Albert J Endruschat

US Patent:

55942385, Jan 14, 1997

Filed:

Feb 17, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/390683

Inventors:

Albert J. Endruschat - Atlantis FL
Charles W. Staples - Boca Raton FL
Arthur K. Casaday - Boca Raton FL

International Classification:

G01V 904
E03C 105

US Classification:

250221

Abstract:

A touchless switch using a single detector to measure ambient energy and reflected energy. The detector can detect objects in both the normal unsaturated ambient energy state or when ambient energy is saturating the detector. Discrimination between toggle motion and motion which is not intended to indicate a switch toggle operation is also provided. The detector and the emitter are mounted to a circuit board which is then mounted within a housing which has a window that allows passage of ambient energy and reflected energy. A barrier between the detector and the emitter blocks energy from being directly transmitted from the emitter to the detector. The barrier may be inserted into a groove in the window to prevent energy from the emitter from being reflected off of the inner surface of the window to the detector. Accidental triggering by ambient energy is prevented by requiring that the reflected energy be detected for a minimum amount of time. Accidental triggering by objects not intended to toggle the switch is avoided by requiring that toggling be initiated by a moving object which reflects energy within a preselected time window.