US20160116622A1 - Cabinet touch control - Google Patents
Cabinet touch control Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20160116622A1 US20160116622A1 US14/987,051 US201614987051A US2016116622A1 US 20160116622 A1 US20160116622 A1 US 20160116622A1 US 201614987051 A US201614987051 A US 201614987051A US 2016116622 A1 US2016116622 A1 US 2016116622A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- sensor
- veneer
- cabinet
- recess
- wall
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01V—GEOPHYSICS; GRAVITATIONAL MEASUREMENTS; DETECTING MASSES OR OBJECTS; TAGS
- G01V3/00—Electric or magnetic prospecting or detecting; Measuring magnetic field characteristics of the earth, e.g. declination, deviation
- G01V3/08—Electric or magnetic prospecting or detecting; Measuring magnetic field characteristics of the earth, e.g. declination, deviation operating with magnetic or electric fields produced or modified by objects or geological structures or by detecting devices
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
- G01R27/00—Arrangements for measuring resistance, reactance, impedance, or electric characteristics derived therefrom
- G01R27/02—Measuring real or complex resistance, reactance, impedance, or other two-pole characteristics derived therefrom, e.g. time constant
- G01R27/26—Measuring inductance or capacitance; Measuring quality factor, e.g. by using the resonance method; Measuring loss factor; Measuring dielectric constants ; Measuring impedance or related variables
- G01R27/2605—Measuring capacitance
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
- H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
- H03K17/00—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking
- H03K17/94—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking characterised by the way in which the control signals are generated
- H03K17/945—Proximity switches
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
- H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
- H03K17/00—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking
- H03K17/94—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking characterised by the way in which the control signals are generated
- H03K17/945—Proximity switches
- H03K17/955—Proximity switches using a capacitive detector
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
- H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
- H03K17/00—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking
- H03K17/94—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking characterised by the way in which the control signals are generated
- H03K17/96—Touch switches
- H03K17/962—Capacitive touch switches
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
- H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
- H03K2217/00—Indexing scheme related to electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making or -breaking covered by H03K17/00
- H03K2217/94—Indexing scheme related to electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making or -breaking covered by H03K17/00 characterised by the way in which the control signal is generated
- H03K2217/96—Touch switches
- H03K2217/96066—Thumbwheel, potentiometer, scrollbar or slider simulation by touch switch
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
- H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
- H03K2217/00—Indexing scheme related to electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making or -breaking covered by H03K17/00
- H03K2217/94—Indexing scheme related to electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making or -breaking covered by H03K17/00 characterised by the way in which the control signal is generated
- H03K2217/96—Touch switches
- H03K2217/9607—Capacitive touch switches
- H03K2217/960755—Constructional details of capacitive touch and proximity switches
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
- H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
- H03K2217/00—Indexing scheme related to electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making or -breaking covered by H03K17/00
- H03K2217/94—Indexing scheme related to electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making or -breaking covered by H03K17/00 characterised by the way in which the control signal is generated
- H03K2217/96—Touch switches
- H03K2217/9607—Capacitive touch switches
- H03K2217/960785—Capacitive touch switches with illumination
Definitions
- This application relates generally to capacitive sensors and, in particular, to a cabinet, piece of furniture or other object including an integrated capacitive sensor for controlling operation of an electric device.
- Capacitive sensors are found in many devices and applications. Light switches, elevator buttons, computer touch-screens and controls on electronic equipment are examples of a few common applications. Typically, the capacitive sensors are in plain view, clearly delineated on the applicable device. For example, a wall switch with a touch pad, the appearance of buttons in an elevator, a touch-sensitive screen itself, and various indicia and/or discrete touch surfaces in other equipment are exposed and readily viewed by individuals, even when such sensors are not actively being used.
- An exposed sensor can give objects an unsightly appearance for users to view.
- Capacitive sensors are found in many devices and applications. Light switches, elevator buttons, computer touch-screens and controls on electronic equipment are examples of a few common applications. Typically, the capacitive sensors are in plain view, clearly delineated on the applicable device. For example, a wall switch with a touch pad, the appearance of buttons in an elevator, a touch-sensitive screen itself, and various indicia and/or discrete touch surfaces in other equipment are exposed and readily viewed by individuals, even when such sensors are not actively being used.
- the subject application involves a method for mounting a capacitive sensor in a cabinet or piece of furniture, and a cabinet or piece of furniture with such a capacitive sensor, and the capacitive sensor itself.
- the subject application involves providing a capacitive sensor configured on a sensor side of a printed circuit board; and fabricating a cavity in a wall of said cabinet or piece of furniture, the cavity being configured to receive the printed circuit board so that the capacitive sensor is contained within the wall and is within 0.125 inches of a touchable surface of the wall.
- the subject application involves an apparatus for controlling an electric device.
- the apparatus includes a cabinet defining a recess, and a sensor disposed within said recess for sensing the presence of a foreign object in close proximity to the sensor.
- a veneer at least partially conceals the sensor disposed within said recess from view when observed from an ambient environment of the cabinet.
- a controller is responsive to a signal transmitted by the sensor indicative of the presence of the foreign object adjacent to the sensor to transmit a control signal for controlling operation of the electric device operatively connected to communicate with the controller.
- the senor is a capacitive sensor that senses a capacitance change resulting from placement of the foreign object in close proximity to the sensor.
- the cabinet is a portion of a piece of furniture, and the recess is formed in an arm rest portion of the piece of furniture on which a user is to sit.
- the cabinet is a portion of a lamp, and the recess is formed in a base portion of the lamp.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a capacitive sensor embedded in a wall before application of a wall veneer according to an aspect of the invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of illustrative examples of capacitive sensor configurations
- FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a capacitive sensor according to still another aspect of the invention.
