Configurable keypad

• US 20090040074A1
• Filed: 08/07/2007
• Published: 02/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: McTavish, Melissa A., Hale, David A.
• Application Number:
  US11/890,632
• Publication Number:
  US 20090040074A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 341/22
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0238 Programmable keyboards key guide holders G06F3/0224

Abstract

A configurable keypad for a machine. The keypad may include a plurality of pushbuttons having selectively illuminated icons and indicator lights identifying available operations on the machine. A controller may determine when the machine is authorized to perform a particular operation. The controller may then enable select pushbuttons and illuminate associated icons and indicator lights. The icons and indicator lights may be selectively translucent such only illuminated icons and indicator lights may be visible to a machine operator.

Claims

1. A configurable operator control station for a machine, comprising:

a keypad having a plurality of pushbuttons, at least one pushbutton having an indicator portion identifying an operation of the machine; and

a controller configured to determine when the machine is authorized to perform the particular operation;

wherein the indicator portion is illuminated when the machine is authorized to perform the particular operation.

2. The operator control station of claim 1, further including:

at least one indicator light associated with the at least one pushbutton;

wherein the at least one indicator light is illuminated to identify an operating state of the machine relating to the associated pushbutton.

3. The operator control station of claim 2, wherein illumination of at least one of the indicator portion and the indicator lights is operable to change as the operating state of the machine changes.

4. The operator control station of claim 1, wherein illumination of the indicator portion is operable to change as an operating state of the machine changes.

5. The operator control station of claim 1, wherein the controller detects an operating state of the machine to determine authorization of each pushbutton.

6. The operator control station of claim 1, wherein each pushbutton is operable to cause the operation of the machine identified by the indicator portion.

7. The operator control station of claim 1, wherein each pushbutton is operable to cause the particular operation when the indicator portion is illuminated.

8. The operator control station of claim 1, wherein the indicator portion is turned off when the machine is unauthorized to perform the particular operation.

9. The operator control station of claim 7, wherein the pushbutton is unable to cause the particular operation when the indicator portion is not illuminated.

10. The operator control station of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to determine the illumination of the indicator portion.

11. The operator control station of claim 1, wherein the indicator portion is selectively translucent.

12. A method for selective operation of a keypad for a machine, comprising

associating a pushbutton of the keypad with an operation of the machine;

determining if the machine is authorized to perform the operation; and

illuminating a select portion of the pushbutton in response to authorization.

13. The method of claims 12, further including:

associating at least one an indicator light with the pushbutton; and

illuminating the at least one indicator light in response to the machine performing the operation.

14. The method of claim 13, further including:

changing the illumination of at least one of the select portion of the pushbutton and the indicator light in response to a change in an operating state of the machine.

15. The method of claim 12, further including:

changing the illumination of the select portion of the pushbutton in response to a change in an operating state of the machine.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein determining if the machine is authorized to perform the operation further includes:

detecting an operating state of the machine.

17. The method of claim 12, further including:

enabling the pushbutton to cause the operation upon determining that the machine is authorized to perform the operation.

18. The method as set forth in claim 12, further including:

disabling the pushbutton and turning off the select portion of the pushbutton in response to determining that the machine is not authorized to perform the operation.

19. A configurable keypad for a machine, comprising:

a plurality of pushbuttons, each having an indicator portion identifying an operation of the machine; and

means for receiving a machine authorization signal;

wherein the indicator portion is illuminated in response to receiving the machine authorization signal.

20. The configurable keypad of claim 19, further including:

at least one indicator light associated each pushbutton;

wherein the at least one indicator light is illuminated to identify an operating state of the machine relating to the associated pushbutton.