The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 16, 1996
Filed:
Mar. 17, 1994
Thomas M Taylor, West Vancouver, CA;
Mitchell G Burton, Burnaby, CA;
Tanisys Technology, Inc., Austin, TX (US);
Abstract
A capacitance-sensitive switch unit including a capacitive element operable to produce an effective capacitance dependent upon the physical proximity of objects relative thereto, a first selector signal input connected to the capacitive element to enable a first input signal to charge the effective capacitance, a threshold signal producing circuit connected to the capacitive element, for producing a threshold signal which is rendered active when the effective capacitance charges to a pre-defined potential, a switching circuit for selectively connecting the capacitive element to the threshold signal producing circuit in response to a switching signal and a discharge control circuit connected to the capacitive element, for selectively discharging the effective capacitance independently of the input signal, in response to a discharge signal. Also disclosed is a switch array employing structure similar to the above.