US007329970B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Bruwer
`
`(10) Patent N0.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,329,970 B2
`Feb. 12, 2008
`
`(54) TOUCH SENSOR AND LOCATION
`INDICATOR CIRCUITS
`
`(58) Field of Classi?cation Search ............... .. 307/ 140
`See application ?le for complete search history.
`
`(75) Inventor: Frederick Johannes BruWer, Paarl
`(ZA)
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(73) Assigneez Azoteq (Pte) Ltd’ paarl (ZA)
`
`6,249,089 B1 *
`
`6/2001 Bruwer ................. .. 315/200 A
`
`_
`( * ) Notice:
`
`_
`_
`_
`_
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U_S,C, 154(b) by 0 days,
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary ExamineriRobert L. DeBeradinis
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firmilones, Tullar & Cooper
`
`(21) Appl. N0.: 11/480,868
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`-
`22 F1 d:
`16
`(
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`(65)
`
`J]. 6 2006
`u ’
`Prior Publication Data
`
`Us 2006/0250028 A1
`
`NOV 9, 2006
`_
`_
`Related U‘s‘ Appheatlon Data
`(63) Continuation of application NO 10/873,190, ?led on
`Jun 23’ 2004, how pat NO_ 7,084,531, Which is a
`Continuation of apphcaiioh NO 09/806,860, ?led as
`application NO pCT/ZA99/00107 on Oct 8, 1999’
`now pat NO 6,984,900’ Which iS a comihuatiomim
`part Of application NO_ 09/169,395, ?led on Oct 9,
`1998’ how Pat' No_ 6,248,089
`
`(51) Int. C1.
`(2006.01)
`H01H 3/26
`(52) US. Cl. .................................................... .. 307/140
`
`An electronic circuit for use with an exhaustible power
`source and load such as a light bulb, a radio or motor,
`includes a microchip with an input that transmits a signal to
`the microchip when the load is activated or deactivated. The
`input does not form a serial link between the power source
`and the load. The power switch, by on/oiT switching, con
`trols energy ?ow from the power source to the load. The
`electronic circuit has an automatic delayed shut-oiT function
`for the load and, a ?nd-in-the-dark indicator and a power
`source level indicator which are active when the load is not
`energized and the power source is not being charged. The
`input to the microchip acts as an activation/deactivation user
`interface. The microchip allows the user to select speci?c
`functions based on the time duration of activation signals,
`the time duration between activation signals and the number
`of activation signals at the input.
`
`55 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
`
`112
`
`TIMER
`
`110
`
`/102
`
`MICROCHIP
`
`\103
`
`105
`
`L
`777
`
`Ex. 1035-0001
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 12, 2008
`
`Sheet 1 0f 6
`
`US 7,329,970 B2
`
`110
`
`112 l
`8
`'
`/102
`TIMER
`> 2»
`
`FIG. 1
`
`P2.
`
`,gT‘
`101
`_i_
`
`102
`
`MICROCHIP
`\
`103
`
`104M
`
`105
`
`177
`
`v+ INE
`i
`V— :
`:
`
`17‘;-
`
`CONTROL
`
`TIMER
`UL,
`
`L201
`
`;
`1
`E
`
`SWITCH
`
`:
`g
`
`202
`
`Q7 103 {I
`“i
`
`FIG. 2
`
`v+ OUT
`
`LOAD
`
`1105
`
`FIG. 3
`
`P6102 é
`F/
`Wm
`
`L _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.J
`
`Ex. 1035-0002
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 12, 2008
`
`Sheet 2 0f 6
`
`US 7,329,970 B2
`
`Ir/OG FIT-1'54
`
`MICI'ZOCHIP -
`
`L
`103
`
`fies
`
`Goa/?rm.
`
`T’MER
`
`MICKOCFHP‘
`
`Ex. 1035-0003
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 12, 2008
`
`Sheet 3 0f 6
`
`US 7,329,970 B2
`
`MICRO CH 1p
`
`kR23
`
`101/1...
`
`:SA
`202*]
`i Vow’
`
`SWITCH
`
`204
`
`IL
`
`CONT R0 L
`
`5
`
`TIME R
`
`2:185
`
`W ‘Ill.
