Abstract: A touch switch apparatus emulating a mechanical switch includes a field effect sensor and an electric field stimulator mechanically associated with the field effect sensor. A field generation signal applied to the field effect sensor causes an electric field to be generated thereabout. The electric field stimulator can be moved between first and second positions with respect to the field effect sensor. When moved into proximity with the field effect sensor, the electric field stimulator disturbs the electric field. A detection circuit coupled to the field effect sensor detects and responds to the disturbance to the electric field.

Abstract: A touch panel includes a substrate, a first and a second patterned conductive layers respectively disposed on an upper surface of the substrate and a lower surface opposite to the upper surface. The substrate has a first sensing area and a first circuit bonding area located on the upper surface. The first patterned conductive layer includes a plurality of first sensing series and a plurality of first dummy patterns respectively located in the first sensing area and the first circuit bonding area. Each of the first sensing series is electrically insulated from each other and has a first terminal extending into the first circuit bonding area. The first dummy patterns surround each first terminal and are electrically insulated from each first terminal. A plurality of first dummy patterns intervenes between any two adjacent first terminals in the first circuit bonding area.

Abstract: An operating device for an electrical appliance comprises a control panel and an operating element arranged in the control panel for operation by rotary actuation. The operating element is mounted in a cup-like receptacle, at least one additional touch-sensitive switch being arranged in a region of the control panel adjacent to or around the operating element. Advantageously, this is a capacitive touch-sensitive switch with a capacitive sensor element.

Abstract: An input device includes a movable electrode and a capacitance detection electrode provided on the upper and lower sides of the resin film substrate, respectively. The movable electrode includes a moving section, and an immobile section. The moving section includes a protrusion. The end of the protrusion comes in contact with the upper side of the resin film substrate in an initial state, or is bonded to the upper side of the resin film substrate. The protrusion has a curved shape so that the side surface of the protrusion is depressed relative to a straight line that connects the end and the base of the protrusion having an approximately trapezoidal cross-sectional shape, or at least one step is formed on the side surface of the protrusion, and the width of the protrusion increases stepwise from the end to the base of the protrusion.

Abstract: A touch control button apparatus including a touch control light emitting surface, a touch sensing conductor, a touch sensing device and a light emitting device, which is under the touch control light emitting surface and surrounded by the touch sensing conductor. The touch sensing device detects the capacitance value variation of the touch sensing conductor when the touch control light emitting surface is touched by the object, to determine how the light emitting device is lightened.

Abstract: To improve the response speed of liquid crystal molecules when a liquid crystal display device is changed from an on state to an off state. A liquid crystal display device that includes a liquid crystal material between a substrate and a counter substrate; a plurality of pixels over the substrate; and a microstructure which is provided over the substrate, is in contact with the liquid crystal material, and includes a movable portion and a method for manufacturing the liquid crystal display device are provided. The microstructure may include a lower electrode, an upper electrode, and a space between the lower electrode and the upper electrode. The microstructure is manufactured through the steps of forming the lower electrode over the substrate, forming a sacrificial layer over the lower electrode, forming the upper electrode over the sacrificial layer, and removing the sacrificial layer by etching to form the space.

Abstract: A capacitive touch switch suitable for use in areas with high environmental and electrical contamination employs a complex excitation signal that is demodulated to better distinguish it from environmental effects. Improved discrimination allows these sensed signals to be offset against a signal developed by a reference electrode to allow the system to operate robustly with contamination on the electrodes that would otherwise trigger or obscure pulses.

Abstract: An electric capacitance-type touch switch, capable of reducing malfunction in switching operations and improving the degree of freedom in the visual design of switch, includes a detection circuit that can detect an electric capacitance change occurring when a human body approaches or contacts to an electrode. A sputter layer (i.e., a metallic thin film formed by sputtering) is provided on a surface of an upper lens (i.e., insulating base resin layer). The sputter layer can provide a beautiful metallic glossy appearance similar to a mirror surface. The sputter layer can be used as a panel surface providing a glossy appearance with iridescent or dichromatic effects obtainable from the hue of the base resin layer transmitted via the metallic layer. Furthermore, the sputter layer can be used as an electric capacitance detection electrode.

Abstract: An information handling system can include a base, a printed circuit board including a capacitive switch, and a cover. The printed circuit board can be attached to the base, and the cover can lie adjacent to the printed circuit board. The capacitive switch can be configured to change state when an object is close to the cover. The cover can be configured such that it can be detached from the remainder of the information handling system while the printed circuit board remains attached to the base. The configuration of the printed circuit board and cover can be particularly useful when maintaining a keyboard or a touch pad or when replacing the cover.

