Multiple input proximity detector and touchpad system
First Claim
1. A touchpad comprising an electrically insulating membrane (10) with a first series of spaced apart conductors (12) on a first face of said membrane (10) and a second series of spaced apart conductors (14) on or proximal thereto, in which there is no electrical contact between said first and second series of conductors (12,14), each conductor of said first and second series of conductors being sensitive to the proximity of a finger to modify the capacitance of said conductor to detect the presence of the finger positioned close to that conductor and in which said first and second series of conductors (12,14) comprise enamel coated wires having a diameter in the range of about 10 microns to about 25 microns to be substantially invisible when the touchpad is used as a touch screen.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A touchpad, which may include a keypad array, digitizing tablet, touch screen or an electronic mouse, is operable through a suitable dielectric medium, operating by capacitive effect and suitable for use as a computer interface in conjunction with a monitor screen, or as a computer input device in a number of applications, for example, as a cash till keypad.
509 Citations
16 Claims
- 1. A touchpad comprising an electrically insulating membrane (10) with a first series of spaced apart conductors (12) on a first face of said membrane (10) and a second series of spaced apart conductors (14) on or proximal thereto, in which there is no electrical contact between said first and second series of conductors (12,14), each conductor of said first and second series of conductors being sensitive to the proximity of a finger to modify the capacitance of said conductor to detect the presence of the finger positioned close to that conductor and in which said first and second series of conductors (12,14) comprise enamel coated wires having a diameter in the range of about 10 microns to about 25 microns to be substantially invisible when the touchpad is used as a touch screen.
Specification