Operator/circuit interface with integrated display screen
First Claim
1. In a radio having a plurality of station selector switches each having a button which may be depressed to select a particular station and having means for enabling a user of the radio to condition each button for selection of a particular station that is chosen by the user, the improvement comprising a plurality of flat panel display screens for generating visible images, each of said screens forming at least a portion of the front surface of a separate one of said buttons, and control means for causing each of said screens to display indicia which identifies the user chosen station that is selected by depression of the particular button.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Operator interaction with electrical systems is facilitated by providing electromechanical control devices, which have switch buttons, rotary knobs or the like, with flat panel displays that convey information pertaining to the controls that can be changed instantly by a display controller. The display may identify the function of the control, the current setting, create calibration marks or provide other graphics. The images change automatically if the same control is used for multiple functions. In one form of the invention, the display screen has openings in the image area and the controls extend through and protrude from the screen enabling display of graphics in close proximity to the controls. In another form, the settings of controls which are secured to the face of a display screen are optically or magnetically detected by sensors located behind the screen. In still another form of the invention, the display is embedded in a switch key and has an image area that is substantially coextensive with the key. This enables permanent markings, such as are found on computer keyboard keys for example, to be replaced with changeable images that identify multiple functions of the keys.
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Citations
4 Claims
- 1. In a radio having a plurality of station selector switches each having a button which may be depressed to select a particular station and having means for enabling a user of the radio to condition each button for selection of a particular station that is chosen by the user, the improvement comprising a plurality of flat panel display screens for generating visible images, each of said screens forming at least a portion of the front surface of a separate one of said buttons, and control means for causing each of said screens to display indicia which identifies the user chosen station that is selected by depression of the particular button.
Specification