Touch actuated electronic switch

Claim 2

A D.C. coupled switching circuit actuated by the touch of a human, comprising in combination: means for supplying power to the D.C. coupled switching circuit including a first output for providing a reference isolated from earth ground and including a second output isolated from earth ground for providing a source of voltage; D.C. to power frequency amplification means having input means for receiving a signal to be amplified and having output means for providing a switch output, with the switched output having a first state for approximating an electrical short circuit and a second state for approximating an electrical open circuit, the amplification means being isolated from earth ground; first means for providing a D.C. electrical connection between the power supply means and the amplification means; means for coupling the switching circuit to a source of alternating frequency power for causing the entire switching circuit to oscillate with respect to earth ground at the rate of the alternating frequency; a touch plate isolated from earth ground; and means for providing a D.C. electrical connection between the input means of the amplification means and the touch plate to allow the capacitance of the human to provide an earth reference to the amplification means and cause the output of the amplification means to change between the first and second states.

Claim 3

A switching circuit actuated by the touch of the human, comprising in combination: a first amplifier including input means, output means, and a reference to circuit ground, the first amplifier being isolated from earth ground, being capable of amplifying power frequencies, and having a gain substantially betwen 10 and 10 to the third power; a second amplifier including input means and output means and a reference to circuit ground, the second amplifier being isolated from earth ground, being capable of amplifying power frequencies, and having a gain substantially between 10 to the seventh power and 10 to the second power; storage means of a size capable of being easily fabricated by mass production techniques in small size; means for connecting the storage means between the output means of the first amplifier means and circuit ground; impedance means of a value substantially one megohm or grater; and means for connecting impedance means between the output means of the first amplifier and the input means of the second amplifier.

Claim 4

A switching circuit actuated by the touch of the human, comprising in combination: a first amplifier including input means, output means, and a reference to circuit ground, the first amplifier being isolated from earth ground, being capable of amplifying power frequencies, and having a gain substantially betwen 10 and 10 to the third power; a second amplifier including input means and output means and a reference to circuit ground, the second amplifier being isolated from earth ground, being capable of amplifying power frequencies, and having a gain substantially between 10 to the seventh power and 10 to the second power; storage means of a size capable of being easily fabricated by mass production techniques in small size; means for connecting the storage means between the output means of the first amplifier means and circuit ground; impedance means of a value substantially one megohm or grater; and means for connecting impedance means between the output means of the first amplifier and the input means of the second amplifier.

Claim 5

A switching circuit actuated by the touch of a human, comprising in combination: means for supplying power to the switchiNg circuit including a first output for providing a reference isolated from earth ground and including a second output isolated from earth ground for providing a source of voltage; power frequency amplification means having input means for receiving a signal to be amplified and having output means for providing a switched output, with the switched output having a first state for approximating an electrical short circuit and a second state for approximating an electrical open circuit, the amplification means being isolated from earth ground; first means for providing electrical connection between the power supply means and the amplification means; a touch plate isolated from earth ground; means for providing electrical connection between the input means of the amplification means and the touch plate to allow the capacitance of the human to provide an earth reference to the amplification means and cause the output of the amplification means to change between the first and second states; and means connected between a source of alternating frequency power and the switching circuit for causing a the entire switching circuit to oscillate with respect to earth ground at the rate of the alternating frequency and at an amplitude to provide more reliable actuation of the switching circuit.

Claim 6

A switching circuit actuated by the touch of a human, comprising in combination: means for supplying power to the switchiNg circuit including a first output for providing a reference isolated from earth ground and including a second output isolated from earth ground for providing a source of voltage; power frequency amplification means having input means for receiving a signal to be amplified and having output means for providing a switched output, with the switched output having a first state for approximating an electrical short circuit and a second state for approximating an electrical open circuit, the amplification means being isolated from earth ground; first means for providing electrical connection between the power supply means and the amplification means; a touch plate isolated from earth ground; means for providing electrical connection between the input means of the amplification means and the touch plate to allow the capacitance of the human to provide an earth reference to the amplification means and cause the output of the amplification means to change between the first and second states; and means connected between a source of alternating frequency power and the switching circuit for causing a the entire switching circuit to oscillate with respect to earth ground at the rate of the alternating frequency and at an amplitude to provide more reliable actuation of the switching circuit.

