111111
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US007772781B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Bruwer
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7, 772,781 B2
`Aug. 10, 2010
`
`(54)
`
`INTELLIGENT USER INTERFACE WITH
`TOUCH SENSOR TECHNOLOGY
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Frederick Johannes Bruwer, Paarl
`(ZA)
`
`(73) Assignee: AZOTEQ (Pty) Ltd., Paarl (ZA)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 614 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 11/785,063
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Apr. 13, 2007
`
`4,764,708 A * 8/1988 Roudeski ..................... 315/51
`5,212,478 A * 5/1993 Moseley ................ 340/825.72
`5,781,869 A * 7/1998 Parlett et a!. ................... 70111
`5,808,294 A * 9/1998 Neumann ............. 250/214 AL
`5,898,290 A * 4/1999 Beard eta!. ................. 307/150
`5,994,844 A * 1111999 Crawford et al ............. 315/151
`6,055,079 A * 4/2000 Hagans eta!. ............... 398/111
`
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner-Thuy Vinh Tran
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Jones, Tullar & Cooper, PC
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An electronic circuit including a microchip for use as an
`intelligent user interface also comprises touch sensor tech(cid:173)
`nology that differentiates between proximity and physical
`contact events to activate and control various loads including
`light bulbs, products with radio frequency circuitry or electric
`motors. An input to the microchip is connected to a switch or
`sensing structure that does not form a serial link between the
`power source and the load. The electronic circuit controls
`various functions in response to user actions including auto(cid:173)
`matic delayed shut-off functions, find-in-the-dark indicator
`and a power source level/product state indications. The
`microchip allows the user to select specific functions based on
`the time duration of activation signals, the time duration
`between activation signals and the number of activation sig(cid:173)
`nals at the input. The microchip is further configured to inter(cid:173)
`pret and react to the signals received from a user in a way that
`enhances ease of use of the product and to use the indicators
`to provide information to the user that is influenced by the
`signals received as well as the state of the product.
`
`31 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
`
`foe;;
`
`US 2007/0278962 AI
`
`Dec. 6, 2007
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(63) Continuation of application No. 10/961,373, filed on
`Oct. 12, 2004, now Pat. No. 7,265,494, which is a
`continuation-in-part of application No. 09/806,860,
`filed as application No. PCT/ZA99/00107 on Oct. 8,
`1999, now Pat. No. 6,984,900, which is a continuation(cid:173)
`in-part of application No. 09/169,395, filed on Oct. 9,
`1998, now Pat. No. 6,249,089.
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`HOJJ 1160
`(2006.01)
`GOlD 13122
`(2006.01)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ....................................... 315/129; 116/205
`(58) Field of Classification Search ................. 315/129,
`315/136, 299, 301, 360, 362; 3071113, 115,
`3071119, 125, 126, 139, 140, 141; 116/200,
`116/205; 200/5 R, 18, 60
`See application file for complete search history.
`
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`
`MICROSOFT EXHIBIT 1019
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 10, 2010
`
`Sheet 1 of 6
`
`US 7,772,781 B2
`
`112
`
`TIMER
`
`100
`
`FIG. 1
`
`110
`
`102
`
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`
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`
`105
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 10, 2010
`
`Sheet 2 of 6
`
`US 7,772,781 B2
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 10, 2010
`
`Sheet 3 of 6
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`US 7,772,781 B2
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 10, 2010
`
`Sheet 4 of 6
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`US 7,772,781 B2
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 10, 2010
`
`Sheet 5 of 6
`
`US 7, 772,781 B2
`
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`MMI INPUT
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 10, 2010
`Aug. 10, 2010
`
`Sheet 6 of6
`Sheet 6 of 6
`
`US 7,772,781 B2
`US 7,772,781 B2
`
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`

`

`US 7,772,781 B2
`
`1
`INTELLIGENT USER INTERFACE WITH
`TOUCH SENSOR TECHNOLOGY
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser.
`No. 10/961,373, filed Oct. 12, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,265,
`494, which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. application Ser.
