Abstract: An article of manufacture having an in-molded resistive and/or shielding element and method of making the same are shown and described. In one disclosed method, a resistive and/or shielding element is printed on a film. The film is formed to a desired shape and put in an injection mold. A molten plastic material is introduced into the injection mold to form a rigid structure that retains the film.

Abstract: An article of manufacture having an in-molded resistive and/or shielding element and method of making the same are shown and described. In one disclosed method, a resistive and/or shielding element is printed on a film. The film is formed to a desired shape and put in an injection mold. A molten plastic material is introduced into the injection mold to form a rigid structure that retains the film.

Abstract: An article of manufacture having an in-molded resistive and/or shielding element and method of making the same are shown and described. In one disclosed method, a resistive and/or shielding element is printed on a film. The film is formed to a desired shape and put in an injection mold. A molten plastic material is introduced into the injection mold to form a rigid structure that retains the film.

Abstract: An article of manufacture having an in-molded resistive and/or shielding element and method of making the same are shown and described. In one disclosed method, a resistive and/or shielding element is printed on a film. The film is formed to a desired shape and put in an injection mold. A molten plastic material is introduced into the injection mold to form a rigid structure that retains the film.

Abstract: An article of manufacture having an in-molded resistive and/or shielding element and method of making the same are shown and described. In one disclosed method, a resistive and/or shielding element is printed on a film. The film is formed to a desired shape and put in an injection mold. A molten plastic material is introduced into the injection mold to form a rigid structure that retains the film.

Abstract: An article of manufacture having an in-molded resistive and/or shielding element and method of making the same are shown and described. In one disclosed method, a resistive and/or shielding element is printed on a film. The film is formed to a desired shape and put in an injection mold. A molten plastic material is introduced into the injection mold to form a rigid structure that retains the film.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method comprising providing one or more information carrier(s) with a dielectric and/or conductive pattern and a detection device having a capacitive touch screen and inducing an interaction between the information carrier and the touch screen, wherein the interaction is based on a difference in the dielectric coefficient and/or the conductivity of the pattern and generates a touch signal and wherein the interaction is induced by relative motion between the information carrier and the touch screen. The invention further relates to a system comprising an information carrier comprising a dielectric and/or conductive pattern which encodes information and a detection device having a touch screen; the detection device is able to decode the information upon interaction between the information carrier and the touch screen, wherein the interaction is caused by a difference in the dielectric coefficient and/or the conductivity of the pattern.

Abstract: An article of manufacture having an in-molded capacitive switch and method of making the same are shown and described. In one disclosed method, a conductive ink sensing zone is printed on a film. The film is formed to a desired shape and put in an injection mold. A molten plastic material is introduced into the injection mold to form a rigid structure that retains the film.

Abstract: A control circuit and associated method for dynamically controlling power to one or more heating elements are provided. A power source supplies power to a load through one or more current pass elements, which is controlled by a control signal. A processor determines a time period (T) having a time cycle beginning at Ton and a Time cycle end at Toff, where the Time cycle end is less than the time period (T), variable, and generates the control signal or signals each time period (T), thereby electrically connecting the power source to the load and the current sensing element each time period (T) to dispense precisely predetermined quantities of energy per pulse.

Abstract: An electrically conductive module is provided. The module includes a panel configured to engage with one or more conductive structural elements. The module further includes conductive layers formed on or in the panel. Each conductive layer has a terminal configured to be in electrical communication with at least one of the conductive structural elements. In one embodiment of the present invention, a first terminal is configured to be in electrical communication with a first conductive structural element and a second terminal is configured to be in electrical communication with a second conductive structural element. In another embodiment of the present invention, both a first terminal and a second terminal are configured to be in electrical communication with a first conductive structural element. In this embodiment, the first and second terminals are respectively configured to be in electrical communication with first and second conductive portions of the first conductive structural element.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composite heating element suitable for heating an article when activated by a power source. The composite heating element comprises a first backing layer and a discontinuous circuit formed of a conductive material disposed on the first backing layer. The discontinuous circuit has terminal ends for electrical connection with the power source and defines at least one gap between the terminal ends. The composite article further comprises a second backing layer spaced from the first backing layer. A trace formed of a conductive material is disposed on the second backing layer. The trace is aligned with the at least one gap for forming a complete circuit when the first and second backing layers at least partially abut each other with the trace extending across the gap and contacting the discontinuous circuit.

Abstract: A control circuit and associated method for dynamically controlling power to one or more heating elements are provided. A power source supplies power to a load through one or more current pass elements, which is controlled by a control signal. A processor determines a time period (T) having a time cycle beginning at Ton and a Time cycle end at Toff, where the Time cycle end is less than the time period (T), variable, and generates the control signal or signals each time period (T), thereby electrically connecting the power source to the load and the current sensing element each time period (T) to dispense precisely predetermined quantities of energy per pulse.

Abstract: A proximity sensor for controlling a component that may be installed on a window, on an interior or exterior pillar of a vehicle, on a control panel or any suitable location on a vehicle or any other structure. The sensor includes a substrate and a conductive layer disposed on the substrate. The conductive layer is formed from a conductive ink composition with the conductive layer defining at least one circuit for controlling the component when a user is in proximity to the conductive layer. A protective layer is disposed over the conductive layer. At least one of the conductive layer and the protective layer defines a graphic formed through the layer for visual identification to the user.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composite heating element suitable for heating an article when activated by a power source. The composite heating element comprises first and second dielectric layers each having an inner surface and an outer surface. The composite heating element further comprises a conductive layer formed from at least one conductive ink composition comprising a plastisol component and a conductive component. The conductive layer is disposed between the inner surfaces of the first and second dielectric layers and defines a circuit. The composite heating element further comprises an adhesive layer coupled at least one of the outer surfaces of the first and second dielectric layers opposite the conductive layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of heating an article, and, more specifically, provides a method of heating an article having a plurality of heating elements separated into a plurality of heating zones utilizing a controller. The method comprises the step of providing power to the heating elements of a first heating zone to heat a portion of the article. The method further comprises the step of monitoring at least one parameter associated with the heating elements to determine when a predetermined event occurs. The method yet further comprises the step of simultaneously discontinuing power to the heating elements of the first heating zone and providing power to the heating elements of a second heating zone upon occurrence of the predetermined event. The predetermined event may be, for example, a period of time and/or a temperature.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composite heating element suitable for heating an article when activated by a power source. The composite heating element comprises a first backing layer and a discontinuous circuit formed of a conductive material disposed on the first backing layer. The discontinuous circuit has terminal ends for electrical connection with the power source and defines at least one gap between the terminal ends. The composite article further comprises a second backing layer spaced from the first backing layer. A trace formed of a conductive material is disposed on the second backing layer. The trace is aligned with the at least one gap for forming a complete circuit when the first and second backing layers at least partially abut each other with the trace extending across the gap and contacting the discontinuous circuit.