Radiant energy – Photocells; circuits and apparatus – Optical or pre-photocell system
Patent
1994-06-21
1995-06-13
Nelms, David C.
Radiant energy
Photocells; circuits and apparatus
Optical or pre-photocell system
250229, 341 31, G01V 904, G06M 700, H01J 4014
Patent
active
054245338
ABSTRACT:
The present invention teaches a touch activated switch. The switch comprises a light source for generating a light ray. Further, the switch comprises a first lens for collimating the light source's light ray. The first lens, as a result, generates a collimated light ray in a first direction. In a second direction, the first lens forms a first and a second focal point, such that the light source is positioned at the first focal point. Moreover, the switch comprises a second lens for converging the collimated light ray to a surface. This surface scatters the collimated light ray in the direction of the first lens when the surface is substantially touched. The switch also comprises a detector for detecting the collimated light ray which have been scattered by touching the surface, with the detector being positioned at the second focal point, such that the switch is activated in response to touching the surface.
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"Fiber Optic Illuminated Switch", E. C. Uberbacher, IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, vol. 18, No. 2, Jul. 1975, p. 483.
"Fibre-optic Panel Switches With Self Illuminated Display Part 1", A. L. Harmer and J. P. Frauche, Electronic Engineering, Apr. 1981, pp. 51-55.
"Fibre-optic Panel Switches With Self Illumionated Display Part 2", A. L. Harmer and J. P. Frauche, Electronic Engineering, Jun. 1981.
Calogero Stephen
Nelms David C.
Teitelbaum Ozer M. N.
United Technologies Corporation
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