Electrical switch and method of generating an electrical switch output signal
US6522032B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 20, 2000 |
| Grant date | Feb 18, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 20, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K17/962
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An electrical switch and a method of generating an electrical switch output signal. An electric switch senses both pressure placed upon the switch's surface and the contact of the object exerting the pressure on the switch. When both conditions exist, the switch is activated. The electrical switch may employ a piezoelectric element to recognize the application of pressure, a capacitive sensing circuit to recognize the presence of an object applying the pressure, and a microcontroller circuit to control output switch circuity upon satisfaction of both conditions precedent. The electrical switch can be configured to provide a continuous output signal for the duration that the switch is pressed after the conditions are satisfied or to switch between open and closed states each time the switch is pressed after the conditions are satisfied.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.