Combined touchscreen and membrane switch
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A combined touchscreen and membrane switch comprising:
- a) a front layer formed of a continuous flexible sheet and having;
i) a transparent portion supporting a transparent conductor on a rear surface; and
ii) a graphic portion printed with button symbols;
b) a spacer layer positioned behind the front layer and having openings aligned with the transparent portion and at least one button symbol;
c) a transparent rear layer positioned behind the spacer layer supporting a transparent conductor on a front surface opposed to the transparent portion of the front layer; and
d) a membrane switch circuitry positioned behind the graphic portion and aligned with the button symbols to be activated upon pressing of the button symbols;
wherein a single surface is presented to the user having minimum resistance to touchscreen operation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A combined membrane switch and touchscreen employs a continuous front transparent sheet that directly supports a transparent electrode for the touchscreen and graphics for the membrane switch portion of the assembly. Improved transparency and reduced touch activation pressure is thereby obtained.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A combined touchscreen and membrane switch comprising:
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a) a front layer formed of a continuous flexible sheet and having;
i) a transparent portion supporting a transparent conductor on a rear surface; and
ii) a graphic portion printed with button symbols;
b) a spacer layer positioned behind the front layer and having openings aligned with the transparent portion and at least one button symbol;
c) a transparent rear layer positioned behind the spacer layer supporting a transparent conductor on a front surface opposed to the transparent portion of the front layer; and
d) a membrane switch circuitry positioned behind the graphic portion and aligned with the button symbols to be activated upon pressing of the button symbols;
wherein a single surface is presented to the user having minimum resistance to touchscreen operation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A touchscreen with graphic margin comprising:
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a) a front layer formed of a continuous flexible sheet and having;
i) a transparent portion supporting a transparent conductor on a rear surface; and
ii) a graphic portion proximate to the transparent portion printed with graphics;
b) a spacer layer positioned behind the front layer and having at least one opening aligned with the transparent portion;
c) a transparent rear layer positioned behind the spacer layer supporting a transparent conductor on a front surface opposed to the transparent portion of the front layer; and
wherein a single surface is presented to the user having minimum resistance to touchscreen operation.
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Specification