Keypad construction
First Claim
1. A keypad comprising an exposed keymat with independent key regions arranged in an array of multiple rows and columns, and combination key regions defined between rows and columns of the array of independent key regions;
- a trace matrix underlying the keymat, the matrix including normally isolated column traces and row traces, each column trace underlying the independent key regions of a corresponding column, and each row trace underlying the independent key regions of a corresponding row, the row and column traces together defining an array of normally open trace intersections corresponding to the array of independent key regions; and
a processor responsive to electrical communication between row and column traces at any trace intersection closed by independent key region actuation;
wherein the trace matrix includes trace extensions extending from the row and column traces to underlie the combination key regions, the trace extensions in each combination key region extending to within a contact region of an associated electrical contact beneath the combination key region.
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An IACK keypad with independent key regions arranged in an array of multiple rows and columns, and combination key regions defined between rows and columns of the array of independent key regions. A trace matrix underlying the keymat either includes, in addition to normally isolated column traces and row traces underlying the independent key regions, trace extensions extending from the row and column traces to underlie the combination key regions, or additional row and column traces underlying the combination key regions and tied to other row and column traces. The trace extensions extend to within a contact region of an opposed electrical contact, such as on a snap dome, beneath the combination key region. Independent and combination key snap domes are constructed to insure singular tactile feedback during combination key operation.
-
Citations
69 Claims
-
1. A keypad comprising
an exposed keymat with independent key regions arranged in an array of multiple rows and columns, and combination key regions defined between rows and columns of the array of independent key regions; -
a trace matrix underlying the keymat, the matrix including normally isolated column traces and row traces, each column trace underlying the independent key regions of a corresponding column, and each row trace underlying the independent key regions of a corresponding row, the row and column traces together defining an array of normally open trace intersections corresponding to the array of independent key regions; and
a processor responsive to electrical communication between row and column traces at any trace intersection closed by independent key region actuation;
whereinthe trace matrix includes trace extensions extending from the row and column traces to underlie the combination key regions, the trace extensions in each combination key region extending to within a contact region of an associated electrical contact beneath the combination key region. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
-
-
22. A keypad comprising a keymat and a switch substrate underlying the keymat, wherein
the keymat comprises a continuous sheet with an exposed upper surface forming separate elevated independent key regions, the sheet defining combination key regions between the elevated independent key regions; -
a series of independent key force concentrators disposed beneath an underside of the sheet under respective independent key regions; and
a series of combination key force concentrators secured to and extending from an underside of the sheet under respective combination key regions;
the substrate comprising a series of independent key tactile feedback structures underlying respective independent key force concentrators of the keymat; and
a series of combination key tactile feedback structures underlying respective combination key force concentrators of the keymat. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
-
-
53. A keypad comprising
an exposed keymat with independent key regions arranged in an array of multiple rows and columns, and combination key regions defined between rows and columns of the array of independent key regions; -
a trace matrix underlying the keymat, the matrix including normally isolated independent key column traces and row traces, each independent key column trace underlying the independent key regions of a corresponding column, and each independent key row trace underlying the independent key regions of a corresponding row, the independent key row and column traces together defining an array of normally open trace intersections corresponding to the array of independent key regions; and
a processor responsive to electrical communication between independent key row and column traces at any trace intersection closed by independent key region actuation;
whereinthe trace matrix also includes combination key column traces and row traces interposed between independent key column and row traces and underlying the combination key regions, with each combination key column trace electrically joined to an associated independent key column trace, and each combination key row trace electrically joined to an associated independent key row trace. - View Dependent Claims (54, 55, 56, 57)
-
-
58. A keypad comprising a keymat and a switch substrate underlying the keymat, wherein
the keymat comprises a continuous sheet with an exposed upper surface forming separate elevated independent key regions that, when pressed independent of adjacent keys, produces an associated output, the sheet defining combination key regions between adjacent independent key regions that, when pressed in combination, produce an output associated with the combination key region; the substrate comprising some discrete tactile feedback structures underlying respective independent key regions of the keymat, and other discrete tactile feedback structures underlying respective combination key regions of the keymat. - View Dependent Claims (59, 60, 61)
-
62. A keypad comprising
a keymat having a continuous sheet with an exposed, undulating upper surface forming separate elevated independent key regions that, when pressed independent of adjacent keys, produces an associated output, the sheet defining combination key regions between adjacent independent key regions that, when pressed in combination, produce an output associated with the combination key region; - and
a light source introducing light into an optically transmissive layer of the keymat, thereby illuminating graphics associated with multiple key regions of the keymat with light conducted along the keymat layer from the light source. - View Dependent Claims (63, 64, 65)
- and
-
66. A keypad comprising a keymat and a switch substrate underlying the keymat, the keymat comprising a continuous sheet defining both
an active region in which an exposed upper surface forms separate elevated independent key regions that, when pressed independent of adjacent key regions, produces an associated output, the sheet defining combination key regions between adjacent independent key regions that, when pressed in combination, produce an output associated with the combination key region; - and
a deflection zone about a perimeter of the active region, the keymat having a lower stiffness in the deflection zone than in the active region.
- and
-
67. A keypad comprising
a keymat defining an array of discrete key regions; - and
an array of snap domes, each snap dome underlying a corresponding key region of the keymat; and
a pattern of electrical traces underlying the snap domes;
wherein each snap dome is arranged to electrically connect at least three electrical traces when actuated by pressing on its corresponding key region. - View Dependent Claims (68, 69)
- and
Specification