`
`_ _
`
`_ _
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`_ 2 _
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`R n _.m m m M‘, _ _ w m2 mm“ _
`"W. m m m “ _PH
`
`?xwcllllir I" _ 2 % a _ P :22 _ “ Z I _ 2 W _
`
`.u. ,
`
`m0
`
`Ex. 1035-0004
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 12, 2008
`
`Sheet 4 of 6
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`US 7,329,970 B2
`
`Ex. 1035-0005
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 12, 2008
`
`Sheet 5 of 6
`
`US 7,329,970 B2
`
`F w-(ac);
`MICROCHIP
`
`Mm ! W PUT
`
`Ex. 1035-0006
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 12, 2008
`
`Sheet 6 0f 6
`
`US 7,329,970 B2
`
`=1:
`1
`OPEN gggi
`
`TIMER
`
`202
`
`RESET TWER=¢
`
`gwJTCH
`CLOSED?
`
`YES
`c1054? swTCH
`202
`
`UVCREMEA/T
`TIMER
`
`OPE/V SWITCH
`202
`
`l
`
`YES
`
`SWITCH
`(10550
`I065
`
`NO
`
`Ex. 1035-0007
`
`

`
`US 7,329,970 B2
`
`1
`TOUCH SENSOR AND LOCATION
`INDICATOR CIRCUITS
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is a Continuation of US. application Ser.
`No. 10/873,190, ?led Jun. 23, 2004 now US. Pat. No.
`7,084,531, Which is a Continuation of US. application Ser.
`No. 09/806,860, ?led Jul. 2, 2001, now US. Pat. No.
`6,984,900, Which is a US. National Stage of International
`Application No. PCT/ZA99/ 00107, ?led Oct. 8, 1999, Which
`is a Continuation-in-Part of US. application Ser. No.
`09/169,395, ?led Oct. 9, 1998, now US. Pat. No. 6,249,089.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to neW intelligent electrical
`current switching devices and more particularly, to micro
`chip controlled electrical current sWitching devices. The
`invention further relates, in one embodiment, to intelligent
`batteries 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, to intelligent
`hand-held electronic devices, and in a preferred embodiment
`to hand-held light sources, and more particularly, to ?ash
`lights. According to one embodiment of the present inven
`tion, the invention relates to intelligent hand-held ?ashlights
`having microchip controlled sWitches Wherein said sWitches
`can be programmed 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.
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`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`In conventional ?ashlights, manually-operated mechani
`cal sWitches function to turn the ?ashlight “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 ?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 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 ?ashlight.
`When the ?ashlight is designed for use by a young child
`the likelihood is greater that the ?ashlight Will be mis
`handled, because a young child is prone to be careless and
`forgets to turn the ?ashlight “o?” after it has served its
`purpose. Because of this, a ?ashlight 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 re?ector at the front end of the casing and
`being covered by a lens from Which a light beam is pro
`jected. A U-shaped handle is attached to the upper end of the
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`casing, With mechanical on-olf 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 “o?” 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
`mechanically compress the belloWs Which after a pre-deter
`mined 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
`network 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
`previously 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-determined interval determined by the memory charac
`teristics of the suction cup, after Which the connection is
`automatically broken.
`US. Pat. No. 5,138,538 discloses a ?ashlight having the
`usual components of a battery, and on-olf mechanical
`sWitch, a bulb, and a hand-held housing, to Which there is
`added a timing means and a circuit-breaking means respon
`sive 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 regard
`less of the state of the timing means. The patent also
`provides for the operation 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-olf sWitch. Furthermore, the patent discloses a lock or
`other “child-proo?ng” mechanism 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 operator. Over time, the sWitch su?‘ers “Wear and tear”
`Which impairs operation of the ?ashlight as a result of, for
`example, repeated activations by the operator and/or due to
`
`Ex. 1035-0008
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`

`
`US 7,329,970 B2
`
`3
`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 func
`tions in prior art ?ashlights. First, the mechanical sWitches
`act as actual conductors for completing poWer circuits and
`providing current during operation of the devices. Depend
`ing upon the type of bulb and Wiring employed, the intensity
`of electrical current Which must be conducted by the sWitch
`is generally quite high leading to, after prolonged use,
`failure. Second, 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 conven
`tional 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 rela
`tively 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 o? or turn on point in
`time.
