US008288952B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Bruwer
`
`(10) Patent N0.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,288,952 B2
`*Oct. 16, 2012
`
`(54) INTELLIGENT USER INTERFACE
`INCLUDINGA TOUCH SENSOR DEVICE
`_
`(75) Inventor? Fredel‘lck J- Brllwer, Paarl (ZA)
`
`(52) US. Cl. ................... .. 315/200 A; 315/129; 315/291
`(58) Field of Classi?cation Search ................ .. 315/ 129,
`315/136, 200 A, 200 R, 291, 307, 360, 362
`See application ?le for complete search history.
`
`(73) Assignee: Azoteq Pty Ltd., Paarl (ZA)
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis
`claimer.
`
`(21) Appl. N0.: 13/189,865
`
`U_S_ PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2 338 078 A 12/1943 Wood
`’
`’
`.
`"""""""""""" "
`(Continued)
`
`240/10 66
`'
`
`DE
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`3225557
`1/1984
`(Continued)
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2011/0279046 A1
`
`Nov. 17, 2011
`
`Related US. Application Data
`1'
`f
`1'
`1' N 12/855 006 ?l d
`(60) c 1'
`on mua ion 0 app 1ca1on o.
`,
`,
`e on
`Aug. 12, 2010, noW Pat. No. 7,994,726, which is a
`continuation of application No. 12/239,369, ?led on
`Sep. 26, 2008, noW Pat. No. 7,781,980, Which is a
`continuation of application No. 11/961,723, ?led on
`-
`-
`Dec. 20, 2007, noW Pat. No. 7,443,101, Which is a
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`division of appl1cat1on No. 11/060,329, ?led on Feb.
`17 2005
`P N 7 336 037
`h. h .
`’
`_
`_’ now at,‘
`,0‘
`’
`’
`’ W 10
`1S a
`Connnuanon of appl1cat1on NO‘ 10/690’423’ _?1ed_ on
`Och 21’ 2003’ HOW Pat; NO' 6,952,084’ Whlch 1S a
`Connnuanon of appl1cat1on NO- 10/365,042’ _?1ed_ on
`Feb~_12, 2003, I10W_Pal_~ N0~ 6,650,066, Whlch 15 a
`Contlnuatlon of appl1cat1on NO- 09/793303, _?1ed_ On
`Fell 26, 2001, HOW Pat N0~ 6,621,225, Whlch 15 a
`continuation of application No. 09/169,395, ?led on
`Oct. 9, 1998, noW Pat. No. 6,249,089.
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`H05B 37/00
`
`(2006.01)
`
`Technology Associates, Inc., eternaLightTM product related materi
`als., wwwtechasscom, pp. l-3, © 1998, 1999, 2000.
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner T Tung X Le
`74 A”
`A I
`F- i K- & S ld- LLB
`(
`)
`Omey’ gen ’ or m”
`mg
`pa mg
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`d b d,
`f
`_
`_
`Th
`d,
`. ePreSem lnvennon’ accor mg to a Pre erre. em 0 lmem’
`is directed to portable electromc devices Which operate on
`.
`.
`exhaustlble poWer sources, for example, batteries. The elec
`-
`-
`-
`-
`-
`tromc devices of the present invention compnse at least one
`signal switch and a microchip in communication With the
`switch Wherein the sWitch is only capable of transmitting a
`signal to the microchip that the sWitch has been activated or
`deactivated. The microchip is in communication With the
`exhaustible poWer source of the electronic device and con
`trols (i) the poWer on/off function of the device, (ii) at least
`one other function of the device in response to activation and
`deactivation signals from the sWitch, and (iii) an automatic
`shut off function in response to the receipt of an activation
`signal from the sWitch.
`
`40 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
`
`111/
`
`Nuc?oc H {P
`
`.\
`J
`
`.___..
`
`.4...
`
`{0!
`
`ll/3
`
`[a5
`
`[/64
`
`Apple Inc., et al.
`Exhibit 1001
`Apple Inc., et al. v. Global Touch Solutions, Inc.
`IPR2015-01175
`
`Exhibit 1001, Page 001
`
`

`
`US 8,288,952 B2
`Page2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`.
