Abstract:
A keying mechanism is described which can be advantageously employed in a high density or highly miniaturized keyboard. The mechanism employs the principles of an elastic diaphragm switch but, instead of including a continuous elastomeric sheet, such switch comprises a discrete elastomeric plunger for each key operating position, the plungers being freely guided through an apertured guide plate. An elastomeric nomenclature sheet is provided on the guide plate to provide key indicia and to seal the mechanism against dust and dirt. A metallic grid having apertures at the key positions is provided on the nomenclature sheet and functions to prevent accidental triggering of the keyboard.
Abstract:
A manual keyboard includes a nomenclature bearing sheet supported on a rigid frame having finger keying openings through which soft elastomeric pads project. Below the pads an actuator sheet bearing clusters of individual projections is positioned with the projections aligned with the openings for operation of the actuable inputs of an array of diaphragm switches including a plurality of electrical contacts. Stops for projections include a peripheral array of additional projections which can be shorter, elevated adjacent surface areas or rings.
Abstract:
A two layer planar multicontact switch including a first substrate layer having a plurality of parallel conductive lines deposited on the upper surface thereof and a second diaphragm layer located over the substrate layer and having a plurality of parallel conductive lines deposited on the lower surface thereof. The conductive lines on the substrate are normal to the conductive lines on the diaphragm such that a plurality of matrix switch intersections are formed. The conductive lines on the substrate and the diaphragm have insulating material selectively deposited thereon to electrically isolate the upper and lower conductive lines except at the points of intersection. The diaphragm layer may be mechanically depressed at the intersection points to selectively connect the upper lines with the lower lines to form switch closure contacts. The diaphragm and the substrate are formed from transparent material so that the switch can be employed in combination with a visual display.
Abstract:
A plate capacitance is described which has only a single conductive coating. The capacitor comprises an insulating support substrate (12) and a number of pairs of electrodes (15a) to 24b). Each pair of electrodes forms a relatively narrow line of equipotential (62). The lines comprises a network of parallels over the surface of the substrate (12). The two electrodes of each pair have a complementary shape to establish a potential gradient along each line when the electrodes are supplied with differing electric potential. A complementary electric circuit supplies a potential difference to the capacitor whereby the position of a point on the surface of the substrate by the potential of that point can be established.
Abstract:
CAPACITIVE TWO DIMENSIONAL TABLET WITH SINGLE CONDUCTIVE LAYER A new capacitive tablet has a single layer in which electrodes provide capacitive coupling with a pen to produce signals that correspond to the X and Y dimensions of the position of the pen on the tablet. The electrodes in the single layer are in the form of pairs of complementary shaped, closely adjacent, conductive elements that extend in the Y dimension of the tablet. For sensing the pen position in the Y dimension, an alternating voltage is applied between the two elements of a pair and the pen receives a signal that is a function of the pen position in the Y dimension. The tablet includes a number of such pairs, each having a different X dimension position, and for sensing the pen position in the X dimension, the two electrodes of a pair are given an alternating voltage that differs progressively across the X dimension of the tablet.