A membrane keyboard (10, 110) producing audible (94, 187) and tactile (80, 182) responses when individual character keys are depressed. To facilitate typing efficiency, the keyboard has membrane characters keys with different transverse heights and adjustable sensory responses (84, 184).

Membrane keyboard and method of using same

The present invention relates to stretchable interconnects which can be made in various geometric configurations, depending on the intended application. The stretchable interconnects can be formed of an electrically conducting film or an elastomer material to provide elastic properties in which the interconnects can be reversibly stretched in order to stretch and relax the elastomer material to its original configuration. Alternatively, stretchable interconnects can be formed of an electrically conducting film or a plastic material to provide stretching of the material to a stretched position and retaining the stretched configuration. The stretchable interconnect can be formed of a flat 2-dimensional conductive film covering an elastomeric or plastic substrate. When this structure is stretched in one or two dimensions, it retains electrical conduction in both dimensions. Alternatively, the stretchable and/or elastic interconnects can be formed of a film or stripe that is formed on an elastomeric or plastic substrate such that it is buckled randomly, or organized in waves with long-range periodicity. The buckling or waves can be induced by various techniques, including: release of built-in stress of the conductive film or conductive stripe; pre-stretching the substrate prior to the fabrication of the conductive film or conductive stripe; and patterning of the surface of the substrate prior to the fabrication of the metal film. The stretchable interconnect can be formed of a plurality of conductive films or conductive stripes embedded between a plurality of layers of a substrate formed of an elastomer or plastic.

Stretchable and elastic interconnects

A touch panel diaphragm-type switch array providing improved tactile feedback A rigid substrate having a printed circuit conductor pattern thereon, with the pattern defining a plurality of switch locations, each including first and second separate electrical contacts is provided and superimposed thereover is a spacer having apertures in registration with the electrical contact pairs Sandwiched between the substrate and the spacer is a thin layer of a suitable plastic material which is deformed in the areas defined by the apertures in the spacer to define dome-shaped projections surrounded by an annular ring A bridging conductor is disposed on the underside of the dome-shaped projections "Spider" members are supported by the side walls of the apertures and are disposed between the outer side of the dome-shaped projections and a flexible plastic cover layer which is affixed to the top side of the spacer layer The cover layer is imprinted with indicia to visually define the switch positions Depression of the cover layer with a finger acts through the spider to invert the dome to thereby bring the bridging conductor into electrical engagement with the first and second switching contacts on the substrate A positive feel is imparted to the finger as the dome inverts and the electrical contact is established

Tactile touch switch panel

Sealed keyboard sandwich having actuator means, a plurality of contactor means, a plurality of contact means and support means therefore, said contacts and contactors forming a plurality of key units, and gas passage means positioned between said actuator means and said support means for selectively permitting the flow of trapped gas from the key units upon depression of a portion thereof. In the preferred structure the sandwich is hermetically sealed from the outside atmosphere.

Keyboard switch assembly having internal gas passages preformed in spacer member

An improved semiconductor assembly includes a semiconductor die that is mounted on a carrier, such as a tape or a substrate, by means of an anisotropically electrically conductive adhesive. The adhesive forms an electrically conductive path between electrical conductors on the carrier and other conductors on the die so that the die can be probe tested before the adhesive is cured and before the die is permanently bonded to the carrier.

Semiconductor die bonding with conductive adhesive

A keyboard device utilizing a conductive plastic material layer which contacts circuit elements or pathways, the improvement of snapable plastic means raised on a pedestal through which it snaps through center to provide a feel of completion of circuit contact to the user.

Keyboard switch assembly with dome shaped actuator having associated underlying contactor means

A keyboard device which includes a frame having a plurality of bores in which there is positioned a core for slideable motion therein, and a keyboard top positioned over the bores and preferably sealing each of the cores within the bores of the frame so that no particles of food or dust can accumulate between the cores and the frame while still permitting the cores to be depressed to cause a contactor means to engage contact means. In the preferred embodiment the cores are loose within the bores and are held therein from the top by said keyboard top. In addition, a mask to simulate the appearance of a frame about the portions of the top is provided. In addition, the preferred embodiment is sealed on the top and bottom to protect the in words from the environment.

Keyboard switch assembly with improved pushbutton and associated double snap acting actuator/contactor structure

Electrical interconnection and contacting system comprising an insulator flexible plastic, most preferably elastomeric material substrate having at least one layer of electrically conductive elastomeric material embedded therein. The present invention is useful in coupling integrated circuits or the like together or to other circuitry.

Electrical interconnection and contacting system

Keyboards having flexible plastic domes which snap when depressed to provide tactile feel, at least some of said domes formed from a sheet of plastic and having a bar shaped concave snap initiator formed in said dome, and an actuator comprising at least one cross bar for engaging the snap initiator to initiate dome depression in situations in which the actuator used to depress the dome does not effectively produce snapping of the conventional dome because of the shape of the actuator.

Richard E. Seeger

Papers

Keyboard switch assembly with dome shaped actuator having associated underlying contactor means

Keyboard switch assembly with improved pushbutton and associated double snap acting actuator/contactor structure

Electrical interconnection and contacting system

Keyboard switch assembly having flexible contact layer with snap initiator dome

Keyboard for a calculator or a combined calculator and watch or similar