Contact detection device, apparatus using such a device and radiotelephone comprising such an apparatus

• US 6,369,801 B2
• Filed: 03/08/1999
• Issued: 04/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: US Philips Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: US Philips Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Boireau, Olivier, Alix, Philippe
• Primary Examiner(s): Shalwala, Bipin
• Assistant Examiner(s): PIZIALI, JEFFREY J
• Application Number:
  US09/264,045
• Publication Number:
  US 20010040556A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,128 Days
• Field of Search: 345/36, 345/45, 345/76, 345/156, 345/168, 345/169, 345/170, 345/173, 345/174, 200/5.A, 200/314, 200/317, 200/514
• US Class Current: 345/169
• 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 2219/018 Electroluminescent panel
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/038 Folding of flexible printed circuit

Abstract

A contact device includes a first insulating film having a dome and a planar surface surrounding the dome. A contact electrode is formed on an inner surface of the dome. A detection circuit is located over a second insulating film. The detection circuit detects an electric contact between the contact electrode and the detection circuit. An electroluminescent layer is formed on the planar surface, where the electroluminescent layer does not overlap over the contact electrode and is formed on the planar surface without being formed on the dome.

Claims

1. A contact device comprising:

a first insulating film having a dome and a planar surface surrounding said dome;

a contact electrode formed on an inner surface of said dome;

a second insulating film;

a detection circuit located over said second insulating film, said detection circuit detecting an electric contact between said contact electrode and said detection circuit; and

an electroluminescent layer formed on said planar surface of said first insulating film having said dome, wherein said planar surface is located between a portion of said detection circuit and said electroluminescent layer, and said dome is contactable by a contact pin.

2. The contact device of claim 1, wherein said electroluminescent layer is formed on said planar surface without being formed on said dome.

3. The contact device of claim 1, wherein said first insulating film and said second insulating film are formed from a single foil which is folded so that said contact electrode faces said detection circuit.

4. The contact device of claim 3, wherein said single foil is formed from synthetic material.

5. The contact device of claim 1, wherein a pressure on said dome deforms said dome so that said contact electrode contacts said detection circuit.

6. A communication apparatus comprising a keyboard having keys, wherein each of said keys is capable of exerting pressure on a corresponding dome of a contact device;

said contact device comprising;

a first insulating film having said dome and a planar surface surrounding said dome;

a contact electrode formed on an inner surface of said dome;

a second insulating film;

a detection circuit located over said second insulating film, said detection circuit detecting an electric contact between said contact electrode and said detection circuit; and

an electroluminescent layer formed on said planar surface of said first insulating film having said dome, wherein said planar surface is located between a portion of said detection circuit and said electroluminescent layer, and said dome is contactable by a contact pin.

7. The communication apparatus of claim 6, wherein said electroluminescent layer is formed on said planar surface without being formed on said dome.

8. The communication apparatus of claim 6, wherein said keys are formed from translucent material.

9. The communication apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a screen, wherein said planar surface extends under said screen.

10. The communication apparatus of claim 9, wherein said screen is a liquid crystal display screen.

11. The data communication apparatus of claim 6, wherein said communication apparatus is a radiotelephone.

12. A method of forming a contact device comprising:

forming a first insulating film having a dome and a planar surface surrounding said dome;

forming a contact electrode on an inner surface of said dome;

forming a second insulating film;

forming a detection circuit located over said second insulating film, said detection circuit detecting an electric contact between said contact electrode and said detection circuit; and

forming an electroluminescent layer on said planar surface of said first insulating film having said dome, wherein said planar surface is located between a portion of said detection circuit and said electroluminescent layer, and said dome is contactable by a contact pin.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said electroluminescent layer is formed on said planar surface without being formed on said dome.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein said electroluminescent layer is formed after forming said first insulating film having said dome to prevent damage to said electroluminescent layer.