694 results about "Membrane switch" patented technology

A two-level pressure sensitive keyboard includes at least one key and a membrane switch circuit module. The membrane switch circuit module includes a first contact, a second contact, a first spacing layer for separating the first contact from the second contact, a third contact, a fourth contact, and a second spacing layer for separating the third contact from the fourth contact. The thickness of the second spacing layer is greater than that of the first spacing layer. When the key is depressed in response to the first pressure, the first contact and the second contact are electrically connected with each other to generate a first sensing signal. When the key is depressed in response to the second pressure, the first contact and the second contact are electrically connected with each other and the third contact and fourth contact are electrically connected with each other to generate a second sensing signal.

A proximity sensor for a transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) system detects the proximity of a TMS coil assembly to a position at which the coil is to receive pulses during TMS treatment and provides feedback to the operator so that the operator may adjust the TMS coil assembly as necessary to maintain optimal positioning during treatment. A flexible substrate containing a sensor or sensor array is disposed between the TMS coil assembly and the position such that the coupling of the TMS coil assembly to the position may be detected by the sensor(s). Sensor outputs are processed by signal processing circuitry to provide an indication of whether the TMS coil assembly is properly disposed with respect to the position during TMS treatment. A display may be used to provide an indication of how to adjust the TMS coil assembly to improve the positioning of the TMS coil assembly. On the other hand, a sound generator may be used to generate a sound that indicates to an operator whether the TMS coil assembly is properly positioned at the position. Many different types of sensor devices may be used to detect proximity, including membrane switches, variable resistance sensors, resistive strips, touch screens, pickup loops, fluid displacement sensors, optical sensors, acoustic sensors, inductive coupling sensors, capacitive coupling sensors, temperature sensors, and the like.

Methods and systems for facilitating initiation of resupply orders for consumable commodities include using a stand-alone electronic or audio-generating device incorporated into retail product packaging. The stand-alone device is equipped with a rudimentary processor or logic circuit, a memory, and a wireless transmitter. A simple user interface/activation device such as a push button or membrane switch is coupled to the logic circuit or processor. The stand-alone device is incorporated into or with product packaging, and may be configured with a resupply code at or after a point of sale. A user may activate the user interface of the device when the product needs resupplying, causing the resupply code to be transmitted to an access point or terminal that initiates a reorder sequence for the product.

A sensor for identifying fingerprints or other skin textures includes an array of cells each including a membrane switch. Each switch includes a fixed lower electrode disposed on a chip substrate, and a flexible membrane disposed over the lower electrode and capable of flexing downward to establish electrical contact between the lower electrode and an upper electrode. The upper electrode can form the membrane itself or a layer of the membrane, or can be attached to other membrane layers. Switches situated underneath skin ridges change state (e.g. are closed) by the applied pressure, while switches underneath skin valleys remain in their quiescent state (e.g. open). Adjacent switch chambers are connected by fluid tunnels which allow the passage of air between the chambers. Each chamber is substantially closed to the exterior of the sensor, such that particles from the environment cannot contaminate the switch contact surface defined between the switch electrodes. The cells are preferably not hermetically sealed, such that the pressure within the chamber interiors can stay equal to the external (atmospheric) pressure in varying environmental conditions. The membrane design of the cells according to the preferred embodiment allows improved sensor robustness, enhanced resistance to impact forces, decreased vulnerability to particle contamination, and reduced inter-cell crosstalk.

According to one embodiment, a keyboard includes keytops supported on a substrate and a membrane switch placed between the keytops and the substrate. The membrane switch has an electrically insulating membrane sheet on which a plurality of contacts operated by the keytops are formed. A light source is mounted on the membrane sheet. A conductor pattern configured to supply an electric current to the light source is formed on the membrane sheet. Further, a lightguide plate configured to lead light emitted by the light source to the keytops is stacked on the membrane sheet.