- FIG. 4 is a schematic top view of an edge mounted capacitive sensor and a portion of unbonded wall veneer according to an additional aspect of the invention
- FIG. 5 shows an illustrative embodiment of a printed circuit board including a sensor, a proximity sensor surrounding the sensor, and a plurality of light sources;
- FIG. 6 shows an illustrative embodiment of an overlay that is to cover the printed circuit board shown in FIG. 5 ;
- FIG. 7 shows an illustrative embodiment of a substantially-transparent printed circuit board with underlying LED illumination sources
- FIG. 8 shows an illustrative embodiment of an overlay that is to cover the printed circuit board shown in
- FIG. 7 the overlay comprising a plurality of window regions denoting locations of a sensor representing numerical input regions.
- the phrase “at least one of”, if used herein, followed by a plurality of members herein means one of the members, or a combination of more than one of the members.
- the phrase “at least one of a first widget and a second widget” means in the present application: the first widget, the second widget, or the first widget and the second widget.
- “at least one of a first widget, a second widget and a third widget” means in the present application: the first widget, the second widget, the third widget, the first widget and the second widget, the first widget and the third widget, the second widget and the third widget, or the first widget and the second widget and the third widget.
- a portion of a wall 10 of a cabinet or a piece of furniture has an upper surface 12 that includes a capacitive sensor 14 countersunk into the surface 12 of the wall 10 .
- the sensor 14 is flush with the surface 12 and a veneer 16 (see FIG. 4 ) is then bonded to the surface 12 as well as to the sensor 14 . Bonding to the sensor 14 helps prevent wrinkling or blistering of the veneer 16 .
- the wall 10 may be, for example, solid wood, wood fiber products or other non-metallic material suitable for construction of cabinets or furniture.
- the veneer 16 may be, for example, wood veneer, laminate or other non-metal material suitable for construction of cabinets or furniture.
- the veneer 16 may be bonded to the wall 10 and the sensor 14 , for example, with adhesive, thermally, or ultrasonically as appropriate for the materials.
- the thickness of the veneer 16 (e.g., the dimension normal to a major surface of the veneer 16 ) can be limited to less than a threshold maximum for the sensitivity of the particular sensor. Thicknesses greater than the threshold maximum can begin to interfere with the ability of the sensor 14 to detect the presence of a user's hand, for example.
- the thickness of the veneer 16 can be approximately 0.125 inches or less.
- Other embodiments include a veneer that is approximately 0.010 inches or less.
- a thickness of 0.025 inches can be suitable for certain applications, and can optionally be any commercially available veneer 16 thickness.
- the veneer 16 can optionally have an externally-exposed surface 37 ( FIG. 3 ) with an appearance resembling wood or other material from which the cabinet 10 or furniture is made. Such embodiments of the veneer 16 can optionally conceal the sensor 14 embedded in the cabinet 10 or furniture beneath the veneer 16 . Alternate embodiments of the veneer 16 can include an appearance with a visible indicator that is viewable when observing the externally-exposed surface 37 , indicating a location where the cabinet 10 or furniture can be touched to control operation of an electric device 39 , described in detail below.
- examples 18 , 20 , 22 of the operable surface of the sensor 14 are shown (these examples are most suitable for the embodiment of FIG. 4 described below).
- a capacitively coupleable pattern 24 , 26 , 28 is provided in each of the examples 18 , 20 , 22 .
- the patterns 24 , 26 , 28 are formed on the top of a printed circuit board 30 , typically by etching.
- the printed circuit boards can advantageously be the same thickness as standard router bits (e.g., 1/16′′ and 3/32′′).
- the sensors are used, for example, to provide off/on, selection, and variable “slider” functions for the operation of electrical equipment such as lighting, stereos, computers and audio-visual equipment.
- the bottom of the printed circuit board 30 includes circuitry 32 for the operation of the capacitive sensor 14 including wiring 34 for connection to an electric device 39 , such as a television, video receiver, lamp or other light fixture, an electrical device provided to the cabinet 10 or furniture itself, etc . . . , controlled by touching the externally-exposed surface 37 of the veneer 16 above the sensor 14 .
- the surface of the printed circuit board may be surface treated to resist the chemicals present in wood and adhesives.
- a cavity for the sensor 14 in the wall 10 may be advantageously fabricated by routing out the shape and thickness of the printed circuit board 30 .
- the printed circuit board 30 may have rounded ends 38 that match the smallest radius turns made by a router bit when routing out the cavity.
- the printed circuit board end radiuses, either half-round or quarter-round may match standard router bit and biscuit cutter diameters (e.g., 1 ⁇ 2′′ and 3 ⁇ 4′′ diameter). By matching the router bit profile, a snug fit can be obtained.
- a space 36 for the circuitry 32 and the wires 34 can be bored in the wall 10 .
- the circuitry 32 may be designed to specifically fit in the space 36 .
- An alternative method for fabricating a cavity for the sensor 14 is to route the cavity in the wall 10 from the back of the wall 10 .
- the routing process simply leaves the existing outwardly-exposed surface 37 of the wall 10 in place above the sensor 14 .
- this remaining upper surface of the wall 10 should be 0.124 inches in thickness or less.
- the sensor 14 can be bonded to the surface above it, particularly as the thickness may be as little as 0.010 inches, or at least placed against the surface.
- the veneer 16 , the remaining upper surface of the wall 10 , or other wood overlay can optionally be finished with an optional clear coat finish that is at least partially adsorbed into the wood.
- optional finishes include, but are not limited to a shellac, polyurethane, oil based finishes, etc . . . that can aid in the efficiency of light transmission and/or touchpad sensitivity.
- an edge mount sensor 14 ′ is shown mounted at the edge of a wall 10 .
