Abstract A proximity detector having a plate for receiving electromagnetic radiation coupled from a source thereof by a human member or the like and a field effect transistor for detecting coupled energy above a threshold level and providing an amplified output signal in response thereto. The proximity detector may be used as an on-off switch by incorporating a bistable circuit operated by the amplified output signal, and an electronic switch responsive to the two stable states of the bistable circuit. A dimmer control having a proximity detector as described above in combination with an operational amplifier for yielding an output signal representative of the time that electromagnetic energy above a threshold level is coupled to the receiving plate, and a control circuit for adjusting its output power level in accordance with the level of the output signal from the operational amplifier. A circuit for selecting one of a plurality of parameters and automatically cancelling all previous selections having a proximity detector as described above for each parameter in combination with a glow discharge tube receiving the output of the respective proximity detectors. The glow discharge tubes are coupled at their output by capacitors so that the energization of one automatically deenergizes the other glow discharge tubes.
An apparatus for selecting one of a plurality of parameters comprising means for each of said parameters for receiving electromagnetic energy coupled thereto by proximity of a coupling element, said means characterized by a high output impedance; means associated with each of said receiving means characterized by a high input impedance operatively connected to said associated receiving means for providing a signal representative of coupled electromagnetic energy above a predetermined level; means receiving said last means signal for providing an indication of a parameter selected by coupling of said predetermined level of electromagnetic energy to the receiving means for said selected parameter, said indicating means further including means for cancelling indications of previous preselected parameter upon selection of said selected parameter, said indicating means also including a glow discharge tube which conducts in response to said signal representative of coupled electromagnetic energy above said predetermined level, and capacitors linking one terminal of each of said glow discharge tubes for providing a potential pulse in response to the selectioN of one tube to each other tube, said pulse being operative to turn off a glow discharge tube representative of a parameter.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
190 words
An apparatus for selecting one of a plurality of parameters comprising means for each of said parameters for receiving electromagnetic energy coupled thereto by proximity of a coupling element, said means characterized by a high output impedance; means associated with each of said receiving means characterized by a high input impedance operatively connected to said associated receiving means for providing a signal representative of coupled electromagnetic energy above a predetermined level; means receiving said last means signal for providing an indication of a parameter selected by coupling of said predetermined level of electromagnetic energy to the receiving means for said selected parameter, said indicating means further including means for cancelling indications of previous preselected parameter upon selection of said selected parameter, said indicating means also including a glow discharge tube which conducts in response to said signal representative of coupled electromagnetic energy above said predetermined level, and capacitors linking one terminal of each of said glow discharge tubes for providing a potential pulse in response to the selectioN of one tube to each other tube, said pulse being operative to turn off a glow discharge tube representative of a parameter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for providing a signal representative of coupled electromagnetic energy is a field effect transistor having a gate terminal operatively connected to said receiving means, a supply terminal, and a drain terminal, said signal representative of coupled electromagnetic energy above said predetermined level being flow of current between said supply terminal and said drain terminal.