Die Erfindung betrifft ein sensierendes Flächenelement,

das eine Sensoranordnung (8) aus mehreren Sensoreinheiten (9) aufweist, wobei die Sensoreinheiten (9) jeweils mindestens einen taktilen Schalter aufweisen und bei Aktivierung ihres Schalters Signale ausgeben.

Erfindungsgemäß ist vorgesehen, dass

die Sensoreinheiten (9) jeweils mindestens einen Schwingkreis aufweisen,

die Schwingkreise parallel an gemeinsame Leiterbahnsysteme (10, 11) angeschlossen sind, und

die Signale der Sensoreinheiten (9) Stromsignale der Schwingkreise sind,

wobei die Stromsignale der Schwingkreise zumindest einiger Sensoreinheiten (9) des Flächenelementes (1) unterschiedlich sind.

A user-interface device comprises a plurality of indication elements (3), each provided with a visual indication (4), mounted on a structure (5). The indication elements (3) comprise identification means (9b, 10, 11, 11') adapted for co-operating with detection means (6, 7) of the device (1), for unique identification the indication elements (3). The identification means (9b, 10, 11, 11') comprise an electrically conductive layer (10) on a respective side face (6b) of the indication element (3) and an electrically insulating layer (9b) superimposed on the electrically conductive layer. The detection means (6, 7) comprise one or more contact elements (7) set up against a respective a side face (6b) of the indication element (3). The electrically insulating layer (9b) has one or more windows (11) for exposure of respective local portions of the underlying electrically conductive layer (10), each window (11) being made in a position substantially corresponding to a respective contact element (7).

Eine Eingabetastenanordnung für ein elektronisches oder elektrisches Gerät (12) umfaßt wenigstens eine Taste (2,3,4,6,7,8,11), die zwischen einer Ruhestellung und einer Betätigungsstellung bewegbar ist, einen durch Bewegen der Taste zwischen einem geschlossenen und einem offenen Zustand umschaltbaren Schaltkontakt und eine Verwaltungsschaltung (13,14,15) zum Überwachen von Bewegungen der Taste und zum Ausgeben eines die Ergebnisse der Überwachung anzeigenden Ergebnissignals an das elektronische oder elektrische Gerät (12). Die Verwaltungsschaltung liefert kein solches Ergebnissignal, solange der Zustand des Schaltkontakts unverändert bleibt oder von seinem der betätigten Taste zugeordneten Zustand in den der unbetätigten Taste zugeordneten Zustand übergeht. Ein solches Signal wird nur geliefert, wenn der Schaltkontakt von seinein der unbetätigten Taste zugeordneten Zustand in den der betätigten Taste zugeordneten Zustand übergeht.

A keyboard including a plurality of keys each having a same size and shape and disposed removably and slidably on a frame of the keyboard, the top of each key provided with a marking; a plurality of key switches fixedly mounted on the keyboard frame and each having a predetermined number of movable and fixed contact pairs at predetermined positions; and a plurality of protrusions same in number as the predetermined number and formed at the bottom surface of each key at positions corresponding to the predetermined positions of the contact pairs, the plurality of protrusions being arranged in each key in a different predetermined pattern; whereby when any one of the keys is actuated, the different predetermined pattern of the plurality of protrusions identifies the one of keys, based on a combination of the plurality of protrusions acting upon the predetermined number of contact pairs.

Es wird ein Drucktastenschalter beschrieben, der im wesentlichen aus einem drückbaren Tastenknopf und einem Schaltelement besteht und bei dem der Tastenknopf mehrere Bedienfelder aufweist. Die verschiedenen Bedienfelder ermöglichen, daß der Tastenschalter mit nur einem Tastenknopf mehrere, vorzugsweise bis zu sechs verschiedene Funktionen zu schalten vermag.

A membrane switch assembly (10) is comprised of spaced apart layers (12, 16) having corresponding patterns of conductive switch contacts (28, 28') arranged in series thereon, the layers (12, 16) being separated by spacing means (20) having openings therein. The switch contacts (28, 28') on each layer are spaced along a single conductive path (24, 24') so that a regular unit value of impedance means exists between the switch contacts (28,28'). When the electrical circuit is completed by closing a switch site, the resulting total impedance is essentially equal to the sum of the unit values of the impedance means along the circuit path formed by the closed switch.

A membrane switch assembly (10) is comprised of spaced apart layers (12, 16) having corresponding patterns of conductive switch contacts (28, 28') arranged in series thereon, the layers (12, 16) being separated by spacing means (20) having openings therein. The switch contacts (28, 28') on each layer are spaced along a single conductive path (24, 24') so that a regular unit value of impedance means exists between the switch contacts (28,28'). When the electrical circuit is completed by closing a switch site, the resulting total impedance is essentially equal to the sum of the unit values of the impedance means along the circuit path formed by the closed switch.

An improved, low cost, high speed keyboard encoding device is provided which develops directly encoded, valid and reliable multi-bit output signals and overcomes problems associated with tolerance errors and adverse environmental and usage conditions (e.g., manufacturing errors, dust, wear). The preferred encoding device includes a plurality of juxtaposed, flexible conductive strands or wires each having a number of axially spaced impact zones along the length thereof which are either insulated or electrically conductive; corresponding zones on the separate wires are operably aligned to cooperatively define a series of spaced impact zone sets each made up of a unique pattern of conductive and insulated zones. An electrically conductive, rubber-like resilient pad having a series of ridge-like elongated members respectively aligned with corre- _spon_ding impact zone sets is also provided which is designed for impact-shifting of the members into momentary contact with the associated zone sets, whereby electrical contact is made between the ridge members and the conductive impact zones of the set. The resulting circuit making and current flow directly generates a momentary, unique, digitalized output signal without the need for conventional encoding electronic circuitry. The device is particularly suited for use in an impact-type keyboard where, upon depression of each key, an associated resilient element is shifted, released, and allowed to overtravel its rest position and momentarily strike the encoding device at a location for shifting the appropriate pad ridge into contact with the adjacent impact zone set.