`5,322,253 2
`2,1322 gszigré ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~225109/g236g
`
`9/1994 Birkle et a1. .................. .. 703/13
`5,349,540 A
`5,357,169 A 10/1994 Toyozumi et a1.
`.. 315/77
`5,357,408 A 10/1994 Lecznaretal. .
`362/490
`
`
`
`""""""""""""" 2,133; 7/1995 Garbowiggentgi """"""
`
`
`
`315/88
`
`g’?g’gé A 5,430,354 A
`
`’
`’
`354/403
`9/1995 Hamadaetal. .
`5,448,331 A
`" 62/146
`9/1995 Lepre """"" "
`5’450’299 A
`307/116
`9/1995 Yap etal.
`5,453,644 A
`.. 324/678
`5,461,321 A 10/1995 Sanders etal.
`362/205
`5,469,346 A 11/1995 Hautetal.
`.. 315/77
`5,491,383 A
`2/1996 Leiberetal. ...... ..
`5,504,415 A
`4/1996 Podrazhanskyetal. ...... .. 320/18
`5,526,241 A
`6/1996 Ferrell ........................ .. 362/490
`5583382 A 12/1996 Wagner """"" "
`307/10'1
`5,585,698 A 12/1996 Langhansetal.
`315/200A
`
`219/220 ~ ZOO/33R
`
`3/1957 Ashton 2,784,290 A 2,810,797 A 10/1957 Gulnick ~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~
`
`
`200/83T
`3,259,713 A
`7/1966 Herridge, Jr. et a1.
`ZOO/60
`3535 282 A “M970 Mallory
`. 200/299
`3,646,302 A
`2/1972 Lehmann .
`337/66
`3721933 A
`M973 P
`3200
`3,890,555 A
`M975 Nerloy ~~~~~
`562/280
`3,944,804 A
`M976 wéiioneta'
`34004813
`4,001,803 A
`M977 L‘S 81nd ~~~~ "
`3l5/84
`4,071,805 A
`M978 Bomkar °
`"340ml
`4,074,252 A
`M978 Kgl’lcer ~~~~ ~~
`4,122,371 A 10/1978 Talmage et a1. ............... .. 315/84
`4123 668 A “M978 Pecota
`3l5/84
`
`. 362/184 328/5
`
`4,228,484 A 10/1980 Johnston .. 4,237,421 A 12/1980 Waldron ..
`
`362%
`4237 526 A 0/1980 Wood
`. 446/484
`4,282,681 A
`8/1981 McCaslin
`362100
`4293 894 A “M981 Blank
`. 362/203
`4,306,277 A 12/1981 Bodde ..
`362%}
`4357 648 A “H982 Nelson
`4,360,737 A 11/1982 Leopold ...................... .. 307/116
`
`4380718 A 4,385,258 A
`
`4/1983 Miller “983 V11 ~~
`
`315/93 3l5/84
`4403172 A
`9/l983 szsakigtgi
`315m
`4,408,182 A 10/1983 Hashimoto .
`. 340/321
`4409 645 A “M983 Sloan
`362/700
`4,414,611 A 11/1983 Seltzer etal.
`. 362/183
`4442478 A
`4/1984 St b
`362/489
`'
`4,467,263 A
`M984 can; “.ry "'1
`3200
`4,473,871 A
`9/l984 plighg?lfgf ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 362076
`4,483,605 A 11/1984 Krumrein et a1.
`. 396/159
`4495 444 A
`M1985 Th
`3l5/82
`4,497,881 A
`M985 Be‘r’tlgl?lflo ~~~~ ~~
`429m
`4,499,528 A
`2/1985 Hawlitzki
`. 362/275
`4611264 A
`9/1986 B d1
`362/95
`4,623,957 A U/l986 Mm ey
`"362000
`4,638,174 A
`M987 Bigfre at”
`~307/l0l
`A
`~
`. 362/490
`8/1987 Dykstra et a1.
`4,686,609 A
`128/360
`M988 S
`4716 902 A
`~3l5/3l3
`M988 G‘g’?fuégélm
`4734625 A
`4/1988 Geerlings ..................... .. 315/84
`4,739,224 A
`“988 Herzog
`32460 CD
`4743 837 A
`8/1988 Roudeski .
