Patent · US Expired

Touch sensitive device for a timepiece

US4203280A · kind A · utility

16Cited by
4References
6Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 21, 1978
Grant dateMay 20, 1980
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 21, 1998

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH03K17/96
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A touch sensitive device for controlling a function of a timepiece is formed with a condenser having a capacity independent of the area of the device touched. A conductive stem is fixed in a timepiece case and is electrically insulated from the case by a mounting member. A head is fixed on an end of the stem adjacent the outside of the timepiece to form one of the condenser electrodes. A thin layer of insulating material covers the outside of the head and forms the condenser dielectric. A layer of conductive material is fixed on a side of the dielectric material opposite the head and forms the second condenser electrode. When the second electrode is energized by the touch of the user, the entire second electrode is energized independent of the area touched by the user, giving the condenser a capacity independent of the area of the second electrode touched.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.