Abstract:
A two-stage switch apparatus includes: a PCB including first and second electrodes; a conductive dome disposed on the PCB; an insulating film covering a surface of the conductive dome on a side opposite to the PCB, and third and fourth electrodes above the conductive dome; and a button actuator provided over a side of the insulating film, which is opposite the PCB. The button actuator includes a conductive elastic body protruding to the side of the insulating film at positions corresponding to both the third and fourth electrodes. An analog portion is formed by the conductive elastic body, the third electrode and the fourth electrode, when the conductive elastic body contacts both the third and fourth electrodes. A digital portion is formed by the conductive dome and the second electrode, when the button actuator is pressed and the conductive dome is indented.
Abstract:
An operating device for a cooktop has a cover with a control panel with a plurality of operating areas. Below the panel, several FSR sensors are positioned. When a control panel is pushed down by a process of operation, the FSR sensor changes its electrical resistance resulting in change of a signals that can be detected and interpreted as operation of the appliance by a user.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a conductive resin composition that comprises a complex of poly(3,4-dialkoxythiophene) and a polyanion, wherein the complex has a conductivity of 0.30 S/cm or more. This composition is preferably used for production of a conductive film having a conducting layer made of the composition, and the resulting conductive film is preferably used in a resistive-type film switch.
Abstract:
A first resistor layer is formed on the lower surface of a base in film form, and at the same time, a second resistor layer in which particles of different particle diameters are dispersed is formed and layered on the lower surface of the first resistor layer, and thus, a pressure sensitive conductive sheet is formed. In this configuration, the second resistor layer in uneven form makes contact with the fixed contacts in accordance with a pressing force so that electrical connection is made via the second resistor layer and the first resistor layer, and therefore, a thin panel switch with little fluctuation in the resistance value resulting from repeated operation where a stable resistance value can be gained can be realized.
Abstract:
A multimodal electronic device (100) includes a shutter enabled dynamic keypad for presenting one of a plurality of keypad configurations to a user. Each keypad configuration, which is presented by an optical shutter (204) that opens or closes windows or shutters that are geometrically configured as alphanumeric or device keys or symbols. Each keypad configuration, in one embodiment, is limited to those needed for the particular mode of operation of the device (100). The optical shutter (204) is a low-resolution display that presents user actuation targets to a user in a low-resolution key area. As each mode of the device changes, the corresponding keypad configuration presented changes accordingly.
Abstract:
A foil-type switching element comprises a first elastic carrier foil (A) having a first thickness (a) and a second elastic carrier foil (C) having a second thickness (c), which are arranged at a certain distance (b) from each other by means of a spacer (B). The switching element is configured such that a maximum deflection of at least one of said first or second carrier foils is equal to or greater than ⅘ of said distance (b) between said first and second carrier foils and/or a maximum deflection of at least one of said first or second carrier foil is equal to or greater than ⅘ of said thickness of said carrier foil.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a pressure sensor in the form of a film, comprising a first carrier film and a second carrier film which are arranged at a certain distance from each other by means of a spacer. The distance holder comprises at least one recess which defines an active region of the pressure sensor wherein both of the carrier films are arranged opposite each other, also comprising a first electrode and a second electrode and a layer made of pressure-sensitive material. The first electrode, the second electrode and the layer made of pressure-sensitive material are disposed in the active region on the first and/or second carrier film such that when the carrier films are pressed together through the pressure sensitive layer, electric contact is produced between the first and the second electrode. According to the invention, the pressure sensor comprises at least one third electrode which is disposed in the active region of the pressure sensor on the first and second carrier film such that when the carrier films are pressed together though the pressure sensitive layer, electric contact is produced between the third electrode and the first electrode and/or between the third electrode and the second electrode.
Abstract:
In a data-input device an actuator element that can be manually actuated, and a sensor mechanically coupled to the actuator element. The sensor is formed in a body of semiconductor material housing a first sensitive element, which detects the actuation of the actuator element and generates electrical control signals. The first sensitive element is a microelectromechanical pressure sensor, formed by: a cavity made within the body; a diaphragm made in a surface portion of the body and suspended above the cavity; and piezoresistive transducer elements integrated in peripheral surface portions of the diaphragm in order to detect its deformations upon actuation of the actuator element.
Abstract:
Data processing apparatus (101 and 102) configured to receive signals from an input sensor (106) arranged to duplicate or replace operations of a keyboard, in which the signals correspond to positions of mechanical interactions with the sensor (106). The apparatus comprises processing means (1202) configured to process data derived from the input sensor including positional data corresponding to the position of a mechanical interaction with said input sensor (106) and a second data type corresponding to the absence of a mechanical interaction with said input sensor. The processing means (1202) is configured to generate data representing a first character in response to processing an item of data of said second type followed by positional data corresponding to a first position, and to generate data representing a different second character in response to processing positional data corresponding to a different second position followed by an item of data of said second type.
Abstract:
The cost and complexity of an electronic pressure sensitive transducer are decreased by constructing such a transducer directly on a printed circuit board containing support electronics. Conductive traces are formed on the printed circuit board to define a contact area. A flexible substrate having an inner surface is positioned over the contact area. An adhesive spacer, substantially surrounding the contact area, attaches the flexible substrate to the printed circuit board. At least one resistive layer is deposited on the flexible substrate inner surface. In use, the resistive layer contacts at least two conductive traces in response to pressure applied to the flexible substrate to produce an electrical signal indicative of applied pressure.