Abstract: An electrostatic capacitance type input device is provided which has a structure in which translucent electrodes are aligned on the same layer in two axial directions, and has features that jumpers for connecting among the translucent electrodes in one of the two axial directions can be prevented from becoming conspicuous, and disconnection is less likely to occur. Jumpers 8 formed of an electrically conductive material are formed on a surface of a substrate 2, and thereafter an insulating film 6 is provided so as to cover the jumpers 8 and the substrate 2, and first translucent electrodes 3 and second translucent electrodes 4 are provided on the insulating film 6 so as to form a matrix. The first translucent electrodes 3 aligned in the leftward/rightward direction in the drawings are electrically connected to each other by the jumpers 8 via through holes 7 formed in the insulating film 6.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a touch circuit pattern and a manufacturing method thereof. A capacitive touch circuit pattern in the present disclosure comprises a substrate, wherein at least two adjacent transparent first-axis electrode blocks, a transparent first-axis conductive wire, and at least two adjacent transparent second-axis electrode blocks are formed on the substrate. The first-axis conductive wire is formed between the two adjacent first-axis electrode blocks to connect the two adjacent first-axis electrode blocks and the two adjacent second-axis electrode blocks, respectively, at two sides of the first-axis conductive wire. The capacitive touch circuit pattern further comprises of a metal second-axis conductive wire, which stretches across the first-axis conductive wire and connects the two adjacent second-axis electrode blocks.

Abstract: A capacitive proximity and/or touch switch has an electrically conductive body bridging a spacing distance between an at least partially translucent, electrically insulating cover plate and a carrier plate. The electrically conductive body has a sensor surface at the end thereof facing the cover plate. The sensor surface is connected to an evaluation circuit via the electrically conductive body. A light source is associated with the sensor surface, the light of which implements an optical display in an operating region defined by the sensor surface at the front of the cover plate. The light source is disposed at an offset to the position of the operating region, and the electrically conductive body has a reflector region configured such that light emitted from the light source can be deflected in the direction of the operating region by the reflector region.

Abstract: An electric switch may include a sensing cube including circuitry for sensing a touch and activating the electric switch in response to said sensing. The circuitry may include a sensing circuit including a multi-dielectric configuration circuit configured with a plurality of impedance settings. A cover plate may be made of any of a plurality of materials and of a variable thickness. The circuitry is tuned (e.g., auto-calibrated) to one of the plurality of impedance settings based on a dielectric constant of the material and the thickness of the cover plate. The sensing circuit may be attached to a circuit board offset a distance from a capacitance target and an epoxy may encase the circuitry. The impedance settings may further be based on the distance and/or a dielectric constant of the epoxy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to detect a conductive object at a location determines a capacitance variation of a first sensor element and a capacitance variation of a second sensor element. The method and apparatus detects a touch at a first location if the capacitance variation of the first sensor element is greater than a reference value and the capacitance variation of the second sensor element is not greater than the reference value. The method and apparatus detects the touch at a second location if the capacitance variation of the first sensor element is not greater than the reference value and the capacitance variation of the second sensor element is greater than the reference value. The method and apparatus detects the touch at a third location if the capacitance variation of the first sensor element and the capacitance variation of the second sensor element are both greater than the reference value.

Abstract: An operating element having an actuating element disposed on a linear moving carrier element. The actuating element has a plate-like touch panel that is made of an electrically nonconductive material, which cooperates with a switching element, and wherein an electrically conductive sensor element of a capacitative proximity sensor is disposed. The sensor element is disposed on or in the touch panel.

Abstract: An input apparatus including a layered body is provided. The layered body includes an electrostatic capacity type touch sensor, a character and symbol printed film, on which characters or symbols are printed, and a surface light emitting layer configured to illuminate the character and symbol printed film. The character and symbol printed film is arranged on an upper surface side of the surface light emitting layer, the touch sensor is arranged on a lower surface side of the surface light emitting layer, and an input operation surface that is positioned at an uppermost surface is flat.

Abstract: A touch screen panel includes a transparent substrate having a screen area, a black matrix area adjacent to an outside of the screen area, and a decoration pattern area in the black matrix area. The touch screen panel also includes a plurality of conductive sensing cells in the screen area, and a black matrix corresponding to the black matrix area. The black matrix is on one surface of the transparent substrate, and the black matrix has one or more openings formed in the decoration pattern area. The touch screen panel further includes a conductive decoration pattern in the opening of the black matrix, and the conductive decoration pattern is grounded through a ground line connected thereto.

