US007498749B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Bruwer
`
`(10) Patent N0.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,498,749 B2
`*Mar. 3, 2009
`
`(54)
`
`(75)
`(73)
`( * )
`
`(21)
`
`(22)
`
`(65)
`
`(63)
`
`INTELLIGENT ELECTRICAL SWITCHING
`DEVICE INCLUDINGA TOUCH SENSOR
`USER INTERFACE SWITCH
`
`Inventor: Frederick J. BruWer, Lyttelton (ZA)
`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 0 days.
`
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis
`claimer.
`
`Appl. N0.: 11/928,964
`
`Filed:
`
`Oct. 30, 2007
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2008/0048574 A1
`
`Feb. 28, 2008
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`Continuation of application No. 11/060,329, ?led on
`Feb. 17, 2005, noW Pat. No. 7,336,037, Which is a
`continuation of application No. 10/690,423, ?led on
`Oct. 21, 2003, noW Pat. No. 6,952,084, Which is a
`continuation of application No. 10/365,042, ?led on
`Feb. 12, 2003, noW Pat. No. 6,650,066, Which is a
`continuation of application No. 09/793,303, ?led on
`Feb. 26, 2001, noW Pat. No. 6,621,225, Which is a
`continuation of application No. 09/ 169,395, ?led on
`Oct. 9, 1998, noW Pat. No. 6,249,089.
`
`(51)
`
`(52)
`
`(58)
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`H05B 37/00
`US. Cl. ............................ .. 315/200 A; 315/200 R;
`315/291
`Field of Classi?cation Search ............... .. 315/129,
`315/136, 200 A, 200 R, 291, 307, 360, 362;
`307/87, 119, 126, 139; 116/202, 205; 362/202,
`362/205; 345/173, 175
`See application ?le for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`2,338,078 A 12/1943 Wood .................... .. 240/1066
`
`(Continued)
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`DE
`
`3225557
`
`1/1984
`
`(Continued)
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Operations and Maintenance Manual for ETERNALIGHT Marketed
`by Technology Associates Inc., including email message from rep
`resentative ofTechnology Associates Inc., © 1998, 1999, 2000.
`Modern Dictionary of Electronics, Newnes, 7th Ed., p. 431, 1999.
`International Search Report from PCT/ZA99/00l07.
`Kochan Consulting Group, Inc., PAL Survival Light product related
`materials, WWW.pocketgifts.com/pal.asp, p. 1, © 2002.
`(Continued)
`Primary ExamineriDavid Hung Vu
`Assistant ExamineriTung X Le
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or FirmiBaker Botts L.L.P.
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`The present invention, according to a preferred embodiment,
`is directed to portable electronic devices Which operate on
`exhaustible poWer sources, for example, batteries. The elec
`tronic devices of the present invention comprise 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.
`
`25 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
`
`111/
`
`4
`
`'
`
`MICROCHIP
`
`2
`[/13
`
`(a5
`
`Ex. 1039-0001
`
`

`
`US 7,498,749 B2
`Page2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`3/1953 Hiscar ...................... .. 219/266
`2,630,517 A
`5/1956 Reichertz-
`250/836
`2,748,290 A
`3/1957 Ashton
`2,784,290 A
`2,810,797 A 10/1957 Gulnick ---------- --
`3259713 A
`7/1966 Herridge, Jr et 91-
`3,535,282 A 10/1970 Mallory ---------- --
`3,646,302 A
`2/1972 Lehmann -
`3,721,933 A
`3/1973 Peroy ---- --
`3,890,555 A
`6/1975 Nelson @191
`3,944,804 A
`3/1976 Wisdom
`4,001,803 A
`V1977 Lombardo --
`4,071,805 A
`V1978 Brock ------ -~
`4,074,252 A
`2/1978 Keller ------ --
`4,122,371 A 10/1978 Talmage @191
`4,123,668 A 10/1978 Pecota --------- --
`4,228,484 A 10/1980 Johnston --
`4,237,421 A 12/1980 Waldron
`4,237,526 A 12/1980 Wood ------- --
`4,282,681 A
`8/1981 McCaslin
`4,293,894 A 10/1981 Blank ------- -~
`4,306,277 A 12/1981 Bodde
`4,357,648 A 11/1982 Nelson
`4,360,737 A 11/1982 Leopold -~
`4,380,718 A
`4/1983 Miller
`4,385,258 A
`5/1983 V011 ......... ..
