Switch device with operating modes of capacitive proximity and mechanical actuation
First Claim
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1. Switch device with two operating modes, namely:
- a proximity sensing first operating mode and a direct mechanical action second operating mode, said device comprising at least one mechanical switch comprising at least one fixed contact member carried by a substrate and a mobile contact member adapted to be urged into contact with said fixed contact member, wherein at least one of said contact members is additionally employed as a sensing element of a capacitive proximity sensing device and comprises means for applying to said element an electrical signal and means for sensing variations in said signal due to the proximity of an electrically conductive object.
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Abstract
A switch device with two modes of operation includes at least one switch comprising, carried by a substrate, two conductive lands and an electrically conductive elastic capsule in contact with one land and, in the unoperated condition, overlying the other land so as to be capable of being urged into contact with the latter. An electrical signal from a source is applied to the capsule. A circuit measures variations of the signal due to the proximity of an electrically conductive object. The device can be used to implement matrix keyboards combining the functions of a conventional keypad and a tactile pad.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. Switch device with two operating modes, namely:
- a proximity sensing first operating mode and a direct mechanical action second operating mode, said device comprising at least one mechanical switch comprising at least one fixed contact member carried by a substrate and a mobile contact member adapted to be urged into contact with said fixed contact member, wherein at least one of said contact members is additionally employed as a sensing element of a capacitive proximity sensing device and comprises means for applying to said element an electrical signal and means for sensing variations in said signal due to the proximity of an electrically conductive object.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
Specification