Patent ID: 7208694

Claim:
A capacitance activated switch device for providing at least one control signal upon supply of an input voltage and an engagement of a capacitive load with an electrical field, said capacitance activated switch device comprising: (a) a capacitance means associated with said electrical field, said capacitance means including: (i) a generator capable of generating a sine wave of a predetermined frequency; (ii) at least one antenna output for enabling transmission of said sine wave; (iii) a first resistor having a predetermined resistive value and having a first lead coupled to said generator and a second lead coupled to said at least one antenna output, said first resistor enabling generation of a first voltage at said first lead and a second voltage at said second lead; (iv) a first communication means for providing an analog signal associated with said second voltage; and (v) a second communication means for providing a predetermined plurality of first digital signals and receiving a predetermined plurality of second digital signals; (b) a first ground coupled to said capacitance means; (c) an operating voltage associated with said input voltage and applied to said capacitance means for enabling said generator to generate said sign wave; (d) a microcontroller coupled to said capacitance means and having at least a third communication means being in electrical communication with said first communication means of said capacitance means for receiving said analog signal and a forth communication means being in electrical communication with said second communication means of said capacitance means for receiving said predetermined plurality of said first digital signals and providing said predetermined plurality of said second digital signals, said microcontroller providing an output signal upon receipt of said second voltage signal; and (e) an output driver means coupled to said microcontroller for receiving said output signal and for providing said at least one control signal.