- the sensor 14 ′ is provided with a straight side 40 that corresponds to the edge of the wall 10 .
- this edge will be covered either with another veneer or the like, or by a joint with another wall of the cabinet or piece of furniture.
- the printed circuit board 30 may be of flexible construction to allow use where the surface above the sensor 14 is curved, such as in cylindrical floor lamp posts.
- the circuitry 32 may perform a variety of functions, such as lamp intensity control. For example, on/off with a double tap, or change in intensity (0, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100%) with single taps, or continuously variable (e.g., as a dimmer switch) when a slider control is used. Special tap sequences can enable special modes, such as color change when driving a RGB LED lamp.
- circuitry 32 or controller, etc . . . , operatively connected to receive signals transmitted by the sensor 14 can optionally be programmable or otherwise compatible with a plurality of different electric devices 39 , which can be connected to communicate with the circuitry 32 via a hardwired communication channel 34 or a wireless communication channel (e.g., infrared, RF, short-range wireless communication protocol such as that referred to by the trade name BluetoothTM, 802.1x standards maintained by IEEE, etc . . . ).
- the circuitry 32 can be operable to transmit a signal that can change a television channel, adjust the volume of a television, etc . . . If the television is ever replaced, the circuitry can be synced with, or otherwise rendered compatible with the new television in a manner analogous to a so-called universal remote control.
- the electric device 39 can be an adapter that cooperates with an existing electric device 39 , thereby allowing the circuitry 32 to be retrofit (e.g., used with existing electric devices 39 such as lamps, for example) that may not be otherwise adapted to communicate with the circuitry 32 .
- the electric device 39 in the form of an adaptor can be plugged into a conventional AC electric wall outlet commonly found in residential dwellings.
- a lamp with a dimmable bulb can be plugged into the adaptor.
- the circuitry 32 can communicate with the adaptor to control operation of the lamp (e.g., on/off, intensity settings, etc . . . ) via a wireless communication channel, or via the wired communication channel 34 .
- a battery or other stored energy device can optionally be embedded out of view in the cabinet 10 or furniture to supply electric energy to the circuitry 32 to facilitate operation of the sensor 14 and the circuitry 32 , including any optional wireless transmitter or other transmission circuit for transmitting signals over the hardwired communication channel 34 .
- the hardwired communication channel 34 can include a power cable plugged into the conventional AC electric wall outlet.
- the circuitry 32 of such embodiments can optionally be adapted to transmit control signals to the adaptor through the wiring in the residential dwelling that conducts electric power to the AC electric wall outlets.
- the location and/or patterns 24 , 26 , 28 ( FIG. 2 ) of the operable surface of the sensor 14 can optionally be denoted and made visible when the outwardly-exposed surface of the veneer 16 or existing surface of the wall 10 is viewed.
- a plurality of different, contrasting veneers 16 can be adhered to the flush surface collectively formed by the wall 10 and the sensor 14 .
- inlays, decorative overlays, carvings in the veneer 16 or existing wood surface of the wall 10 concealing the sensor 14 any other suitable method of identifying the location of the concealed sensor 14 , or any combination thereof, can be utilized to indicate the presence of a touch-sensitive region.
- the location and/or pattern of the sensor(s) 14 may be denoted based on the geometry and/or physical configuration of the collective furniture object including the embedded sensor 14 .
- a proximity sensor 50 FIG. 5
- a proximity sensor 50 can optionally be arranged to detect the presence of the user's hand when placed adjacent to the sensor 14 to input an adjustment of the electric device being controlled.
- the present technology limits the region that is touch sensitive to the regions adjacent to the sensor 14 .
- This touch sensitive region has a perimeter in a major plane that is at least partially, and optionally substantially or entirely surrounded by a non-touch-sensitive region of the cabinet or furniture, formed from a non-electrically-conductive material.
- a high sensitivity, low accuracy, touch sensor includes a plurality of separate touch pads 52 arranged to at least partially, and optionally substantially surround the sensor 14 , which is formed from a plurality of sensor segments in FIG. 5 .
- Each of the touch pads 52 can be operatively connected to the printed circuit board 30 to transmit a signal to a controller in response to a user's hand being placed within a close proximity (e.g. within one (1′′) inch) thereof.
- a close proximity e.g. within one (1′′) inch
- alternate embodiments of the proximity sensor 50 can include a single touch pad with a void in which the sensor 14 can be arranged.
- the proximity sensor in FIG. 5 is shown and described as being formed from a plurality of separate touch pads 52 that are collectively operable to detect the presence of the user's hand adjacent to the sensor 14 , even if the user's hand is not centered above the sensor 14 . And regardless of the configuration of the proximity sensor 50 , the proximity sensor 50 provides operable coverage over a greater area than the sensor 14 to detect the user's hand even when not centered directly over the sensor 14 .
- a microprocessor executing computer-executable instructions stored by a non-transitory computer memory, an application-specific integrated circuit, etc . . . provided to the circuitry 32 or controller that received the signal(s) from the proximity sensor 50 can transmit a signal that illuminates the surface by activating buried LEDs 54 , lamps or other indicators located adjacent to the sensor 14 , optionally connected to the printed circuit board 30 , to frame or otherwise indicate the location and/or pattern of the sensor 14 .
- buried LEDs 54 lamps or other indicators located adjacent to the sensor 14 , optionally connected to the printed circuit board 30 , to frame or otherwise indicate the location and/or pattern of the sensor 14 .
- a LED 54 is arranged on the printed circuit board 30 adjacent to each longitudinal end of the sensor 14 , thereby denoting the ends of the sensor 14 when the externally-exposed surface of the veneer 16 , existing wood of the wall 10 or other overlay concealing the sensor 14 is viewed from a vantage point external of the veneer of the cabinet or furniture.