Abstract: A capacitive touch device capable of distinguishing conductor and nonconductor includes a flexible sensor layer receiving a first driving signal, an elastic insulation layer below the flexible sensor layer, and an electrically conductive layer below the elastic insulation layer and receiving a second driving signal synchronous but out of phase to the first driving signal. The flexible sensor layer generates a capacitance variation responsive to an object touching thereon, for identifying the object as a conductor or a nonconductor.

Abstract: A capacitive touch switch for an operator control panel of an electrical domestic appliance includes a panel, a sensor area disposed in the panel, a printed circuit board disposed at a distance behind the panel, and a capacitive sensor element which is disposed between the panel and the printed circuit board, is in electrically conductive contact with the printed circuit board and is associated with the sensor area in the panel at a distance from the sensor area. The sensor area is formed by a plate of metal material, and a non-conductive insulating body is disposed between the plate and the capacitive sensor element.

Abstract: An appliance including a top plate has its operability improved and prevents an operation error. The appliance includes electrostatic touch keys provided on a lower surface of the top plate, the electrostatic touch keys including electrodes made of conductive films having predetermined light-blocking property, respectively, operation-unit illuminators emitting light toward the electrodes, which are partially cut, from a direction opposite to the top plate, respectively, and an illumination controller controlling illumination of the operation-unit illuminators. The illumination controller changes the illumination state of the shapes of key indicators above the electrodes to allow a user to identify function and validity of the electrostatic touch keys. The illumination controller controls the illumination state of operation-unit illuminators, such as lighting-on, blinking, lighting-off, and adjusting the brightness, to provide information required for operation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a manufacturing method of a touch panel, comprising the steps of: preparing a solution containing a silane coupling agent; applying the solution to a surface of a first substrate having a hydroxy group on the surface thereof: chemically bonding the silane coupling agent to the surface of the first substrate to form convex portions each having a silicon oxide backbone and an organic functional group in the structure thereof; and disposing a second substrate spaced apart from the first substrate to face the surface having the convex portions formed thereon of the first substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transparent electroconductive laminate suitable for use in combination with a display device such as a liquid crystal display, and a transparent touch panel having the transparent electroconductive laminate. The transparent electroconductive laminate comprises a transparent organic polymer substrate 33 having, on at least one surface thereof, a hardcoat (HC) layer 33h, an optical interference layer 32, and a transparent electroconductive layer 31 in this order. The transparent electroconductive laminate satisfies the following conditions: the refractive indexes n3 and n3h of the transparent organic polymer substrate and the HC layer satisfy the following formula: |na?n3h|0.02, the thickness of the HC layer is from 1 to 10 ?m, the thickness of the optical interference layer is from 5 to 500 nm, the thickness of the transparent electroconductive layer is from 5 to 200 nm, the total light transmittance is 85% or more, and the b* value is from ?1.0 to less than 1.

Abstract: A touch screen panel according to an embodiment includes a substrate; an electrode forming part formed on the substrate, the electrode forming part including a plurality of first electrode serials arranged in parallel in a first direction and a plurality of second electrode serials arranged in parallel in a second direction to cross over the plurality of first electrode serials; a routing wire forming part formed on the substrate outside the electrode forming part, the routing wire forming part including a plurality of first routing wires respectively connected to the plurality of first electrode serials and a plurality of second routing wires respectively connected to the plurality of second electrode serials; and an insulation layer configured to insulate the first electrode serial from the second electrode serial at each of intersections of the first electrode serials and the second electrode serials.

Abstract: A non-contact touch switch comprises an outer cover installed at an outlet of an AC power source, a microcomputer control circuit installed on an inner side of the outer cover, a medium transferring interface installed on the outer cover and connecting with the microcomputer control circuit, a start switch with one end thereof being connected with the microcomputer control circuit and another end thereof being disposed with a control contact connected to the power source so as to control electrifying time of an electrical device connected therewith, and a power interceptor disposed between the microcomputer control circuit and the start switch capable of directly intercepting, rectifying, and stabilizing an external power supply as a power supply available for a normal operation of an internal circuit.

Abstract: A touch switch structure is provided that can be preferably used for an automotive instrument panel and can securely prevent misjudgments and incorrect detections with respect to operations on the switch. For that purpose, the touch switch structure comprises a base material 2 made of a nonconductive material; a shield electrode layer 4 made of a conductive material and formed on one surface of the base material 2; a touch detection electrode 3 formed on one surface of the base material 2 at the portion where the shield electrode layer 4 is not formed; and an insulation layer 5 made of a nonconductive material and formed at least between the shield electrode layer 4 and a connection pattern 6 of the touch detection electrode 3.

