Patents Assigned to TouchSensor Technologies, LLC
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Publication number: 20140260776Abstract: Several embodiments of a modular knob system are disclosed. The modular knob system includes a modular knob shell, bearing componentry, and detent componentry. The knob system also may include electronic, magnetic, or other sensors.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: TOUCHSENSOR TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: Mark Burleson
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Patent number: 8758026Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 5, 2013Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Touchsensor Technologies, LLCInventors: Donald C. Mueller, Mark R. Mathews
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Patent number: 8667851Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 29, 2012Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Touchsensor Technologies, LLCInventors: Gregory W. Bobeczko, Mark Burleson, David Kinsman, Andrew J. Livingston
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Publication number: 20130248344Abstract: A user interface includes a touch surface substrate, a graphic layer, a touch sensor disposed on a circuit carrier associated with the rear side of the touch surface substrate, and a light source associated with the rear side of the circuit carrier. The circuit carrier defines an aperture through which light emanating from the light source can pass. This light also passes through the graphic layer and is visible at the front side of the touch surface substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2013Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: TOUCHSENSOR TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: Thomas R. Stilwell
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Publication number: 20130221991Abstract: A universal sensor array for use with a user interface panel includes a first array of conductors separated from a second array of conductors by a dielectric substrate. Conductors of the first array cross over the conductors of the second array without touching. A control circuit detects stimuli proximate the conductors and provides respective control outputs in response to substantially simultaneous detection of stimuli proximate predetermined pairs of intersecting conductors and provides a null control output in response to detection of stimuli proximate other conductors or pairs of conductors.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2013Publication date: August 29, 2013Applicant: TOUCHSENSOR TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: TOUCHSENSOR TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
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Publication number: 20130216877Abstract: A liquid electrolyte battery incorporates level sensors sensing and providing an output indicative of the presence or absence of electrolyte or other liquid proximate the sensors. The sensors can be self-powered or powered by the battery or by a separate battery.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2013Publication date: August 22, 2013Applicant: TOUCHSENSOR TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: TOUCHSENSOR TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
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Publication number: 20130203271Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2013Publication date: August 8, 2013Applicant: TOUCHSENSOR TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: Touchsensor Technologies, LLC
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Publication number: 20130163272Abstract: A user interface panel includes a user interface substrate, an electronics carrier and a light pipe disposed between the user interface substrate and electronics carrier. A reverse mount, side emitting LED is disposed through an aperture in the electronics carrier so that the LED can emit light into the light pipe.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2012Publication date: June 27, 2013Applicant: TOUCHSENSOR TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: TouchSensor Technologies, LLC
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Publication number: 20130133927Abstract: A touch panel includes first and second sets of electrodes separated by a dielectric and oriented so that the electrodes of the first set intersect with the electrodes of the second set without touching. Each of the electrodes can be made of a plurality of individual conductors shorted together. The conductors can be provided in the form of flat cable or clockspring material.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2012Publication date: May 30, 2013Applicant: TOUCHSENSOR TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: David Gradl, Courtney Heron, Mark Mathews
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Patent number: 8382357Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 19, 2010Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: TouchSensor Technologies, LLCInventors: Deron Stambaugh, Anthony Russo
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Publication number: 20130003272Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2012Publication date: January 3, 2013Applicant: TOUCHSENSOR TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Gregory W. Bobeczko, Mark Burleson, David Kinsman, Andrew J. Livingston
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Publication number: 20120306633Abstract: A sensory output system includes a data input section, a user input section, a processing section and a sensory output section. The processing section receives information representative of a geometric form or other measurable parameter from the data input section, and it receives information representative of user input from the user input section. The processing section compares the information received from the data input section with the information received from the user input section according to predetermined criteria. The processing section provides the sensory output section with a signal indicative of whether the predetermined criteria are satisfied. When the predetermined criteria are satisfied, the sensory output section provides a sensory output.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2012Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: TOUCHSENSOR TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Courtney Heron, David Gradl, Robert Campbell
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Patent number: 8307549Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 20, 2004Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: TouchSensor Technologies, LLCInventors: David W. Caldwell, Michael Jon Taylor, Michael L. Marshall
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Publication number: 20120267964Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2012Publication date: October 25, 2012Applicant: TOUCHSENSOR TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: 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
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Patent number: 8291761Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 13, 2007Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Touchsensor Technologies, LLCInventors: Roger D. Burdi, Bruce L. Reniger
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Patent number: 8227940Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 14, 2011Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: TouchSensor Technologies, LLCInventors: 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
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Patent number: 8212639Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 30, 2012Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: TouchSensor Technologies, LLCInventors: John North, Deron Stambaugh
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Publication number: 20120161950Abstract: An output device provides sensory feedback when a user actuates a sensor associated with the output device corresponding to a particular input quantity, for example, touch or proximity by an object to a corresponding input device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2011Publication date: June 28, 2012Applicant: TOUCHSENSOR TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Courtney Heron, David Gradl, Robert Campbell
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Publication number: 20120126919Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2012Publication date: May 24, 2012Applicant: TOUCHSENSOR TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: John North, Deron Stambaugh
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Publication number: 20120079662Abstract: A therapeutic support device includes a bladder having one or more independently inflatable compartments, each including a plurality of inflatable cells. When inflated, each inflatable cell forms a contact node that may support a user or another object disposed thereon. The inflatable compartments can be alternately inflated and deflated such that contact pressure can be applied to and relieved from corresponding portions of the user's body in an alternating manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2011Publication date: April 5, 2012Applicant: TOUCHSENSOR TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: David A. Dzioba, Kenneth A. Wolf, Timothy Wyrick