Control interface bezel

• US 20060033720A1
• Filed: 06/04/2004
• Published: 02/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Xantech Corporation (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Original Assignee: Xantech Corporation (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Inventors: Avendano, Victor M., Wyche, Chester A. Jr., Bond, Raymond G., Robbins, Michael S.
• Application Number:
  US10/862,186
• Publication Number:
  US 20060033720A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1607 Arrangements to support accessories mechanically attached to the display housing G06F1/1603, G06F1/1605 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus

Abstract

A control interface is disclosed that includes a display screen, a touch screen disposed on the display screen, a processor electrically connected to the display and the touch screen, and a bezel disposed over the touch screen. The bezel preferably includes a plurality of buttons and a plug. The plug preferably projects from the bezel and contacts a socket connected to a processor, thereby communicating information via the socket to the processor regarding the bezel.

Claims

1-19. -19. (canceled)

20. A bezel for a display device comprising:

a frame having an exposed side and a contact side opposite the exposed side;

a plurality of buttons disposed on the frame, the plurality of buttons being actuated by a user from the exposed side of the frame and communicating input information via the contact side of the frame; and

a plug projecting from the frame and encoding a bezel type among a plurality of bezel types for the bezel.

21. The bezel of claim 20, the plug encoding the bezel type based on a configuration of prongs on the plug.

22. The bezel of claim 20, the bezel further comprising a plurality of buttons, the plurality of buttons being removable and comprising a button notch projecting from a contact side and encoding a button type among a plurality of button types.

23. The bezel of claim 20, the frame being coupled to a button of the plurality of buttons by a flexible extending tab, and the frame, the button and the tab being a unitary structure.

24. The bezel of claim 20, the frame and a button of the plurality of buttons being a unitary structure, and a flexible perimeter delineating the button.

25. The bezel of claim 20, the frame and a button of the plurality of buttons being defined by a location on the frame, the frame being formed of a flexible material.

26. A bezel for a display device comprising:

a frame having an exposed side and a contact side opposite the exposed side;

a plurality of buttons disposed on the frame, the plurality of buttons being actuated by a user from the exposed side of the frame and communicating input information via the contact side of the frame; and

a plug projecting from the frame and encoding a bezel type among a plurality of bezel types for the bezel based on a configuration of prongs on the plug.

27. The bezel of claim 26, the bezel further comprising a plurality of buttons, the plurality of buttons being removable and comprising a button notch projecting from a contact side and encoding a button type among a plurality of button types.

28. The bezel of claim 26, the frame being coupled to a button of the plurality of buttons by a flexible extending tab, and the frame, the button and the tab being a unitary structure.

29. The bezel of claim 26, the frame and a button of the plurality of buttons being a unitary structure, and a flexible perimeter delineating the button.

30. The bezel of claim 26, the frame and a button of the plurality of buttons being defined by a location on the frame, the frame being formed of a flexible material.

31-35. -35. (canceled)