Cards and assemblies with user interfaces

• US 10,176,419 B1
• Filed: 02/22/2010
• Issued: 01/08/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dynamics Inc.
• Original Assignee: Dynamics Inc.
• Inventors: Cloutier, Bruce S., Workley, James H., Shepherd, William T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Savusdiphol, Paultep
• Application Number:
  US12/710,303
• Time in Patent Office: 3,242 Days
• Field of Search: 235487, 235488, 235493
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06196 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07701 the record carrier comprising an interface suitable for human interaction
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07707 the visual interface being a display, e.g. LCD or electronic ink
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07745 Mounting details of integrated circuit chips
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0833 Card having specific functional components

Abstract

Laminated cards with user interfaces are provided. The user interfaces can have enhanced tactile feel. In one embodiment, a card may be constructed to have a dual-layer user interface. In another embodiment, a card may be constructed to include a support structure. In yet another embodiment, a card may include a relatively soft material that covers at least a portion of the user interface. In yet another embodiment, a card may include a user interface that is fluidically coupled to a bladder. In a further embodiment, a card can include any combination of a user interface, which may be a dual-layer user interface, a support structure, a soft material that at least partially covers a user interface, and a bladder.

Claims

1. A laminated card comprising:

a flexible circuit board including electrical contacts;

a first user interface element mounted to the flexible circuit board, the first user interface element having a portion operative to engage one of the electrical contacts during an input event; and

a second user interface element mounted above the first user interface element, the second user interface element having a portion operative to engage a surface of the first user interface element during the input event.

2. The card of claim 1, wherein a separation gap exists between the portion of the second user interface element and the surface of the first user interface element during times other than the input event.

3. The card of claim 1, wherein the first user interface element is a dome switch.

4. The card of claim 1, wherein the second user interface element is a dome switch.

5. The card of claim 1, wherein the first user interface element comprises a force concentration structure.

6. The card of claim 5, wherein the force concentration structure comprises a round shape, a wedge shape, or a pointed shape.

7. The card of claim 1, wherein the second user interface element comprises a force concentration structure.

8. The card of claim 7, wherein the force concentration structure comprises a round shape, a wedge shape, or a pointed shape.

9. The card of claim 1, further comprising a top exterior layer, a laminate material, and a bottom exterior layer, wherein the laminate material, the flexible circuit board, and first and second user interface elements exist between the top and bottom exterior layers.

10. The card of claim 1, further comprising a dynamic magnetic stripe communications device.

11. The card of claim 1, further comprising:

a battery; and

a processor.

12. The card of claim 1, further comprising:

a display.

13. The card of claim 1, wherein the second user interface element is mounted directly to the flexible circuit board.

14. The card of claim 1, further comprising:

a step structure adhered to the flexible circuit board, wherein the second user interface element is mounted to the step structure.

15. The card of claim 1, further comprising:

a multi-tier step structure including a bottom tier and a top tier, wherein the second user interface element is mounted to the top tier.

16. The card of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the first user interface element is permanently coupled to one of the electrical contacts.

17. The card of claim 1, wherein the first and second user interface elements form a first dual-layer user interface, the card further comprising a second dual-layer user interface.

18. An assembly for use in a laminated card comprising a lamination material, the assembly comprising:

a flexible printed circuit board;

at least one user interface mounted to the flexible printed circuit board; and

at least one bladder structure in fluidic communication with the at least one user interface,

wherein the at least one user interface is a distance apart from the at least one bladder structure.

19. The assembly of claim 18, wherein the at least one bladder structure is a false user interface.

20. The assembly of claim 18, wherein the at least one bladder structure includes at least a portion of the support structure fixed to the flexible printed circuit board.

21. The assembly of claim 18, further comprising a conduit for fluidically connecting the at least one user interface and the at least one bladder structure.

22. The assembly of claim 18, further comprising a dynamic magnetic stripe communications device.

23. The assembly of claim 18, further comprising:

a battery; and

a processor.

24. The assembly of claim 18, further comprising:

a display.

25. The assembly of claim 18, further comprising:

a top exterior layer;

a laminate material; and

a bottom exterior layer, wherein the laminate material, flexible printed circuit board, the at least one user interface, and the at least one bladder structure exist between the top and bottom exterior layers.

26. A method comprising:

providing a flexible printed circuit board;

mounting at least one first user interface to the flexible printed circuit board; and

fluidically coupling the at least one first user interface to at least one second user interface,

wherein the at least one first user interface is not between the at least one second user interface and the flexible printed circuit board, and

the at least one second user interface is not between the at least one first user interface and the flexible printed circuit board.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

laminating the flexible printed circuit board, the at least one first user interface, and the at least one second user interface between top and bottom exterior layers.