Abstract: A detection device includes a proximity sensing circuit that generates a chime activation signal responsive to a sensor activation signal; a loudspeaker; and a chime generator circuit coupled between the proximity sensing circuit and the loudspeaker, configured to control activation of the loudspeaker responsive to the chime activation signal. The chime generator circuit may include an in-system programming (ISP) connector having program pins adapted to receive a programming probe such that the chime generator circuit is programmable after being placed on a circuit board, the program pins including a program clock (PGC) pin. The detection device may also include a resistor connected between power supply of the chime generator circuit and the PGC pin, the resistor having a resistance such that the chime generator circuit: detects when the programming probe is attached to the PGC pin while sampling the voltage at the PGC pin, and suppresses chiming of the loudspeaker.

Abstract: A call-for-service device includes touch targets coupled with a control circuit. A light source is coupled with the control circuit and responsive to selection of the touch targets as controlled by the control circuit, which associates lighting patterns of the light source with respective touch targets to signal to wait staff service requests. The control circuit is programmable through an external connection to set the lighting patterns corresponding to the respective touch targets such that the lighting patterns are customizable for different applications. A selector switch may be coupled with the control circuit and include numerous switch positions, each switch position to control a separate lighting program, each lighting program including a set of lighting patterns, where the control circuit is programmable to associate each lighting program with a different switch position of the selector switch. A base may contain the light source, the touch targets, the control circuit, and the selector switch.

Abstract: An electric switch may include a sensing cube including circuitry for sensing a touch and activating the electric switch in response to said sensing. The circuitry may include a sensing circuit including a multi-dielectric configuration circuit configured with a plurality of impedance settings. A cover plate may be made of any of a plurality of materials and of a variable thickness. The circuitry is tuned (e.g., auto-calibrated) to one of the plurality of impedance settings based on a dielectric constant of the material and the thickness of the cover plate. The sensing circuit may be attached to a circuit board offset a distance from a capacitance target and an epoxy may encase the circuitry. The impedance settings may further be based on the distance and/or a dielectric constant of the epoxy.

Abstract: A call-for-service device includes touch targets coupled with a control circuit. A light source is coupled with the control circuit and responsive to selection of the touch targets as controlled by the control circuit, which associates lighting patterns of the light source with respective touch targets to signal to wait staff service requests. The control circuit is programmable through an external connection to set the lighting patterns corresponding to the respective touch targets such that the lighting patterns are customizable for different applications. A selector switch may be coupled with the control circuit and include numerous switch positions, each switch position to control a separate lighting program, each lighting program including a set of lighting patterns, where the control circuit is programmable to associate each lighting program with a different switch position of the selector switch. A base may contain the light source, the touch targets, the control circuit, and the selector switch.

Abstract: A window-attached alerting device (10) having an electronics circuit (12) that is enclosed within an alerting device enclosure (40) that includes an outer side (42) and an inner side (44). The outer side (42) is removably attached to an inner surface (62) of a windowpane (60) that is attached to a building. Since the enclosure (40) is attached to the inside of the building, the enclosure is not exposed to inclement weather or to theft. The outer side (42) of the enclosure (40) is visible through the windowpane (60) and includes indicia (52) in the form of a target (54) or the like that is positioned to encompass an electrode (22). When a person places his/her finger or hand proximate to the target (54) the electrode, in combination with the electronics circuit (12), produces an alerting device signal 31 that can be easily heard within the building.