Multi-unit electret touch selector

Claim 2

A multi-unit electret touch selector wherein a backplate with an array of conductive electrodes at defined touch locations and a spaced-apart foil electret are supported together in a transducer-like configuration for delivering a signal to an external circuit to indicate a tactile displacement of said foil electret with relation to said backplate at an identified one of said touch locations, characterized by, said foil being structurally associated with said conductive electrodes to establish a separate prescribed electrostatic condition between said foil electret and the conductive electrode of said backplate at each touch location, to yield, in response to a tactile force applied to one of said touch locations, a signal of a character unique to that location.

Claim 3

A multi-unit electret touch selector as defined in claim 1, wherein, said separate prescribed electrostatic condition at each touch location is established by said foil electret having a preselected charge density distribution.

Claim 4

A multi-unit electret touch selector as defined in claim 1, wherein, said separate prescribed electrostatic condition at each touch location is established by the geometric arrangement between said foil electret and said conductive electrodes, said geometric arrangement establishing a different effective capacitance at each touch location.

Claim 5

A multi-unit electret touch selector wherein a backplate with an array of conductive electrodes at defined touch locations and a spaced-apart foil electret are supported together in a transducer-like configuration for delivering a signal to an external circuit to indicate a tactile displacement of said foil electret with relation to said backplate at an identified one of said touch locations, characterized by, said foil being structurally associated with said conductive electrodes to establish a separate prescribed electrostatic condition between said foil electret and the conductive electrode of said bacKplate at each touch location, to yield, in response to a tactile force applied to one of said touch locations, a signal of a character unique to that location, and by an output circuit, electrically common to each of said conductive electrodes responsive to said signal.

Claim 6

A multi-unit electret touch selector wherein a backplate with an array of conductive electrodes at defined touch locations and a spaced-apart foil electret are supported together in a transducer-like configuration for delivering a signal to an external circuit to indicate a tactile displacement of said foil electret with relation to said backplate at an identified one of said touch locations, characterized by, said foil being structurally associated with said conductive electrodes to establish a separate prescribed electrostatic condition between said foil electret and the conductive electrode of said bacKplate at each touch location, to yield, in response to a tactile force applied to one of said touch locations, a signal of a character unique to that location, and by an output circuit, electrically common to each of said conductive electrodes responsive to said signal.

Claim 7

A multi-unit, touch-sensitive signaling device which comprises, a backplate, a metallized electret film supported in spaced juxtaposition to said backplate, means for directing externally applied tactile forces to selected touch locations on said film, a conductive element selectively associated with said backplate member at each of said touch locations to establish a prescribed electrostatic condition at each of said locations, such that the prescribed electrostatic condition at any one of said touch locations is unlike the electrostatic condition at any other of said touch locations, and circuit means, electrically common to each of said conductive elements, for delivering to an external circuit that signal developed between said electret film and said conductive element at a touch location in response to a tactile displacement of said film at said touch location, the characteristics of said signal uniquely defining that touch location subject to said tactile displacement.

Claim 8

A multi-unit, touch-sensitive signaling device which comprises, a backplate, a metallized electret film supported in spaced juxtaposition to said backplate, means for directing externally applied tactile forces to selected touch locations on said film, a conductive element selectively associated with said backplate member at each of said touch locations to establish a prescribed electrostatic condition at each of said locations, such that the prescribed electrostatic condition at any one of said touch locations is unlike the electrostatic condition at any other of said touch locations, and circuit means, electrically common to each of said conductive elements, for delivering to an external circuit that signal developed between said electret film and said conductive element at a touch location in response to a tactile displacement of said film at said touch location, the characteristics of said signal uniquely defining that touch location subject to said tactile displacement.

Claim 9

A multi-unit, touch-sensitive signaling device, as defined in claim 5, wherein, said prescribed electrostatic condition at each of said touch locations is established essentially by the charge density of said electret film at said touch location.

Claim 10

A multi-unit, touch-sensitive signaling device, as defined in claim 5, wherein, said prescribed electrostatic condition at each of said touch locations is established essentially by the polarity of charge of said electret film at said touch location.

Claim 11

A multi-unit, touch-sensitive signaling device, as defined in claim 5, wherein, said prescribed electrostatic condition at each of said touch locations is established essentially by the effective capacitance between said electret film and said conductive element at said touch location.

Claim 12

A multi-unit, touch-sensitive signaling device, as defined in claim 5, wherein, said prescribed electrostatic condition at each of said touch locations is established essentially by the physical dimensions of said conductive element at said touch location.

Claim 13

A multi-unit, touch-sensitive signaling device, as defined in claim 5, wherein, said prescribed electrostatic condition at each of said touch locations is established essentially by the thickness of the said electret film at said touch location.

Claim 14

A multi-unit, touch-sensitive signaling device, as defined in claim 5, wherein, said prescribed electrostatic condition at each of said touch locations is established essentially by the relative spacing between said electret film and said conductive element at said touch location.

Claim 15

A multi-unit, touch-sensitive signaling device as defined in claim 5, wherein, said signal developed by the said electret film and said conductive element at a touch location in response to a tactile displacement of said film is characterized by its amplitude.

Claim 16

A multi-unit, touch-sensitive signaling device as defined in claim 5, wherein, said signal developed by the said electret film and said conductive element at a touch location in response to a tactile displacement of said film is characterized by its polarity.

Claim 17

A mutli-nut, touch-sensitive signaling device as defined in claim 5, wherein, said signal developed by the said electret film and said conductive element at a touch location in response to a tactile displacement of said film is characterized by its amplitude and polarity.

Claim 18

A multi-unit, touch-sensitive signaling device as defined in claim 5, wherein, said signal developed by the said electret film and said conductive element at a touch location in response to a tactile displacement of said film is characterized by one of n different ampliTude levels, where a different one of said n levels represents each of said touch locations.

Claim 19

A multi-unit, touch-sensitive signaling device as defined in claim 5, wherein, said conductive elements comprise discrete conductors associated with said backplate.

Claim 20

A multi-unit, touch-sensitive signaling device as defined in claim 5, wherein, said conductive elements comprise assigned portions of a conductive backplate.