Controlling device with illuminated user interface
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A user interface, comprising:
- a plurality of input elements;
a source of light energy; and
a fiber optic filament mat provided with irregularities with the irregularities provided to the fiber optic filament mat being arranged to form one or more visible iconic patterns when the fiber optic filament mat is illuminated by the source of light energy, the one or more visible iconic patterns being positioned relative to the plurality of input elements to convey information concerning the input elements.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An illuminable user interface includes a plurality of input elements, a source of light energy, and a fiber optic filament mat provided with irregularities arranged in one or more controlled patterns to thereby form one or more visible images when the fiber optic filament mat is illuminated by the source of light energy. The one or more visible images are positioned relative to the input elements to convey information concerning the input elements.
70 Citations
46 Claims
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1. A user interface, comprising:
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a plurality of input elements; a source of light energy; and a fiber optic filament mat provided with irregularities with the irregularities provided to the fiber optic filament mat being arranged to form one or more visible iconic patterns when the fiber optic filament mat is illuminated by the source of light energy, the one or more visible iconic patterns being positioned relative to the plurality of input elements to convey information concerning the input elements. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A controlling device, comprising:
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a memory having a library of codes used to command functional operations of one or more appliances; a transmission circuit for transmitting codes from the library of codes to the one or more appliances; a plurality of input elements actuatable to cause the transmission circuit to transmit one or more codes from the library of codes to the one or more appliances; a source of light energy; and a fiber optic filament mat provided with irregularities with the irregularities provided to the fiber optic filament mat being arranged to form one or more visible iconic patterns when the fiber optic filament mat is illuminated by the source of light energy, the one or more visible iconic patterns images being positioned relative to the plurality of input elements to convey information concerning the input elements. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A controlling device, comprising:
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a memory having a library of codes used to command functional operations of one or more appliances; a transmission circuit for transmitting codes from the library of codes to the one or more appliances; a touch panel having a touch sensitive surface with multiple actuation areas wherein interaction with an actuation area causes the transmission circuit to transmit one or more codes from the library of codes to the one or more appliances; a source of light energy; and a fiber optic filament mat disposed under the touch panel provided with irregularities with the irregularities provided to the fiber optic filament mat being arranged to form one or more visible iconic patterns under one or more of the multiple actuation areas of the touch sensitive surface when the fiber optic filament mat is illuminated by the source of light energy.
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25. A method for making a user interface:
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providing a fiber optic filament mat with irregularities with the irregularities provided to the fiber optic filament mat being arranged to form one or more visible iconic patterns when the fiber optic filament mat is illuminated by a source of light energy; and positioning the fiber optic filament mat relative to a plurality of input elements whereby the one or more visible iconic patterns function to convey information concerning the input elements. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A controlling device having a memory in which is stored a library of codes used to command functional operations of one or more appliances, a transmission circuit for transmitting codes from the library of codes to the one or more appliances, and a plurality of input elements actuatable to cause the transmission circuit to transmit one or more codes from the library of codes to the one or more appliances manufactured using a method comprising:
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providing a fiber optic filament mat with irregularities with the irregularities provided to the fiber optic filament mat being arranged to form one or more visible iconic patterns when the fiber optic filament mat is illuminated by a source of light energy; and positioning the fiber optic filament mat relative to the plurality of input elements whereby the one or more visible iconic patterns function to convey information concerning the input elements. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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Specification