Electro-optically activated switch with tactile feedback
First Claim
1. An optical switch comprising:
- emitter means for emitting electromagnetic energy;
detector means responsive to said energy emitted by said emitter means for producing an electrical output signal in response to said energy, said emitter means and detector means disposed at respective ends of an optical path;
a resilient shutter longitudinally moveable between said emitter means and detector means for selectively interrupting said optical path, said shutter having a first substantially relaxed position and a second substantially relaxed position; and
actuator means operable by a user and having a camming surface for operative engagement with said shutter such that operation of said actuator means causes said shutter to move between said first and second substantially relaxed positions with a snap action;
whereby said user receives tactile feedback coincident with said electrical output signal when said shutter moves between said first and second substantially relaxed positions.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An optical switch for use as a modular keyboard switch designed to provide tactile and audible feedback to the keyboard operator. The switch includes an opaque housing in which a light emitting device and a light activated detector are mounted. A "U" shaped spring shutter rests within the housing between the emitter and detector and has an aperture through which light from the emitter may illuminate the detector. A spring loaded key stem moves longitudinally within the housing and is designed to penetrate the open end of the shutter. The key stem and shutter are shaped such that as the key stem is depressed the upwardly extending arms of the shutter are at first forced outward by projecting shoulders on the key stem and then snap back along upwardly sloping surfaces of the shoulder, thereby causing the shutter to spring upwards and block the optical path between the emitter and detector. The snap action of the shutter causes an audible "click" and also provides tactile feedback to the operator.
28 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An optical switch comprising:
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emitter means for emitting electromagnetic energy; detector means responsive to said energy emitted by said emitter means for producing an electrical output signal in response to said energy, said emitter means and detector means disposed at respective ends of an optical path; a resilient shutter longitudinally moveable between said emitter means and detector means for selectively interrupting said optical path, said shutter having a first substantially relaxed position and a second substantially relaxed position; and actuator means operable by a user and having a camming surface for operative engagement with said shutter such that operation of said actuator means causes said shutter to move between said first and second substantially relaxed positions with a snap action; whereby said user receives tactile feedback coincident with said electrical output signal when said shutter moves between said first and second substantially relaxed positions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An optical switch comprising:
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a housing; emitter means disposed within said housing for emitting electromagnetic energy; detector means disposed within said housing responsive to said energy emitted by said emitter means for producing an electrical output signal in response to said energy, said emitter means and detector means disposed at respective ends of an optical path; a resilient shutter disposed within said housing between said emitter means and detector means, said shutter being free to move longitudinally within said housing between a first substantially relaxed position and a second substantially relaxed position, said shutter having an aperture aligned with said optical path in said first substantially relaxed position, and not aligned with said optical path in said second substantially relaxed position; and actuator means slideably mounted for longitudinal movement within said housing and having a camming surface for operative engagement with said shutter for causing said shutter to move between said first and second substantially relaxed positions with a snap action, thereby providing tactile feedback to a user. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An optical switch comprising:
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emitter means for emitting electromagnetic energy; detector means responsive to said energy emitted by said emitter means for producing an electrical output signal in response to said energy, said emitter means and detector means disposed at respective ends of an optical path; shutter means moveably disposed between said emitter means and detector means for selectively interrupting said optical path, said shutter means having a first position and a second position, said shutter means including spring means for causing said shutter means to move between said first and second positions with a snap action; said shutter means comprising a deformable, generally U-shaped spring having a generally flat lower surface and two upwardly extending arms, each of said arms having a generally vertical lower portion, an outwardly protruding central portion and an outwardly flared upper portion, the junction of said central and upper portion defining an inwardly pointing ridge; said shutter means having an aperture which is aligned with said optical path when said shutter means is in said first position and which is not aligned with said optical path when said shutter means is in said second position; and actuator means engageable with said shutter means and operable by a user for causing said shutter means to move between said first and second positions with said snap action; whereby said user receives tactile feedback coincident with said electrical output signal when said shutter moves between said first and second positions. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. An optical switch comprising:
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a housing; emitter means disposed within said housing for emitting electromagnetic energy; detector means disposed within said housing responsive to said energy emitted by said emitter means for producing an electrical output signal in response to said energy, said emitter means and detector means disposed at respective ends of an optical path; a shutter comprising a deformable spring disposed within said housing between said emitter means and detector means, said shutter being free to move longitudinally within said housing between a first position and a second position, said shutter having an aperture aligned with said optical path in said first position, and not aligned with said optical path in said second position; said shutter having a generally flat lower surface and two upwardly extending arms, each of said arms having a generally vertical lower portion, an outwardly protruding central portion, an outwardly flared upper portion, the junction of said central and upper portion defining an inwardly pointing ridge; and actuator means slideably mounted for longitudinal movement within said housing and engageable with said shutter for causing said shutter to move between said first and second positions with a snap action, thereby providing tactile feedback to a user. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification