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. 05, 2016
Filed:
Jul. 02, 2012
David W. Caldwell, Holland, MI (US);
Rick L. Oppor, Schaumburg, IL (US);
Anthony V. Gioiosa, Justice, IL (US);
Robert B. Campbell, Naperville, IL (US);
Thomas M. Schreiber, Wheaton, IL (US);
Bahar N. Wadia, Bartlett, IL (US);
Mark R. Mathews, Lombard, IL (US);
Donald Charles Mueller, Aurora, IL (US);
Daniel Eavenson, Tinley Park, IL (US);
David W. Caldwell, Holland, MI (US);
Rick L. Oppor, Schaumburg, IL (US);
Anthony V. Gioiosa, Justice, IL (US);
Robert B. Campbell, Naperville, IL (US);
Thomas M. Schreiber, Wheaton, IL (US);
Bahar N. Wadia, Bartlett, IL (US);
Mark R. Mathews, Lombard, IL (US);
Donald Charles Mueller, Aurora, IL (US);
Daniel Eavenson, Tinley Park, IL (US);
TOUCHSENSOR TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, Wheaton, IL (US);
Abstract
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.