Patent ID: 7884299

Claim:
A switch adapted to make and break a connection in an electric circuit to operate a device, the switch comprising: a front facing a user; a rear facing away from the user; a housing; a switch mechanism comprised of i) a lens facing the front, ii) a metal amplification disc, iii) a control element comprised of a PC board, iv) a lighting element, and v) a capacitive sensing element, the capacitive sensing element comprising an electrode and a capacitor triggered by proximity of the user, the disc increasing an activation field of the capacitor sensing element, wherein the capacitive sensing element is covered by the PC board, the PC board is covered by the disc, and the disc is covered by the lens; a power element connected for operating the lighting element and sensing element; and a communication element providing electrical connection to the device, wherein the switch is activated by the control element when a change in capacitance is sensed by the capacitive sensing element, and activiation of the switch provides that i) the information element and lighting element are viewed through the lens and ii) the device is made to operate, the capacitive sensing element being a touch-free proximity sensor allowing the switch to be activated by the user's proximity to the capacitive sensing element and without the user making physical contact with the switch.