Switch arrays and systems employing the same to enhance system reliability

A control panel, comprising:

• a first support layer;
• a second support layer;
• a spacer between the first support layer and the second support layer;
• and
• an array of touch regions on one or more of the first support layer and the second support layer, wherein at least one of the touch regions is aligned with a sensing structure for sensing a user input, the sensing structure comprising a switch between the first support layer and the second support layer, the switch comprising:
• a first conductive region;
• a second conductive region aligned with the first conductive region, the second conductive region including a first conductive pattern forming a first switch terminal and a second conductive pattern forming a second switch terminal, the first conductive pattern separated by a space from the second conductive pattern;
• and
• a third conductive region between the first conductive region and the second conductive region, the third conductive region electrically coupling the first switch terminal to the second switch terminal to provide a first indication when the switch is open and a second indication when the switch is closed.

A system, comprising:

• an appliance;
• and
• a control panel coupled to the appliance for controlling the appliance, the control panel comprising:
• a first support layer;
• a second support layer;
• a spacer between the first support layer and the second support layer;
• and
• an array of touch regions on one or more of the first support layer and the second support layer, wherein at least one of the touch regions is aligned with a sensing structure for sensing a user input, the sensing structure comprising a switch between the first support layer and the second support layer, the switch comprising:
• a first conductive region;
• a second conductive region aligned with the first conductive region, the second conductive region including a first conductive pattern forming a first switch terminal and a second conductive pattern forming a second switch terminal, the first conductive pattern separated by a space from the second conductive pattern;
• and
• a third conductive region between the first conductive region and the second conductive region, the third conductive region electrically coupling the first switch terminal to the second switch terminal to provide a first indication when the switch is open and a second indication when the switch is closed.

An input system, comprising:

• an array of touch regions, wherein at least one of the touch regions is aligned with a sensing structure tor sensing a user input, the sensing structure comprising:
• a first conductive region;
• a second conductive region aligned with the first conductive region, the second conductive region including a first conductive pattern forming a first switch terminal and a second conductive pattern forming a second switch terminal, the first conductive pattern separated by a space from the second conductive pattern;
• and
• a third conductive region between the first conductive region and the second conductive region, the third conductive region electrically coupling the first switch terminal to the second switch terminal to provide a first indication when the switch is open and a second indication when the switch is closed;
• wherein the first conductive pattern and the second conductive pattern form a plurality of spirals.

An input system, comprising:

• an array of touch regions, wherein at least one of the touch regions is aligned with a sensing structure for sensing a user input, the sensing structure comprising:
• a first conductive region;
• a second conductive regions aligned with the first conductive region, the second conductive region including a first conductive pattern forming a first switch terminal and a second conductive pattern forming a second switch terminal, the first conductive pattern separated by a space from the second conductive pattern;
• and
• a third conductive region between the first conductive region, and the second conductive region, the third conductive region electrically coupling the first switch terminal to the second switch terminal to provide a first indication when the switch is open and a second indication when the switch is closed;
• wherein electrical current flows between the first terminal and the second terminal whether the switch is open or closed.

An input system. comprising:

• an array of touch regions, wherein at least one of the touch regions is aligned with a sensing structure for sensing a user input, the sensing structure comprising:
• a first conductive region;
• a second conductive region aligned with the first conductive region, the second conductive region including a first conductive pattern forming a first switch terminal and a second conductive pattern forming a second switch terminal, the first conductive pattern separated by a space from the second conductive pattern;
• and
• a third conductive region between the first conductive region and the second conductive region, the third conductive region electrically coupling the first switch terminal to the second switch terminal to provide a first indication when the switch is open and a second indication when the switch is closed;
• wherein a portion of the first conductive region contacts the third conductive region whether the switch is open or closed.