`4,403,172 A
`9/1983 Sasakietal
`4,408,182 A 10/1983 Hasmimoto -
`4,409,645 A 10/1983 $19911 ---------- --
`4,414,611 A 11/1983 Seltzer eta1~ -~
`4,442,478 A
`4/1984 Stansbury ---- --
`4,467,263 A
`8/1984 Conforti eta1~
`4,473,871 A
`9/1984 Fuchshuber
`4,483,605 A 11/1984 Krumrein e191 -
`4,495,444 A
`V1985 Thomas ------- --
`4,497,881 A
`2/1985 Bertolino
`4,499,528 A
`2/1985 Hawlitzki
`4,611,264 A
`9/1986 Bradley ..................... .. 362/95
`4,623,957 A 11/1986 Moore et a1. .............. .. 362/200
`4,638,174 A
`1/1987 Bier ............ ..
`307/10.1
`4,686,609 A
`8/1987 Dykstra et a1. ............ .. 362/490
`4,716,902 A
`1/1988 SWartZ ..................... .. 128/360
`4,734,625 A
`3/1988 Geanous er a1-
`- 315/313
`4,739,224 A
`4/1988 Geerlings .................. .. 315/84
`4,743,837 A
`5/1988 HerZog ................ .. 324/60 CD
`4,764,708 A
`8/1988 Roudeski.
`315/51
`4,806,846 A
`2/1989 Kerber ................ .. 324/60 CD
`4,807,096 A
`2/1989 Skogler et a1. ............ .. 362/142
`4,851,738 A
`7/1989 Yang -------- --
`~315/159
`4,866,345 A
`9/1989 Kataoka .................... .. 315/84
`4,870,326 A
`9/1989 Andresen etal. .......... .. 315/200
`4,875,147 A 10/1989 Aver -------------- -
`362/205
`4,876,632 A 10/1989 Osterhout et a1. ......... .. 362/183
`4,908,649 A
`3/1990 Matsuiet a1. ............. .. 354/403
`4959679 A
`9/1990 Ymmoto e191
`- 354/419
`4,963,793 A 10/1990 DePauli ..................... .. 315/74
`5,005,004 A
`4/1991 Udofot ..................... .. 340/600
`5,027,037 A
`6/1991 Wei ---- --
`315/200A
`5,047,688 A
`9/1991 Alten ........................ .. 315/84
`5,055,268 A 10/1991 Martin ...................... .. 422/84
`5,057,383 A 10/1991 Sokira ------ -~
`-- 429/92
`5,061,879 A 10/1991 Munoz eta1~ --------------- -- 315/65
`5,066,898 A 11/1991 Miller et a1. .............. .. 315/362
`5,097,284 A
`3/1992 Taniguchi er a1- -
`354/415
`5,114,376 A
`5/1992 Copley eta1~ ------------- -- 446/369
`5,130,901 A
`7/1992 Priesemuth ............... .. 362/464
`5,138,538 A
`8/1992 Sperling
`~362/205
`5,174,643 A 12/1992 Priesemu?l --------------- -- 362/464
`5,187,655 A
`2/1993 Post et al. ................... .. 700/17
`5,206,097 A
`4/1993 Burns et al. ................. .. 429/90
`5,206,562 A
`4/1993 Matsuno etal. ............. .. 315/77
`5,212,478 A
`5/1993 Moseley .............. .. 340/825.72
`
`6/1993
`5,216,328 A
`7/1993 Matsuno et a1. .