`...... .. 315/51
`4,764,708 A
`M989 Kerber
`324/60 CD
`4806 846 A
`2/1989 Skogler et a1.
`362/142
`4,807,096 A
`9/l989 Kataoka
`315%“
`4866 345 A
`9/1989 Andresen eta.
`. 315/200
`4,870,326 A
`4875147 A “M989 Auer
`362005
`4,876,632 A 10/1989 Osterhout et a1. .
`. 362/183
`4908 649 A
`M990 Matsuietal
`354/403
`4,959,679 A
`9/1990 Yamamoto et a1.
`.... .. 354/419
`4963 793 A “M990 D P 1.
`315“
`5005004 A
`M991 US $11 ~~~~~~~ ~~
`~~~34W600
`5,027,037 A
`M991 W90
`3'15/200A
`5,047,688 A
`9/l99l Ale‘ ~~~~ "
`3l5/84
`5,055,268 A “M991
`422/84
`5,057,383 A 10/1991 Sokira .1 ..... ..
`I, 429/92
`5,061,879 A 10/1991 Munoz et a1.
`315/65
`5,066,898 A 11/1991 Miller et a1. ................ .. 315/362
`5,097,284 A
`3/1992 Taniguchi et a1. .......... .. 354/415
`5,114,376 A
`5/1992 Copley et al~ ~~
`~ 446/369
`5,130,901 A
`7/1992 Priesemuth .
`. 362/464
`5138 538 A
`M992 Sperling
`362005
`5,174,643 A 12/1992 Priesemuth .
`. 362/464
`5187 655 A
`M993 Postetal
`700/17
`5,206,097 A
`4/1993 Burns et a1. .
`429/90
`5206562 A
`4/1993 Matsuno etal‘
`315/77
`5 212 478 A
`5/1993 Moseley
`" 340/825‘72
`
`"" " "
`
`5,133; Airs: and‘
`g’ggj’ggg A ’ ’
`
`
`.. 446/47
`3/1997 vnnderntees
`5,611,720 A
`362/183
`7/ 1997 L130 """"""" "
`5’645’341 A
`362/555
`7/1997 Damaskyetal.
`5,647,657 A
`32%
`8/1997 SeI-‘gupta
`5’661’393 A
`340/458
`5,680,098 A 10/1997 Bgsteretal.
`" 3%???
`g’ggé’iég A 15133; gill-1158b‘)
`200/512
`
`
`’ ’ 5,736,696 A
`“pp 4/1998 DelRosso .... ..
`
`701/1
`5,781,869 A
`7/1998 Parlett, Jr. etal.
`455/574
`5790961 A
`8/1998 lngmmetal'
`362/183
`5,806,961 A
`9/1998 Dalton etal.
`' ZSO/ZIAAL
`5’808’294 A
`9/1998 Neumann
`315/291
`5,821,700 A 10/1998 Malvaso ....... ..
`.. 315/77
`5,831,389 A 11/1998 Kawashimaeta.
`.... .. 315/55
`5,856,727 A
`1/1999 Schroederetal. ..
`' 3150415
`5392334 A
`4/1999 Utzman """""" "
`5,904,414 A
`5/1999 Monteleone et a1. ....... .. 362/205
`5,942,770 A
`8/1999 Ishinagaetal. ............... .. 257/89
`596%” A 10/1999 Foerster """" "
`" 315/86
`D4l7,019 s
`11/1999 Rachwaletal.
`.D26/37
`5,994,844 A 11/1999 Crawfordetal.
`315/151
`6,000,807 A 12/1999 Moreland .
`.. 362/95
`23217122 2
`72222 21:11:;
`.. 325/353
`’
`’
`6,030,105 A
`2/2000 Thauetal.
`362/488
`6,040,660 A
`3/2000 Schmidtetal. ......... .. 315/200A
`6951931 A
`4/2000 Take‘ """"""""""""""" " “W9
`6,056,423 A
`5/2000 Takano etal.
`362/488
`6’079’847 A
`600% Nelson """" "
`362/205
`6,095,661 A
`8/2000 Lebensetal.
`362/184
`6’100’652 A
`80000 Konopka '
`315/291
`6,129,446 A 10/2000 Hornung ..
