Luis H Villalobos

US Patent:

46443266, Feb 17, 1987

Filed:

Jun 3, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/500862

Inventors:

Luis Villalobos - Santa Monica CA
Steven B. Hirsch - Beverly Hills CA
Steven G. Hauser - Tarzana CA
John Von Buelow - Woodland Hills CA

Assignee:

Secure Keyboards Limited - Costa Mesa CA

International Classification:

H04L 100

US Classification:

340365R

Abstract:

An environmentally protected keyboard display and input device is provided which may be utilized in conjunction with a variety of digital control systems such as automated bank tellers or building security systems. The keyboard display and input device includes a unitary, transparent flexible keyboard having thickened portions forming keys. The keyboard forms an environmental seal including a peripheral gasket to protect an underlying, transparent, pressure sensitive switching assembly, which, in turn, overlies a corresponding visual display of alphanumeric characters which indicate the significance of the individual pressure sensitive switches and corresponding keys overlying each character. Pins are formed on the underside of the flexible keyboard, below each key, to focus and concentrate pressure exerted on each key to the corresponding pressure sensitive switch below. An optical grid is provided to restrict the viewing of the alphanumeric characters to the user of the device, to prevent compromising the data input.