Patent ID: 7969330
Filing Date: 2011-06-28
Classification: F24C,G06F

Abstract:
1. A touch-sensitive control panel for controlling an appliance comprising: a single position sensitive proximity slider sensor area that includes a sensing strip having first and second end terminals; driver circuitry that includes a first measurement circuit, a second measurement circuit, a first switching circuit, a second switching circuit and a switching control circuit, the first measurement circuit operating to create a first output detection signal that is indicative of touch locations relative to a first portion of the single position sensitive proximity slider sensor area and the second measurement circuit operating to create a second output detection signal that is indicative of touch locations relative to a second portion of the single position sensitive proximity slider sensor area, wherein the first switching circuit includes first, second and third switching elements coupled to a first sampling capacitor and the second switching circuit includes first, second and third switching elements coupled to a second sampling capacitor; and a controller operable to receive the first and second detection signals from the driver circuitry and to activate different functions of the appliance in response thereto, wherein the controller is operable to activate at least one function of the appliance responsive to receipt of a pre-determined combination of the first and second detection signals.