Keyboard with integrated pointing stick cable
First Claim
1. A computer keyboard assembly comprising:
- a) a housing having a plurality of keys extending through;
b) a flexible membrane located adjacent the housing, the flexible membrane having circuit lines and switch pads, the keys being adapted to mechanically close the switch pads when depressed;
c) a pointing stick cable attached to the flexible membrane, the circuit lines extending onto the pointing stick cable from the flexible membrane;
d) a backing plate having a first and a second surface, the backing plate supporting the membrane, the membrane located between the first surface of the backing plate and the housing; and
e) a pointing module attached to the second surface of the backing plate, the pointing module electrically connected to the pointing stick cable such that electrical signals from the pointing module are conducted to the circuit lines on the pointing stick cable.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A computer keyboard assembly has flexible membrane that is located adjacent a housing. The flexible membrane has circuit lines and an integral pointing stick cable. The circuit lines extend onto the pointing stick cable from the flexible membrane. Keys are electrically connected to the circuit lines. A backing plate structurally supports the flexible membrane. The membrane is located between the backing plate and the housing. A pointing module is attached to the backing plate. The pointing module is electrically connected to the pointing stick cable such that electrical signals from the pointing module are conducted to the circuit lines on the pointing stick cable. The pointing stick cable wraps around a side of the backing plate.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A computer keyboard assembly comprising:
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a) a housing having a plurality of keys extending through;
b) a flexible membrane located adjacent the housing, the flexible membrane having circuit lines and switch pads, the keys being adapted to mechanically close the switch pads when depressed;
c) a pointing stick cable attached to the flexible membrane, the circuit lines extending onto the pointing stick cable from the flexible membrane;
d) a backing plate having a first and a second surface, the backing plate supporting the membrane, the membrane located between the first surface of the backing plate and the housing; and
e) a pointing module attached to the second surface of the backing plate, the pointing module electrically connected to the pointing stick cable such that electrical signals from the pointing module are conducted to the circuit lines on the pointing stick cable. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An input device suitable for use in a selective visual display system, comprising:
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a) a keyboard, having;
a1) a plurality of keys controlled by tactile force;
a2) a generally planar backing plate having a first and a second surface;
b) a flexible membrane located between the keys and the first surface of the backing plate, the flexible membrane having a plurality of circuit lines and switch pads thereon;
c) a pointing stick cable extending from the flexible membrane, the pointing stick cable having a first end and a second end, the first end attached to the flexible membrane, the pointing stick cable wrapping around the backing plate from the first surface to the second surface; and
d) a pointing module attached to the second surface of the backing plate, the pointing module electrically connected to the second end of the pointing stick cable such that electrical signals from the pointing module are conducted through the pointing stick cable to the flexible membrane. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification