Multi-plane optical membrane switch apparatus
First Claim
1. Multi-plane optical membrane switch apparatus comprising:
- a first clear, semi-rigid, membrane-like, plastic member;
a second clear, semi-rigid, membrane-like, plastic member disposed in spaced apart parallel relation to said first plastic member;
a plurality of fiber optic channel plastic members disposed on said first plastic membrane-like member;
a plurality of fiber optic channel forming members disposed on said second plastic member at right angles to said first plurality of fiber optic channel forming members;
light generating means at one end of each one of said first plurality of fiber optic channel members;
light receiving means at one end of each one of said second plurality of channel members; and
means for applying pressure to the intersecting areas of said first and second optic channel members effective to couple light from one of the first to one of the second channel members.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A multi-plane optical membrane switch for use for example in a keyboard matrix is formed by two flat, planar, clear, plastic members disposed in parallel, separated relationship and each having individual light conducting guides or channels thereon. The channels of the lower plane are disposed at right angles to the channels of the upper plane. The upper set of light guides includes integral, gently curving coupler taps disposed at the intersection of the upper and lower guides for coupling the light from the lower planar guide channels into the upper guide channels when the two channel intersections are pressed together by the key top effectively switching the light from the lower to the upper channels.
21 Citations
5 Claims
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1. Multi-plane optical membrane switch apparatus comprising:
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a first clear, semi-rigid, membrane-like, plastic member; a second clear, semi-rigid, membrane-like, plastic member disposed in spaced apart parallel relation to said first plastic member; a plurality of fiber optic channel plastic members disposed on said first plastic membrane-like member; a plurality of fiber optic channel forming members disposed on said second plastic member at right angles to said first plurality of fiber optic channel forming members; light generating means at one end of each one of said first plurality of fiber optic channel members; light receiving means at one end of each one of said second plurality of channel members; and means for applying pressure to the intersecting areas of said first and second optic channel members effective to couple light from one of the first to one of the second channel members. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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Specification