A thermostat is provided that comprises a touch-sensitive transparent membrane adapted to be affixed over a display, where the transparent membrane has a plurality of membrane switches. The thermostat comprises a microprocessor in communication with the plurality of membrane switches, and has a memory for storing a program for controlling the operation of the climate control system. The thermostat further comprises a display device responsive to the microprocessor for displaying a first screen having at least a first user-interface icon associated with at least one membrane switch, where in response to the user touching the membrane switch associated with the first user-interface icon the display device displays a second screen having at least a run user-interface icon and a schedule user-interface icon.

The invention discloses conductive ink based on a graphene composite material and a preparation method thereof. The conductive ink is prepared from the following components in parts by mass: 1-30 parts of a functional graphene composite material, 1-70 parts of a resin coupling agent, 5-60 parts of a solvent and 1-40 parts of an auxiliary. According to the method, graphene is modified into a functional graphene composite material, low density and high conductivity of graphene can be maintained, the situation that graphene is easily agglomerated and difficult to disperse can be improved, and then affinity between conductive filler and a resin connecting material is improved, so that the high-conductivity conductive ink under a low-content conductive agent can be successfully prepared. The conductive ink is simple in preparation method, stable in system, good in conductivity and easy to print, has a flexible and abrasion-resistance membrane layer, can be widely applied to radio frequency tags, intelligent package, film switches, conductive circuits, sensors and other light flexible electronic products, and has a huge market prospect.

The invention provides a membrane switching circuit and a keystroke using the membrane switching circuit. An insulating layer of the membrane switching circuit is provided with an annular opening. The bottom of an elastic element is matched with the annular opening of the insulating layer and bonded to the annular opening by an adhesive. The annular opening can assist the elastic element to be accurately bonded to a designated position. In addition, the annular opening can prevent the adhesive from overflowing out of the annular opening.

An illuminating membrane switch includes an upper membrane sheet and a lower membrane sheet. The lower membrane sheet includes an electroluminescent device and a plurality of lower lead wires disposed on the illuminating surface of the electroluminescent device. An insulating spacer layer is further disposed on the illuminating surface of the electroluminescent device, and separates the upper lead wires of the upper membrane sheet from the lower lead wire. When a pressing force acting on the illuminating membrane is sufficient, the upper lead wire and the lower lead wire at the pressing position can contact each other through the opening of the insulating spacer layer so as to form a closed circuit. The keyboard can light up the symbols on the surfaces of key caps by light emitted from the illuminating membrane for a user to identify the function or alphabetic input of each key cap, and detect any input from a keystroke.

The invention discloses a light-emitting keyboard comprising a key structure and a backlight membrane switch device which comprises a light source, a light guide plate, a circuit board and a spacing board. The light guide plate comprises a first circuit layer. The circuit board comprises a second circuit layer and a light source circuit layer. The first circuit layer and the second circuit layer are used for generating a key switch signal. The light source circuit layer is used for driving the light source to emitting light. The first circuit layer is arranged on the light guide plate so that use amount of a substrate is reduced and the light-emitting keyboard is thinned. The second circuit layer and the light source circuit layer share connecting pins so that convenience in assembling the backlight membrane switch device is increased.

A keyboard device includes at least one luminous key, at least one light-emitting element, a membrane switch circuit member, an opaque seal structure, and a transparent seal structure. The luminous key has a light-transmissible zone. The light-emitting element is electrically connected with the membrane switch circuit member, and disposed under the light-transmissible zone. A top surface of the light-emitting element is encapsulated by the transparent seal structure. The transparent seal structure is partially surrounded by the opaque seal structure. Consequently, the light beam from the light-emitting element is transmissible through the transparent seal structure, and directed to the light-transmissible zone.

An interface peripheral (101) for delivering haptic feedback includes a plurality of user input elements (107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112) that can be configured as keys. An engagement layer (222) or mechanical sheet spans two or more of the keys. One or more motion generation components (228, 229) can be coupled to the engagement layer. When a user actuates a key, it translates to close a switch, which can be a membrane switch or force sensing resistive switch. A control module (2105) actuates a motion generation component and the engagement layer (222) engages the actuated key or keys via either compression engagement or translation engagement. A haptic response (617) is delivered to the engaged key via the engagement layer.