`No. 09/806,860, filed Jul. 2, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,984,
`900, which is a U.S. National Stage oflntemational Applica(cid:173)
`tion No. PCT/ZA99/00107, filed Oct. 8, 1999, which is a
`Continuation-in-Part ofU.S. application Ser. No. 09/169,395,
`filed Oct. 9, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,249,089.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to new intelligent electrical
`user interface structures that includes capacitive sensor tech(cid:173)
`nology. The invention further relates, in one embodiment, to
`intelligent switches having embedded therein a microchip for
`use with a variety of electrical devices to add heretofore
`unknown functionality to existing electrical devices. The
`invention also relates, according to another embodiment, user
`interfaces with capacitive sensing technology that differenti(cid:173)
`ates between proximity and physical contact events in order
`to achieve a higher level of interpretation of the user actions
`by the switch and specifically to provide information to the,
`user about the product, the state of the product or guidance
`towards possible (likely) next actions. In another embodi- 30
`ment, the invention relates to low current switches controlled
`by microchips of the present invention for use in building
`lighting systems.
`
`2
`With a switch of this type on top of a flashlight handle,
`when the slide actuator is pushed forward by the thumb, the
`switch "mechanically" closes the circuit and the flashlight is
`turned "on" and remains "on" until the slide actuator is pulled
`5 back to the "off' position and the circuit is opened. It is this
`type of switch in the hands of a child that is most likely to be
`inadvertently left "on."
`To avoid this problem, many flashlights include, in addi(cid:173)
`tion to a slide switch, a push button switch which keeps the
`10 flashlight turned on only when finger pressure is applied to the
`push button. It is difficult for a young child who wishes, say to
`illuminate a dark corner in the basement ofhis home for about
`30 seconds, to keep a push button depressed for this period. It
`is therefore more likely that the child will actuate the slide
`15 switch to its permanently-on position, for this requires only a
`momentary finger motion.
`It is known to provide a flashlight with a delayed action
`switch which automatically turns off after a pre-determined
`interval. The Mallory U.S. Pat. No. 3,535,282 discloses a
`20 flashlight that is automatically turned off by a delayed action
`mechanical switch assembly that includes a compression
`spring housed in a bellows having a leaky valve, so that when
`a switch is turned on manually, this action serves to mechani(cid:173)
`cally compress the bellows which after a pre-determined
`25 interval acts to tum off the switch.
`A similar delayed action is obtained in a flashlight for
`children marketed by Playskool Company, this delayed
`action being realized by a resistance-capicitance timing net(cid:173)
`work which applies a bias to a solid-state transistor switch
`after 30 seconds or so to cut off the transistor and shut off the
`flashlight. Also included in the prior art, is a flashlight previ-
`ously sold, by Fisher-Price using an electronic timing circuit
`to simply tum off the flashlight after about 20 minutes.
`It is also known, e.g. as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,875,
`35 147, to provide a mechanical switch assembly for a flashlight
`which includes a suction cup as a delayed action element
`whereby the flashlight, when momentarily actuated by an
`operator, functions to connect a battery power supply to a
`light bulb, and which maintains this connection for a pre-
`40 determined interval determined by the memory characteris(cid:173)
`tics of the suction cup, after which the connection is auto(cid:173)
`matically broken.
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,138,538 discloses a flashlight having the
`usual components of a battery, and on-off mechanical switch,
`45 a bulb, and a hand-held housing, to which there is added a
`timing means and a circuit-breaking means responsive to the
`timing means for cutting off the flow of current to the bulb,
`which further has a by-pass means, preferably child-proof, to
`direct electric current to the light bulb regardless of the state
`so of the timing means. The patent also provides for the opera(cid:173)
`tion of the device may be further enhanced by making the
`by-pass means a mechanical switch connected so as to leave
`it in series with the mechanical on-off switch. Furthermore,
`the patent discloses a lock or other "child-proofing" mecha-
`55 nism may be provided to ensure that the by-pass is disabled
`when the flashlight is switched off.
`Most conventional flashlights, like those described above,
`are actuated by mechanical push or slide button -type switches
`requiring, of course, mechanical implementation by an opera-
`60 tor. Over time, the switch suffers "wear and tear" which
`impairs operation of the flashlight as a result of, for example,
`repeated activations by the operator and/or due to the fact that
`the switch has been left "on" for a prolonged period of time.
`In addition, such mechanical switches are vulnerable to the
`65 effects of corrosion and oxidation and can cause said switches
`to deteriorate and to become non-functioning. In addition,
`these prior art devices having these mechanical switches are
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`In conventional flashlights, manually-operated mechanical
`switches function to tum the flashlight "on" and "off." When
`turned "on," battery power is applied through the closed
`switch to a light bulb; the amount of power then consumed
`depends on how long the switch is closed. In the typical
`flashlight, the effective life of the battery is only a few hours
`at most. Should the operator, after using the flashlight to find
`his/her way in the dark or for any other purpose, then fail to
`turn it off, the batteries will, in a very short time, become
`exhausted. Should the flashlight be left in a turned-on and
`exhausted condition for a prolonged period, the batteries may
`then leak and exude corrosive electrolyte that is damaging to
`the contact which engages the battery terminal as well as the
`casing of the flashlight.
