Patents Assigned to TouchSensor Technologies, LLC
  • Patent number: 9441624
    Abstract: A sensor system for sensing liquid level in a bilge, for use in automatic bilge pump actuation. First and second field effect sensors are potted or sealed within a container or the bilge wall and are aligned in a vertical array and each comprise a substantially planar pattern of “electrodes” or conductive traces disposed on a printed circuit board (PCB) along with integrated circuits used to create a loop or arc-shaped electric field. As bilge liquid rises to the proximity or level of the field effect sensors, a change in the arc-shaped electric field is sensed and, in response, a bilge pump is automatically actuated to pump liquid out of the bilge. Optionally, the pump control can be programmed by use of a microprocessor to permit control of on-off timing and prevent undesirable effects of “sloshing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Touchsensor Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Roger D. Burdi, Bruce L. Reniger
  • Patent number: 8863338
    Abstract: A therapeutic device that reduces localized subcutaneous pressure while allowing capillary flow in a medical setting is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: TouchSensor Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David A. Dzioba, Kenneth A. Wolf, Timthoy Wyrick
  • Patent number: 8844351
    Abstract: A sensor system for sensing liquid level in a bilge, for use in automatic bilge pump actuation. First and second field effect sensors are potted or sealed within a container or the bilge wall and are aligned in a vertical array and each comprise a substantially planar pattern of “electrodes” or conductive traces disposed on a printed circuit board (PCB) along with integrated circuits used to create a loop or arc-shaped electric field. As bilge liquid rises to the proximity or level of the field effect sensors, a change in the arc-shaped electric field is sensed and, in response, a bilge pump is automatically actuated to pump liquid out of the bilge. Optionally, the pump control can be programmed by use of a microprocessor to permit control of on-off timing and prevent undesirable effects of “sloshing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Touchsensor Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Roger D. Burdi, Bruce L. Reniger
  • Patent number: 8758026
    Abstract: An interconnect apparatus for interconnecting electrical components includes a body and a spring element retained by and extending from the body. The apparatus is configured so that a portion thereof may be captured between first and second substrates and to connect electrical circuits lying in different planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Touchsensor Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald C. Mueller, Mark R. Mathews
  • Patent number: 8667851
    Abstract: A mechanical interface for a touch sensor includes a housing for the sensor, a triggering member for triggering the sensor, and biasing means for biasing the triggering member away from the sensor. Application to the triggering member of a predetermined force overcoming the biasing force causes the triggering member to move toward and into an electric field generated about the sensor, thereby triggering the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Touchsensor Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory W. Bobeczko, Mark Burleson, David Kinsman, Andrew J. Livingston
  • Patent number: 8382357
    Abstract: A light-transmissive substrate includes an arrangement of penetrations extending from one surface of the substrate toward another surface of the substrate. The penetrations are configured to attenuate or inhibit transmission of light through the substrate from one side of the arrangement of penetrations to the other side of the arrangement of penetrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: TouchSensor Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Deron Stambaugh, Anthony Russo
  • Patent number: 8307549
    Abstract: A layer of transparent conductive material is disposed on a surface of a substrate. Further layers of conductive material are deposited on the layer of transparent conductive material or on an opposite surface of the substrate. The layers are selectively etched to yield a layout of pads for mounting electrical components and conductive traces forming an electrical circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: TouchSensor Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David W. Caldwell, Michael Jon Taylor, Michael L. Marshall
  • Patent number: 8291761
    Abstract: A sensor system for sensing liquid level in a bilge, for use in automatic bilge pump actuation. First and second field effect sensors are potted or sealed within a container or the bilge wall and are aligned in a vertical array and each comprise a substantially planar pattern of “electrodes” or conductive traces disposed on a printed circuit board (PCB) along with integrated circuits used to create a loop or arc-shaped electric field. As bilge liquid rises to the proximity or level of the field effect sensors, a change in the arc-shaped electric field is sensed and, in response, a bilge pump is automatically actuated to pump liquid out of the bilge. Optionally, the pump control can be programmed by use of a microprocessor to permit control of on-off timing and prevent undesirable effects of “sloshing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Touchsensor Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Roger D. Burdi, Bruce L. Reniger
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8212639
    Abstract: A haptic feedback system includes movable and static portions coupled by one or more magnetic fields that serve to retard movement of the movable portion with respect to the static portion so as to provide haptic feedback when the movable portion is moved relative to the static portion. A magnet associated with one of the movable and static portions reacts with structure associated with the other of the movable and static portions so as to provide haptic feedback when the movable portion is moved with respect to the static portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: TouchSensor Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John North, Deron Stambaugh
  • Patent number: 8138865