Abstract: A narrow frame touch input sheet, and a conductive sheet used in the narrow frame touch input sheet, are suitable for a capacitive touch sensor having a narrow frame and two layers of transparent conductive film patterns. The conductive sheet includes one or more transparent base sheets stacked into a layer, transparent conductive films, light-excluding conductive electrode films, and first resist layers, which are layered sequentially on the uppermost and lowermost surfaces thereof. The first resist layers are exposed simultaneously on both surfaces, and after development, the transparent and light-excluding conductive electrode films are simultaneously etched, the first resist layers are stripped away, then second resist layers are formed as coating on the both surfaces in an outer edge portion, so that the light-excluding conductive electrode films are etched only in the central window portions. Thus, circuit patterns of the transparent conductive films are exposed.

Abstract: A TFT array panel includes a substrate, a first gate line and a second gate line disposed on the substrate, a storage electrode line disposed on the substrate, a first data line intersecting the first and second gate lines, a second data line intersecting the first and second gate lines and spaced apart from the first data line, a drain electrode facing a part of the first data line and the second data line, an organic insulating layer disposed on the first data line and the second data line, the organic insulating layer having a contact hole exposing the drain electrode, a pixel electrode disposed on the organic insulating layer, the pixel electrode electrically connected to the drain electrode, and a storage electrode making a storage conductor with the pixel electrode, wherein the pixel electrode comprises a first part overlapping the first data line, and a second part overlapping the second data line, and wherein the width of the first part is different from that of the second part.

Abstract: A vehicle component is provided that includes a console surface, at least one circuit board proximate the console surface, and an array of proximity sensors electrically connected to the at least one circuit board. Each of the proximity sensors emit a field that combine to form an activation field, wherein a lateral direction of the activation field extending approximately parallel to the console surface is greater than a longitudinal direction of the activation field extending approximately perpendicular to the console surface.

Abstract: A light bar proximity switch is provided that includes a light pipe having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first and second surface define an area. The light bar proximity sensor further includes an at least partially reflective surface adjacent the second surface, at least one circuit board spaced from the light pipe and the at least partially reflective surface, at least one proximity sensor electrically connected to the at least one circuit board, and at least one light source configured to project light along the area, wherein the emitted light is reflected by the at least partially reflective surface and viewed through the first surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a capacitive MEMS device comprising a first electrode lying in a plane, and a second electrode suspended above the first electrode and movable with respect to the first electrode. The first electrode functions as an actuation electrode. A gap is present between the first electrode and the second electrode. A third electrode is placed intermediate the first and second electrode with the gap between the third electrode and the second electrode. The third electrode has one or a plurality of holes therein, preferably in an orderly or irregular array. An aspect of the present invention integration of a conductive, e.g. metallic grating as a middle (or third) electrode. An advantage of the present invention is that it can reduce at least one problem of the prior art. This advantage allows an independent control over the pull-in and release voltage of a switch.

Abstract: The invention discloses a membrane circuit board including a substrate, a plurality of first signal pins and a second signal pin. The first signal pins and the second signal pin are disposed on the substrate. The substrate has a first edge. Each of the first signal pins has a first terminal, and the first terminal has a first width. The second signal pin has a second terminal, which is disposed between the first edge and the first terminal. The second terminal has a second width. The second width is larger than the first width. Accordingly, the membrane circuit board may have high error tolerance and better quality control efficiency.

Abstract: An input device for constructing an inputting operation unit for various electronic apparatus and a method of manufacturing the input device are provided. The input device allows push-down inputting operation and position inputting operation using the same operating unit. The input device has a position input sensor provided under a key, and a base sheet having a movable contact joined to its bottom face depending on the location where the key is disposed, and a columnar section is disposed in a manner sandwiched between the position input sensor and the base sheet at the center of the movable contact.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a surface; the surface has a conductive layer within a thickness of the surface. A trench is formed in the conductive layer to define a touch area, the touch area is isolated from the rest of the conductive layer. A conductive pickup is mounted on a back side of the surface over the touch area and the conductive pickup is electrically connected to a capacitive touch controller, such that when a user touches the touch area on a front side of the conductive the touch controller responds to the user's touch.

