Patent ID: 6215418
Filing Date: 2001-04-10
Classification: G06F,H01H

Abstract:
A membrane switch input/output system for inputting information to a processing device comprising:a membrane switch having a matrix layout and comprising a plurality of switches located on the membrane switch such that activation of said switches causes output signals to be generated in a first code, said output signals indicating which switch was activated;conversion means electrically connectable to said membrane switch and said processing device for receiving the output signals from the membrane switch in the first code and converting output signals from the first code to a second code for transmission to the processing device;light emitting diodes on the membrane switch;wherein the first code is dependent on the matrix layout of the membrane switch and the location of the switches on the matrix layout;wherein the second code can be used by the processing device and is independent of the matrix layout of the membrane switch and the location of the switches on the matrix layout; andwherein the conversion means comprises light emitting driving means electrically connectable to the light emitting diodes for selectively driving the light emitting diodes in response to input signals from the processing device.