    Abstract: A haptic feedback system includes movable and static portions coupled by one or more magnetic fields that serve to retard movement of the movable portion with respect to the static portion so as to provide haptic feedback when the movable portion is moved relative to the static portion. A magnet associated with one of the movable and static portions reacts with structure associated with the other of the movable and static portions so as to provide haptic feedback when the movable portion is moved with respect to the static portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: TouchSensor Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John North, Deron Stambaugh
  • Patent number: 8135482
    Abstract: An intelligent shelving system integrates touch sensors, displays, lighting, and other components into shelves. Touch sensors can be used as limit switches to control shelf motion, to monitor items borne on shelves, to detect spills, and to control lighting and other devices and functions. Displays can provide information relating to objects stored in the shelving system and the operation and status of the shelving system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: TouchSensor Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David W. Caldwell, Thomas M. Schreiber, Bahar N. Wadia, Donald C. Mueller
  • Publication number: 20120006111
    Abstract: A sensor system for sensing liquid level in a bilge, for use in automatic bilge pump actuation. First and second field effect sensors are potted or sealed within a container or the bilge wall and are aligned in a vertical array and each comprise a substantially planar pattern of “electrodes” or conductive traces disposed on a printed circuit board (PCB) along with integrated circuits used to create a loop or arc-shaped electric field. As bilge liquid rises to the proximity or level of the field effect sensors, a change in the arc-shaped electric field is sensed and, in response, a bilge pump is automatically actuated to pump liquid out of the bilge. Optionally, the pump control can be programmed by use of a microprocessor to permit control of on-off timing and prevent undesirable effects of “sloshing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: TouchSensor Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Roger D. Burdi, Bruce L. Reniger
  • Patent number: 8024967
    Abstract: A sensor system for sensing liquid level in a bilge, for use in automatic bilge pump actuation. First and second field effect sensors are potted or sealed within a container or the bilge wall and are aligned in a vertical array and each comprise a substantially planar pattern of “electrodes” or conductive traces disposed on a printed circuit board (PCB) along with integrated circuits used to create a loop or arc-shaped electric field. As bilge liquid rises to the proximity or level of the field effect sensors, a change in the arc-shaped electric field is sensed and, in response, a bilge pump is automatically actuated to pump liquid out of the bilge. Optionally, the pump control can be programmed by use of a microprocessor to permit control of on-off timing and prevent undesirable effects of “sloshing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Touchsensor Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Roger D. Burdi, Bruce L. Reniger
  • Publication number: 20110146399
    Abstract: A sensor system for sensing liquid level in a bilge, for use in automatic bilge pump actuation. First and second field effect sensors are potted or sealed within a container or the bilge wall and are aligned in a vertical array and each comprise a substantially planar pattern of “electrodes” or conductive traces disposed on a printed circuit board (FOB) along with integrated circuits used to create a loop or arc-shaped electric field. As bilge liquid rises to the proximity or level of the field effect sensors, a change in the arc-shaped electric field is sensed and, in response, a bilge pump is automatically actuated to pump liquid out of the bilge. Optionally, the pump control can be programmed by use of a microprocessor to permit control of on-off timing and prevent undesirable effects of “sloshing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: Touchsensor Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Roger D. Burdi, Bruce L. Reniger
  • Patent number: 7950279
    Abstract: A sensor system for sensing liquid level in a bilge, for use in automatic bilge pump actuation. First and second field effect sensors are potted or sealed within a container or the bilge wall and are aligned in a vertical array and each comprise a substantially planar pattern of “electrodes” or conductive traces disposed on a printed circuit board (PCB) along with integrated circuits used to create a loop or arc-shaped electric field. As bilge liquid rises to the proximity or level of the field effect sensors, a change in the arc-shaped electric field is sensed and, in response, a bilge pump is automatically actuated to pump liquid out of the bilge. Optionally, the pump control can be programmed by use of a microprocessor to permit control of on-off timing and prevent undesirable effects of “sloshing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Touchsensor Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Roger D. Burdi, Bruce L. Reniger
  • 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: 7840286
    Abstract: An intelligent shelving system integrates touch sensors, displays, lighting, and other components into shelves. Touch sensors can be used as limit switches to control shelf motion, to monitor items borne on shelves, to detect spills, and to control lighting and other devices and functions. Displays can provide information relating to objects stored in the shelving system and the operation and status of the shelving system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: TouchSensor Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David W. Caldwell, Thomas M. Schreiber, Bahar N. Wadia, Donald C. Mueller
  • Patent number: RE42199
    Abstract: A touch sensor is physically integrated with a light emitting device to provide a switching device with built-in backlighting. In some embodiments, the touch sensor and the light emitting device share electrical components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: TouchSensor Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: David W. Caldwell