`When the flashlight is designed for use by a young child the
`likelihood is greater that the flashlight will be mishandled,
`because a young child is prone to be careless and forgets to
`turn the flashlight "off' after it has served its purpose.
`Because of this, a flashlight may be left "on" for days, if not
`weeks, and as a result of internal corrosion may no longer be
`in working order when the exhausted batteries are replaced.
`Flashlights designed for young children are sometimes in a
`lantern format, with a casing made of strong plastic material
`that is virtually unbreakable, the light bulb being mounted
`within a reflector at the front end of the casing and being
`covered by a lens from which a light beam is projected. A
`U -shaped handle is attached to the upper end of the casing,
`with mechanical on-off slide switch being mounted on the
`handle, so that a child grasping the handle can readily
`manipulate the slide actuator with his/her thumb.
`
`

`

`3
`generally "dumb," i.e. they do not provide the user with
`convenient, reliable, and affordable functionalities which
`today's consumers now demand and expect.
`The prior art switches typically provide two basic functions
`in prior art flashlights. First, the mechanical switches act as
`actual conductors for completing power circuits and provid(cid:173)
`ing current during operation of the devices. Depending upon
`the type of bulb and wiring employed, the intensity of elec(cid:173)
`trical current which must be conducted by the switch is gen(cid:173)
`erally quite high leading to, after prolonged use, failure. Sec- 10
`ond, these mechanical switches must function as an interface
`between the device and its operator, i.e. the man-machine(cid:173)
`interface
`("MMI") and necessarily
`requires
`repeated
`mechanical activations of the switch which over time
`mechanically deteriorate.
`Also, currently the electrical switches used in buildings/
`houses for control oflighting systems are of the conventional
`type of switches which must conduct, i.e. close the circuit,
`upon command, thus also providing the MMI. These prior art
`switches suffer from the same disadvantages as the switches 20
`described above in relation to portable electronic devices, like
`flashlights. Moreover, the switches are relatively dumb in
`most cases and do not provide the user with a variety of
`functions, e.g. but not limited to timing means to enable a
`user, for example, a shop owner or home owner to designate
`a predetermined shut off or turn on point in time.
`There is a need for inexpensive, reliable, and simple intel(cid:173)
`ligent electronic devices which provide increased functional(cid:173)
`ity and energy conservation.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`According to one embodiment of the present invention,
`there is provided a microchip controlled switch to manage 35
`both the current conducting functions and the MMI functions
`in an electronic device, such as a flashlight, on a low current
`basis i.e. without the MMI device having to conduct or switch
`high current. According to one aspect of the invention, the
`MMI functions are controlled by very low current signals, 40
`using touch pads, or carbon coated membrane type switches.
`These low current signal switches of the present invention can
`be smaller, more reliable, less costly, easier to seal and less
`vulnerable to the effects of corrosion and oxidation. More-
`over, since the switch is a solid state component, it is, accord- 45
`ing to the present invention, possible to control the functions
`of the device in an intelligent marmer by the same microchip
`which provides the MMI functions. Thus, by practicing the
`teachings of the present invention, more reliable, intelligent,
`and efficient electrical devices can be obtained which are 50
`cheaper and easier to manufacture than prior art devices.
`According to another embodiment of the invention, there is
`provided a microchip which can be embedded in a battery that
`will lend intelligence to the battery and thus, the device it is
`inserted into, so that many functions, including but not lim- 55
`ited to, delayed switching, dimming, automatic shut off, and
`intermittent activation may be inexpensively realized in an
`existing (non intelligent) product, for example a prior art
`flashlight.
`According to a further embodiment, the invention provides
`a power saving microchip which, when operatively associ(cid:173)
`ated with an electronic device, will adjust the average electric
`current through a current switch, provide an on and off
`sequence which, for example, but not limited to, in the case of
`a flashlight, can be determined by an operator and may rep- 65
`resent either a flash code sequence or a simple on/off oscilla(cid:173)
`tion, provide an indication of battery strength, and/or provide
`
`US 7,772,781 B2
`
`4
`a gradual oscillating current flow to lengthen the life of the
`operating switch and the power source.