`5,226,711 A
`5254907 A 10/1993 Matsuno et a1‘ _____________ __ 315/77
`5,304,896 A
`4/1994 Asada etal. ................ .. 315/84
`5,309,145 A
`5/1994 Branoh etal.
`340/540
`5,317,362 A
`5/1994 Takahasln ................. .. 354/418
`5,321,309 A
`6/1994 Kolomyski .............. .. 307/10.8
`5,349,540 A
`9/1994 Birkle etal.
`.. 703/13
`5,357,169 A 10/1994 Toyozurni etal. ........... .. 315/77
`5,357,408 A 10/1994 Lecznaretal. ............ .. 362/490
`5,406,171 A
`4/1995 Moody
`.. 315/77
`5,418,433 A
`5/1995 Nilssen ..................... .. 315/175
`5,430,354 A
`7/1995 Garbowicz etal. .......... .. 315/88
`5,448,331 A
`9/1995 Hamadaetal. .
`354/403
`5,450,299 A
`9/1995 Lepre ........................ .. 62/146
`5,453,644 A
`9/1995 Yap etal. .................. .. 307/116
`5,461,321 A 10/1995 Sanders et al.
`324/678
`5,469,346 A 11/1995 Hautetal.
`362/205
`5,491,383 A
`2/1996 Leiberetal.
`.. 315/77
`5,504,415 A
`4/1996 Podrazhansky etal.
`.. 320/18
`5,526,241 A
`6/1996 Ferrell ......... ..
`.362/490
`5,583,382 A 12/1996 Wagner
`307/10.1
`5,604,407 A
`2/1997 Andres etal.
`.. 315/77
`5,604,999 A
`2/1997 Barker
`.. 36/137
`5,611,720 A
`3/1997 Vandermaas
`.. 446/47
`5,645,341 A
`7/1997 Liao ......... ..
`.362/183
`5,647,657 A
`7/1997 Damaskyet 31,
`362/555
`5,661,393 A
`8/1997 Sengupta ..... ..
`320/5
`5,680,098 A 10/1997 Bejsteretal.
`340/458
`5,691,619 A 11/1997 Vingsbo ..
`.. 361/86
`5,730,165 A
`3/1998 Philipp
`137/1
`5,736,696 A
`4/1998 Del Rosso
`.200/512
`5,781,869 A
`7/1998 Parlett, Jr. etal.
`701/1
`5,790,691 A
`8/1998 Ingram etal.
`382/133
`5,790,961 A
`8/1998 Ingrametal.
`455/574
`5,806,961 A
`9/1998 Dalton etal.
`362/183
`5,808,294 A
`9/1998 Nennrann
`. 250/214AL
`5,821,700 A 10/1998 Malvaso
`315/291
`5,831,389 A 11/199g Kawashimaet a1‘ __
`__ 315/77
`5,856,727 A
`1/1999 Schroeder et a1‘ __
`__ 315/55
`5,892,334 A
`4/1999 Utzman _______ __
`_ 315/241S
`5,942,770 A
`g/1999 lshinaga et a1‘
`__ 257/89
`5,969,437 A 10/1999 Foerster ____ __
`__ 315/86
`D417,019 s
`11/1999 Rachwaletal. .
`. D26/37
`5,994,844 A 11/1999 crawfordet 31,
`315/151
`6,000,807 A 12/1999 Moreland
`__ 362/95
`6,017,140 A
`1/2000 Chou
`_362/475
`6,027,234 A
`2/2()()() Austin __
`_362/49()
`6,030,105 A
`2/2000 Thau et a1‘
`362/4gg
`6,040,660 A
`3/2000 Schmidt et al. .