`362/394
`6’l35’605 A 10/2000 HS“ et a1‘ '
`362/102
`6,136,605 A 10/2000 Fahletal.
`435/440
`6’140’776 A 10/2000 Rachwal "
`315/200R
`6,152,590 A 11/2000 Furstetal.
`362/545
`“58372 A 12/2000 ROdg‘?“ """" "
`362/276
`6,164,806 A 12/2000 Schm1ckleta1.
`362/547
`6,179,453 B1
`1/2001 McMahon .................. .. 362/490
`6,239,555 B1
`5/2001 Rachwal ................. .. 315/200R
`6,249,089 B1
`6/2001 Bruwer ...... ..
`315/200A
`6,259,862 B1
`7/2001 Marinoetal.
`396/106
`253322; 5; 13,588, 5111131?
`332,12?
`6’377’009 B1
`4/2002 PE?“ 1 "
`318/468
`6’402’339 B1
`6/2002 Mukpp """"" "1
`362/184
`6566819 B2
`500% wolf‘ggawa eta‘
`315“ 49
`6,608,451 B2
`8/2003 Collins, ,,,,,,,,,,, H
`315/276
`’
`’
`"""""""""""" "
`6,608,617 B2
`8/2003 Ho?knechtetal. ........ .. 345/173
`6521225 B2
`9/2003 BmWer """"" "
`" 315/86
`6,642,467 B2 11/2003 Farnngdon
`200/511
`“509% B2 11/2003 Bruwer """""""""""" " 315/200
`6,700,508 B1
`3/2004 Nomuraet 31~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~ 341/27
`6,748,869 B1
`6/2004 Boyer etal.
`102/428
`
`
`
`A 532263711 A
`
`
`
`Lu ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ 7/1993 Matsuno etal,
`
`
`
`‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ “ ,362/488
`
`6,850,229 B2
`
`
`
`Bruweretal. .. 2/2005 Casebolt et al.
`
`..
`
`345/173
`
`315/77
`5,254,907 A 10/1993 Matsuno et a1.
`315/84
`5,304,896 A
`4/1994 Asada et a1.
`. 340/540
`5,309,145 A
`5/1994 Branch et a1.
`. 354/418
`5,317,362 A
`5/1994 Takahashi
`5,321,309 A
`6/1994 Kolomyski ................ .. 307/10.8
`
`~ 307/87
`V2006 Bruwer ~~~~~~ ~
`6,984,900 B1
`.. 307/87
`8/2006 Bruwer .
`7,084,526 B2
`307/140
`8/2006 Bruwer .
`7,084,531 B2
`307/140
`7,119,459 B2 10/2006 Bruwer eta.
`7,215,084 B1
`5/2007 Sharrah et a1. ................ .. 315/87
`
`Exhibit 1001, Page 002
`
`

`
`US 8,288,952 B2
`Page 3
`
`9/2007 BruWer ....................... .. 315/129
`7,265,494 B2
`7,291,940 B2 11/2007 BruWer ..... ..
`. 307/140
`7,314,286 B2
`1/2008 Sharrah et al.
`. 362/183
`7,329,970 B2
`2/2008 BruWer ....................... .. 307/140
`7,498,749 B2
`3/2009 BruWer ....................... .. 315/200
`7,528,508 B2
`5/2009 BruWer
`. 307/140
`7,772,781 B2
`8/2010 BruWer
`. 315/129
`2007/0278962 A1 12/2007 BruWer
`315/129
`2008/0048574 A1
`2/2008 BruWer ................... .. 315/200 A
`
`DE
`DE
`DE
`DE
`EP
`EP
`EP
`EP
`EP
`EP
`g;
`EP
`Ep
`EP
`EP
`EP
`EP
`FR
`FR
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`3444178
`@1985
`4014737
`11/1990
`9012641
`11/1990
`29600938
`4/1996
`0323193
`12/1988
`0 440 897
`8/1991
`0467158
`U 1992
`0515921
`12/1992
`0642952
`3/1995
`0676311
`10/1995
`
`0719674
`0728617
`07705 19
`0 846 594 A2
`0 846 594 A3
`1 025 387 A2
`2376587
`2634339
`
`7/1996
`g/1996
`7/ 1997
`6/1998
`6/1998
`55/2000
`7/1978
`1/ 1990
`
`GB
`GB
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`WO
`WO
`WO
`WO
`WO
`WO
`
`2243902
`2276713
`4127765
`06202231
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`10338028
`11123935
`11255017
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`92/22099
`97/00790
`99/12781 A1
`99/20085
`99/20936 A2
`99/20936 A3
`
`11/1991
`10/1994
`4/1992
`7/1994
`3/1996
`12/1998
`5/1999
`9/1999
`11/ 1999
`12/1992
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`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
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`Schneiker, Henry; “Can You Patent an LED Flashlight?”, 2 pages,
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`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Exhibit 1001, Page 003
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 16,2012
`
`Sheet] of6
`
`US 8,288,952 B2
`
`
`
`NHCROCHIP
`
`
`
`Exhibit 1001, Page 004
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`0a. 16, 2012
`
`Sheet 2 of6
`
`US 8,288,952 B2
`
`TKIOG 1:134
`
`E!
