Reconfigurable switch
First Claim
1. An automation system for programming appliances having two or more switch units capable of carrying a switch array to control specified appliances, each switch array having a switch cover with actuation icons corresponding to the appliances to be controlled and switch enabling means that only activate the switches corresponding to the actuation icons on said switch cover in which the appliances to be controlled from a switch unit may be varied by changing the switch cover.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
To simplify the reconfiguration of switches in a building automation switch panel, touch switches (27) of the mechanical, capacitive or charge transfer type are configured so that the electrode pattern (25) on the switch body can be activated using switch positions on a cover plate (27). The electrode pattern on the reverse face of the cover plate are selected so that a set of cover plates in combination with a single switch body provides as many switch positions as the body can provide. This makes reconfiguring, a matter of changing the front cover plate of the switch and using a software program to reconfigure the electronics if necessary.
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Citations
6 Claims
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1. An automation system for programming appliances having two or more switch units capable of carrying a switch array to control specified appliances, each switch array having a switch cover with actuation icons corresponding to the appliances to be controlled and switch enabling means that only activate the switches corresponding to the actuation icons on said switch cover in which the appliances to be controlled from a switch unit may be varied by changing the switch cover.
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2. A panel switch which includes
a) a fixed unit capable of carrying a multiple n of active switches b) a replaceable cover for the fixed unit able to carry up to n active contact closure positions c) where in the covers only carry as many active positions as is desired so that the number of active switches on a fixed unit and the number of actuation positions can be changed by changing the cover.
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5. A switch panel which includes
a. an electronic control circuit and an associated switch array for capacitative or charge transfer switches to activate appliances in communication with said control circuit b. a control array bearing electrodes to complete a predetermined number of said switches on said switch array c. said control array being associated with a cover member carrying on its face surface icon indicia corresponding to the appliances to be actuated from the panel switch.
Specification