Cards and assemblies with user interfaces
AssigneeDynamics Inc.
InventorsBruce S. Cloutier, James H. Workley, William T. Shepherd
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Laminated cards with user interfaces are provided. The user interfaces can have enhanced tactile feel. In one embodiment, a card may be constructed to have a dual-layer user interface. In another embodiment, a card may be constructed to include a support structure. In yet another embodiment, a card may include a relatively soft material that covers at least a portion of the user interface. In yet another embodiment, a card may include a user interface that is fluidically coupled to a bladder. In a further embodiment, a card can include any combination of a user interface, which may be a dual-layer user interface, a support structure, a soft material that at least partially covers a user interface, and a bladder.
Claims44
A laminated card comprising:
- a top exterior layer;
- a bottom exterior layer;
- a laminate material;
- a flexible printed circuit board;
- a user interface fixed to a surface of the flexible printed circuit board;
- and
- a first material that adheres to at least a portion of an outer surface of the user interface, wherein the first material adheres to the outer surface by via an adhesive layer that covers the user interface and at least a portion of the flexible printed circuit board, the first material having a durometer value less than the durometer value of the laminate material, wherein a portion of the laminate material adheres to the first material.
An assembly for use in a laminated card comprising a lamination material, the assembly comprising:
- a flexible printed circuit board;
- a user interface mounted to the flexible printed circuit board;
- and
- a material fixed to at least a portion of an outer surface of the user interface, the material operative to flex during an input event, wherein the material has a durometer value less than the durometer value of the lamination material.
An assembly for use in a laminated card comprising a lamination material, the assembly comprising:
- a flexible printed circuit board;
- a plurality of user interfaces mounted to the flexible printed circuit board;
- and
- a material fixed to at least a portion of an outer surface of each user interface, the material operative to flex during an input event, wherein the material has a durometer value less than the durometer value of the lamination material.
A method comprising:
- providing a flexible printed circuit board;
- mounting at least one user interface to the flexible printed circuit board;
- and
- applying a material to at least a portion of an outer surface of the at least one user interface, wherein the applied material has a durometer value less than the durometer value of a lamination material used in a lamination process.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.