Abstract: An example capacitive switch apparatus comprises a capacitive switch sensor providing a capacitive switch signal, a capacitive reference sensor providing a capacitive reference signal, and an electronic circuit, receiving the switch and reference signals and detecting switch activation by comparing the switch signal level with a threshold level. The threshold level is adjusted as a function of the reference signal level. The reference signal is obtained, for example during periods of operator proximity to the reference sensor. For a finger-operated switch, the reference signal is obtained when a finger is proximate the reference sensor.

Abstract: A structured touch switch, which is of an electrostatic capacitance, type is provided. The structured touch switch comprises a substrate made of a material having a non-conductive characteristic, a conductive member made of a material having a conductive characteristic and formed integrally with the substrate so that a portion of the conductive characteristic member appears at a surface of the substrate and a detection electrode positioned at a backside of the substrate and in opposed relation to the conductive member in a state where a space is defined with respect to the conductive member.

Abstract: An combined monolithic electroluminescent lamp and membrane switch is manufactured by continuous printing. Graphic indicia is imprinted on deformable substrate. An electroluminescent lamp is imprinted on the graphic indicia layer and a membrane switch is formed on the lamp. The monolithic switch has a layer for sensing switch actuation by means including resistance change, capacitance change, or magnetic field change.

Abstract: In a capacitive input switch that is accommodated in a housing of electronic equipment, the capacitive input switch includes a rigidity imparting layer having rigidity and a laminate sheet laminated on the rigidity imparting layer. The rigidity imparting layer and the laminate sheet are three dimensionally formed. The laminate sheet is formed by a substrate sheet, a conductive pattern layer for capacitor formation, and a decorative layer that is laminated at least on any one of the substrate sheet and the conductive pattern layer. A separate conductor is caused to contact with the conductive pattern layer and the conductive pattern layer is caused to be electrically connected to an external electric circuit by the conductor.

Abstract: A touch panel including a first substrate, a second substrate, a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, a third conductive layer, and a number of spacers is provided. The first substrate has an upper surface and a bottom surface opposite to the upper surface. The second substrate is parallel to the first substrate. The first conductive layer is disposed on the upper surface of the first substrate, while the second conductive layer is disposed on the bottom surface of the first substrate. The third conductive layer is disposed on the second substrate and interposed between the second substrate and the second conductive layer. The spacers are interposed between the second conductive layer and the third conductive layer. The touch panel has functions of multi-touch, contact-touch and non-contact touch, and the touch panel can be operated by conductive objects or dielectric objects.

Abstract: The invention relates to an touch-surface electric control device (1) comprising a touch-surface sensor (29), a printed circuit board (33), connection means (42) for the electric connection between the touch-surface sensor (29) and the printed circuit board (33), the connections means (42) and the touch-surface (29) being flexible and including a connection tab (67), the touch-surface sensor (29) and the printed circuit board (33) being provided on the opposite faces of a common substrate (31) provided between said sensor (29) and said board (33), characterized in that a side face of the common substrate (31) includes a guiding protrusion (44) for the connection tab (67).

Abstract: A portable electronic device having a waterproof keypad and a keypad assembly for the waterproof keypad are described. In one embodiment, the keypad assembly comprises: an embossed keypad having a top and bottom surface, the embossed keypad having a plurality of embossed keys on the top surface; a capacitive sensor layer located below the bottom surface of the embossed keypad; and an actuator located below the capacitive sensor layer moveable between a first position in an unactuated state to a second position in an actuated state.

Abstract: An operator control panel for a domestic appliance includes a panel body having an operator control face facing a user and a rear face facing away from the operator control face. A sensor element of an electrically conductive material forms a capacitive sensor area together with the panel body. A conversion electronics system converts capacitance values generated in the sensor area into digital signals. The conversion electronics system is electrically conductively connected to the sensor element and is disposed on the rear face of the panel body. The sensor element and the conversion electronics system are firmly connected to the panel body and are two components which are mechanically decoupled from a control electronics system of the domestic appliance.

Abstract: A circuit structure for capacitive touch panel is disclosed herein. The circuit structure for capacitive touch panel includes a plurality of metal leads and a plurality of electrode sensing blocks. Those electrode sensing blocks are isolated to each other and electrically connected to the metal leads. The electrode sensing blocks will output a plurality of capacitive signals in accordance with a plurality of touch positions. According to the electrode pattern structure described above, the impedance of the electrode structure can be decreased and the efficiency of the signal transmission can be improved and the sensibility of the touch panel can be increased.

