Title:
CAPACITIVE SWITCH
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO2001006652
Kind Code:
A3
Abstract:
A switch (10) comprises a face plate (16) and a single switch sensing oscillator (18) responsive to a switch activating presence. The oscillator (18) has a resistive component (36) connected to a sensing plate (38) which acts as a first capacitor plate. The face plate (16) is arranged to prevent electrical contact between the user and the oscillator (18). Any object, when placed adjacent the face plate (16), acts as a second capacitor plate which alters the frequency of the oscillator (18). A microprocessor (20) senses the change in frequency and activates the switch (10) in response to the change. In another aspect a mains light switch (10) includes a smoke detector (62). In a further aspect the switch includes a mains electricity cable signal transmitter/receiver and a microprocessor whereby each such switch may communicate directly with another such switch.
Inventors:
MAXWELL LEONARD (GB)
MCINTYRE LLOYD (GB)
WARREN ROY (GB)
ROE STEPHEN (GB)
BROOKS JIM (GB)
KENDALL HELEN (GB)
MCINTYRE LLOYD (GB)
WARREN ROY (GB)
ROE STEPHEN (GB)
BROOKS JIM (GB)
KENDALL HELEN (GB)
Application Number:
PCT/GB2000/002812
Publication Date:
July 19, 2001
Filing Date:
July 20, 2000
Export Citation:
Assignee:
STATUS HI TECH LTD (GB)
MAXWELL LEONARD (GB)
MCINTYRE LLOYD (GB)
WARREN ROY (GB)
ROE STEPHEN (GB)
BROOKS JIM (GB)
KENDALL HELEN (GB)
MAXWELL LEONARD (GB)
MCINTYRE LLOYD (GB)
WARREN ROY (GB)
ROE STEPHEN (GB)
BROOKS JIM (GB)
KENDALL HELEN (GB)
International Classes:
H01H36/00; H03K17/955; H03K17/96; H05B39/08; (IPC1-7): H03K17/96; G08B17/10; H02J13/00; H03K17/955
Domestic Patent References:
| WO1997001835A1 | 1997-01-16 | |||
| WO1996012291A1 | 1996-04-25 | |||
| WO1985003820A1 | 1985-08-29 |
Foreign References:
| EP0648628A1 | 1995-04-19 | |||
| US4656338A | 1987-04-07 | |||
| US4924222A | 1990-05-08 | |||
| US4290052A | 1981-09-15 | |||
| US5508700A | 1996-04-16 |
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