EP0284129A1 - Control panel - Google Patents

Control panel Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0284129A1
EP0284129A1 EP88200412A EP88200412A EP0284129A1 EP 0284129 A1 EP0284129 A1 EP 0284129A1 EP 88200412 A EP88200412 A EP 88200412A EP 88200412 A EP88200412 A EP 88200412A EP 0284129 A1 EP0284129 A1 EP 0284129A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
control
panel
pattern
control circuit
members
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
EP88200412A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Hendrikus Johannes Adrianus Van Paradijs
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Prolion BV
Original Assignee
Prolion BV
Multinorm BV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Prolion BV, Multinorm BV filed Critical Prolion BV
Publication of EP0284129A1 publication Critical patent/EP0284129A1/en
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
    • H01H13/70—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard
    • H01H13/78—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard characterised by the contacts or the contact sites
    • H01H13/807—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard characterised by the contacts or the contact sites characterised by the spatial arrangement of the contact sites, e.g. superimposed sites
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
    • H01H13/70—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard
    • H01H13/84—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard characterised by ergonomic functions, e.g. for miniature keyboards; characterised by operational sensory functions, e.g. sound feedback
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2217/00—Facilitation of operation; Human engineering
    • H01H2217/018—Indication of switch sites
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2225/00—Switch site location
    • H01H2225/022—Switch site location other then row-column disposition

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a panel for a control system with more than one control circuit, which panel is provided with a surface having arranged thereon or therein manually controllable members, such as touch keys, which are disposed in a pattern.
  • Such panels are known in many embodiments, par­ticularly where control panels for a single control circuit are concerned.
  • An example here is a touch key board for a telephone and the like.
  • control panels for multiple control circuits the problem arises that the user cannot find his way "blind" around the panel.
  • the invention has for its object to set out the control panel such that the user is immediately able to find his way around it and can therefore access the correct func­tions in the control circuit without error.
  • the panel according to the invention is distin­guished in that each group of control members associated with a control circuit is grouped on the panel surface separately relative to control members associated with other control circuits.
  • the user can hereby learn quickly and clearly which group of control members he has to use for a particular function.
  • Ease of recognition is increased by disposing the group of control members associated with a control circuit in a distinctive pattern.
  • This pattern may for example be a row of control members, but can also be a cruciform or rectangular pattern.
  • control members for operating a main function in the control circuit be given a distinctive position or form in that pattern.
  • touch keys are usually to be used more than the touch keys or less important positions in the group so that as a result of this particular placing or particular form, identifying of the operating member is facilitated.
  • the panel surface has a raised or recessed relief line each bounding a pattern, which makes the group easier to recognize.
  • control member for a main function preferably lies at a point where the relief line encloses an angle of at least 90°.
