US4855550A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
White touch pads for capacitive touch control panels
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1988-01-04
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Granted: 1989-08-08
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Expires: 2008-01-04
Abstract
Abstract A capacitive touch pad assembly which provides a touch control panel for an appliance with white touch pad appearance. A thin dielectric substrate has an outer touch electrode of a relatively dark-colored conductive material deposited on its outer surface and a pair of spatially separated inner electrodes formed on the inner surface of the dielectric layer for connecting to the control circuitry. To achieve a light-colored appearance for the touch pads, a layer of relatively light-colored non-conductive decorative material is applied to the outer surface overlaying the electrode to hide its dark color except for a small exposed area of the electrode which defines a symbol relating to the function of the pad. The exposed area may be covered by a second layer of dark conductive material or left exposed. The symbol enables direct human body member contact with the outer electrode.
Inventors
- 👤 John Schultz, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 14:48
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24C; F24C7/00; F24C7/08; F24C7/082; H; H03; H03K; H03K17/00; H03K17/94; H03K17/96; H03K17/962; H03K17/9622; H03K2017/9602; H03K2017/9604; H03K2017/9615; H03K2217/00; H03K2217/94; H03K2217/96; H03K2217/9607; H03K2217/960755; H03K2217/96077; H03K2217/960775
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A capacitive touch pad assembly comprising: a layer of dielectric material having an outer surface and an inner surface; an outer electrode comprising a first thin layer of relatively dark-colored conductive material fabricated on said outer surface to be responsive to contact with a human body member; a pair of spatially separated inner electrodes fabricated on said inner surface substantially within the boundaries of said outer electrode; said inner electrodes being adapted for electrical contact with external electronic control circuitry; a layer of relatively light-colored non-conductive decorative material applied to said outer surface substantially overlaying said outer electrode, surrounding a small exposed area of said outer electrode, said exposed area defining a symbol to be touched; whereby said pad provides a pleasing light-colored appearance with a contrasting dark symbol, said symbol providing the means for direct human body member contact with said outer electrode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
A capacitive touch pad assembly comprising: a layer of dielectric material having an outer surface and an inner surface; an outer electrode comprising a first thin layer of relatively dark-colored conductive material fabricated on said outer surface to be responsive to contact with a human body member; a pair of spatially separated inner electrodes fabricated on said inner surface substantially within the boundaries of said outer electrode; said inner electrodes being adapted for electrical contact with external electronic control circuitry; a layer of relatively light-colored non-conductive decorative material applied to said outer surface substantially overlaying said outer electrode, surrounding a small exposed area of said outer electrode, said exposed area defining a symbol to be touched; whereby said pad provides a pleasing light-colored appearance with a contrasting dark symbol, said symbol providing the means for direct human body member contact with said outer electrode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The touch pad assembly of claim 1 wherein said relatively dark conductive material is a screenable paste comprising a mixture of finely ground black glass, a conductive metallic component and an organic medium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The touch pad assembly of claim 2 wherein said relatively light-colored non-conductive decorative material comprises a white ceramic enamel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The touch pad assembly of claim 1 wherein said symbol identifies the function of said touch pad.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
173 words
A capacitive touch pad assembly comprising: a layer of dielectric material having an outer surface and an inner surface; a first outer electrode comprising a thin layer of relatively dark-colored conductive material fabricated on said outer surface to be responsive to contact with a human body member; a pair of spatially separated inner electrodes fabricated on said inner surface underlying said first electrode and adapted for electrical connection with external electronic circuitry; a thin layer of relatively light-colored non-conductive decorative material deposited on said outer surface overlying said outer electrode defining an uncovered area of said outer electrode; and a second outer electrode comprising a second thin layer of relatively dark-colored conductive material deposited on said uncovered area and that portion of said thin decorative layer adjacent said uncovered area, said second layer defining a symbol to be touched; whereby said pad provides a pleasing light-colored appearance with a contrasting dark symbol, said symbol being exposed for direct contact with a human body member and in good electrical contact with said outer electrode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
173 words
A capacitive touch pad assembly comprising: a layer of dielectric material having an outer surface and an inner surface; a first outer electrode comprising a thin layer of relatively dark-colored conductive material fabricated on said outer surface to be responsive to contact with a human body member; a pair of spatially separated inner electrodes fabricated on said inner surface underlying said first electrode and adapted for electrical connection with external electronic circuitry; a thin layer of relatively light-colored non-conductive decorative material deposited on said outer surface overlying said outer electrode defining an uncovered area of said outer electrode; and a second outer electrode comprising a second thin layer of relatively dark-colored conductive material deposited on said uncovered area and that portion of said thin decorative layer adjacent said uncovered area, said second layer defining a symbol to be touched; whereby said pad provides a pleasing light-colored appearance with a contrasting dark symbol, said symbol being exposed for direct contact with a human body member and in good electrical contact with said outer electrode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The touch pad assembly of claim 5 wherein said relatively dark conductive material is a screenable paste comprising a mixture of finely ground black glass, a conductive metallic component and an organic medium.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The touch pad assembly of claim 6 wherein said relatively light-colored non-conductive decorative material comprises a white ceramic enamel.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-08-07 | 1993-02-06 | 1993-08-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-08-07 | 1997-02-06 | 1997-08-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-08-07 | 2001-02-06 | 2001-08-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |