Key input device

• US 4,646,062 A
• Filed: 07/26/1984
• Issued: 02/24/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/1983
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Arakawa, Kazuhiro
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rittmaster, T.
• Application Number:
  US06/634,437
• Time in Patent Office: 943 Days
• Field of Search: 340/365 R, 340/365 VL, 340/365 S, 340/365 E, 434/228, 364/709
• US Class Current: 341/31
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0412 Digitisers structurally integrated in a display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/047 using sets of wires, e.g. crossed wires
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/702 with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/703 characterised by spacers between contact carrying layers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/038 transparent
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/04 Glass
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/06 transparent
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/082 transparent
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2211/006 Individual areas
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/012 programmable
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/002 Screen printing

Abstract

A key input device is arranged such that a transparent keyboard is placed on a display unit for displaying characters and numerals so as to perform display and key input operations. Transparent electrodes are formed on the inner walls of a plurality of transparent sheets in the keyboard, and transparent projecting members as spacers are formed on one of the inner walls so as to prevent key input errors. The projecting members are constituted by transparent semispherical members formed on the inner wall of the transparent sheet disposed away from the light incident side, thereby improving readability of the displayed content on the display unit.

Claims

1. A key input device comprising:

a first plate member having an inner and an outer wall, said first plate member made of a transparent member having an electrical insulation property;

first electrode means made of a conductor and formed on said inner wall of said first plate member;

a second plate member having an inner and an outer wall and being oriented substantially parallel to said first plate member so as to sandwich said first electrode means, said second plate member being made of a transparent member having an electrical insulation property, said outer wall defining a light incident side;

second electrode means made of a conductor and formed on said inner wall of said second plate member, each said inner wall of said plate members facing each other; and

a focusing means provided by a projecting member made of a transparent member, said projecting member being formed on one of said inner walls, said inner wall being on the plate member not including the light incident side.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said projecting member comprises a plurality of semispherical elements.

3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising means for displaying information from said outer wall of said second plate member whereby information if communicated to said outer wall of said first plate member.

4. A key input device comprising:

plate members comprising two electrically insulating transparent members spaced by a predetermined distance apart from each other, each plate member defining an inner and an outer wall, each said inner wall of each said plate members facing each other, one of said outer walls defining a light incident side;

a plurality of transparent switching means arranged on said inner walls;

means for displaying information from an outer wall of one of said plate members whereby information in communicated to said outer wall of the other of said plate members; and

a focusing means provided by a projecting member made of a transparent member, said projecting member being formed on one of said inner walls, said inner wall being on the plate member not including the outer wall defining said light incident side.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein said projecting member is formed on said inner wall of said plate member including the displaying means when said displaying means comprises a reflective type liquid crystal display.

6. A device according to claim 4, wherein said projecting member is formed on said inner wall of said plate member not including the displaying means when said displaying means comprises a light transmissive type liquid crystal display.

7. A key input device comprising:

plate members comprising two electrically insulating transparent members spaced by a predetermined distance apart from each other, each plate member defining an inner and and outer wall, each said inner wall of each said plate members facing each other, one of said outer walls defining a light incident side;

a plurality of transparent switching means arranged on said inner walls; and

a focusing means provided by projecting members made of transparent member, said projecting members being formed between said insulating transparent members and being dispersed.

8. A device according to claim 7, wherein said projecting members comprise a plurality of semispherical elements.

9. A device according to claim 8, wherein said semispherical elements are integrally formed on one of said inner walls, said inner wall being on the plate member not including the outer wall defining said light incident side.

10. A device according to claim 9, wherein said semispherical elements are projected in the direction of said light incident side.

11. A device according to claim 7, further comprising means for displaying information from said outer wall of one of said plate members whereby information is communicated to said outer wall of said another plate member.

12. A device according to claim 8, further comprising means for displaying information from said outer wall of one of said plate members whereby information is communicated to said outer wall of said another plate member.

13. A device according to claim 9, further comprising means for displaying information from said outer wall of one of said plate members whereby information is communicated to said outer wall of said another plate member.

14. A device according to claim 10, further comprising means for displaying information from said outer wall of one of said plate members whereby information is communicated to said outer wall of said another plate member.