  • control member in the form of a touch key for example for a main function, can also display a relief in the touch surface thereof.
  • the control panel shown in fig. 1 consists of a housing 1, in which are accommodated control circuits which lead by means of a connecting cable 2 to the members of for instance an agricultural machine which have to be actuated.
  • Housing 1 is arranged on a support 3 which can be placed in the required position by means of a clamp construction 4, so that control panel 1 can be optimally positioned ergonomically relative to an operator as to ease of manual operation and display of selected functions.
  • Housing 1 is formed on the upper part with a panel surface 5 on which or in which are arranged control members 6, here in the form of touch keys.
  • housing 1 Placed on the top of housing 1 is a second housing 7 provided with a visual display 8 on which can be read the various functions in operation.
  • the panel control surface 5 is set out such that optimum ease of recognition is provided for the operator.
  • control unit shown in fig. 1 is intended for an agricultural machine having multiple functions therein for operation, for instance a combine harvester
  • the operator then has to set these diverse functions into opera­tion at the correct moment.
  • the operator also has to keep his attention focused on the actual steering of the machine over the field, so that control panel 5 must be recognized by touch.
  • control panel 5 is disposed such that the control members 6 are grouped in recognizable form.
  • fig. 2 which shows the same sub­division of the panel surface 5 as in fig. 1, it can be stated that for example the group of touch keys in the field 10 serve to set the lighting in operation, those in field 11 are for setting interior conveyor belts in operation, the field 12 is for rendering a discharge chute inoperative, the two separately arranged touch keys 13 are for separate func­tions in the farm machine, the field 14 is for the entire cutting apparatus on the front of the machine, the field 15 is for setting in operation of the threshing members and the field 16 for varying the revolution speed thereof.
  • the group of touch keys for a particular control circuit are grouped in a determined pattern, for instance the fields 10, 11 and 15 in a square pattern, the field 14 in a rectangular pattern, the fields 12 and 16 as a column and the keys 13 separately. This already gives the operator a large measure of recognition, since the finding of the edge of the control panel and the pattern associated therewith can be performed easily by touch.
  • Tactile recognition can be further increased by surrounding each field with a relief line 20 that is raised or recessed relative to panel surface 5.
  • This edge can be formed by raising or lowering the whole of field 14 relative to the upper surface of panel 5, but the line can also be formed by a rib or groove.
  • the invention proposes to arrange the keys for controlling a main function in the corners of the field. This means that the relief line 20 in such a corner will normally enclose an angle of at least 90°, so that tactile recognition of this key 6 ⁇ likewise becomes easier.
  • Fig. 3, 4 and 5 each show different embodiments with respect to the grouping of the control keys.
  • fig. 5 shows field shapes which deviate from the right-angled form.
  • Field 21 is thus H-shaped, field 22 cross-shaped and field 23 angle-shaped, etc.
  • the invention is of course not limited to the above described embodiment. It is for instance possible to replace the touch keys as in the figures shown with tumbler switches and the like, to replace the round form shown with a trian­gular form, and it is even possible to provide the key tops of the touch keys with a relief, which results in improved ease of recognition for an individual key.