`315/200A
`6,051,931 A
`4/2000 Takel
`__ 315/79
`6,056,423 A
`5/2000 Takano et a1,
`362/4gg
`6,079,847 A *
`6/2000 Nelson ..................... .. 362/205
`6,095,661 A
`g/ZOOO Lebens et a1‘ _____________ __ 362/1g4
`6,100,652 A
`8/2000 Konopka _
`_315/291
`6,129,446 A 10/2000 Hornung ................... .. 362/394
`6,135,605 A 10/2000 Hsu etal, _________________ __ 362/102
`6,136,605 A 10/2000 pahlet a1, _
`435/440
`6,140,776 A * 10/2000 Raohwal ............... .. 315/200R
`6,152,590 A 11/2000 Furst et a1‘ ________________ __ 362/545
`6,158,872 A 12/2000 Rodgers
`_362/276
`6,164,806 A 12/2000 Schmickl etal. .......... .. 362/547
`6,179,453 B1
`1/2001 MoMahon ................ .. 362/490
`6,239,555 131*
`5/2001 Rachwal u
`3l5/200R
`6,249,089 B1
`6/2001 Bruwer ................. .. 315/200A
`6,259,862 B1
`7/2001 Marino etal. ............. .. 396/106
`6,288,707 B1
`9/2001 Philipp
`_345/16g
`6,307,539 B2* 10/2001 Suzuki ..................... .. 345/167
`6,377,009 B1
`4/2002 Philipp ..................... .. 318/468
`6,402,339 B1
`6/2002 Mukogawa etal,
`362/184
`6,566,819 B2
`5/2003 Wolff ....................... .. 315/149
`6,608,451 B2
`8/2003 Collins ..................... .. 315/276
`6,608,617 B2
`8/2003 Ho?knechtetal. ....... .. 345/173
`
`Ex. 1039-0002
`
`

`
`US 7,498,749 B2
`Page 3
`
`EP
`EP
`EP
`EP
`EP
`FR
`FR
`GB
`GB
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`WO
`WO
`W0
`WO
`WO
`W0
`
`8/1996
`0 728 617
`5/1997
`0 770 519
`6/1998
`0 846 594 A2
`6/1998
`0 846 594 A3
`8/2000
`1 025 387 A2
`7/1978
`2376587
`1/1990
`2634339
`2243902 A 11/1991
`2276713 A 10/1994
`06202231
`7/1994
`8062681
`3/1996
`10338028
`12/1998
`11123985
`5/1999
`11255017
`9/1999
`11321455
`11/1999
`92/22099
`12/1992
`97/00790 A1
`1/1997
`99/ 12781 A1
`3/ 1999
`99/20936 A2
`4/1999
`99/20936 A3
`4/1999
`9920085
`4/l999
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`9/2003 BruWer ...................... .. 315/86
`6,621,225 B2
`6,642,467 B2 11/2003 Farringdon .
`.
`6,650,066 B2 11/2003 BruWer ..................... .. 315/200
`6,700,508 B1
`3/2004 Nomura et al. ............. .. 341/27
`6,748,869 B1
`6/2004 Boyer et a1. .... ..
`6,828,739 B2 * 12/2004 BruWer et al. ............ .. 315/291
`6,850,229 B2 *
`2/2005 Casebolt et al. ........... .. 345/173
`6,984,900 B1
`1/2006 BruWer ..... ..
`.
`7,084,526 B2 *
`8/2006 BruWer ...................... .. 307/87
`7,084,531 B2
`8/2006 BruWer ..................... .. 307/140
`7,119,459 B2 * 10/2006 BruWer et al. .
`. 307/140
`7,215,084 B1* 5/2007 Sharrah et al. .............. .. 315/87
`7,265,494 B2 *
`9/2007 BruWer ..................... .. 315/129
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`.
`2006/0250028 A1 11/2006 BruWer ..................... .. 307/140
`2007/0278962 A1 12/2007 BruWer ..................... .. 315/129
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`DE
`DE
`DE
`DE
`
`DE
`
`EP
`EP
`EP
`EP
`EP
`EP
`EP
`EP
`EP
`
`3444178
`4014737
`9012641
`4 127 765
`
`29600938
`
`0323193
`0 440 897
`0 467 158
`0 515 921
`0 642 952
`0 676 311
`0 683 069
`0 719 673
`0 719 674
`
`6/1985
`11/1990
`11/1990
`2/ 1993
`
`4/1996
`
`12/l988
`8/l99l
`V1992
`12/l992
`3/l995
`“M1995
`1 H1995
`7/1996
`7/1996
`
`_
`
`_
`
`_
`
`_
`
`KYTV Spring?eld, MO, consumer information by Elizabeth
`Manresa dated Jul. 6, 2000, Light Lives up to Promise, at WWW.kv3.
