usage, and to provide thermal protection.

Appliance convenience light

A high energy x-ray tube includes an evacuated chamber ( ) containing a rotor ( ) which rotates an anode ( ) in the path of a stream of electrons (A) to generate an x-rays (B) and heat. The rotor includes a bearing shaft ( ) connected to the anode by a thermally conductive structure ( ). The bearing shaft carries soft metal-lubricated bearing balls ( F, R) in forward and rear bearing races ( ). An annular groove ( ) is defined longitudinally in the shaft which, particularly when evacuated, provides a thermal barrier between the forward race and the portion of the shaft that is thermally connected with the anode. The groove lengthens the path heat entering the bearing shaft travels in order to reach the forward bearing race. As a result, the temperature of the forward race, and hence the evaporation of lubricant during operation of the x-ray tube, is reduced. The groove may be formed by electrical discharge machining the bearing shaft or by forming the shaft from inner and peripheral components ( ) which are connected together adjacent the rear bearing race ( ).

Thermally isolated x-ray tube bearing

A high energy x-ray tube includes an evacuated chamber ( ) containing a rotor ( ) which rotates an anode ( ) in the path of a stream of electrons (A) to generate an x-ray beam (B) and heat. Heat is carried away from the anode to a bearing shaft ( ) which rotates relative to a stationary rotor ( ) on forward and rear lubricated bearings ( P, R). The heat is directed away from the forward bearings ( F), by a core ( ) of a thermally conductive material, such as copper, disposed in a central cavity ( ) within the shaft. Annular insulating regions ( ) are optionally defined between the core and the bearing shaft adjacent the races to increase the thermal path between the anode and the races. The reduction in temperature of the forward bearings results in a decrease in the evaporation rate of the lubricant ( ) and a corresponding increase in the lifetime of the x-ray tube.

Growing community of inventors

Aurora, IL, United States of America

Donald Charles Mueller