Capacitive Touch Switch Logic for Combined Multi-Device Commands

The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling each contact area to serve multiple purposes: individual touches activate corresponding main switches, while combined touches of multiple contact areas activate additional functions. This allows a plate with three contact areas to control up to five electrical devices (three main switches plus two additional functions), and a plate with two contact areas to control up to four devices (two main switches plus two additional functions), thereby increasing adaptability without increasing plate size.

The patent implements dynamic control by using a timer that adapts its behavior based on the timing of touches. When a first contact area is touched, a timer is launched with a specific time interval (e.g., 100 msec). If a second contact area is touched within this interval, the system interprets this as a combined touch and activates additional functions instead of individual switches. This dynamic timing-based differentiation provides flexibility in managing switch activations while keeping the control logic manageable through clear temporal boundaries.

The patent applies merging by combining the functions of multiple contact areas. When multiple contact areas are touched simultaneously or within a specified time interval, their combined input activates additional functions that would otherwise require separate contact areas. For example, touching contact areas 1 and 2 together activates additional function A, while touching contact areas 2 and 3 together activates additional function B. This merging approach allows a compact plate with three contact areas to control five devices and a plate with two contact areas to control four devices, effectively doubling the functional capacity without proportionally increasing plate area.