Switch arrays and systems employing the same to enhance system reliability
First Claim
1. An input system, comprising:
- an array of touch regions, wherein at least one of the touch regions is aligned with a sensing structure for sensing a user input, the sensing structure comprising;
a first conductive region;
a second conductive region aligned with the first conductive region, the second conductive region including a first conductive pattern forming a first switch terminal and a second conductive pattern forming a second switch terminal, the first conductive pattern separated by a space from the second conductive pattern; and
a third conductive region between the first conductive region and the second conductive region, the third conductive region electrically coupling the first switch terminal to the second switch terminal to provide a first indication when the switch is open and a second indication when the switch is closed;
wherein the plurality of conductive members comprises a first set of parallel members and a second set of parallel members, the first set being orthogonal to the second set.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An input system is delineated comprising an array of touch regions. At least one touch region is aligned with a sensing structure. The sensing structure comprises a first conductive region; a second conductive region aligned with the first conductive region, the second conductive region including a first conductive pattern forming a first switch terminal and a second conductive pattern forming a second switch terminal, the first conductive pattern separated by a space from the second conductive pattern; and a third conductive region between the first conductive region and the second conductive region, the third conductive region electrically coupling the first switch terminal to the second switch terminal to provide a first indication when the switch is open and a second indication when the switch is closed. Also delineated is a control panel including a plurality of such switches, as well as an appliance including such a control panel.
85 Citations
31 Claims
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1. An input system, comprising:
an array of touch regions, wherein at least one of the touch regions is aligned with a sensing structure for sensing a user input, the sensing structure comprising; a first conductive region; a second conductive region aligned with the first conductive region, the second conductive region including a first conductive pattern forming a first switch terminal and a second conductive pattern forming a second switch terminal, the first conductive pattern separated by a space from the second conductive pattern; and a third conductive region between the first conductive region and the second conductive region, the third conductive region electrically coupling the first switch terminal to the second switch terminal to provide a first indication when the switch is open and a second indication when the switch is closed; wherein the plurality of conductive members comprises a first set of parallel members and a second set of parallel members, the first set being orthogonal to the second set. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A control panel, comprising:
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a first support layer; a second support layer; a spacer between the first support layer and the second support layer; and an array of touch regions on one or more of the first support layer and the second support layer, wherein at least one of the touch regions is aligned with a sensing structure for sensing a user input, the sensing structure comprising a switch between the first support layer and the second support layer, the switch comprising; a first conductive region; a second conductive region aligned with the first conductive region, the second conductive region including a first conductive pattern forming a first switch terminal and a second conductive pattern forming a second switch terminal, the first conductive pattern separated by a space from the second conductive pattern; and a third conductive region between the first conductive region and the second conductive region, the third conductive region electrically coupling the first switch terminal to the second switch terminal to provide a first indication when the switch is open and a second indication when the switch is closed. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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25. A system, comprising:
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an appliance; and a control panel coupled to the appliance for controlling the appliance, the control panel comprising; a first support layer; a second support layer; a spacer between the first support layer and the second support layer; and an array of touch regions on one or more of the first support layer and the second support layer, wherein at least one of the touch regions is aligned with a sensing structure for sensing a user input, the sensing structure comprising a switch between the first support layer and the second support layer, the switch comprising; a first conductive region; a second conductive region aligned with the first conductive region, the second conductive region including a first conductive pattern forming a first switch terminal and a second conductive pattern forming a second switch terminal, the first conductive pattern separated by a space from the second conductive pattern; and a third conductive region between the first conductive region and the second conductive region, the third conductive region electrically coupling the first switch terminal to the second switch terminal to provide a first indication when the switch is open and a second indication when the switch is closed. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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29. An input system, comprising:
an array of touch regions, wherein at least one of the touch regions is aligned with a sensing structure tor sensing a user input, the sensing structure comprising; a first conductive region; a second conductive region aligned with the first conductive region, the second conductive region including a first conductive pattern forming a first switch terminal and a second conductive pattern forming a second switch terminal, the first conductive pattern separated by a space from the second conductive pattern; and a third conductive region between the first conductive region and the second conductive region, the third conductive region electrically coupling the first switch terminal to the second switch terminal to provide a first indication when the switch is open and a second indication when the switch is closed; wherein the first conductive pattern and the second conductive pattern form a plurality of spirals.
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30. An input system, comprising:
an array of touch regions, wherein at least one of the touch regions is aligned with a sensing structure for sensing a user input, the sensing structure comprising; a first conductive region; a second conductive regions aligned with the first conductive region, the second conductive region including a first conductive pattern forming a first switch terminal and a second conductive pattern forming a second switch terminal, the first conductive pattern separated by a space from the second conductive pattern; and a third conductive region between the first conductive region, and the second conductive region, the third conductive region electrically coupling the first switch terminal to the second switch terminal to provide a first indication when the switch is open and a second indication when the switch is closed; wherein electrical current flows between the first terminal and the second terminal whether the switch is open or closed.
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31. An input system. comprising:
an array of touch regions, wherein at least one of the touch regions is aligned with a sensing structure for sensing a user input, the sensing structure comprising; a first conductive region; a second conductive region aligned with the first conductive region, the second conductive region including a first conductive pattern forming a first switch terminal and a second conductive pattern forming a second switch terminal, the first conductive pattern separated by a space from the second conductive pattern; and a third conductive region between the first conductive region and the second conductive region, the third conductive region electrically coupling the first switch terminal to the second switch terminal to provide a first indication when the switch is open and a second indication when the switch is closed; wherein a portion of the first conductive region contacts the third conductive region whether the switch is open or closed.
Specification