Patents by Inventor Donald Charles Mueller

Donald Charles Mueller has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9306561
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: TOUCHSENSOR TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: David W. Caldwell, Rick L. Oppor, Anthony V. Gioiosa, Robert B. Campbell, Thomas M. Schreiber, Bahar N. Wadia, Mark R. Mathews, Donald Charles Mueller, Daniel Eavenson
  • Publication number: 20120267964
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: TOUCHSENSOR TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: David W. Caldwell, Rick L. Oppor, Anthony V. Gioiosa, Robert B. Campbell, Thomas M. Schreiber, Bahar N. Wadia, Mark R. Mathews, Donald Charles Mueller, Daniel Eavenson
  • Patent number: 8227940
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: TouchSensor Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David W. Caldwell, Rick L. Oppor, Anthony V. Gioiosa, Robert B. Campbell, Thomas M. Schreiber, Bahar N. Wadia, Mark R. Mathews, Donald Charles Mueller, Daniel Eavenson
  • Publication number: 20110133815
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: TOUCHSENSOR TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: David W. Caldwell, Rick L. Oppor, Anthony V. Gioiosa, Robert B. Campbell, Thomas M. Schreiber, Bahar N. Wadia, Mark R. Mathews, Donald Charles Mueller, Daniel Eavenson
  • Patent number: 7906875
    Abstract: A touch switch apparatus for detecting the presence of an object such as a human appendage, the apparatus having a touch pad, an electric field generated about the touch pad and also having a preferably integrated and local control circuit connected to the touch pad and to a controlled device. Practical applications for touch switch apparatus, including use of touch switch apparatus in connection with other structure to emulate mechanical switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: TouchSensor Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David W. Caldwell, Rick L. Oppor, Anthony V. Gioiosa, Robert B. Campbell, Thomas M. Schreiber, Bahar N. Wadia, Mark R. Mathews, Donald Charles Mueller, Daniel Eavenson
  • Patent number: 7850339
    Abstract: A display includes a substrate having front and rear sides and defining one or more optical paths. A light source corresponding to each optical path is associated with the rear side of the substrate. Light propagates from the light source to the front side of the substrate through the corresponding optical path. Offsetting the light source from the centerline of the optical path improves light diffusion by promoting light reflection off the sides of the optical path. Multiple light sources of different colors can be associated with each optical path to provide for variable color output from each optical path at the front side of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Touchsensor Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bahar N. Wadia, Donald Charles Mueller
  • Patent number: 7364322
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus includes multiple point light sources housed in a reflector housing. The reflector housing diffuses the light produced by the point light sources to emulate a linear light source. Power supplies are provided to energize the light sources, to control heat generation and energy usage, and to provide thermal protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: TouchSensor Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rick L. Oppor, Bahar N. Wadia, Donald Charles Mueller, David Allen Wolff