Landscapes

  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)
  • Input From Keyboards Or The Like (AREA)
  • Patch Boards (AREA)

Abstract

A control panel with more than one control circuit having control members (6) disposed in a pattern. Each group of control members of a control circuit is grouped separately from the control members of another control cir­cuit. The user will find his way "blind" over the panel.

Description



  • The invention relates to a panel for a control system with more than one control circuit, which panel is provided with a surface having arranged thereon or therein manually controllable members, such as touch keys, which are disposed in a pattern.
  • Such panels are known in many embodiments, par­ticularly where control panels for a single control circuit are concerned. An example here is a touch key board for a telephone and the like. In the case of control panels for multiple control circuits the problem arises that the user cannot find his way "blind" around the panel.
  • The invention has for its object to set out the control panel such that the user is immediately able to find his way around it and can therefore access the correct func­tions in the control circuit without error.
  • The panel according to the invention is distin­guished in that each group of control members associated with a control circuit is grouped on the panel surface separately relative to control members associated with other control circuits.
  • The user can hereby learn quickly and clearly which group of control members he has to use for a particular function.
  • Ease of recognition is increased by disposing the group of control members associated with a control circuit in a distinctive pattern. This pattern may for example be a row of control members, but can also be a cruciform or rectangular pattern.
  • In accordance with a further development of the invention it is thereby recommended that the control members for operating a main function in the control circuit be given a distinctive position or form in that pattern. Such touch keys are usually to be used more than the touch keys or less important positions in the group so that as a result of this particular placing or particular form, identifying of the operating member is facilitated.
  • In order to provide tactile recognition of the pattern of a group of control members, the panel surface has a raised or recessed relief line each bounding a pattern, which makes the group easier to recognize.
  • In such a distinctive pattern the control member for a main function preferably lies at a point where the relief line encloses an angle of at least 90°.
  • According to another embodiment the control member in the form of a touch key, for example for a main function, can also display a relief in the touch surface thereof.
  • The invention is further elucidated in the follow­ing figure description of a number of embodiments.
  • In the drawing:
    • Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a control panel, whereby the panel surface is set out as according to the invention,
    • fig. 2, 3, 4 and 5 each show perspective top views of a possible control panel set out as according to the inven­tion.
  • The control panel shown in fig. 1 consists of a housing 1, in which are accommodated control circuits which lead by means of a connecting cable 2 to the members of for instance an agricultural machine which have to be actuated. Housing 1 is arranged on a support 3 which can be placed in the required position by means of a clamp construction 4, so that control panel 1 can be optimally positioned ergonomically relative to an operator as to ease of manual operation and display of selected functions.
  • Housing 1 is formed on the upper part with a panel surface 5 on which or in which are arranged control members 6, here in the form of touch keys.
  • Placed on the top of housing 1 is a second housing 7 provided with a visual display 8 on which can be read the various functions in operation.
  • In accordance with the invention the panel control surface 5 is set out such that optimum ease of recognition is provided for the operator.
  • Assuming that the control unit shown in fig. 1 is intended for an agricultural machine having multiple functions therein for operation, for instance a combine harvester, the operator then has to set these diverse functions into opera­tion at the correct moment. In the case of a travelling farm machine the operator also has to keep his attention focused on the actual steering of the machine over the field, so that control panel 5 must be recognized by touch.
  • In accordance with the invention the control panel 5 is disposed such that the control members 6 are grouped in recognizable form.
  • With reference to fig. 2, which shows the same sub­division of the panel surface 5 as in fig. 1, it can be stated that for example the group of touch keys in the field 10 serve to set the lighting in operation, those in field 11 are for setting interior conveyor belts in operation, the field 12 is for rendering a discharge chute inoperative, the two separately arranged touch keys 13 are for separate func­tions in the farm machine, the field 14 is for the entire cutting apparatus on the front of the machine, the field 15 is for setting in operation of the threshing members and the field 16 for varying the revolution speed thereof.
  • The above mentioned function designations are purely illustrative and fall otherwise outside the scope of the invention.
  • Important here is that the group of touch keys for a particular control circuit are grouped in a determined pattern, for instance the fields 10, 11 and 15 in a square pattern, the field 14 in a rectangular pattern, the fields 12 and 16 as a column and the keys 13 separately. This already gives the operator a large measure of recognition, since the finding of the edge of the control panel and the pattern associated therewith can be performed easily by touch.
  • Tactile recognition can be further increased by surrounding each field with a relief line 20 that is raised or recessed relative to panel surface 5. This edge can be formed by raising or lowering the whole of field 14 relative to the upper surface of panel 5, but the line can also be formed by a rib or groove.
  • Should more than six touch keys or the like as shown in field 14 be used in a group of control members, the invention then proposes to arrange the keys for controlling a main function in the corners of the field. This means that the relief line 20 in such a corner will normally enclose an angle of at least 90°, so that tactile recognition of this key 6ʹ likewise becomes easier.
  • Fig. 3, 4 and 5 each show different embodiments with respect to the grouping of the control keys.
  • In particular, fig. 5 shows field shapes which deviate from the right-angled form. Field 21 is thus H-shaped, field 22 cross-shaped and field 23 angle-shaped, etc.
  • As a result of the use of the relief line 20 round a group of control members, ease of recognition of the control circuits is considerably increased.
  • The invention is of course not limited to the above described embodiment. It is for instance possible to replace the touch keys as in the figures shown with tumbler switches and the like, to replace the round form shown with a trian­gular form, and it is even possible to provide the key tops of the touch keys with a relief, which results in improved ease of recognition for an individual key.

Claims (6)

1. Panel for a control system with more than one control circuit, which panel is provided with a surface having arranged thereon or therein manually controllable members, such as touch keys, which are disposed in a pattern, charac­terized in that the group of control members associated with a control circuit is in each case grouped on the panel surface separately relative to control members associated with other control circuits.
2. Panel as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the group of control members associated with a control circuit is disposed in a distinctive pattern.
3. Panel as claimed in claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the control members for controlling a main function in the control circuit have a distinctive position or form in that pattern.
4. Panel as claimed in claims 1-3, characterized in that the panel surface has a raised or recessed relief line bounding a pattern in each case.
5. Panel as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the control member for a main function has a position in the pattern where the relief line encloses an angle of at least 90°.
6. Panel as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the control member in the form of a touch key, for example for a main function, displays a relief in the touch surface.
EP88200412A 1987-03-06 1988-03-04 Control panel Ceased EP0284129A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL8700551 1987-03-06
NL8700551A NL8700551A (en) 1987-03-06 1987-03-06 CONTROL PANEL.

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0284129A1 true EP0284129A1 (en) 1988-09-28

Family

ID=19849673

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP88200412A Ceased EP0284129A1 (en) 1987-03-06 1988-03-04 Control panel

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0284129A1 (en)
JP (1) JPS63277406A (en)
NL (1) NL8700551A (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0446396A1 (en) * 1990-03-15 1991-09-18 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Control device for programmable technical system in a building
FR2825832A1 (en) * 2001-06-07 2002-12-13 Siemens Automotive Sa Car interior touch sensitive surface, e.g. for controlling air-conditioner or radio, has control unit with switches/presets which when touched activate control electronics

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2764922B2 (en) * 1988-06-16 1998-06-11 ソニー株式会社 Operation unit of electronic equipment

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BE662996A (en) * 1964-04-28 1965-08-17 Derefa Etablis Pour Le Dev Rec
FR2191403A1 (en) * 1972-06-29 1974-02-01 Alpes Francaise Manuf
GB2009047A (en) * 1977-11-25 1979-06-13 Safeway Stores Touch checking key tops for keyboard

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BE662996A (en) * 1964-04-28 1965-08-17 Derefa Etablis Pour Le Dev Rec
FR2191403A1 (en) * 1972-06-29 1974-02-01 Alpes Francaise Manuf
GB2009047A (en) * 1977-11-25 1979-06-13 Safeway Stores Touch checking key tops for keyboard

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0446396A1 (en) * 1990-03-15 1991-09-18 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Control device for programmable technical system in a building
FR2825832A1 (en) * 2001-06-07 2002-12-13 Siemens Automotive Sa Car interior touch sensitive surface, e.g. for controlling air-conditioner or radio, has control unit with switches/presets which when touched activate control electronics

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS63277406A (en) 1988-11-15
NL8700551A (en) 1988-10-03

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4688020A (en) Reconfigurable keyboard
US4280121A (en) Keyboard assembly with controllable key legends
DE3000228A1 (en) SWITCHING DEVICE
US4745404A (en) Display device for planning purposes
JP2004234652A (en) Cross-point matrix for infrared touch screen
CA1051996A (en) Apparatus for signalling the position of a point on a surface
EP3864498B1 (en) Button supply
EP0284129A1 (en) Control panel
EP0121866A2 (en) Keyboard joyswitch
EP0291910A2 (en) Keyboard
DE3906585A1 (en) Remote control unit
EP1475692A3 (en) Touch-controlled switching device
WO1987006077A1 (en) Opto-electronic display device with proximity detector
CN1244943C (en) Selection switch, especially four-position or many-position switch
JPS5838979Y2 (en) Erroneous input prevention device for data input panel
DE69027381T2 (en) Dial number generator
JPH0555222U (en) Keyboard switch method
EP0148561B1 (en) Control device with a rotary control knob
EP2023775A1 (en) Built-in kitchen, kitchen equipment, and control element therefor
CA2188140A1 (en) A method for handling obscured items on computer displays
EP0347375A1 (en) Push button disposition on a circuit board
EP0449077A2 (en) Floor and direction indicator unit for an elevator
JPH01213921A (en) Key switch of small-sized electric apparatus
KR840001630Y1 (en) Elector switch
DE3532201A1 (en) Electronic keypad

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): DE ES FR GB NL

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19890314

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: PROLION B.V.

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19910708

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: PROLION B.V.

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN REFUSED

18R Application refused

Effective date: 19921102