Capacitive sensing device for use in a keypad assembly
First Claim
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1. A capacitive sensor comprising:
- a substantially transparent substrate;
a first substantially transparent capacitive sensor trace and a plurality of isolated shapes disposed above said substantially transparent substrate in a common layer and in a single disposition process, wherein each of said plurality of isolated shapes is substantially transparent;
insulator material disposed between at least two adjacent isolated shapes of said plurality of isolated shapes; and
conductive material disposed above a portion of said plurality of isolated shapes and electrically coupling said at least two adjacent isolated shapes such that said at least two adjacent isolated shapes become configured to comprise a second substantially transparent capacitive sensor trace, said conductive material electrically insulated from said first substantially transparent capacitive sensor trace by said insulator material.
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Abstract
One embodiment in accordance with the present invention includes a capacitive sensing device for use in a keypad assembly of an electronic system. The capacitive sensing device includes a substantially transparent single sheet capacitive sensor. The substantially transparent single sheet capacitive sensor is configured to be disposed within the keypad assembly without requiring the formation of key post holes therethrough. Additionally, the substantially transparent single sheet capacitive sensor has a flexibility which enables desired tactile response during use of keys of the keypad assembly.
73 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A capacitive sensor comprising:
- a substantially transparent substrate;
a first substantially transparent capacitive sensor trace and a plurality of isolated shapes disposed above said substantially transparent substrate in a common layer and in a single disposition process, wherein each of said plurality of isolated shapes is substantially transparent;
insulator material disposed between at least two adjacent isolated shapes of said plurality of isolated shapes; and
conductive material disposed above a portion of said plurality of isolated shapes and electrically coupling said at least two adjacent isolated shapes such that said at least two adjacent isolated shapes become configured to comprise a second substantially transparent capacitive sensor trace, said conductive material electrically insulated from said first substantially transparent capacitive sensor trace by said insulator material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 28, 29, 30)
- a substantially transparent substrate;
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13. A method for providing a capacitive sensor, said method comprising:
- disposing a first substantially transparent capacitive sensor trace and a plurality of isolated shapes above a substantially transparent substrate in a common layer and in a single disposition process, wherein said first substantially transparent capacitive sensor trace is arranged in a first direction, and wherein each of said plurality of isolated shapes is substantially transparent;
disposing an insulator between at least two adjacent isolated shapes of said plurality of isolated shapes; and
electrically coupling said at least two adjacent isolated shapes with conductive material, such that said plurality of isolated shapes becomes configured to comprise a second substantially transparent capacitive sensor trace, wherein said second substantially transparent capacitive sensor trace is arranged in a second direction different from said first direction, said conductive material electrically insulated from said first substantially transparent capacitive sensor trace by said insulator. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 31)
- disposing a first substantially transparent capacitive sensor trace and a plurality of isolated shapes above a substantially transparent substrate in a common layer and in a single disposition process, wherein said first substantially transparent capacitive sensor trace is arranged in a first direction, and wherein each of said plurality of isolated shapes is substantially transparent;
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17. A capacitive sensor comprising:
- a substantially transparent substrate;
a first pattern of conductive shapes adapted for forming a first set of capacitive sensor traces arranged along a first direction, said first pattern of conductive shapes disposed above said substantially transparent substrate and comprised of a substantially transparent material;
a second pattern of conductive shapes comprising a plurality of isolated shapes, said second pattern of conductive shapes comprised of said substantially transparent material, wherein said plurality of isolated shapes and said first pattern of conductive shapes are in a common layer that is disposed above said substantially transparent substrate in a single common disposition process;
a conductive material electrically coupling isolated shapes of said plurality of isolated shapes to form a second set of capacitive sensor traces arranged along a second direction different from said first direction; and
an insulator material disposed between said first pattern of conductive shapes and said conductive material, said insulator material configured to electrically insulate said first pattern of conductive shapes from said conductive material. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 32)
- a substantially transparent substrate;
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22. A method for providing a capacitive sensor, said method comprising:
- disposing a first pattern of capacitive sensor traces and a second pattern of capacitive sensor traces above a substantially transparent substrate in a common layer and in a single common disposition process, said first pattern of capacitive sensor traces and said second pattern of capacitive sensor traces comprised of a substantially transparent material, disposing an insulator material over said substantially transparent substrate, wherein said insulator material overlaps said first pattern of capacitive sensor traces in said capacitive sensor; and
disposing a conductive material for electrically coupling portions of said second pattern of capacitive sensor traces over said substantially transparent substrate, wherein said conductive material overlaps both said insulator material and said first pattern of capacitive sensor traces in said capacitive sensor. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 33)
- disposing a first pattern of capacitive sensor traces and a second pattern of capacitive sensor traces above a substantially transparent substrate in a common layer and in a single common disposition process, said first pattern of capacitive sensor traces and said second pattern of capacitive sensor traces comprised of a substantially transparent material, disposing an insulator material over said substantially transparent substrate, wherein said insulator material overlaps said first pattern of capacitive sensor traces in said capacitive sensor; and
Specification