`According to one embodiment of the invention, an intelli(cid:173)
`gent flashlight, having a microchip controlled switch is pro(cid:173)
`vided comprising a microchip for controlling the on/off func(cid:173)
`tion and at least one other function of the flashlight.
`According to a further embodiment of the invention, an intel(cid:173)
`ligent flashlight having a microchip controlled switch is pro-
`vided comprising an input means for sending activating/de(cid:173)
`activating signals to the microchip, and a microchip for
`controlling the on/offfunction and at least one other function
`of the flashlight. According to a further embodiment of the
`invention, there is provided an intelligent flashlight having a
`microchip controlled switch comprising an input means for
`15 selecting one function of the flashlight, a microchip for con(cid:173)
`trolling at least the on/off function and one other function of
`the flashlight, wherein the microchip control circuit may fur(cid:173)
`ther comprise a control-reset means, a clock means, a current
`switch, and/or any one or combination of the same.
`According to another embodiment of the invention, there is
`provided a battery for use with an electrical device compris(cid:173)
`ing a microchip embedded in the battery. According to still a
`further embodiment of the invention, a battery for use with an
`electronic device is provided comprising a microchip embed-
`25 ded in the battery wherein said microchip is adapted such that
`an input means external to the microchip can select the on/off
`function and at least one other function of the electronic
`device.
`According to one embodiment of the present invention,
`30 there is provided an intelligent battery for use with an elec(cid:173)
`tronic device, the battery having positive and negative termi(cid:173)
`nal ends and comprising a microchip embedded in the battery,
`preferably in the positive terminal end, for controlling on/off
`functions and at least one other function of the electronic
`device.
`According to another embodiment of the invention, there is
`provided a portable microchip device for use in serial con(cid:173)
`nection with a power source, e.g. an exhaustible power
`source, and an electronic device powered by said source
`wherein said electronic device has an input means for acti(cid:173)
`vating and deactivating said power source, and said micro-
`chip comprising a means for controlling the on/off function
`and at least one other function of the electronic device upon
`receipt of a signal from said input means through said power
`source.
`According to a still further embodiment of the invention,
`there is provided a microchip adapted to control lighting in
`buildings. According to this embodiment, the normal switch
`on the wall that currently functions as both a power-switch i.e.
`conduction of electricity, and MMI can be eliminated, thus
`eliminating the normal high voltage and high current danger-
`ous wiring to the switch and from the switch to the load or
`light. Utilizing the present invention, these switches can be
`replaced with connecting means suitable for low current DC
`requirements.
`According to another embodiment, the present invention is
`directed to a battery comprising an energy storage section, a
`processor, e.g. a microchip and first and second terminal ends.
`The first terminal end being connected to the energy storage
`60 section, the second terminal end being connected to the pro(cid:173)
`cessor, and the processor being connected to the second ter(cid:173)
`minal end and the energy storage section. The processor
`controls the connection of the second terminal end to the
`energy storage section.
`According to another embodiment, the present invention
`provides an electronic apparatus which includes an electrical
`device, comprising a power supply, an activating/deactivating
`
`

`

`5
`means, and a processor. The activating/deactivating means is
`connected to the processor and the processor is connected to
`the power supply. The processor controls the on/off function
`of the device and at least one other function of the device in
`response to signals received from the activation/deactivation
`means.
`The present invention, according to a still further embodi(cid:173)
`ment, provides a flashlight comprising a light source, an
`energy storage means, a switch means, and a processor
`means. The switch means being in communication with the 10
`processor means and the processor means being in commu(cid:173)
`nication with the energy storage means which is ultimately in
`communication with the light source. The processor controls
`the activation/deactivation of the light source and, in some
`embodiments, further functions of the flashlight, in response 15
`to signals received from the switch means.
`While the present invention is primarily described in this
`application with respect to either a flashlight or a battery
`therefore, the embodiments discussed herein should not be
`considered limitative of the invention, and many other varia- 20
`tions of the use of the intelligent devices of the present inven(cid:173)
`tion will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a schematic of a device having a microchip
`controlled push button or sliding type input activation/deac(cid:173)
`tivation switch according to one embodiment of the present
`invention;
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a microchip for use in asso(cid:173)
`ciation with a push button or sliding input activation/deacti(cid:173)
`vation switch according to one embodiment of the invention;
`FIG. 3 is a schematic of a second type of intelligent device
`having a microchip controlled push button or sliding type
`input activation/deactivation switch according to another
`embodiment of the invention;
`FIG. 4 is a schematic of a device having a microchip
`controlled touch pad or carbon coated membrane activation/
`deactivation switch according to a still further embodiment of
`the invention;
`FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a microchip for use in asso(cid:173)
`ciation with a touch pad or carbon coated membrane activa(cid:173)
`tion/deactivation switch according to one embodiment of the
`invention;
`FIG. 6 is a schematic of a second type of device having a 45
`microchip controlled touch pad or carbon coated membrane
`activation/deactivation switch according to one embodiment
`of the invention;
`FIG. 7 is a schematic of a battery having embedded therein
`a microchip according to a further embodiment of the inven-
`tion;
`FIG. SA is a block diagram of a microchip for use in a
`battery according to one embodiment of the present inven(cid:173)
`tion;
`FIG. SB is a block diagram of a second type of microchip
`for use in a battery according to another embodiment of the
`present invention;
`FIG. 9 is a schematic of a device having a microchip
`controlled switch according to one embodiment of the inven(cid:173)
`tion;
`FIG. 10 is a schematic of a device having a microchip
`controlled switch according to one embodiment of the inven(cid:173)
`tion;
`FIG. 11 is a schematic of a device having a microchip
`controlled switch according to one embodiment of the present
`invention;
`
`50
`
`US 7,772,781 B2
`
`6
`FIG. 12 is a schematic of a flashlight having therein a
`microchip controlled switch according to one embodiment of
`the present invention;
`FIG. 13 illustrates a possible position, according to one
`embodiment of the present invention of a microchip in a
`battery;
`FIG. 14 is a schematic of one embodiment of the present
`invention of a low current switching device suitable for light(cid:173)
`ing systems in buildings;
`FIG. 15 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the
`present invention, i.e. microchip 1403 of FIG. 14;
`FIG. 16 is a flow diagram for a microchip as shown in
`FIGS. 4 and 5 for a delayed shut off function embodiment of
`one embodiment of the present invention; and
`FIG. 17 is a flow diagram for a microchip as shown in
`FIGS. 7 and Sa for a delayed shut off function embodiment of
`one embodiment of the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`According to one embodiment or aspect of the present
`invention, and referring to FIG. 1, a schematic depiction of
`main circuit 100 of an electronic device, for example, a flash(cid:173)
`light, is provided, wherein the device has a microchip 103 and
`25 a microchip controlled input activator/deactivator 102, for
`example, a push button or sliding switch. Main circuit 100 of
`the device is powered by a current supplied by power source
`101. Power source 101 may be any power source, e.g. a DC
`battery, as is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
`30 While the following discussion is limited to specific elec(cid:173)
`tronic devices, that is flashlights, it is to be understood that the
`following description is equally applicable to other electronic
`devices including portable radios, toys, for example but not
`limited to battery operated cars, boats, planes, and/or other
`35 electrically powered toys.
`Referring to FIG. 1, when an operator activates input push
`button or sliding command switch 102 to the "on" position,
`the microchip 103 receives a signal. Switch 102 is a direct
`electrical input to microchip 103. Microchip 103 is grounded
`40 by grounding means 104. Microchip 103 is in series between
`power source 101 and load 105. Microchip 103 also transfers
`sufficient power through means of a current switch (not
`shown in FIG. 1) to load 105 which can be, for example, a
`resistor-type bulb in the case of a flashlight to provide illumi-
`nation.
`The microchip 103, and other microchips of the present
`invention, can have its/their intelligence embedded in com(cid:173)
`binational or sequential logic, a PLA or ROM type structure
`feeding into a state machine or a true microcontroller type
`structure. The memory for the above will normally be non(cid:173)
`volatile, but should there be a need for selectable options, EE
`or flash memory structures may be used.
`The structure and operational parameters of such a micro(cid:173)
`chip 103 are explained in greater detail below with respect to
`55 FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 1, power is supplied to microchip
`103 by power source 101. When an operator activates input
`switch 102 to the "on" position it represents a command
`which is communicated to microchip 103. Input means 102
`requires very low current in preferred embodiments. In one
`60 embodiment of the invention, microchip control/reset means
`201 simply allows the current switch 202 to pass current
`provided from power source 101 to load 105 in an unimpeded
`manner when the MMI switch 102 is activated, and, in the
`case of a flashlight, illumination is obtained. It is important to
`65 recognize, however, that it is control circuit 201 which acti(cid:173)
`vates current switch 202 upon acting on an input from MMI
`switch 102. Unlike heretofore known prior art devices, acti-
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`US 7,772,781 B2
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`7
`vating switch 102 does not conduct current to load 105, but is
`only a command input mechanism which can, according to
`the invention, operate on very low current. For example,
`according to the invention, touch sensor input or carbon
`coated membrane type switch devices are preferred.