`There is a need for inexpensive, reliable, and simple
`intelligent electronic devices Which provide increased func
`tionality 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 func
`tions 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, using touch pads, or carbon coated mem
`brane 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. Moreover, since the sWitch is a
`solid state component, it is, according to the present inven
`tion, 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
`limited 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
`?ashlight.
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`According to a further embodiment, the invention pro
`vides a poWer saving microchip Which, When operatively
`associated With an electronic device, Will adjust the average
`electric current through a current sWitch, provide an on and
`o? sequence Which, for example, but not limited to, in the
`case of a ?ashlight, can be determined by an operator and
`may represent either a ?ash code sequence or a simple on/o?
`oscillation, 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 intel
`ligent ?ashlight, having a microchip controlled sWitch is
`provided comprising a microchip for controlling the on/o?
`function and at least one other function of the ?ashlight.
`According to a further embodiment of the invention, an
`intelligent ?ashlight having a microchip controlled sWitch is
`provided comprising an input means for sending activating/
`deactivating signals to the microchip, and a microchip for
`controlling the on/o? 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
`controlling at least the on/o? function and one other function
`of the ?ashlight, Wherein the microchip control circuit may
`further 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
`comprising 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 embedded in the battery Wherein said microchip
`is adapted such that an input means external to the microchip
`can select the on/o? 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
`electronic device, the battery having positive and negative
`terminal ends and comprising a microchip embedded in the
`battery, preferably in the positive terminal end, for control
`ling on/o? 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
`connection With a poWer source, eg an exhaustible poWer
`source, and an electronic device poWered by said source
`Wherein said electronic device has an input means for
`activating and deactivating said poWer source, and said
`microchip comprising a means for controlling the on/o?
`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, eg a microchip and ?rst and second terminal
`ends. The ?rst terminal end being connected to the energy
`
`Ex. 1035-0009
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`

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`US 7,329,970 B2
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`5
`storage section, the second terminal end being connected to
`the processor, and the processor being connected to the
`second terminal 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/deactivat
`ing 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/o? 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 communication With the light source. The processor
`controls the activation/deactivation of the light source and,
`in some embodiments, further functions of the ?ashlight, in
`response to signals received from the sWitch means.
`While the present invention is primarily described in this
`application With respect to either a ?ashlight or a battery
`therefore, the embodiments discussed herein should not be
`considered limitative of the invention, and many other
`variations of the use of the intelligent devices of the present
`invention 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/
`deactivation sWitch according to one embodiment of the
`present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a microchip for use in
`association With a push button or sliding input activation/
`deactivation 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
`association With a touch pad or carbon coated membrane
`activation/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 mem
`brane 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 invention;
`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 of a second type of microchip
`for use in a battery according to another embodiment of the
`present invention;
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`FIG. 9 is a schematic of a device having a microchip
`controlled sWitch according to one embodiment of the
`invention;
`FIG. 10 is a schematic of a device having a microchip
`controlled sWitch according to one embodiment of the
`invention;
`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
`lighting 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 o? 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 o? 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
`?ashlight, is provided, Wherein the device has a microchip
`103 and 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, eg a DC battery, as is Well knoWn to those of
`ordinary skill in the art. While the folloWing discussion is
`limited to speci?c electronic devices, that is ?ashlights, 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 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 by grounding means 104. Microchip 103 is in
`series betWeen poWer source 101 and load 105. Microchip
`103 also transfers su?icient 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
`?ashlight to provide illumination.
`The microchip 103, and other microchips of the present
`invention, can have its/their intelligence embedded in com
`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-volatile, but should there be a need for selectable
`options, EE or ?ash memory structures may be used.
`The structure and operational parameters of such a micro
`chip 103 are explained in greater detail beloW With respect
`to 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
`
`Ex. 1035-0010
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`

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`US 7,329,970 B2
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`7
`a command Which is communicated to microchip 103. Input
`means 102 requires very loW current in preferred embodi
`ments. In one 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 ?ashlight, illumination is
`obtained. It is important to recognize, hoWever, that it is
`control circuit 201 Which activates current sWitch 202 upon
`acting on an input from MMl sWitch 102. Unlike heretofore
`knoWn prior art devices, activating 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 inven
`tion, touch sensor input or carbon coated membrane type
`sWitch devices are preferred.