`com/contactdetailed.asp?id:143, p. 1, Printed Jul. 23, 2004.
`Neon-Net Telecom, Neon-Star product related materials, WWW.
`neon-net.com.tW/mu.htm, pp. 1-5 and Neon-Star Operation Manu,
`WWW.neon-net.com.tW/data4.htrn, one page, Printed Sep. 15, 2004.
`Schneiker, Henry; “Can You Patent an LED Flashlight?”, 2 pages,
`Jan’ 2003'
`* cited by examiner
`
`Ex. 1039-0003
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Mar. 3, 2009
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`Sheet 1 of6
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`US 7,498,749 B2
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`Ex. 1039-0004
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`Sheet 2 of6
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`US 7,498,749 B2
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`I I I I I I I IV
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`Ex. 1039-0005
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`U.S. Patent
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`Mar. 3, 2009
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`Sheet 3 of6
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`Ex. 1039-0006
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`U.S. Patent
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`Mar. 3, 2009
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`Sheet 4 of6
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`US 7,498,749 B2
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`*"“””‘
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`MICROCHIP
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`Ex. 1039-0007
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`U.S. Patent
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`Mar. 3, 2009
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`Sheet 5 of6
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`MM!
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`INPUT
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`Ex. 1039-0008
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`US. Patent
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`Mar. 3, 2009
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`Sheet 6 of6
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`US 7,498,749 B2
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`1?: (7
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`[06
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`w
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`Ex. 1039-0009
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`

`
`US 7,498,749 B2
`
`1
`INTELLIGENT ELECTRICAL SWITCHING
`DEVICE INCLUDING A TOUCH SENSOR
`USER INTERFACE SWITCH
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`
`This application is a continuation of US. patent applica
`tion Ser. No. 11/060,329 entitled “Intelligent Electrical
`Switching Device” ?led Feb. 17, 2005 now US. Pat. No.
`7,336,037 by Frederick J. BruWer; Which is a continuation of
`US. patent application Ser. No. 10/690,423 entitled “Intelli
`gent Electrical Switching Device” ?led Oct. 21, 2003 by
`Frederick J. BruWer, now US. Pat. No. 6,952,084; Which is a
`continuation of US. patent application Ser. No. 10/365,042
`entitled “Intelligent Electrical SWitching Device” ?led on
`Feb. 12, 2003 by Frederick J. BruWer, now US. Pat. No.
`6,650,066; Which is a continuation of US. patent application
`Ser. No. 09/793,303 entitled “Intelligent Electrical SWitching
`Device” ?led on Feb. 26, 2001 by Frederick J. BruWer, now
`US. Pat. No. 6,621,225; Which is a continuation of applica
`tion Ser. No. 09/ 169,395 entitled “Intelligent Electrical
`SWitching Device Comprising Microchip” ?led on Oct. 9,
`1998 by Frederick J. BruWer, 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 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
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`In conventional ?ashlights, manually-operated mechanical
`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 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 child the
`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.
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`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
`determined interval determined by the memory characteris
`tics of the suction cup, after Which the connection is auto
`matically broken.
`US. 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
`
`Ex. 1039-0010
`
`

`
`US 7,498,749 B2
`
`3
`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,
`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
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`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
`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.
`
`Ex. 1039-0011
`
`

`
`US 7,498,749 B2
`
`5
`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
`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 varia
`tions of the use of the intelligent devices of the present inven
`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
`tivation sWitch according to one embodiment of the present
`invention;
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a microchip for use in asso
`ciation With a push button or sliding input activation/deacti
`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
`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;
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`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