`If, for example, an emergency notification function is
`desired, the flashlight may be designed to alternately flash on
`and off every second. First, the operator activates input 102
`into the appropriate position to indicate such a function is
`desired. During the "on" segment of the flashing routine,
`control/reset means 201 commands current switch 202 to
`close and let current flow through to load 105, thereby caus(cid:173)
`ing, in the case of a flashlight, the bulb to illuminate. Simul(cid:173)
`taneously, control/reset means 201 uses the timing means 203
`as a clock for timing. After control/reset means 201 deter(cid:173)
`mines one second has elapsed, control/reset means 201
`instructs current switch 202 to open and interrupt the current
`flow through to load 105, and bulb illumination is discontin(cid:173)
`ued. It is important to note that both control/reset means 201
`and current switch 202 are still active and fully powered;
`however, current delivery is now latent with respect to load
`105. When another second has elapsed, a command is passed
`from control/reset means 201 which again allows current to
`be delivered through current switch 202 to load 105, and in
`the case of a flashlight, bulb illumination is immediately
`resumed. The device continues an alternating current delivery
`routine until either the operator switches the setting of the
`activating input switch 102 to the "off' position, or until the
`conditions pre-programmed into the microchip, e.g. into the
`control/reset means 201, are satisfied and current delivery is 30
`permanently discontinued.
`Similar operating routines can be employed to generate
`other conspicuous flashing functions such as the generation
`of the universal distress signal S.O.S. in Morse code. Again,
`such a function would require that the microchip, e.g. control/ 35
`reset means 201, be pre-programmed with the appropriate
`code for creating such a signal, and to permit current trans(cid:173)
`mission from switch 202 to load 105 in accordance with the
`code with the assistance of timing means 203. For example, it
`may be desirable to have an S.O.S. sequence wherein flashes
`representing each individual letter are separated by time inter(cid:173)
`vals ranging from one-half (lf2) second to one (1) full second,
`while the interval between each letter in the code comprises
`two (2) full seconds. After a certain number of repetitions of
`the routine, again determined by the operator or as pre-pro(cid:173)
`grammed within the microchip, e.g. within the control/reset
`means 201, the signal is discontinued.
`As shown in FIG. 3, it is possible to remove grounding
`means 104 from main circuit 100. However, it is then neces(cid:173)
`sary to intermittently provide an alternative power source for 50
`microchip 103 and to create a virtual ground reference level.
`A suitable microchip 103 for this configuration is described in
`greater detail below with respect to FIGS. SA and SB.
`Referring now to FIG. 4, utilizing the circuits in the micro(cid:173)
`chip of some embodiments of the present invention, carbon 55
`coated membrane or touch pad type switches are preferred.
`Carbon coated membrane switches and touch pad switches
`have many advantages over conventional high current
`switches, such as those currently used in flashlights. Accord(cid:173)
`ing to the present invention, carbon coated membrane type 60
`switches, low current type switches, and touch pad type
`switches can be used which may be smaller, less costly, easier
`to seal, and less vulnerable to corrosion and oxidation than
`conventional switches which also transfer energy or current
`to the load. Moreover, according to one embodiment of the 65
`present invention, carbon coated membrane type switches,
`touch pad switches, or low current type switches can be
`
`8
`formed structurally integral with the product, for example,
`with the casing of a flashlight.
`A block diagram showing microchip 103 for use, in accor(cid:173)
`dance with one embodiment of the present invention, in asso(cid:173)
`ciation with a carbon coated membrane, a touch pad switch,
`or a low current type switch 106 is now explained in greater
`detail in respect to FIG. 5. According to this one embodiment
`of the present invention, current switch 202 is powered
`directly by grounded power source 101. However, output of
`10 current from current switch 202 to load 105 is dependent on
`control/reset means 201. When an operator depresses touch
`pad 106, carbon coated membrane switch 106 or low current
`type switch 106, control/reset means 201 allows current
`switch 202 to flow current through to load 105. However, in
`15 more intelligent appl