- FIG. 6 is a view of an underside of an illustrative example of a veneer 16 that is to be applied over the surface of the wall 10 flush with the sensor 14 shown in FIG. 5 , with window regions 56 described below arranged over the LEDs 54 .
- the veneer 16 of FIG. 6 can selectively transmit light from the LED 54 or other light source provided to the printed circuit board 30 to denote the location, and optionally the pattern, of the sensor 14 .
- the overlay concealing the sensor 14 from view when installed can be the existing wood of the wall 10 remaining following routing from beneath described above, a plastic or other non-metal substance, or any other object that is to conceal the sensor 14 .
- the veneer 16 includes windows 56 as regions of reduced thickness (i.e., the dimension perpendicular to—or extending into and out of—the major plane of the drawing sheet) relative to the thickness of surrounding portions of the veneer 16 .
- a window region 56 that is to be arranged over the LED 54 in FIG. 5 when the veneer 16 is installed can have a material thickness that is less than the material thickness of a surrounding, light-impeding region 58 that is to be offset relative to the LED 54 .
- Light emitted by the LED 54 ( FIG. 5 ) in response to the detection, by the proximity sensor 50 ( FIG. 5 ) of the user's hand in close proximity to the sensor 14 is observable through the window region 56 , but substantially blocked by the light-impeding region 58 .
- the veneer 16 in FIG. 6 can include a frame region 60 that at least partially, and optionally fully surrounds a light-impeding region 62 that is shaped and sized to be arranged over the sensor 14 shown in FIG. 5 .
- the frame region 60 includes a channel of reduced material thickness relative to the material thickness of the light-impeding regions 58 and 62 .
- the result is the temporary illumination of a frame surrounding the sensor 14 ( FIG. 5 ) concealed by the veneer 16 ( FIG. 6 ).
- the extent to which the material thickness of the window and/or frame regions 56 , 60 must be reduced relative to the light-impeding regions 58 , 62 can be dependent on the species of wood used for the veneer 16 .
- window and frame regions 56 , 60 are described in detail, it is understood that any desired pattern, shapes, etc . . . can be created in this manner to provide an externally-visible display helpful to the user input a command via the sensor 14 or convey other information to the user.
- other embodiments can include a mask layer and/or ink that create a stencil through which light from the LED 54 or other light source can shine.
- Other embodiments can include, an arrangement including a pattern of separate LEDs, or one or more LEDs molded or otherwise formed in a specific shape corresponding to the desired pattern to be illuminated in response to transmission of the signal from the proximity sensor 50 .
- Yet other embodiments can include a fiber-optic light conductor arranged in the form of the desired pattern to conduct and emit light from a LED or other light source.
- FIG. 7 shows an alternate embodiment of a sensor 14 that can be manipulated by the user to input a numerical selection, for example.
- the sensor 14 can be substantially surrounded by the proximity sensor 50 to detect the presence of the user's hand adjacent to the sensor 14 .
- One, or a plurality of LEDs 54 are bottom mounted beneath a portion of the printed circuit board 30 , separated from the sensor 14 surface by the printed surface board 30 .
- at least a portion (optionally less than all), or optionally all of the printed circuit board 30 can be formed from an un-dyed material, that is substantially transparent (e.g., translucent).
- the transparency of the material forming the printed circuit board 30 allows light emitted by the underlying LEDs 54 to be transmitted through the printed circuit board 30 , thereby illuminating the sensor 14 from below.
- the window regions 56 can optionally be formed in the shape of numbers, characters, symbols, etc . . . , and the surrounding areas formed as the light-impeding materials.
- FIG. 8 shows a top view of a veneer 16 or other overlay according to such an embodiment, comprising a plurality of window regions 56 , each arranged in an array resembling a number pad such as that provided on a computer keyboard, remote control, telephone, etc . . .
- the window regions 56 can have a reduced material thickness, can be formed from a substantially-transparent material, or otherwise allow the transmission of light from the LEDs 54 such that the window regions 56 are visible to the user when the LEDs 54 are illuminated.
- Each window region 56 can optionally include a character 64 such as a letter, number, symbol, etc . . . formed from a light-impeding material.
- the light source illuminated in response to the signal transmitted by the proximity sensor 50 can be turned off after having been activated for a predetermined period of time.
- the circuitry 32 can optionally include a timer that causes the light source to be illuminated for 10 seconds after the user's hand is no longer in close proximity to the sensor(s) 14 before being automatically turned off.
- the system can illuminate the display when desired and conserve energy when not in use, regardless of whether electric energy is supplied by battery or from an electric outlet operatively connected to an electric utility.
Abstract
Provided is a method and an apparatus for controlling an electric device. The apparatus includes a cabinet defining a recess, and a sensor disposed within said recess for sensing the presence of a foreign object in close proximity to the sensor. A veneer at least partially conceals the sensor disposed within said recess from view when observed from an ambient environment of the cabinet. A controller is responsive to a signal transmitted by the sensor indicative of the presence of the foreign object adjacent to the sensor to transmit a control signal for controlling operation of the electric device operatively connected to communicate with the controller.
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- This application relates generally to capacitive sensors and, in particular, to a cabinet, piece of furniture or other object including an integrated capacitive sensor for controlling operation of an electric device.
- 2. Description of Related Art
- Capacitive sensors are found in many devices and applications. Light switches, elevator buttons, computer touch-screens and controls on electronic equipment are examples of a few common applications. Typically, the capacitive sensors are in plain view, clearly delineated on the applicable device. For example, a wall switch with a touch pad, the appearance of buttons in an elevator, a touch-sensitive screen itself, and various indicia and/or discrete touch surfaces in other equipment are exposed and readily viewed by individuals, even when such sensors are not actively being used.
