User interface for a controller
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A user interface for a controller, comprising:
- a panel having multiple indicia representing a user-selectable parameter;
a knob configured to protrude from the panel and movable about a central axis relative to the multiple indicia; and
a light projector comprising;
an illuminating device below the panel;
a light conduit located along the central axis and optically coupled to the illumination device to carry light from the light source along the central axis;
a reflector located within the knob and optically coupled to the light conduit to reflect the carried light; and
a lens located on the knob and optically coupled to the reflector to project the reflected carried light as converging beam of light downwardly onto the panel to form a discrete spot of light on the panel;
wherein the discrete spot of light is in physical proximity with the multiple indicia such that movement of the knob relative to the multiple indicia causes a corresponding movement of the discrete spot of light, and the spot of light indicates which of the multiple indicia is selected by the knob.
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Abstract
A user interface for a controller may include a panel having multiple indicia, a parameter selector configured to move relative to the multiple indicia, and an indicator to indicate which of the multiple indicia is selected by the selector.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A user interface for a controller, comprising:
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a panel having multiple indicia representing a user-selectable parameter; a knob configured to protrude from the panel and movable about a central axis relative to the multiple indicia; and a light projector comprising; an illuminating device below the panel; a light conduit located along the central axis and optically coupled to the illumination device to carry light from the light source along the central axis; a reflector located within the knob and optically coupled to the light conduit to reflect the carried light; and a lens located on the knob and optically coupled to the reflector to project the reflected carried light as converging beam of light downwardly onto the panel to form a discrete spot of light on the panel; wherein the discrete spot of light is in physical proximity with the multiple indicia such that movement of the knob relative to the multiple indicia causes a corresponding movement of the discrete spot of light, and the spot of light indicates which of the multiple indicia is selected by the knob. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A knob for a control panel, comprising:
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a housing at least partially defining an interior; an illumination device located at least partially within the interior and configured to emit light; a first transmission area provided in the housing to permit the transmission of light from the illumination device to an exterior of the housing; a lens optically coupled to the first transmission area to project received light as a converging beam of light through the first transmission area onto the panel to form a discrete spot of light on the panel; a reflector located within the knob and optically coupled to the lens to reflect received light to the lens; and a light conduit located within the housing and optically coupled to the illumination device to carry light from the light source to the reflector; wherein light emitted by the illuminating device is carried by the light conduit to the reflector, which reflects the carried light to the lens, which focuses the light into the beam of light that passes and forms a discrete spot of light on the control panel with a focal point at a predetermined distance from the knob, and the discrete spot of light is in physical proximity with the multiple indicia such that movement of the knob relative to the multiple indicia causes a corresponding movement of the discrete spot of light, and the spot of light indicates which of the multiple indicia is selected by the knob. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification