Dual tactility keypad switch
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A keypad assembly, comprising:
- a substrate having at least one set of electrical contact points comprising a first conductive electric-contact area, a second conductive electric-contact area, and a third conductive electric-contact area;
a membrane comprising at least one domed element having a conductive element fixedly attached to said membrane, said conductive element configured to interface with one or more of said set of electrical contact points witha soft press comprising a first conductive connection between at least one of said electrical contact points, anda hard press comprising a second conductive connection between at least one of said electrical contact points; and
a logic component in operative communication with said substrate and said membrane, said logic component configured to distinguish between said soft press and said hard press.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A keypad assembly comprising a substrate, a membrane, and a logic component. The substrate has at least one set of electrical contact points that comprise a first, second, and a third conductive electric-contact area. The membrane comprises domed elements having a conductive elements fixedly attached thereto. Each conductive element is configured to interface with one or more of the electrical contact points with a soft press and a hard press. The logic component is in operative communication with the substrate and the membrane. The logic component is configured to distinguish between the soft press and the hard press.
25 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A keypad assembly, comprising:
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a substrate having at least one set of electrical contact points comprising a first conductive electric-contact area, a second conductive electric-contact area, and a third conductive electric-contact area; a membrane comprising at least one domed element having a conductive element fixedly attached to said membrane, said conductive element configured to interface with one or more of said set of electrical contact points with a soft press comprising a first conductive connection between at least one of said electrical contact points, and a hard press comprising a second conductive connection between at least one of said electrical contact points; and a logic component in operative communication with said substrate and said membrane, said logic component configured to distinguish between said soft press and said hard press. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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10. A method of assembling a keypad having at least one key configured to perform at least two functions, the method comprising:
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providing a substrate having at least one set of electrical contact points comprising a first conductive electric-contact area, a second conductive electric-contact area, and a third conductive electric-contact area; providing a membrane comprising at least one domed element having a conductive element fixedly attached to said membrane, said conductive element configured to interface with one or more of said set of electrical contact points; providing a resting position wherein said domed conductive element and said electrical contact points are electrically disconnected; generating a first logic function after a soft press, said soft press resulting from said conductive element being in electrical contact with at least one of said electrical contact points; generating a second logic function after a hard press, said hard press comprising said conductive element being in electrical contact with at least one of said electrical contact points, said hard press established by increased pressure on said membrane relative to said soft press.
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18. A keypad assembly, comprising:
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a substrate having at least one set of electrical contact points comprising a first conductive electric-contact area, a second conductive electric-contact area, and a third conductive electric-contact area, means for flexibly engaging said electrical contact points having a conductive element configured to flexibly engage said electrical contact points in response to varying pressure, said means for flexibly engaging said electrical contact points comprising at least one domed element configured to interface with said first conductive electric-contact area, said second conductive electric-contact area, and said third conductive electric-contact area; and a means for enabling said keypad to identify a first logical function after a soft press; a means for enabling said keypad to identify a second logical function after a hard press; and a resting position wherein said conductive element and said electrical contact points are electrically disconnected. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification