Cabinet touch control

Abstract

Provided is a method and an apparatus for controlling an electric device. The apparatus includes a cabinet defining a recess, and a sensor disposed within said recess for sensing the presence of a foreign object in close proximity to the sensor. A veneer at least partially conceals the sensor disposed within said recess from view when observed from an ambient environment of the cabinet. A controller is responsive to a signal transmitted by the sensor indicative of the presence of the foreign object adjacent to the sensor to transmit a control signal for controlling operation of the electric device operatively connected to communicate with the controller.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for controlling an electric device, the apparatus comprising:
 a cabinet defining a recess;   a sensor disposed within said recess for sensing the presence of a foreign object in close proximity to the sensor;   a veneer at least partially concealing the sensor disposed within said recess from view when observed from an ambient environment of the cabinet; and   a controller that is responsive to a signal transmitted by the sensor indicative of the presence of the foreign object adjacent to the sensor to transmit a control signal for controlling operation of the electric device operatively connected to communicate with the controller.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a capacitive sensor that senses a capacitance change resulting from placement of the foreign object in close proximity to the sensor. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cabinet is a portion of a piece of furniture. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the recess is formed in an arm rest portion of the piece of furniture on which a user is to sit. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the recess is formed in a base portion of a lamp.