Patent Application
20080094181
A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
a is a side, elevational, partially cross-sectional view of a bubble switch in an unactuated position; and
b is a side, elevational, partially cross-sectional view of the bubble switch shown in
In a second stage a master secondary antenna 12 is laid down over the substrate 11 in any suitable manner and by any suitable means. In one form master antenna 12 may include conductive ink applied via a screen printing process. Master antenna 12 may be substantially U-shaped. In one form the resonant frequency of master antenna 12 may be substantially in the range 830-900 MHz.
In a third stage an insulating layer 13 is applied over master antenna 12 in any suitable manner and by any suitable means. In one form insulating layer 13 may include a film of varnish.
In a fourth stage a layer 14 including an array of slave antennas is applied over insulating layer 13 in any suitable manner and by any suitable means. A typical slave antenna 15 in layer 14 comprises two antenna parts 15a, 15b. Each antenna part 15a, 15b includes interdigitating finger portions 16a, 16b. The two antenna parts 15a, 15b may be connected together via a conductive bridge that contacts the interdigitating finger portions 16a, 16b.
When the two antenna parts 15a, 15b are connected together by a conductive bridge the slave antenna 15 may resonate at substantially the same frequency as master antenna 12 (substantially in the range 830-900 MHz) to facilitate EM coupling between the master and slave antennas. The resonant frequency of each antenna part 15a, 15b may be such that it may not separately perform the EM coupling. Slave antenna 15 is effectively switched on and performs the EM coupling when parts 15a, 15b are bridged and is effectively switched off at other times.
In a fifth stage a tag layer 16 is applied over the layer 14 of slave antennas. The tag layer 16 includes an adhesive film, an array of RFID tags and an associated array of secondary antennas. A typical RFID tag 17 comprises an AK tag module manufactured by Tagsys SAS. A typical secondary antenna 18 is positioned in proximity to the associated tag module 17 to enhance EM coupling with the tag antenna (not shown) on the tag module 17. The tag layer 16 includes a plurality of apertures to facilitate switching on of the slave antennas in layer 14. As shown in
In a sixth stage a top layer 21 is applied over the tag layer 16. Top layer 21 includes a plurality of bubble switches. Each bubble switch may be associated with a separate function in connection with an apparatus that is to be remotely controlled, such as up/down (±) adjustment of “temperature” in a heater monitor, up/down (±) adjustment of “program” in a television receiver and/or up/down (±) adjustment of “air bubbles” in a hydrotherapy apparatus.
Referring to
When antenna parts 15a, 15b are bridged, slave antenna 15 is switched on and resonates at substantially the same frequency as master antenna 12. Slave antenna 15 then acts as an EM bridge or relay between secondary antenna 18 associated with RFID tag 17 and master antenna 12.
This allows data stored in RFID tag 17 to be readily communicated to an interrogator (not shown). The data that is stored in tag 17 may be a code that represents a function associated with switch 20, e.g. increment or increase a channel (“program”) by one unit. Each RFID tag on tag layer 16 may store a different code that represents a separate function to be performed by actuating the associated switch. For example the tag associated with the switch marked “temperature (−)” may store a code that represents the function decrement or decrease a temperature by one unit. Other tags may store further codes that represent corresponding functions that may be performed by the RC device.
A layer of adhesive 33 may be applied to the underside of top layer 21. The layer of adhesive 33 preferably has a sufficient thickness to maintain conductive portion 31 spaced away from bridging or contacting finger portions 16a, 16b. The layer of adhesive 33 may be applied substantially over the entire underside surface of top layer 21 excepting zones that are directly beneath the bubble switches and grooves 34 connecting the zones. Connecting grooves 34 are free of adhesive to allow air to circulate in the spaces or cavities beneath the bubble switches to prevent a build up of positive or negative air pressure beneath a bubble switch when it is actuated.
Finally in a seventh stage the outer perimeter of the assembled RC device 10 may be trimmed to a desired shape and/or size.
Finally, it is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be introduced into the constructions and arrangements of parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention.
Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular: embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/854,411 filed Oct. 24, 2006, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60854411 | Oct 2006 | US |
