| TOUCHSENSOR TECHNOLOGIES, LLC Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20120126919 | HAPTIC FEEDBACK SYSTEM AND METHOD - A haptic feedback system includes movable and static portions coupled by one or more magnetic fields that serve to retard movement of the movable portion with respect to the static portion so as to provide haptic feedback when the movable portion is moved relative to the static portion. A magnet associated with one of the movable and static portions reacts with structure associated with the other of the movable and static portions so as to provide haptic feedback when the movable portion is moved with respect to the static portion. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120079662 | SUPPORT APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD - A therapeutic support device includes a bladder having one or more independently inflatable compartments, each including a plurality of inflatable cells. When inflated, each inflatable cell forms a contact node that may support a user or another object disposed thereon. The inflatable compartments can be alternately inflated and deflated such that contact pressure can be applied to and relieved from corresponding portions of the user's body in an alternating manner. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120060294 | THERAPEUTIC SUPPORT DEVICE ALLOWING CAPILLARY BLOOD FLOW - A therapeutic device that reduces localized subcutaneous pressure while allowing capillary flow in a medical setting is disclosed. The therapeutic device comprises one or more rows of first pressure-focusing points, one or more rows of second pressure-focusing points disposed between and/or adjacent to the one or more rows of first pressure-focusing points in an alternating arrangement, and at least one inflatable bladder that is configured to place at least one row of the one or more rows of first pressure-focusing points and the one or more rows of second pressure-focusing points in contact with an area on a patient's body when the bladder is inflated and to remove the at least one row of the one or more rows of first pressure-focusing points and the one or more rows of second pressure-focusing points from contact with the area on the patient's body when the bladder is deflated such that pressure can be applied to the area on the patient's body with the one or more rows of first pressure-focusing points and the one or more rows of second pressure-focusing points in an alternating manner. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120006111 | SOLID STATE FLUID LEVEL SENSOR - A sensor system for sensing liquid level in a bilge, for use in automatic bilge pump actuation. First and second field effect sensors are potted or sealed within a container or the bilge wall and are aligned in a vertical array and each comprise a substantially planar pattern of “electrodes” or conductive traces disposed on a printed circuit board (PCB) along with integrated circuits used to create a loop or arc-shaped electric field. As bilge liquid rises to the proximity or level of the field effect sensors, a change in the arc-shaped electric field is sensed and, in response, a bilge pump is automatically actuated to pump liquid out of the bilge. Optionally, the pump control can be programmed by use of a microprocessor to permit control of on-off timing and prevent undesirable effects of “sloshing.” | 01-12-2012 |
| 20110146399 | SOLID STATE FLUID LEVEL SENSOR - A sensor system for sensing liquid level in a bilge, for use in automatic bilge pump actuation. First and second field effect sensors are potted or sealed within a container or the bilge wall and are aligned in a vertical array and each comprise a substantially planar pattern of “electrodes” or conductive traces disposed on a printed circuit board (FOB) along with integrated circuits used to create a loop or arc-shaped electric field. As bilge liquid rises to the proximity or level of the field effect sensors, a change in the arc-shaped electric field is sensed and, in response, a bilge pump is automatically actuated to pump liquid out of the bilge. Optionally, the pump control can be programmed by use of a microprocessor to permit control of on-off timing and prevent undesirable effects of “sloshing.” | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110133815 | TOUCH SWITCHES AND PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS THEREFOR - A touch switch apparatus emulating a mechanical switch includes a field effect sensor and an electric field stimulator mechanically associated with the field effect sensor. A field generation signal applied to the field effect sensor causes an electric field to be generated thereabout. The electric field stimulator can be moved between first and second positions with respect to the field effect sensor. When moved into proximity with the field effect sensor, the electric field stimulator disturbs the electric field. A detection circuit coupled to the field effect sensor detects and responds to the disturbance to the electric field. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110122082 | USER INTERFACE PANEL - A user interface panel includes a touch sensor having one or more sensing electrodes and a user interface substrate disposed on a circuit carrier substrate. The user interface substrate includes a touch surface comprising a conductive material. A gap separates a portion of the conductive material overlying one of the sensing electrodes from surrounding portions of the conductive material. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20100259497 | INTEGRATED TOUCH SENSOR ELECTRODE AND BACKLIGHT MASK - A user interface includes a user interface substrate and an associated integrated sensing electrode and backlight mask in the form of an opaque material having an aperture or otherwise light-transmissive portion therein. The integrated sensing electrode and backlight mask is positioned between the user interface substrate and a light source, such that indicia in the form of the aperture is visible at a surface of the user interface substrate when the light source is illuminated. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100253653 | VIRTUAL KNOB INTERFACE AND METHOD - A virtual knob interface includes a substrate, a virtual knob associated with the substrate, and a number of touch sensors associated with the substrate and with the virtual knob. The virtual knob and touch sensor are configured and arranged such that the touch sensors detect manipulation of the virtual knob by a user. The knob can be removable from the substrate. Features can be provided to disable control of a device or function controlled by the knob when the knob has been removed. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100219958 | INTELLIGENT SHELVING SYSTEM - An intelligent shelving system integrates touch sensors, displays, lighting, and other components into shelves. Touch sensors can be used as limit switches to control shelf motion, to monitor items borne on shelves, to detect spills, and to control lighting and other devices and functions. Displays can provide information relating to objects stored in the shelving system and the operation and status of the shelving system. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100218978 | METHOD OF MAKING AN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT - A layer of transparent conductive material is disposed on a surface of a substrate. Further layers of conductive material are deposited on the layer of transparent conductive material or on an opposite surface of the substrate. The layers are selectively etched to yield a layout of pads for mounting electrical components and conductive traces forming an electrical circuit. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100182785 | USER INTERFACE WITH MEANS FOR LIGHT BLEED MITIGATION - A light-transmissive substrate includes an arrangement of penetrations extending from one surface of the substrate toward another surface of the substrate. The penetrations are configured to attenuate or inhibit transmission of light through the substrate from one side of the arrangement of penetrations to the other side of the arrangement of penetrations. | 07-22-2010 |
| 20090015360 | HAPTIC FEEDBACK SYSTEM AND METHOD - A haptic feedback system includes movable and static portions coupled by one or more magnetic fields that serve to retard movement of the movable portion with respect to the static portion so as to provide haptic feedback when the movable portion is moved relative to the static portion. A magnet associated with one of the movable and static portions reacts with structure associated with the other of the movable and static portions so as to provide haptic feedback when the movable portion is moved with respect to the static portion. | 01-15-2009 |