- An exposed sensor can give objects an unsightly appearance for users to view.
- Capacitive sensors are found in many devices and applications. Light switches, elevator buttons, computer touch-screens and controls on electronic equipment are examples of a few common applications. Typically, the capacitive sensors are in plain view, clearly delineated on the applicable device. For example, a wall switch with a touch pad, the appearance of buttons in an elevator, a touch-sensitive screen itself, and various indicia and/or discrete touch surfaces in other equipment are exposed and readily viewed by individuals, even when such sensors are not actively being used.
- According to one aspect, the subject application involves a method for mounting a capacitive sensor in a cabinet or piece of furniture, and a cabinet or piece of furniture with such a capacitive sensor, and the capacitive sensor itself. According to one aspect, the subject application involves providing a capacitive sensor configured on a sensor side of a printed circuit board; and fabricating a cavity in a wall of said cabinet or piece of furniture, the cavity being configured to receive the printed circuit board so that the capacitive sensor is contained within the wall and is within 0.125 inches of a touchable surface of the wall.
- According to another aspect, the subject application involves an apparatus for controlling an electric device. The apparatus includes a cabinet defining a recess, and a sensor disposed within said recess for sensing the presence of a foreign object in close proximity to the sensor. A veneer at least partially conceals the sensor disposed within said recess from view when observed from an ambient environment of the cabinet. A controller is responsive to a signal transmitted by the sensor indicative of the presence of the foreign object adjacent to the sensor to transmit a control signal for controlling operation of the electric device operatively connected to communicate with the controller.
- According to another aspect, the sensor is a capacitive sensor that senses a capacitance change resulting from placement of the foreign object in close proximity to the sensor.
- According to another aspect, the cabinet is a portion of a piece of furniture, and the recess is formed in an arm rest portion of the piece of furniture on which a user is to sit.
- According to another aspect, the cabinet is a portion of a lamp, and the recess is formed in a base portion of the lamp.
- The above summary presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the systems and/or methods discussed herein. This summary is not an extensive overview of the systems and/or methods discussed herein. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope of such systems and/or methods. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
- The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, embodiments of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein:
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a capacitive sensor embedded in a wall before application of a wall veneer according to an aspect of the invention; -
FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of illustrative examples of capacitive sensor configurations; -
FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a capacitive sensor according to still another aspect of the invention; -
FIG. 4 is a schematic top view of an edge mounted capacitive sensor and a portion of unbonded wall veneer according to an additional aspect of the invention; -
FIG. 5 shows an illustrative embodiment of a printed circuit board including a sensor, a proximity sensor surrounding the sensor, and a plurality of light sources; -
FIG. 6 shows an illustrative embodiment of an overlay that is to cover the printed circuit board shown inFIG. 5 ; -
FIG. 7 shows an illustrative embodiment of a substantially-transparent printed circuit board with underlying LED illumination sources; and -
FIG. 8 shows an illustrative embodiment of an overlay that is to cover the printed circuit board shown in -
FIG. 7 , the overlay comprising a plurality of window regions denoting locations of a sensor representing numerical input regions. - Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present invention. Relative language used herein is best understood with reference to the drawings, in which like numerals are used to identify like or similar items. Further, in the drawings, certain features may be shown in somewhat schematic form.
- It is also to be noted that the phrase “at least one of”, if used herein, followed by a plurality of members herein means one of the members, or a combination of more than one of the members. For example, the phrase “at least one of a first widget and a second widget” means in the present application: the first widget, the second widget, or the first widget and the second widget. Likewise, “at least one of a first widget, a second widget and a third widget” means in the present application: the first widget, the second widget, the third widget, the first widget and the second widget, the first widget and the third widget, the second widget and the third widget, or the first widget and the second widget and the third widget.
- Referring to
FIG. 1 , a portion of awall 10 of a cabinet or a piece of furniture has anupper surface 12 that includes acapacitive sensor 14 countersunk into thesurface 12 of thewall 10. Thesensor 14 is flush with thesurface 12 and a veneer 16 (seeFIG. 4 ) is then bonded to thesurface 12 as well as to thesensor 14. Bonding to thesensor 14 helps prevent wrinkling or blistering of theveneer 16. - The
wall 10 may be, for example, solid wood, wood fiber products or other non-metallic material suitable for construction of cabinets or furniture. Similarly, theveneer 16 may be, for example, wood veneer, laminate or other non-metal material suitable for construction of cabinets or furniture. Theveneer 16 may be bonded to thewall 10 and thesensor 14, for example, with adhesive, thermally, or ultrasonically as appropriate for the materials. - For satisfactory performance of the
sensor 14, the thickness of the veneer 16 (e.g., the dimension normal to a major surface of the veneer 16) can be limited to less than a threshold maximum for the sensitivity of the particular sensor. Thicknesses greater than the threshold maximum can begin to interfere with the ability of thesensor 14 to detect the presence of a user's hand, for example. For example, the thickness of theveneer 16 can be approximately 0.125 inches or less. Other embodiments include a veneer that is approximately 0.010 inches or less. Typically, the thinner the veneer, the better is the performance of thesensor 14. A thickness of 0.025 inches can be suitable for certain applications, and can optionally be any commerciallyavailable veneer 16 thickness. - The
