Abstract: Magnetically-activated contactless potentiometers with a resistive trace and a conductive trace contained within a channel formed of non-conductive material are described. A gap between the resistive trace and the conductive trace is provided, and the conductive trace is either magnetic/ferromagnetic or is provided with a magnetic/ferromagnetic material. In use, a magnetic force is applied to the potentiometer opposite the resistive trace from the conductive trace, thus attracting the conductive trace to physically and electrically connect with the resistive trace at the location of the magnetic force. This magnetically-induced contact between the conductive trace and the resistive trace produces a resistive feedback from the point of contact and allows for changing the resistance of the potentiometer by laterally moving the magnetic force along the length of the potentiometer.

Abstract: A contactless potentiometer is described wherein the conductive and resistive traces of the potentiometer are contained within a sealed channel formed of non-conductive material. The electrical gap between the conductive and resistive traces is bridged by a magnetically reactive contactless tap. A magnetic force is applied to the tap through the surface of the channel holding the conductive and resistive traces. This provides a drawing magnetic force to the tap which pulls the tap against the traces and allows for changing the resistance of the potentiometer by laterally moving the tap along the traces as the tap moves to follow the motion of the external force.

Abstract: A glass membrane touch-controlled circuit apparatus for voltage selection. The apparatus has a flexible glass membrane which is spaced by a dielectric layer adhesively joined between the upper flexible glass membrane and a lower, rigid support layer. Conductive circuitry is printed onto the surface of the upper flexible glass membrane and corresponding areas of conductive and/or resistive circuitry are printed onto the lower support layer. By application of tactile pressure to the upper flexible glass membrane, the conductive circuitry printed onto the flexible glass membrane can be moved into a point of momentary contact with the circuitry carried on the lower support layer.