CAPACITIVE SENSING DEVICE FOR USE IN A KEYPAD ASSEMBLY
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A capacitive sensor comprising:
- a substantially transparent substrate;
a first substantially transparent capacitive sensor trace disposed above said substantially transparent substrate;
a plurality of isolated shapes disposed above said substantially transparent substrate, said plurality of isolated shapes configured to comprise a second substantially transparent capacitive sensor trace;
insulator material disposed between at least two adjacent isolated shapes of said plurality of isolated shapes; and
conductive material electrically coupling said at least two adjacent isolated shapes, said conductive material electrically insulated from said first substantially transparent capacitive sensor trace by said insulator material.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
One embodiment in accordance with the present invention includes a capacitive sensing device for use in a keypad assembly of an electronic system. The capacitive sensing device includes a substantially transparent single sheet capacitive sensor. The substantially transparent single sheet capacitive sensor is configured to be disposed within the keypad assembly without requiring the formation of key post holes therethrough. Additionally, the substantially transparent single sheet capacitive sensor has a flexibility which enables desired tactile response during use of keys of the keypad assembly.
-
Citations
25 Claims
-
1. A capacitive sensor comprising:
-
a substantially transparent substrate; a first substantially transparent capacitive sensor trace disposed above said substantially transparent substrate; a plurality of isolated shapes disposed above said substantially transparent substrate, said plurality of isolated shapes configured to comprise a second substantially transparent capacitive sensor trace; insulator material disposed between at least two adjacent isolated shapes of said plurality of isolated shapes; and conductive material electrically coupling said at least two adjacent isolated shapes, said conductive material electrically insulated from said first substantially transparent capacitive sensor trace by said insulator material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A method for providing a capacitive sensor, said method comprising:
-
providing a substantially transparent substrate; disposing a first substantially transparent capacitive sensor trace above said substantially transparent substrate, wherein said first substantially transparent capacitive sensor trace is arranged in a first direction; disposing a plurality of isolated shapes above said substantially transparent substrate, said plurality of isolated shapes configured to comprise a second substantially transparent capacitive sensor trace, wherein said second substantially transparent capacitive sensor trace is arranged in a second direction different from said first direction; disposing an insulator between at least two adjacent isolated shapes of said plurality of isolated shapes; and electrically coupling said at least two adjacent isolated shapes with conductive material, said conductive material electrically insulated from said first substantially transparent capacitive sensor trace by said insulator. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A capacitive sensor comprising:
-
a substantially transparent substrate; a first pattern of conductive shapes adapted for forming a first set of capacitive sensor traces arranged along a first direction, said first pattern of conductive shapes disposed above said substantially transparent substrate and comprised of a substantially transparent material; a second pattern of conductive shapes comprising a plurality of isolated shapes adapted for forming a second set of capacitive sensor traces arranged along a second direction different from said first direction, said second pattern of conductive shapes comprised of said substantially transparent material, wherein said plurality of isolated shapes and said first pattern of conductive shapes are in a common layer; a conductive material disposed to electrically couple isolated shapes of said plurality of isolated shapes to form said second set of capacitive sensor traces arranged along said second direction; and an insulator material disposed between said first pattern of conductive shapes and said conductive material, said insulator material configured to electrically insulate said first pattern of conductive shapes from said conductive material. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
-
-
22. A method for providing a capacitive sensor, said method comprising:
-
disposing a first pattern of capacitive sensor traces above a substantially transparent substrate, said first pattern of capacitive sensor traces comprised of a substantially transparent material; disposing a second pattern of capacitive sensor traces above said substantially transparent substrate, said second pattern of capacitive sensor traces comprised of; a conductive material for electrically coupling portions of said second pattern of capacitive sensor traces; and said substantially transparent material, said substantially transparent material of said first pattern of capacitive sensor traces and said substantially transparent material of said second pattern of capacitive sensor traces disposed in a common layer above said substantially transparent substrate. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
-
Specification