Unitary key panel

An environmentally protected secure keyboard display and input device, comprising:

• means for providing a variable visual display of alphanumeric characters in an array;
• means for restricting the view of said display means to the user of said device;
• means for inputting data including a plurality of input actuation sites overlying said display means;
• unitary flexible keyboard means for separately and independently activating each of said actuation sites, said keyboard means being formed of transparent flexible material and including a peripheral environmental seal and thickened portions forming input keys overlying each of said actuation sites;
• and
• anti-tampering means for turning said device off in response to partial disassembly of said device.

In a secure keyboard display and input device, including a plurality of input actuation sites and corresponding character displays, the improvement comprising:

• means for protecting said device from external environmental damage or interference while allowing external actuation of said input actuation sites by an operator of said device, said means for protecting comprising a unitary flexible keyboard having rows and columns of keys sealingly mounted upon said actuation sites;
• said unitary keyboard means having its central area including the spaces between keys being open and free of any overlying members, said unitary keyboard being formed of a material having a hardness of in the order of substantially 80 on the Shore round tool "A" scale to have high impact and abuse resistance and some limited flexibility;
• said unitary keyboard means being continuous in the central area including the rows and columns of keys;
• means including an exterior frame or bezel means for clamping the entire peripheral edges of said keyboard to underlying portions of said device to form a waterproof gasket completely sealing said keyboard around the entire periphery thereof.