Switch device with operating modes of capacitive proximity and mechanical actuation
US5270710A · kind A · utility
88Cited by
2References
10Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 27, 1991 |
| Grant date | Dec 14, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 27, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2239/006
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A switch device with two modes of operation includes at least one switch comprising, carried by a substrate, two conductive lands and an electrically conductive elastic capsule in contact with one land and, in the unoperated condition, overlying the other land so as to be capable of being urged into contact with the latter. An electrical signal from a source is applied to the capsule. A circuit measures variations of the signal due to the proximity of an electrically conductive object. The device can be used to implement matrix keyboards combining the functions of a conventional keypad and a tactile pad.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.