TACTILE USER INTERFACE

• US 20100231527A1
• Filed: 10/05/2006
• Published: 09/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PKT Technologies Pty. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Fairlight.Au Pty Ltd
• Inventors: Fibaek, Tino
• Granted Patent: US 8,243,025 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0238 Programmable keyboards key guide holders G06F3/0224
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0362 with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts

Abstract

A virtual user interface including: a display screen; a masking means for concealing at least part of said screen and revealing at least one preselected display area; at least one user-actuated control; and control means responsive to said user-actuated control for displaying information on said display area operatively associated with said user-actuated control.

Claims

1. An apparatus configured as a virtual user interface, the apparatus comprising:

a display screen;

a masking element configured to conceal at least part of said screen and revealing at least one preselected display area;

at least one user-actuated control element; and

a controller responsive to a user'"'"'s actuating one of said user-actuated control elements and configured to cause displaying information on said display area operatively associated with said one of user-actuated control elements.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein one of said display areas is a display window and one of said user-actuated control elements is a switch configured to manipulate information displayed on said display window.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein another of said display areas is a switch display configured to indicate the current function of said switch.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said switch display is instantaneously changeable in correspondence with a change in the function of said switch.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4 including an image conduit configured to convey information from said switch display to a location spaced from said screen.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said image conduit includes a plurality of optical fibres or an arrangement of lenses.

7. An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said switch includes a translucent cap adjacent one end of said image conduit for displaying said information from said image conduit.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said controller is mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB).

9. An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said PCB forms at least part of said masking element.

10. An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said switch is mounted on said PCB.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said switch is depressible mounted on said PCB.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said switch is located directly above said switch display.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said switch includes a silicon keymat attached to said cap, said keymat including at least one primary electronically conductive switch contact such that depression of said cap causes electrically transmissive contact between said primary switch contact and a corresponding base contact on said PCB for activating the function displayed on said switch display.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said keymat includes at least one secondary electronically conductive switch contact at a different height from said primary switch contact such that the velocity of depression of said switch can be measured.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said primary and secondary switch contacts are conductive carbon pills.

16. An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein one of said user-actuated control elements is a knob configured to manipulate said information displayed on said display window.

17. An apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said knob is rotatably mounted.

18. An apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said knob includes an indictor element engaging a sensor on said PCB configured to translate rotational movement of said knob to said PCB.

19. An apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said indictor element includes a pair of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and corresponding receivers.

20. An apparatus according to claim 19 wherein one said of display areas is a knob display configured to indicate the current function and status of said knob.

21. An apparatus according to claim 20 wherein said knob display is adjacent to said knob.

22. An apparatus according to claim 19 including a light conduit formed by a slot in said PCB directly above said knob display, said light conduit configured to convey information from said knob display to a location spaced from said screen.

23. An apparatus according to claim 20 wherein said knob is adjacent to said display window such that a portion of said display window closest to said knob is said knob display.

24. An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein one of said user-actuated control elements is a touch sensor mounted over said display window.

25. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said masking element includes a protective product surface.

26. (canceled)

27. An apparatus for a user interface, the apparatus comprising:

a display screen;

means for concealing at least part of said screen and revealing at least one preselected display area;

at least one user-actuated control element; and

control means for displaying information on said display area in response to a user'"'"'s actuating at least one of said user-actuated control element, said control means operatively associated with said user-actuated control elements.