Flexible membrane keyboard

• US 6,603,408 B1
• Filed: 06/28/2000
• Issued: 08/05/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Brenda Lewellen Gaba
• Original Assignee: Brenda Lewellen Gaba
• Inventors: Gaba, Brenda Lewellen
• Primary Examiner(s): EDWARDS JR, TIMOTHY
• Application Number:
  US09/605,916
• Time in Patent Office: 1,133 Days
• Field of Search: 341/22, 341/34, 200/280, 200/281, 200/511, 200/512, 200/513, 200/514
• US Class Current: 341/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0221 Arrangements for reducing keyboard size for transport or storage, e.g. foldable keyboards, keyboards with collapsible keys G06F3/0216 takes precedence; for keyboards integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/1666
• 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 13/785 characterised by the material of the contacts, e.g. conductive polymers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2201/036 Variable resistance
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/018 Indication of switch sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/052 reductible in size, e.g. for transportation

Abstract

A flexible membrane keyboard comprises opposed flexible plastic membranes having pressure sensitive switches embedded therebetween. Each pressure sensitive switch is individual to a particular letter, numeral, symbol, or function. A microprocessor is connected to each of the pressure sensitive switches and generates a keyboard output indicative of the pressure sensitive switch or group of pressure sensitive switches that is actuated at any particular time.

Claims

1. A flexible computer keyboard comprising:

a pair of overlying upper and lower flexible plastic membranes;

a plurality of discrete self-contained pressure sensitive switches each enclosed in a housing having at least a flexible upper surface for operator activation;

each of the switches being embedded between but otherwise independent of said flexible plastic membranes and comprising an individual key of the keyboard;

each of said discrete self-contained pressure sensitive switches adapted for actuation by engagement thereof through said flexible upper surface to generate a predetermined output;

a microprocessor connected to each of said discrete self-contained pressure sensitive switches for generating a keyboard output representative of the particular discrete self-contained switch or group of discrete self-contained switches that is actuated at a particular time;

at least one of the flexible membranes being relieved to provide plurality of interior cavities each for receiving one of said discrete self-contained switches;

the upper surface of the upper flexible membrane comprising a plurality of raised portions aligned with each corresponding discrete self-contained switch.

2. The flexible computer keyboard as in claim 1 wherein at least one of the flexible membranes is relieved to provide a plurality of interior cavities each for receiving one of said discrete self-contained switches.