`
`E 01
`
`F I I l I l | | l | I I I i I L.
`
`V’C’G 1:11-31 6
`
`MlcRoculP ‘
`
`f/as
`
`Exhibit 1001, Page 005
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 16,2012
`
`Sheet 3 of6
`
`US 8,288,952 B2
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`I: r_—_; 7
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`log
`
`/‘ /05
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`I‘“““""“I
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`IIII01
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`I I I I I I I I I I.LL_.
`
`
`
`Exhibit 1001, Page 006
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 16,2012
`
`Sheet 4 of6
`
`US 8,288,952 B2
`
`
`
`
`MICROCHIP"/4
`
`
`
`Exhibit 1001, Page 007
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 16,2012
`
`Sheet 5 of6
`
`US 8,288,952 B2
`
`/ZG8
`
`
`
`T;t::,l3
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`/3 04
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`MM 1
`
`INPUT
`
`
`
`Exhibit 1001, Page 008
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`0a. 16, 2012
`
`Sheet 6 of6
`
`US 8,288,952 B2
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`Exhibit 1001, Page 009
`
`

`
`US 8,288,952 B2
`
`1
`INTELLIGENT USER INTERFACE
`INCLUDING A TOUCH SENSOR DEVICE
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`
`This application is a continuation of US. patent applica
`tion Ser. No. 12/855,006 ?led Aug. 12, 2010 now US. Pat.
`No. 7,994,726, Which is a continuation of US. patent appli
`cation Ser. No. 12/239,369 ?led Sep. 26, 2008, now US. Pat.
`No. 7,781,980, Which is a continuation of US. patent appli
`cation Ser. No. 11/961 ,723 ?led Dec. 20, 2007, now US. Pat.
`No. 7,443,101, Which is a divisional of US. patent applica
`tion Ser. No. 11/060,329 ?led Feb. 17, 2005, now US. Pat.
`No. 7,336,037, Which is a continuation of US. patent appli
`cation Ser. No. 10/690,423 ?led Oct. 21, 2003, now US. Pat.
`No. 6,952,084, Which is a continuation of US. patent appli
`cation Ser. No. 10/365,042 ?led on Feb. 12, 2003, now US.
`Pat. No. 6,650,066, Which is a continuation of US. patent
`application Ser. No. 09/793,303 ?led on Feb. 26, 2001, now
`US. Pat. No. 6,621,225, Which is a continuation of US.
`patent application Ser. No. 09/169,395 ?led on Oct. 9, 1998,
`now US. Pat. No. 6,249,089.
`This application is related to US. patent application Ser.
`No. 09/806,860 ?led Jul. 2, 2001, now US. Pat. No. 6,984,
`900, and to US. patent application Ser. No. 10/430,376 ?led
`May 7, 2003, now US. Pat. No. 6,828,739, and to US. patent
`application Ser. No. 10/855,361 ?led May 28, 2004, now US.
`Pat. No. 7,084,526, and to US. patent application Ser. No.
`10/873,190 ?led Jun. 23, 2004, now US. Pat. No. 7,084,531,
`and to US. patent application Ser. No. 10/ 873,617 ?led Jun.
`23, 2004, noW abandoned, and to US. patent application Ser.
`No. 10/875,618 ?led Jun. 25, 2004, now US. Pat. No. 7,291,
`940, and to US. patent application Ser. No. 10/ 961,373 ?led
`Oct. 12, 2004, now US. Pat. No. 7,265,494, and to US. patent
`application Ser. No. 11/480,868 ?led Jul. 6, 2006, now US.
`Pat. No. 7,329,970, and to US. patent application Ser. No.
`11/785,063 ?ledApr. 13, 2007, now US. Pat. No. 7,772,781
`and to US. patent application Ser. No. 11/930,705 ?led Oct.
`31, 2007, now US. Pat. No. 7,528,508 and to US. patent
`application Ser. No. 11/928,964 ?led Oct. 30, 2007, now US.
`Pat. No. 7,498,749.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to neW intelligent electrical
`current switching devices and more particularly, to microchip
`controlled electrical current sWitching devices. The invention
`further relates, in one embodiment, to intelligent batteries
`having embedded therein a microchip foruse With a variety of
`electrical devices to add heretofore unknown functionality to
`existing electrical devices. The invention also relates, accord
`ing to another embodiment, to intelligent hand-held elec
`tronic devices, and in a preferred embodiment to hand-held
`light sources, and more particularly, to ?ashlights. According
`to one embodiment of the present invention, the invention
`relates to intelligent hand-held ?ashlights having microchip
`controlled sWitches Wherein said sWitches can be pro
`grammed to perform a variety of functions including, for
`example, turning the ?ashlight off after a pre-determined time
`interval, blinking, or dimming, etc.According to a still further
`embodiment, the invention relates to loW current sWitches
`controlled by microchips of the present invention for use in
`building lighting systems.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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`In conventional ?ashlights, manually-operated mechanical
`sWitches function to turn the ?ashlight “on” and “of .” When
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`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
`?ashlight, the effective life of the battery is only a feW hours
`at most. Should the operator, after using the ?ashlight to ?nd
`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 ?ashlight be left in a tumed-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 ?ashlight.
`When the ?ashlight is designed for use by a young childthe
`likelihood is greater that the ?ashlight Will be mishandled,
`because a young child is prone to be careless and forgets to
`turn the ?ashlight “off” after it has served its purpose.
`Because ofthis, a ?ashlight may be left “on” for days, ifnot
`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 re?ector 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.
`With a sWitch of this type on top of a ?ashlight handle,
`When the slide actuator is pushed forWard by the thumb, the
`sWitch “mechanically” closes the circuit and the ?ashlight is
`turned “on” and remains “on” until the slide actuator is pulled
`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 ?ashlights include, in addi
`tion to a slide sWitch, a push button sWitch Which keeps the
`?ashlight turned on only When ?nger pressure is applied to the
`push button. It is di?icult for a young child Who Wishes, say to
`illuminate a dark corner in the basement of his 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
`sWitch to its permanently-on position, for this requires only a
`monetary ?nger motion.
`It is knoWn to provide a ?ashlight With a delayed action
`sWitch Which automatically turns off after a pre-determined
`interval. The Mallory US. Pat. No. 3,535,282 discloses a
`?ashlight 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
`cally compress the belloWs Which after a pre-determined
`interval acts to turn off the sWitch.
`A similar delayed action is obtained in a ?ashlight for
`children marketed by Playskool Company, this delayed
`action being realiZed by a resistance-capacitance timing net
`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
`?ashlight. Also included in the prior art, is a ?ashlight previ
`ously sold by Fisher-Price using an electronic timing circuit
`to simply turn off the ?ashlight after about 20 minutes.
`It is also knoWn, eg as disclosed in US. Pat. No. 4,875,
`147, to provide a mechanical sWitch assembly for a ?ashlight
`Which includes a suction cup as a delayed action element
`Whereby the ?ashlight, 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
`
`Exhibit 1001, Page 010
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`

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`US 8,288,952 B2
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`determined interval determined by the memory characteris
`tics of the suction cup, after Which the connection is auto
`matically broken.
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,138,538 discloses a ?ashlight having the
`usual components of a battery, and on-off mechanical sWitch,
`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 ?oW 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
`of the timing means. The patent also provides for the opera
`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-proo?ng” mecha
`nism may be provided to ensure that the by-pass is disabled
`When the ?ashlight is sWitched off.
`Most conventional ?ashlights, like those described above,
`are actuated by mechanical push or slide button-type sWitches
`requiring, of course, mechanical implementation by an opera
`tor. Over time, the sWitch suffers “Wear and tear” Which
`impairs operation of the ?ashlight 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
`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
`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 ?ashlights. First, the mechanical sWitches act as
`actual conductors for completing poWer circuits and provid
`ing current during operation of the devices. Depending upon
`the type of bulb and Wiring employed, the intensity of elec
`trical current Which must be conducted by the sWitch is gen
`erally quite high leading to, after prolonged use, failure. Sec
`ond, these mechanical sWitches must function as an interface
`betWeen the device and its operator, i.e. the man-machine
`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 of lighting 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
`described above in relation to portable electronic devices, like
`?ashlights. Moreover, the sWitches are relatively dumb in
`most cases and do not provide the user With a variety of
`functions, eg 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
`li gent electronic devices Which provide increased functional
`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
`both the current conducting functions and the MMI functions
`in an electronic device, such as a ?ashlight, 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,
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`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
`ing to the present invention, possible to control the functions
`of the device in an intelligent manner by the same microchip
`Which provides the MMI functions. Thus, by practicing the
`teachings of the present invention, more reliable, intelligent,
`and e?icient electrical devices can be obtained Which are
`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
`ited to, delayed sWitching, dimming, automatic shut off, and
`intermittent activation may be inexpensively realiZed in an
`existing (nonintelligent) product, for example a prior art
`?ashlight.
`According to a further embodiment, the invention provides
`a poWer saving microchip Which, When operatively associ
`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 ?ashlight, can be determined by an operator and may rep
`resent either a ?ash code sequence or a simple on/off oscilla
`tion, provide an indication of battery strength, and/or provide
`a gradual oscillating current ?oW to lengthen the life of the
`operating sWitch and the poWer source.
`According to one embodiment of the invention, an intelli
`gent ?ashlight, having a microchip controlled sWitch is pro
`vided comprising a microchip for controlling the on/offfunc
`tion and at least one other function of the ?ashlight.
`According to a further embodiment of the invention, an intel
`ligent ?ashlight having a microchip controlled sWitch is pro
`vided comprising an input means for sending activating/de
`activating signals to the microchip, and a microchip for
`controlling the on/ off function and at least one other function
`of the ?ashlight. According to a further embodiment of the
`invention, there is provided an intelligent ?ashlight having a
`microchip controlled sWitch comprising an input means for
`selecting one function of the ?ashlight, a microchip for con
`trolling at least the on/off function and one other function of
`the ?ashlight, Wherein the microchip control circuit may fur
`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
`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
`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,
`there is provided an intelligent battery for use With an elec
`tronic device, the battery having positive and negative termi
`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
`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
`
`Exhibit 1001, Page 011
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`US 8,288,952 B2
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`6
`FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a microchip for use in asso
`ciation With a touch pad or carbon coated membrane activa
`tion/ deactivation sWitch according to one embodiment of the
`invention;
`FIG. 6 is a schematic of a second type of device having a
`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. 8A is a block diagram of a microchip for use in a
`battery according to one embodiment of the present inven
`tion;
`FIG. 8B is a block diagram ofa second type ofmicrochip
`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
`tion;
`FIG. 10 is a schematic of a device having a microchip
`controlled sWitch according to one embodiment of the inven
`tion;
`FIG. 11 is a schematic of a device having a microchip
`controlled sWitch according to one embodiment of the present
`invention;
`FIG. 12 is a schematic of a ?ashlight 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
`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 ?oW 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 ?oW diagram for a microchip as shoWn in
`FIGS. 7 and 811 for a delayed shut off function embodiment of
`one embodiment of the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
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`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
`dangerous 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 ?rst and second terminal ends.
`The ?rst terminal end being connected to the energy storage
`section, the second terminal end being connected to the pro
`cessor, and the processor being connected to the second ter
`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
`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
`ment, provides a ?ashlight comprising a light source, an
`energy storage means, a sWitch means, and a processor
`means. The sWitch means being in communication With the
`processor means and the processor means being in commu
`nication With the energy storage means Which is ultimately in
`communicat