Patent ID: 6633986
Filing Date: 2003-10-14
Classification: G06F,H01H

Abstract:
Electronic apparatus comprising:system electronics; and a keyboard having associated therewith electrical liquid spill detection circuitry coupled to said system electronics; said electrical liquid spill detection circuitry, in response to being contacted by liquid spilled on said keyboard during operation of said electronic apparatus, automatically functioning to shut down said system electronics; said keyboard comprising a multi-layer signal pad structure having a top layer, a second layer disposed beneath said top layer and having a top side facing said top layer, an opening extending downwardly through said top layer to a portion of said top side, and a fluid tight seal structure laterally circumscribing said opening, and said electrical spill detection circuitry comprising a normally open switch structure carried on said top side portion of said second layer and operative to be contacted and shorted out by liquid entering said opening.