Multiplexing control device and method for electronic systems

• US 6,340,800 B1
• Filed: 05/27/2000
• Issued: 01/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Partin, Phillip Edward, Zhai, Shumin
• Primary Examiner(s): FRIEDHOFER, MICHAEL A
• Application Number:
  US09/580,994
• Time in Patent Office: 605 Days
• Field of Search: 200/1.R, 200/5.R, 200/4, 200/6.R, 200/11.R, 200/16.R, 200/17.R, 200/18, 200/1.B, 200/42.01, 200/563, 200/566, 200/318.2, 200/321, 200/336, 200/339
• US Class Current: 200/5.00R
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/01 also rotatable
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/016 Lever; Rocker
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/00 Switches with compound movement of handle or other operating part

Abstract

A compact multiplexing control device combines simplicity with efficiency, ease of use, and quick access, and enables a user to switch among multiple functions. The multiplexing control device is comprised of two main components: a selector and an executor. The selector is a manually rotatable ring labeled with functions. The executor is a rocker which is disposed at a fixed location at the center of the ring. In a resting position, the rocker is aligned with a pair of functions, while in a selection position, the ring is rotated so that the rocker is aligned with a new pair of functions. Once the desired function is aligned with one pad of the rocker, the user can press that pad to execute the selected function.

Claims

1. A multiplexing control device comprising:

a selector for allowing a user to manually select a pair of a plurality of functions;

an executor disposed at a fixed location relative to the selector, for causing one function of the pair of functions to be executed; and

wherein when the selector selects a pair of functions, the executor is aligned with the selected pair of functions.

2. The multiplexing control device according to claim 1, wherein the selector includes a rotatable ring with labels corresponding to said plurality of functions.

3. The multiplexing control device according to claim 2, wherein the executor includes a rocker disposed inside the ring.

4. The multiplexing control device according to claim 3, wherein the rocker includes two pads;

and

wherein in a resting position, the pads are aligned with a first pair of said labels corresponding to desired ones of the functions.

5. The multiplexing control device according to claim 4, wherein in a selection position, the ring is rotated so that the pads are aligned with a second pair of said labels corresponding to other desired ones of the functions.

6. The multiplexing control device according to claim 5, wherein one of the desired functions is executed as a result of the application of pressure on one of the pads.

7. The multiplexing control device according to claim 4, wherein the rocker includes at least two pads that are disposed outside the ring.

8. The multiplexing control device according to claim 4, wherein a selected pair of the functions includes functions that are logically related.

9. The multiplexing control device according to claim 8, wherein the first pair of the labels are diametrically and oppositely disposed relative to the rocker.

10. The multiplexing control device according to claim 3, wherein the rocker includes three pads;

and

wherein in a resting position, the pads are aligned with three of the labels corresponding to desired ones of the functions.

11. A multiplexing control device comprising:

a selector including labels corresponding to a plurality of functions, for allowing a user to manually select a pair of the plurality of functions;

an executor for causing one function of the pair of functions to be executed; and

wherein when the selector selects a pair of the functions, the executor is aligned with the selected pair of the functions.

12. The multiplexing control device according to claim 11, wherein the selector includes a ring.

13. The multiplexing control device according to claim 12, wherein the ring is fixed relative to a rocker;

wherein the rocker is rotatable relative to the ring; and

wherein the executor include the rocker disposed inside the ring.

14. The multiplexing control device according to claim 13, wherein the rocker includes two pads;

and

wherein in a resting position, the pads are aligned with a first pair of the labels on the ring.

15. The multiplexing control device according to claim 14, wherein in a selection position, the rocker is rotated so that the pads are aligned with a second pair of the labels on the ring.

16. The multiplexing control device according to claim 15, wherein a desired one of the functions is executed as a result of the application of pressure on one of the pads.

17. The multiplexing control device according to claim 14, wherein the rocker includes at least two pads that are disposed outsider the ring.

18. The multiplexing control device according to claim 14, wherein a selected pair of the functions includes functions that are logically related.

19. The multiplexing control device according to claim 18, wherein the first pair of the labels are diametrically and oppositely disposed relative to the rocker.

20. The multiplexing control device according to claim 13, wherein the rocker includes three pads;

and

wherein in a resting position, the pads are aligned with three of the functions labels on the ring.