The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 14, 2003
Filed:
Mar. 13, 2000
Charles A. Sellers, Houston, TX (US);
Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P., Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
The keyboard portion of a notebook computer has incorporated in its key switch membrane section a liquid detection electrical circuit with a series of normally open detection switch structures positioned be contacted and shorted out by liquid spilled on the keyboard. A spilled liquid short-circuiting of any of these normally open membrane switch structures during operation of the computer automatically creates a liquid spill output signal that is responsively utilized to shut down the computer before its system electronics can be contacted, short-circuited and damaged by liquid spilled on the keyboard and entering the interior of the computer therethrough.