veneer 16 can optionally have an externally-exposed surface 37 (FIG. 3 ) with an appearance resembling wood or other material from which thecabinet 10 or furniture is made. Such embodiments of theveneer 16 can optionally conceal thesensor 14 embedded in thecabinet 10 or furniture beneath theveneer 16. Alternate embodiments of theveneer 16 can include an appearance with a visible indicator that is viewable when observing the externally-exposedsurface 37, indicating a location where thecabinet 10 or furniture can be touched to control operation of anelectric device 39, described in detail below. - Referring to
FIG. 2 , examples 18, 20, 22 of the operable surface of thesensor 14 are shown (these examples are most suitable for the embodiment ofFIG. 4 described below). In each of the examples 18, 20, 22, a capacitivelycoupleable pattern patterns circuit board 30, typically by etching. The printed circuit boards can advantageously be the same thickness as standard router bits (e.g., 1/16″ and 3/32″). The sensors are used, for example, to provide off/on, selection, and variable “slider” functions for the operation of electrical equipment such as lighting, stereos, computers and audio-visual equipment. - Referring to
FIG. 3 , the bottom of the printedcircuit board 30 includescircuitry 32 for the operation of thecapacitive sensor 14 includingwiring 34 for connection to anelectric device 39, such as a television, video receiver, lamp or other light fixture, an electrical device provided to thecabinet 10 or furniture itself, etc . . . , controlled by touching the externally-exposedsurface 37 of theveneer 16 above thesensor 14. The surface of the printed circuit board may be surface treated to resist the chemicals present in wood and adhesives. - A cavity for the
sensor 14 in thewall 10 may be advantageously fabricated by routing out the shape and thickness of the printedcircuit board 30. The printedcircuit board 30 may have rounded ends 38 that match the smallest radius turns made by a router bit when routing out the cavity. For example, the printed circuit board end radiuses, either half-round or quarter-round may match standard router bit and biscuit cutter diameters (e.g., ½″ and ¾″ diameter). By matching the router bit profile, a snug fit can be obtained. Aspace 36 for thecircuitry 32 and thewires 34 can be bored in thewall 10. Thecircuitry 32 may be designed to specifically fit in thespace 36. - An alternative method for fabricating a cavity for the
sensor 14 is to route the cavity in thewall 10 from the back of thewall 10. In this case, it is possible to eliminate the use of aseparate veneer 16, leaving a monolithically formed wall and externally-exposedsurface 37 concealing thesensor 14 from view when observed from the ambient environment of the cabinet or furniture. Instead, the routing process simply leaves the existing outwardly-exposedsurface 37 of thewall 10 in place above thesensor 14. For satisfactory performance of thesensor 14, this remaining upper surface of thewall 10 should be 0.124 inches in thickness or less. As before, thesensor 14 can be bonded to the surface above it, particularly as the thickness may be as little as 0.010 inches, or at least placed against the surface. Theveneer 16, the remaining upper surface of thewall 10, or other wood overlay can optionally be finished with an optional clear coat finish that is at least partially adsorbed into the wood. Examples of such finishes include, but are not limited to a shellac, polyurethane, oil based finishes, etc . . . that can aid in the efficiency of light transmission and/or touchpad sensitivity. - Referring to
FIG. 4 , anedge mount sensor 14′ is shown mounted at the edge of awall 10. In this case, thesensor 14′ is provided with astraight side 40 that corresponds to the edge of thewall 10. Typically, this edge will be covered either with another veneer or the like, or by a joint with another wall of the cabinet or piece of furniture. - The printed
circuit board 30 may be of flexible construction to allow use where the surface above thesensor 14 is curved, such as in cylindrical floor lamp posts. - The circuitry 32 (or controllers in an attached device) may perform a variety of functions, such as lamp intensity control. For example, on/off with a double tap, or change in intensity (0, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100%) with single taps, or continuously variable (e.g., as a dimmer switch) when a slider control is used. Special tap sequences can enable special modes, such as color change when driving a RGB LED lamp.
- Alternate embodiments of the
circuitry 32 or controller, etc . . . , operatively connected to receive signals transmitted by thesensor 14 can optionally be programmable or otherwise compatible with a plurality of differentelectric devices 39, which can be connected to communicate with thecircuitry 32 via ahardwired communication channel 34 or a wireless communication channel (e.g., infrared, RF, short-range wireless communication protocol such as that referred to by the trade name Bluetooth™, 802.1x standards maintained by IEEE, etc . . . ). According to such embodiments, thecircuitry 32 can be operable to transmit a signal that can change a television channel, adjust the volume of a television, etc . . . If the television is ever replaced, the circuitry can be synced with, or otherwise rendered compatible with the new television in a manner analogous to a so-called universal remote control. - According to alternate embodiments, the
electric device 39 can be an adapter that cooperates with an existingelectric device 39, thereby allowing thecircuitry 32 to be retrofit (e.g., used with existingelectric devices 39 such as lamps, for example) that may not be otherwise adapted to communicate with thecircuitry 32. For example, theelectric device 39 in the form of an adaptor can be plugged into a conventional AC electric wall outlet commonly found in residential dwellings. A lamp with a dimmable bulb can be plugged into the adaptor. Thecircuitry 32 can communicate with the adaptor to control operation of the lamp (e.g., on/off, intensity settings, etc . . . ) via a wireless communication channel, or via the wiredcommunication channel 34. For wireless embodiments, a battery or other stored energy device can optionally be embedded out of view in thecabinet 10 or furniture to supply electric energy to thecircuitry 32 to facilitate operation of thesensor 14 and thecircuitry 32, including any optional wireless transmitter or other transmission circuit for transmitting signals over thehardwired communication channel 34. According to alternate embodiments, thehardwired communication channel 34 can include a power cable plugged into the conventional AC electric wall outlet. Thecircuitry 32 of such embodiments can optionally be adapted to transmit control signals to the adaptor through the wiring in the residential dwelling that conducts electric power to the AC electric wall outlets. - The location and/or
