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:
Jun. 10, 1997
Filed:
Aug. 24, 1994
Bruce A Sanborn, Rochester, NY (US);
Shawn E O'Hara, Rochester, NY (US);
MDT Corporation, Rochester, NY (US);
Abstract
An operatory light fixture having a touchless switch operatively connected to a lamp disclosed. The touchless switch is constructed to detect a user's hand when positioned in a command location relative to the touchless switch and to respond thereto by operating the lamp. In a preferred embodiment, the touchless switch is an active infrared-type switch, comprising means for emitting infrared light toward a command location, means for detecting infrared light reflected from an object such as a hand which is positioned at or near the command location, and relay means responsively connected to the detection means and operatively connected to the lamp. In another preferred embodiment, the touchless switch includes means for discriminating a true signal produced by placement of an object such as a user's hand at the command location, from randomly occurring fluctuations in light intensity in the operatory environment.