Patent ID: 7199322
Filing Date: 2007-04-03
Classification: G06F,H01H,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A touch screen comprising: a) a substrate; b) a first conductive layer located on the substrate; c) a flexible sheet comprising a substantially planar surface and integral compressible spacer dots formed thereon, each integral compressible spacer dot having a base closest to the substantially planar surface and a peak furthest from the substantially planar surface; and d) a second conductive layer located on the substantially planar surface of the flexible sheet, the peaks of the integral compressible spacer dots extending beyond the second conductive layer located on the substantially planar surface; wherein the first and second conductive layers are positioned towards each other and separated by the integral compressible spacer dots, whereby, when a minimum required activation force is applied to the touch screen at the location of one of the compressible spacer dots, the compressible spacer dot is compressed to allow electrical contact between the first and second conductive layers, and further wherein the integral compressible spacer dots are sized and positioned in a pattern that establishes at least one of differentiated minimum required activation forces and differentiated durability for selected areas of the touch screen.