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Transparent keyboard switch and array

  • US 4,017,848 A
  • Filed: 05/19/1975
  • Issued: 04/12/1977
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/19/1975
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An operator guiding switch array comprising:

  • transparent switch array means having a plurality of switch areas and comprising;

    transparent, electrically insulating, switch substrate means having upper and lower surfaces;

    transparent lower switch electrode means disposed on said upper surface of said switch substrate means;

    a layer of transparent dielectric fluid disposed over said upper surface of said switch substrate means and said lower switch electrode means;

    transparent flexible film means disposed over said said dielectric fluid;

    transparent upper switch electrode means disposed on said film means, interposed between said film means and said dielectric fluid at least in selected locations and overlapping said lower switch electrode means at at least one location within each switch area of the array;

    within each switch area of the array, said upper and lower switch electrode means together comprising the contacts of a normally open switch which may be closed by application of pressure to said flexible film means within said switch area;

    legend means disposed beneath said lower surface of said switch substrate means for indicating the functions of the individual switch areas;

    means for selectively obscuring images viewed through selected ones of said switch areas in accordance with external control signals, said means for obscuring comprising liquid crystal display means disposed between said switch substrate means and said legend means, said liquid crystal display means comprising;

    transparent electrically insulating display substrate means having upper and lower surfaces;

    transparent display lower electrode means disposed on said upper surface of said display substrate means;

    a layer of a nematic liquid crystal disposed over said upper surface of said display substrate means and said lower display electrode means;

    transparent display faceplate means disposed over said layer of liquid crystal material;

    transparent upper display electrode means disposed on said display faceplate means, interposed between said faceplate means and said liquid crystal at least in selected locations and overlapping said lower display electrode means within areas aligned with selected switch areas;

    said upper and lower display electrodes being configured to define liquid crystal display areas which are substantially coextensive with switch areas vertically aligned therewith, said display areas being selectively controllable for obscuring images viewed through said display areas and the aligned switch areas, in accordance with an external display control signal whereby the legend associated with an individual switch area may be obscured in response to said external control signals to indicate that the associated switch should not be activated.

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