patterns FIG. 2 ) of the operable surface of thesensor 14 can optionally be denoted and made visible when the outwardly-exposed surface of theveneer 16 or existing surface of thewall 10 is viewed. For example, a plurality of different, contrastingveneers 16 can be adhered to the flush surface collectively formed by thewall 10 and thesensor 14. According to alternate embodiments, inlays, decorative overlays, carvings in theveneer 16 or existing wood surface of thewall 10 concealing thesensor 14, any other suitable method of identifying the location of theconcealed sensor 14, or any combination thereof, can be utilized to indicate the presence of a touch-sensitive region. For example, the location and/or pattern of the sensor(s) 14 may be denoted based on the geometry and/or physical configuration of the collective furniture object including the embeddedsensor 14. As an alternative to having markings visible when the surface of thewood veneer 16 or existing wood surface of thewall 10 concealing thesensor 14, a proximity sensor 50 (FIG. 5 ) can optionally be arranged to detect the presence of the user's hand when placed adjacent to thesensor 14 to input an adjustment of the electric device being controlled. - Unlike conventional touch-sensitive lamps, for example, which allow users to input commands to turn the lamp on/off by touching any location on the exposed metal surface of the lamp's base, the present technology limits the region that is touch sensitive to the regions adjacent to the
sensor 14. This touch sensitive region has a perimeter in a major plane that is at least partially, and optionally substantially or entirely surrounded by a non-touch-sensitive region of the cabinet or furniture, formed from a non-electrically-conductive material. - An illustrative embodiment of such a
proximity sensor 50 is shown inFIG. 5 . A high sensitivity, low accuracy, touch sensor includes a plurality ofseparate touch pads 52 arranged to at least partially, and optionally substantially surround thesensor 14, which is formed from a plurality of sensor segments inFIG. 5 . Each of thetouch pads 52 can be operatively connected to the printedcircuit board 30 to transmit a signal to a controller in response to a user's hand being placed within a close proximity (e.g. within one (1″) inch) thereof. Although shown as a plurality oftouch pads 52, alternate embodiments of theproximity sensor 50 can include a single touch pad with a void in which thesensor 14 can be arranged. However, for the sake of brevity, the proximity sensor inFIG. 5 is shown and described as being formed from a plurality ofseparate touch pads 52 that are collectively operable to detect the presence of the user's hand adjacent to thesensor 14, even if the user's hand is not centered above thesensor 14. And regardless of the configuration of theproximity sensor 50, theproximity sensor 50 provides operable coverage over a greater area than thesensor 14 to detect the user's hand even when not centered directly over thesensor 14. - In response to detecting the user's hand in close proximity to the
sensor 14, a microprocessor executing computer-executable instructions stored by a non-transitory computer memory, an application-specific integrated circuit, etc . . . provided to thecircuitry 32 or controller that received the signal(s) from theproximity sensor 50 can transmit a signal that illuminates the surface by activating buriedLEDs 54, lamps or other indicators located adjacent to thesensor 14, optionally connected to the printedcircuit board 30, to frame or otherwise indicate the location and/or pattern of thesensor 14. For the illustrative embodiment shown inFIG. 5 , aLED 54 is arranged on the printedcircuit board 30 adjacent to each longitudinal end of thesensor 14, thereby denoting the ends of thesensor 14 when the externally-exposed surface of theveneer 16, existing wood of thewall 10 or other overlay concealing thesensor 14 is viewed from a vantage point external of the veneer of the cabinet or furniture. -
FIG. 6 is a view of an underside of an illustrative example of aveneer 16 that is to be applied over the surface of thewall 10 flush with thesensor 14 shown inFIG. 5 , withwindow regions 56 described below arranged over theLEDs 54. Theveneer 16 ofFIG. 6 can selectively transmit light from theLED 54 or other light source provided to the printedcircuit board 30 to denote the location, and optionally the pattern, of thesensor 14. Although described as aveneer 16, the overlay concealing thesensor 14 from view when installed can be the existing wood of thewall 10 remaining following routing from beneath described above, a plastic or other non-metal substance, or any other object that is to conceal thesensor 14. As shown, theveneer 16 includeswindows 56 as regions of reduced thickness (i.e., the dimension perpendicular to—or extending into and out of—the major plane of the drawing sheet) relative to the thickness of surrounding portions of theveneer 16. For example, awindow region 56 that is to be arranged over theLED 54 inFIG. 5 when theveneer 16 is installed can have a material thickness that is less than the material thickness of a surrounding, light-impedingregion 58 that is to be offset relative to theLED 54. Light emitted by the LED 54 (FIG. 5 ) in response to the detection, by the proximity sensor 50 (FIG. 5 ), of the user's hand in close proximity to thesensor 14 is observable through thewindow region 56, but substantially blocked by the light-impedingregion 58. - In addition to, or in lieu of the
window region 56, theveneer 16 inFIG. 6 can include aframe region 60 that at least partially, and optionally fully surrounds a light-impedingregion 62 that is shaped and sized to be arranged over thesensor 14 shown inFIG. 5 . Theframe region 60 includes a channel of reduced material thickness relative to the material thickness of the light-impedingregions sensor 14, light from theLEDs 54 inFIG. 5 , and/or additional LEDs (not shown) or other illumination devices, is transmitted more readily through theframe region 60 than through the light-impedingregions FIG. 5 ) concealed by the veneer 16 (FIG. 6 ). The extent to which the material thickness of the window and/orframe regions regions veneer 16. - Although the window and
frame regions sensor 14 or convey other information to the user. For example, rather than utilizing different material thicknesses to create the externally-visible display, other embodiments can include a mask layer and/or ink that create a stencil through which light from theLED 54 or other light source can shine. Other embodiments can include, an arrangement including a pattern of separate LEDs, or one or more LEDs molded or otherwise formed in a specific shape corresponding to the desired pattern to be illuminated in response to transmission of the signal from theproximity sensor 50. Yet other embodiments can include a fiber-optic light conductor arranged in the form of the desired pattern to conduct and emit light from a LED or other light source. -
