Operator/circuit interface with integrated display screen

United States Patent m

Jaeger

US005572239A [li] Patent Number: [45] Date of Patent:

5,572,239 Nov. 5,1996

[54] OPERATOR/CIRCUIT INTERFACE WITH INTEGRATED DISPLAY SCREEN

[76] Inventor: Denny Jaeger, 6120 Valley View Rd., Oakland, Calif. 94611

[21] Appl. No.: 420,438
[22] Filed: Apr. 10,199S

Related U.S. Application Data

[63] Continuation of Ser. No. 225,782, Apr. 11,1994, abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 147,545, Nov. 5, 1993, abandoned.

[51] Int. CI.6 G09G 5/00

[52] U.S. CI 345/172; 345/184; 341/23

[58] Field of Search 345/168, 169,

345/170, 171, 172, 173, 184, 905; 341/22, 23, 28, 33, 34

[56] References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

3,798,611 3/1974 Gallant et al 345/172

4,117,542 9/1978 Klausner et al 345/172

4,445,164 4/1984 Giles, in et al. .

4.502.048 2/1985 Rehm 345/170

4,551,717 11/1985 Dreher 345/170

4,633,227 12/1986 Menn 345/172

4,644,326 2/1987 Villalobos et al 345/170

5,034,602 7/1991 Garcia, Jr. et al 345/170

5.156.049 10/1992 Douglas 345/184

5,191,320 3/1993 Mackay 345/184

5,266,949 11/1993 Rossi 341/22

5,418,760 5/1995 Kawashima et al 345/173

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.

8 Claims, 19 Drawing Sheets