Abstract: A touch switch for controlling accessory equipment of a vehicle avoids a malfunction which is caused due to an environmental change such as a change in a state of air, arrival of unnecessary electromagnetic waves, or the like. Conductor plates 20-1 to 20-3 are disposed in an arrangement isolated from one another on a surface opposite to a sensor surface 16T of a touch plate 16 which is touched by a person's hand. The conductor plates 20-1 to 20-3 are each connected to a capacity measurement/control unit 34. The capacity measurement/control unit 34 determines as a judgment value D the absolute value of a value obtained by subtracting a minimum absolute value among changes ?C1 to ?C3 in electrostatic capacity from a maximum absolute value among the changes ?C1 to ?C3 in electrostatic capacity. The capacity measurement/control unit 34 controls a switch 28 according to the judgment value D.

Abstract: A touch panel including a substrate, a first patterned conductive layer, a second patterned conductive layer and a circuit board is provided. The substrate has a first surface, a second surface, a first bonding area and a second bonding area. The first patterned conductive layer disposed on the first surface includes first sensing series electrically insulated from each other. The second patterned conductive layer disposed on the second surface includes second sensing series electrically insulated from each other. The circuit board includes a rigid portion, a first flexible bonding portion and a second flexible bonding portion. The first flexible bonding portion and the second flexible bonding portion are electrically connected to the rigid portion. The first flexible bonding portion is electrically connected to the first sensing series in the first bonding area. The second flexible bonding portion is electrically connected to the second sensing series in the second bonding area.

Abstract: In a capacitive switch (1) comprising a housing frame (2), a thin-walled cover plate (3) held thereon, a printed circuit board (4) with a copper layer (6) that generates a capacitive field (7) applied to a surface (5) of the circuit board (4) that faces the cover plate (3), the copper layer (6) being connected to an inside surface (8) of the cover plate (3), the capacitive switch (1) being adapted to ensure that electrical devices can be operated safely, in that changes in the capacitive field (7) are picked up by the switch (1) in a redundant manner.

Abstract: A switch for a brush wear monitoring recording circuit for monitoring wear of at least one brush, the switch having an open and a closed state, comprises a fixed part including a switch plate having a switch face and a moving part including a capacitive flag disposed on a brush so as to move the capacitive flag corresponding to a brush wear movement in a brush wear direction and a capacitive plate having a capacitive face, wherein the capacitive face and the switch face are disposed parallel to each other and provide capacitance to the switch, and further wherein the capacitive flag is disposed on the brush so as to bring the capacitive face and the switch face in proximity to each other so as to face each other and increase capacitance, thereby changing the switch state.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a touch panel 100, including: a transparent electrode 120 including a conductive polymer and formed on one surface of a transparent substrate 110, connection electrodes 130 formed on both ends of the transparent electrode 120, and silver electrode 140 formed on the connection electrodes 130 to correspond to the connection electrodes 130, wherein the connection electrodes 130 prevent the transparent electrode 120 from contacting the silver electrodes 140. The connection electrode 130 is interposed between the transparent electrode 120 and the silver electrode 140 to prevent a chemical reaction between the transparent electrode 120 and the silver electrode 140, thereby maintaining electric resistance constantly.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining the operating states of a plurality of capacitive sensing buttons in a capacitive sensing user interface are disclosed. The capacitive sensing buttons are sampled in a round-robin fashion such that the decay time samples for the buttons are acquired in an interleaved manner during each sampling cycle. Provisions are made to reduce the initialization delay, to reduce transient-induced errors, and to obtain the operating states based on updated decay data samples for the buttons.

Abstract: First conductive patterns, which each contain two or more first large lattices electrically connected by a first connection in series in a first direction, are formed on a first transparent substrate, and second conductive patterns, which each contain two or more second large lattices electrically connected by a second connection in series in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, are formed on a second transparent substrate. As viewed from above, the first conductive patterns and the second conductive patterns are arranged adjacent to each other, and the first connection and the second connection are arranged facing each other. The first large lattices are electrically connected via three or more connection paths in the first connection, and the second large lattices are electrically connected via three or more connection paths in the second connection.

Abstract: A tensioned touch panel includes a support structure having a substrate with a generally planer conductive surface disposed thereon and an insulating spacer generally about the periphery of the substrate. A pretensioned conductive member overlies the support structure. The spacer separates the conductive membrane and the conductive surface thereby to define an air gap therebetween. A conductive membrane is secured to the support structure under sufficient tension to inhibit slack from developing in the conductive membrane as a result of changes in environmental conditions. A method of assembling a tensioned touch panel is also provided.