Abstract: A membrane keyboard is comprised of first and second dielectric layers having circuit patterns including a plurality of first and second electrical contact pads disposed on opposing surfaces thereof. The layers are maintained together such that corresponding first and second electrical contact pads overlie one another forming switch sites. A spacer is disposed in a discontinuous pattern around the first contact pads, the spacer normally maintaining corresponding first and second contact pads spaced from each other, while permitting electrical engagement therebetween upon application of an actuation force to one of the layers at a switch site.

Abstract: In an improved multikey keyboard for inputting data into a computer, wherein pressing a key places in circuit the point of intersection of at least one row conductor and column conductor respectively connected to portions of separate sets of row and column cascaded electrical elements whose cumulative values correspond to the specific row and column of the pressed key, the specific improvement comprising: providing the keyboard with an input signal source circuit and an output sensor circuit operatively connected to each key such that the computer upon receipt of a signal on the sensor circuit representing the pressing of a key, can make the necessary measurements to establish the identity of the pressed key.