Keypads and key switches
US6911608B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 23, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jun 28, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 23, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2229/004
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A keypad with both elevated and non-elevated key regions, and key switches disposed beneath both types of key regions. The non-elevated key regions each provide corresponding character output based on an operation algorithm that considers activation of at least one adjacent elevated key region as well as activation of the switch below the non-elevated key region. The keypad includes a keymat that is rigidly held at its perimeter in a stretched condition across a switch substrate. The key switches include metal snap domes that have an elevated central region forming a downwardly facing cavity defined at its edge by a ridge disposed above the switch contacts that electrically engages multiple switch contacts in an annular contact zone.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.