`If, for example, an emergency noti?cation function is
`desired, the ?ashlight may be designed to alternately ?ash 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 ?ashing routine,
`control/reset means 201 commands current sWitch 202 to
`close and let current ?oW through to load 105, thereby
`causing, in the case of a ?ashlight, the bulb to illuminate.
`Simultaneously, control/reset means 201 uses the timing
`means 203 as a clock for timing. After control/reset means
`201 determines one second has elapsed, control/reset means
`201 instructs current sWitch 202 to open and interrupt the
`current ?oW through to load 105, and bulb illumination is
`discontinued. 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 ?ashlight, bulb
`illumination is immediately resumed. The device continues
`an alternating current delivery routine until either the opera
`tor sWitches the setting of the activating input sWitch 102 to
`the “o?” position, or until the conditions pre-programmed
`into the microchip, e.g. into the control/reset means 201, are
`satis?ed and current delivery is permanently discontinued.
`Similar operating routines can be employed to generate
`other conspicuous ?ashing 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/reset means 201, be pre-programmed With the appro
`priate code for creating such a signal, and to permit current
`transmission 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 ?ashes representing each individual letter are sepa
`rated by time intervals ranging from one-half (1/2) 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-programmed Within the microchip, e.g.
`Within the control/reset means 201, the signal is discontin
`ued.
`As shoWn in FIG. 3, it is possible to remove grounding
`means 104 from main circuit 100. HoWever, it is then
`necessary to intermittently provide an alternative poWer
`source for microchip 103 and to create a virtual ground
`reference level. A suitable microchip 103 for this con?gu
`ration is described in greater detail beloW With respect to
`FIGS. 8A and 8B.
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`Referring noW to FIG. 4, utiliZing the circuits in the
`microchip of some embodiments of the present invention,
`carbon 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 ?ashlights.
`According to the present invention, carbon coated mem
`brane type 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 present invention, carbon coated mem
`brane type sWitches, touch pad sWitches, or loW current type
`sWitches can be formed structurally integral With the prod
`uct, for example, With the casing of a ?ashlight.
`A block diagram shoWing microchip 103 for use, in
`accordance With one embodiment of the present invention,
`in association 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 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 ?oW current through to load
`105. HoWever, in more intelligent applications according to
`certain embodiments of the present invention, control/reset
`means 201 Will coordinate, based on clock and/or timing
`means 203, to execute timing routines similar to those
`described above such as, but not limited to, intermittent
`?ashing, the ?ashing of a conspicuous pattern such as Morse
`code, dimming functions, battery maintenance, battery
`strength/level, etc.
`FIG. 16 is a ?oW diagram for a microchip 103 as shoWn
`in FIGS. 4 and 5 and provides a delayed shutoff function.
`The ?oW sequence commences at START When the poWer
`source 101 is connected to the microchip 103, as shoWn in
`FIG. 4. The sequence of operation is substantially self
`explanatory and is not further elaborated herein.
`As shoWn in FIG. 6, grounding means 104 can be
`removed from the system as a matter of design choice. A
`more detailed description of a suitable microchip 103 for
`this type of con?guration is provided beloW With respect to
`FIGS. 8A and 8B.
`Referring to FIG. 7, certain embodiments of the present
`invention also provide for a battery having a microchip
`embedded for use in association With an electronic device.
`As shoWn, direct current is provided to microchip 103 by
`poWer source 101. When activating input sWitch 102 is
`closed, current is complete and poWer is transferred to load
`105 at the direction of microchip 103. Microchip 103
`embedded in the battery can have any number of intelligent
`functions pre-programmed therein, such as, for example but
`not limited to, battery strength monitoring, recharging,
`adjustment of average current through a current sWitch,
`intermittent poWer delivery sequences, and so on. Examples
`of suitable microchips 103 for this type of application are
`discussed beloW With reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B.
`FIGS. 8A and 8B are block diagrams of tWo different
`further embodiments of the present invention. Microchip
`803 is especially suitable for a