Control panel using ray-of-light to enhance control-display relationships
First Claim
1. A control panel comprising:
- at least one screen configured to display at least one selectable option;
a user interface comprising at least one button configured to select said at least one option, when said first button is activated; and
a visual connection between the at least one button and the at least one option, the visual connection comprising;
a first light portion extending between the at least one button and a first point proximate an edge of the screen; and
a second light portion extending between a second point within the screen and the at least one option displayed on the screen, wherein the first and second points are sufficiently close to one another so as establish an association between the at least one button and the at least one option.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A control panel has a screen for displaying instructions, objects, status information and the like. The control panel also includes a user interface comprising a number of button, include at least one select button which is configured to select from among one or more options displayed on the screen. The select button is visually connected to an option displayed on the screen. The visual connection is formed by a first light portion extending from the button to the edge of the screen, and a second light portion displayed on the screen itself, the second light portion extending from the edge of the screen proximate to where the first light portion terminates, to option. The width, color and/or visual pattern of the first and second portions may be similar so as to accentuate the connectedness between the button and the option. Such a control panel may be associated with a standalone photograph printer.
32 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A control panel comprising:
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at least one screen configured to display at least one selectable option;
a user interface comprising at least one button configured to select said at least one option, when said first button is activated; and
a visual connection between the at least one button and the at least one option, the visual connection comprising;
a first light portion extending between the at least one button and a first point proximate an edge of the screen; and
a second light portion extending between a second point within the screen and the at least one option displayed on the screen, wherein the first and second points are sufficiently close to one another so as establish an association between the at least one button and the at least one option. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A control panel comprising:
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at least one screen configured to display an object along with information about a status of the object, the information being displayed at a predetermined location on the screen;
a user interface comprising at least one button configured to affect the status of said object; and
a visual connection between the at least one button and the information, the visual connection comprising;
a first light portion extending between the at least one button and a first point proximate an edge of the screen; and
a second light portion extending between a second point within the screen and the predetermined location, wherein the first and second points are sufficiently close to one another so as establish an association between the at least one button and the information. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of linking an option displayed on a screen to a button configured to select the option, the button not being on the screen, the method comprising:
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illuminating a first light portion extending between the button and a first point proximate an edge of the screen; and
illuminating a second light portion extending between a second point within the screen and the at least one option displayed on the screen, wherein the first and second points are sufficiently close to one another so as establish an association between the at least one button and the at least one option. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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Specification