Patents Assigned to TouchSensor Technologies, LLC
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Patent number: 8138865Abstract: 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: March 12, 2008Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: TouchSensor Technologies, LLCInventors: John North, Deron Stambaugh
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Publication number: 20120060294Abstract: A therapeutic device that reduces localized subcutaneous pressure while allowing capillary flow in a medical setting is disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2011Publication date: March 15, 2012Applicant: TOUCHSENSOR TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: David A. Dzioba, Kenneth A. Wolf, Timthoy Wyrick
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Patent number: 8135482Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 17, 2010Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: TouchSensor Technologies, LLCInventors: David W. Caldwell, Thomas M. Schreiber, Bahar N. Wadia, Donald C. Mueller
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Publication number: 20120006111Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2011Publication date: January 12, 2012Applicant: TouchSensor Technologies, LLCInventors: Roger D. Burdi, Bruce L. Reniger
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Patent number: 8024967Abstract: 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: May 9, 2008Date of Patent: September 27, 2011Assignee: Touchsensor Technologies, LLCInventors: Roger D. Burdi, Bruce L. Reniger
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Publication number: 20110146399Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2010Publication date: June 23, 2011Applicant: Touchsensor Technologies, LLCInventors: Roger D. Burdi, Bruce L. Reniger
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Publication number: 20110133815Abstract: 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: February 14, 2011Publication date: June 9, 2011Applicant: 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: 7950279Abstract: 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: May 9, 2008Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Touchsensor Technologies, LLCInventors: Roger D. Burdi, Bruce L. Reniger
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Publication number: 20110122082Abstract: A user interface panel includes a touch sensor having one or more sensing electrodes and a user interface substrate disposed on a circuit carrier substrate. The user interface substrate includes a touch surface comprising a conductive material. A gap separates a portion of the conductive material overlying one of the sensing electrodes from surrounding portions of the conductive material.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2010Publication date: May 26, 2011Applicant: TOUCHSENSOR TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: Jay J. Orellana
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Patent number: 7906875Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 26, 2005Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: 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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Publication number: 20110036164Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a pump or other device includes first and second proximity sensors adapted to sense level of a fluid or powder in a vessel and a control circuit adapted to receive and process the sensor outputs and output one or more control signals to control a controlled device. The first and second sensor locations can be interchanged without affecting performance of the apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2010Publication date: February 17, 2011Applicant: TOUCHSENSOR TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: Roger D. Burdi
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Patent number: 7850339Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 12, 2007Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: Touchsensor Technologies, LLCInventors: Bahar N. Wadia, Donald Charles Mueller
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Patent number: 7840286Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 6, 2006Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: TouchSensor Technologies, LLCInventors: David W. Caldwell, Thomas M. Schreiber, Bahar N. Wadia, Donald C. Mueller
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Publication number: 20100259497Abstract: A user interface includes a user interface substrate and an associated integrated sensing electrode and backlight mask in the form of an opaque material having an aperture or otherwise light-transmissive portion therein. The integrated sensing electrode and backlight mask is positioned between the user interface substrate and a light source, such that indicia in the form of the aperture is visible at a surface of the user interface substrate when the light source is illuminated.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2010Publication date: October 14, 2010Applicant: TOUCHSENSOR TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Andrew Livingston, Mark Burleson, Deron Stambaugh
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Publication number: 20100253653Abstract: A virtual knob interface includes a substrate, a virtual knob associated with the substrate, and a number of touch sensors associated with the substrate and with the virtual knob. The virtual knob and touch sensor are configured and arranged such that the touch sensors detect manipulation of the virtual knob by a user. The knob can be removable from the substrate. Features can be provided to disable control of a device or function controlled by the knob when the knob has been removed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2010Publication date: October 7, 2010Applicant: TOUCHSENSOR TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Deron Stambaugh, Mark Mathews, Mark Burleson
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Publication number: 20100219958Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2010Publication date: September 2, 2010Applicant: TOUCHSENSOR TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: David W. Caldwell, Thomas M. Schreiber, Bahar N. Wadia, Donald C. Mueller
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Publication number: 20100218978Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2010Publication date: September 2, 2010Applicant: TOUCHSENSOR TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: David W. Caldwell, Michael Jon Taylor, Michael L. Marshall
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Publication number: 20100182785Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2010Publication date: July 22, 2010Applicant: TOUCHSENSOR TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Deron Stambaugh, Anthony Russo
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Patent number: 7733333Abstract: The present invention is directed to a shared electrode pattern field effect touch sensor apparatus. The apparatus includes first and second spaced electrode patterns, each having an inner electrode and an outer electrode. The inner electrode includes a primary portion defining a primary sense area and at least one secondary portion. Secondary portions of at least two patterns are adjacently disposed, and define secondary sense areas. A pulse generation circuit and a detection circuit are electrically coupled to each pattern. The presence of an object proximate a primary sense area activates one detection circuit. The presence of an object proximate a secondary sense area activates two detection circuits. A controller in communication with the detection circuits senses activation of the detection circuits. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus is a navigational control device. A method of processing touch sensor field effect signals is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2005Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: TouchSensor Technologies, LLCInventor: Paul L. Kaliher
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Patent number: RE42199Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 27, 2008Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: TouchSensor Technologies, LLCInventor: David W. Caldwell