FIG. 7 shows an alternate embodiment of asensor 14 that can be manipulated by the user to input a numerical selection, for example. Again, thesensor 14 can be substantially surrounded by theproximity sensor 50 to detect the presence of the user's hand adjacent to thesensor 14. One, or a plurality ofLEDs 54 are bottom mounted beneath a portion of the printedcircuit board 30, separated from thesensor 14 surface by the printedsurface board 30. For such embodiments, at least a portion (optionally less than all), or optionally all of the printedcircuit board 30 can be formed from an un-dyed material, that is substantially transparent (e.g., translucent). The transparency of the material forming the printedcircuit board 30 allows light emitted by theunderlying LEDs 54 to be transmitted through the printedcircuit board 30, thereby illuminating thesensor 14 from below. According to alternate embodiments, thewindow regions 56 can optionally be formed in the shape of numbers, characters, symbols, etc . . . , and the surrounding areas formed as the light-impeding materials. -
FIG. 8 shows a top view of aveneer 16 or other overlay according to such an embodiment, comprising a plurality ofwindow regions 56, each arranged in an array resembling a number pad such as that provided on a computer keyboard, remote control, telephone, etc . . . Similar to the previous embodiment, thewindow regions 56 can have a reduced material thickness, can be formed from a substantially-transparent material, or otherwise allow the transmission of light from theLEDs 54 such that thewindow regions 56 are visible to the user when theLEDs 54 are illuminated. Eachwindow region 56 can optionally include acharacter 64 such as a letter, number, symbol, etc . . . formed from a light-impeding material. Thus, when thewindow regions 56 are illuminated when the veneer is concealing thesensor 14, thecharacter 56 represented by each portion of thesensor 14 corresponding to the respective character can be observed. - Regardless of the structure and configuration of the devices used to denote the location, and optionally the pattern of one, or a plurality of,
sensors 14, the light source illuminated in response to the signal transmitted by theproximity sensor 50 can be turned off after having been activated for a predetermined period of time. For example, thecircuitry 32 can optionally include a timer that causes the light source to be illuminated for 10 seconds after the user's hand is no longer in close proximity to the sensor(s) 14 before being automatically turned off. Thus, the system can illuminate the display when desired and conserve energy when not in use, regardless of whether electric energy is supplied by battery or from an electric outlet operatively connected to an electric utility. - It should be evident that this disclosure is by way of example and that various changes may be made by adding, modifying or eliminating details without departing from the fair scope of the teaching contained in this disclosure. The invention is therefore not limited to particular details of this disclosure except to the extent that the following claims are necessarily so limited.
- Illustrative embodiments have been described, hereinabove. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above devices and methods may incorporate changes and modifications without departing from the general scope of this invention. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
Claims (5)
1. An apparatus for controlling an electric device, the apparatus comprising:
a cabinet defining a recess;
a sensor disposed within said recess for sensing the presence of a foreign object in close proximity to the sensor;
a veneer at least partially concealing the sensor disposed within said recess from view when observed from an ambient environment of the cabinet; and
a controller that is responsive to a signal transmitted by the sensor indicative of the presence of the foreign object adjacent to the sensor to transmit a control signal for controlling operation of the electric device operatively connected to communicate with the controller.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a capacitive sensor that senses a capacitance change resulting from placement of the foreign object in close proximity to the sensor.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cabinet is a portion of a piece of furniture.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the recess is formed in an arm rest portion of the piece of furniture on which a user is to sit.
5. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the recess is formed in a base portion of a lamp.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US14/987,051 US20160116622A1 (en) | 2013-05-23 | 2016-01-04 | Cabinet touch control |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US13/900,639 US9229038B2 (en) | 2013-05-23 | 2013-05-23 | Cabinet touch control |
US14/987,051 US20160116622A1 (en) | 2013-05-23 | 2016-01-04 | Cabinet touch control |
Related Parent Applications (1)
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US13/900,639 Continuation US9229038B2 (en) | 2013-05-23 | 2013-05-23 | Cabinet touch control |
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US20160116622A1 true US20160116622A1 (en) | 2016-04-28 |
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US13/900,639 Expired - Fee Related US9229038B2 (en) | 2013-05-23 | 2013-05-23 | Cabinet touch control |
US14/987,051 Abandoned US20160116622A1 (en) | 2013-05-23 | 2016-01-04 | Cabinet touch control |
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US13/900,639 Expired - Fee Related US9229038B2 (en) | 2013-05-23 | 2013-05-23 | Cabinet touch control |
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WO2015176752A1 (en) * | 2014-05-20 | 2015-11-26 | Multiple Dimensions Ag | Capacitive sensor unit and headphones having a capacitive sensor unit |
US10760783B2 (en) | 2015-12-09 | 2020-09-01 | Margaux Reynolds | Table with attached lamp and embedded touch controls |
GB2547880A (en) * | 2016-01-06 | 2017-09-06 | Merenda Ltd | Veneers |
NZ720939A (en) * | 2016-03-02 | 2017-12-22 | Resene Paints Ltd | Touch sensitive control system for non-electronic display substrate surfaces |
US20180367139A1 (en) * | 2017-06-15 | 2018-12-20 | Magna Closures Inc. | User interface system for controlling a vehicle operation |
WO2019175815A1 (en) * | 2018-03-15 | 2019-09-19 | Sato Holdings Kabushiki Kaisha | Shelf for use in electronic reading applications |
IT202000016225A1 (en) * | 2020-07-06 | 2022-01-06 | Granitifiandre Spa | CONCEALED CAPACITIVE SWITCH KIT |
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Also Published As
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US9229038B2 (en) | 2016-01-05 |
US20130249568A1 (en) | 2013-09-26 |
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