Keypad construction
First Claim
1. A keypad comprising a keymat and a switch substrate underlying the keymat, whereinthe keymat comprises a continuous sheet with an exposed upper surface forming separate elevated independent key regions that each, when pressed independent of adjacent keys, produce an associated output, the sheet defining combination key regions between adjacent independent key regions that, when such adjacent independent key regions are pressed in combination, produce an output associated with the combination key region;
- the substrate comprising independent tactile feedback structures underlying respective independent key regions of the keymat, and combination key tactile feedback structures underlying respective combination key regions of the keymat.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An IACK keypad with independent key regions arranged in an array of multiple rows and columns, and combination key regions defined between rows and columns of the array of independent key regions. A trace matrix underlying the keymat either includes, in addition to normally isolated column traces and row traces underlying the independent key regions, trace extensions extending from the row and column traces to underlie the combination key regions, or additional row and column traces underlying the combination key regions and tied to other row and column traces. The trace extensions extend to within a contact region of an opposed electrical contact, such as on a snap dome, beneath the combination key region. Independent and combination key snap domes are constructed to insure singular tactile feedback during combination key operation.
69 Citations
62 Claims
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1. A keypad comprising a keymat and a switch substrate underlying the keymat, wherein
the keymat comprises a continuous sheet with an exposed upper surface forming separate elevated independent key regions that each, when pressed independent of adjacent keys, produce an associated output, the sheet defining combination key regions between adjacent independent key regions that, when such adjacent independent key regions are pressed in combination, produce an output associated with the combination key region; the substrate comprising independent tactile feedback structures underlying respective independent key regions of the keymat, and combination key tactile feedback structures underlying respective combination key regions of the keymat. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61)
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62. A keypad comprising a keymat and a switch substrate underlying the keymat, the keymat comprising a continuous sheet defining both
an active region in which an exposed upper surface forms separate elevated independent key regions that, when pressed independent of adjacent key regions, produces an associated output, the sheet defining combination key regions between adjacent independent key regions that, when pressed in combination, produce an output associated with the combination key region; - and
a deflection zone about a perimeter of the active region, the keymat having a lower stiffness in the deflection zone than in the active region.
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Specification