Claim 7

A switching circuit actuated by the touch of a humn, comprising in combination; means for supplying power to the switching circuit including a first output for providing a reference isolated from earth ground and including a second output isolated from earth ground for providing a source of voltage; D.C. to power frequency amplification means having input means for receiving a signal to be amplified and having output means for providing a switched output, with the switched output having a first state for approximating an electrical short circuit and a second state for approximating an electrical open circuit, the amplification means being isolated from earth ground; first means for providing electrical connection between the power supply means and the amplification means; means for coupling the switching circuit to a source of alternating frequency power for causing the entire switching circuit to oscillate with respect to earth ground at the rate of the alternating frequency; a touch plate isolated from earth ground; means for providing electrical connection between the input means of the amplification means and the touch plate to allow the capacitance of the human to provide an earth reference to the amplification means and cause the output of the amplification means to change between the first and second states; means of having a value of impedance substantially one megohm or greater; and means for connecting the impedance means between the circuit reference and earth ground to increase the noise suppression capability of the switching circuit.

Claim 8

A switching circuit actuated by the touch of a humn, comprising in combination; means for supplying power to the switching circuit including a first output for providing a reference isolated from earth ground and including a second output isolated from earth ground for providing a source of voltage; D.C. to power frequency amplification means having input means for receiving a signal to be amplified and having output means for providing a switched output, with the switched output having a first state for approximating an electrical short circuit and a second state for approximating an electrical open circuit, the amplification means being isolated from earth ground; first means for providing electrical connection between the power supply means and the amplification means; means for coupling the switching circuit to a source of alternating frequency power for causing the entire switching circuit to oscillate with respect to earth ground at the rate of the alternating frequency; a touch plate isolated from earth ground; means for providing electrical connection between the input means of the amplification means and the touch plate to allow the capacitance of the human to provide an earth reference to the amplification means and cause the output of the amplification means to change between the first and second states; means of having a value of impedance substantially one megohm or greater; and means for connecting the impedance means between the circuit reference and earth ground to increase the noise suppression capability of the switching circuit.

Claim 9

A switching circuit actuated by the touch of a human, comprising in combination: means, for accepting an alternating frequency power input and for providing a D.C. voltage output for supplying power to the switching circuit, including a first output isolated from earth ground for providing a reference and including a second output isolated from earth ground for providing a source of voltage; amplification means having input means for receiving a signal to be amplified and output means for providing a switched output, with the switched output having a first stage for approximating an electrical short circuit and a second state for approximating an electrical open circuit, the amplification means being isolated from earth ground; means for providing an electrical connection between the power supply means and the amplification means, with the connection of the power supply means causing the amplification means and the entire switching circuit to oscillate with respect to earth ground at the rate of the alternating frequency power in the opposite phase to that of the source of alternating frequency power to provide a more reliable actuation of the swiTching circuit; a touch plate isolated from earth ground; means for providing an electrical connection between the input means of the amplification means and the touch plate to allow the capacitance of the human to provide an earth reference to the amplification means and the remainder of the switching circuit to cause the output of the amplification means to change between the first and second states.

Claim 10

A switching circuit actuated by the touch of a human, comprising in combination: means, for accepting an alternating frequency power input and for providing a D.C. voltage output for supplying power to the switching circuit, including a first output isolated from earth ground for providing a reference and including a second output isolated from earth ground for providing a source of voltage; amplification means having input means for receiving a signal to be amplified and output means for providing a switched output, with the switched output having a first stage for approximating an electrical short circuit and a second state for approximating an electrical open circuit, the amplification means being isolated from earth ground; means for providing an electrical connection between the power supply means and the amplification means, with the connection of the power supply means causing the amplification means and the entire switching circuit to oscillate with respect to earth ground at the rate of the alternating frequency power in the opposite phase to that of the source of alternating frequency power to provide a more reliable actuation of the swiTching circuit; a touch plate isolated from earth ground; means for providing an electrical connection between the input means of the amplification means and the touch plate to allow the capacitance of the human to provide an earth reference to the amplification means and the remainder of the switching circuit to cause the output of the amplification means to change between the first and second states.

Claim 11

A touch actuated electronic switch, comprising, in combination: a surface accessible to an operator in a manner to allow electronic signal coupling between the surface and the operator; amplifier means isolated from earth ground including input means, output means, and means for accepting an alternating signal; means for providing an electrical connection between the surface and the input means of the isolated amplifier means; integrator means; and means for providing an electrical connection between the output means of the amplifier means and the integrator means.

Claim 12

A touch actuated electronic switch, comprising, in combination: a surface accessible to an operator in a manner to allow electronic signal coupling between the surface and the operator; amplifier means isolated from earth ground including input means, output means, and means for accepting an alternating signal; means for providing an electrical connection between the surface and the input means of the isolated amplifier means; integrator means; and means for providing an electrical connection between the output means of the amplifier means and the integrator means.

Claim 13

The touch actuated electronic switch of claim 6, including a second amplifier means having input means and output means; and means for providing an electrical connection between the integrator means and the input means of the second amplifier means.

Claim 14

The touch actuated electronic switch of claim 6, wherein the means for accepting an alternating signal comprises power input terminals of the amplifier means.

Claim 15

A switching circuit actuated by the touch of a human, comprising in combination: means for supplying power to the switching circuit including a first output for providing a reference isolated from earth ground and including a second output isolated from earth ground for providing a source of voltage; power frequency amplification means having input means for receiving a signal to be amplified and having output means for providing a switched output, with the switched output having a first state for approximating an electrical short circuit and a second state for approximating an electrical open circuit, the amplification means being isolated from earth ground; first means for providing an electrical connection between the power supply means and the amplification means; means for coupling the switching circuit to a source of alternating frequency power for causing the entire switching circuit to oscillate with respect to earth ground at the rate of the alternating frequency; a touch plate isolated from earth ground; and means for providing an electrical connection between the input means of the amplification means and the touch plate to allow the capacitance of the human to provide an earth reference to the amplification means and cause the output of the amplification means to change between the first and second states.

Claim 16

A switching circuit actuated by the touch of a human, comprising in combination: means for supplying power to the switching circuit including a first output for providing a reference isolated from earth ground and including a second output isolated from earth ground for providing a source of voltage; power frequency amplification means having input means for receiving a signal to be amplified and having output means for providing a switched output, with the switched output having a first state for approximating an electrical short circuit and a second state for approximating an electrical open circuit, the amplification means being isolated from earth ground; first means for providing an electrical connection between the power supply means and the amplification means; means for coupling the switching circuit to a source of alternating frequency power for causing the entire switching circuit to oscillate with respect to earth ground at the rate of the alternating frequency; a touch plate isolated from earth ground; and means for providing an electrical connection between the input means of the amplification means and the touch plate to allow the capacitance of the human to provide an earth reference to the amplification means and cause the output of the amplification means to change between the first and second states.

Claim 17

The switching circuit of claim 9, wherein the first amplifier has a gain substantially between 10 and 10 to the third power; and including: a second amplifier including input means and output means and a reference, the second amplifier being isolated from earth ground, being capable of amplifying power frequencies, and having a gain substantially between 10 to the seventh power and 10 to the second power; storage means of a size capable of being easily fabricated by mass production techniques in small size; means for connecting the storage means between the output means of the first amplifier means and circuit reference; and means for providing an electrical connection between the output means of the first amplifier and the input means of the second amplifier.

Claim 18

The switching circuit of claim 10, wherein the means for coupling the switching circuit to a source of alternating frequency power comprises resistance means connected between a source of alternating frequency power and the switching circuit for causing the entire switching circuit to oscillate with respect to earth ground at the rate of the alternating frequency and at an amplitude to provide more reliable actuation of the switching circuit.

Claim 19

The switching circuit of claim 9, wherein the means For coupling the switching circuit to a source of alternating frequency power comprises resistance means connected between a source of alternating frequency power and the switching circuit for causing the entire switching circuit to oscillate with respect to earth ground at the rate of the alternating frequency and at an amplitude to provide more reliable actuation of the switching circuit.

Claim 20

The switching circuit of claim 12, including: means having a value of impedance substantially one megohm or greater; and means for connecting the impedance means between the circuit reference and earth ground to increase the noise suppression capability of the switching circuit.

Claim 21

The switching circuit of claim 9 including: means having a value of impedance substantially one megohm or greater; and means for connecting the impedance means between the circuit reference and earth ground to increase the noise suppression capability of the switching circuit.

Claim 22

The switching circuit of claim 9, wherein the means for coupling the switching circuit to a source of alternating frequency power comprises the means for providing an electrical connection between the power supply means and the amplification means.

Claim 23

The switching circuit of claim 15, wherein the means for coupling the switching circuit to a source of alternating frequency power causes the amplification means and the entire switching circuit to oscillate with respect to earth ground at the rate of the alternating frequency power and in the opposite phase to that of the source of alternating frequency power to provide a more reliable actuation of the switching circuit.

Claim 24

The switching circuit of claim 16, including: means having a value of impedance substantially one megohm or greater; and means for connecting the impedance means between the circuit reference and earth ground to increase the noise suppression capability of the switching circuit.

Claim 25

The switching circuit of claim 9, wherein the means for coupling the switching circuit to a source of alternating frequency power causes the amplification means and the entire switching circuit to oscillate with respect to earth ground at the rate of the alternating frequency power and in the opposite phase to that of the source of alternating frequency power to provide a more reliable actuation of the switching circuit.