GB2345192A

GB2345192A - Panel display

Info

Publication number: GB2345192A
Application number: GB9828280A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Simon Maddox
Original assignee: MADDOX BROADCAST Ltd
Current assignee: MADDOX BROADCAST Ltd
Priority date: 1998-12-22
Filing date: 1998-12-22
Publication date: 2000-06-28
Also published as: GB9828280D0

Abstract

A bank of switches comprises a LCD panel 100 display over which is arranged a plurality of switches 106 at least partly formed of a non-opaque material, the panel display being adapted to display images associated with the switch in at least the area beneath the non-opaque material. The switch can be a moveable member 110 including a transparent portion 112 located over the panel display, movement thereof toward the panel display activating a switch element 118. The moveable member can be hinged at one point, or it can be free floating, supported by one or more switch elements. The switch elements are preferably microswitches. It is preferred if the switch is of a transparent plastics part held within an opaque surround. Alternatively, the switches can comprise adhesive elements adapted to be secured to the panel display and including a membrane switch element.

Description

SWITCH The present invention relates to a switch, and describes an embodiment particularly adapted for use in information technology systems.

In the design of use interfaces, it is important to display information clearly so that the choices are not misunderstood. It is also desirable to have a positive tactile response mechanism when selections have to be made. This reassures the operator that their selection has been noted.

It is notable that in graphical user interfaces such as Windows (tm), a successful'click'on a graphical button is often reinforced by an animated button movement.

Tactile input devices are well known in the form of switches. In electrical and electronic equipment, these are normally labelle as to their functions, and may be illuminated to confirm activation. With computer screens, it is possible to show information in a more dynamic way, and touch-sensitive screen membranes allow dynamic choices to be made. This does not however offer any tactile feed-back, and is usually not satisfying to use.

The development of small LCD displays has recently allowed the inclusion of a switch incorporating such display within the button, using a green illuminated monochrome text display capable of displaying two rows of programme level text or simple graphics. These offer good tactile feedback, but are limited in the information that they can provide due to the necessary constraints of designing LCD displays that can fit into such small areas.

The present invention therefore provides a bank of switches, comprising a panel display over which is arranged a plurality of switches at least partly formed of a non-opaque material, the panel display being adapted to display images associated with the switch in at least the area beneath the non-opaque material.

The switch can be a moveable member including a transparent portion located over the panel display, movement thereof toward the panel display activating a switch element. The moveable member can be hinged at one point, or it can be free floating, supported by one or more switch elements.

The switch elements are preferably microswitches.

It is preferred if the switch is of plastics, more preferably a transparent plastics part held within by an opaque surround.

Alternatively, the switches can comprise adhesive elements thereby adapted to be secured to the panel display and including a membrane switch element.

The switch elements are preferably positioned over a rigid support, thereby to prevent pressure on the panel display.

The panel display is preferably on LCD display as this permits accurate and reproducible positioning of images.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying Figures, in which; Figures 1 and 2 are plan and section views through a switch according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figures 3 and 4 are plan and sectional views through a switch according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and Figures 5 and 6 are plan and sectional views through a switch according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a flat panel LCD display 100 is held within a frame 102. An overlay 104 is placed over the display 100 and frame 102, and is self-adhesive thereby ensuring its retention. The overlay 104 is generally opaque, but has apertures over which are placed switch elements 106.

Each switch element 106 comprises a support 108 at its top edge about which a push button 110 can rotate. Each push button 110 comprises a central transparent portion 112 bounded by an opaque border 114. The opaque border 114 has a raised area 116, beneath which is placed a microswitch 118.

Thus, when the raised area 118 is depressed by a user, the microswitch 118 is activated. A suitable tactile response can either be incorporated within the microswitch 118 or within the support 108.

Meanwhile, an image can be produced on the flat panel display 100 beneath the transparent portion 112. This will then be visible through the switch. A flat panel LCD display is strongly preferred, as images can be projected to a specific set of pixels which can be accurately located. Other types of screens such as cathode ray tubes do not guarantee an accurate absolute location for a pixel.

The overlay 104 is preferably rigid so as to support the switch mechanisms 106 and absorb the pressure exerted on them by a user during activation. Such pressure could adversely affect an LCD screen.

Figures 3 and 4 show a second embodiment. A flat panel LCD screen 200 is again held within a frame 202. A backing 204 is placed over the screen 200 and frame 202, and is sufficiently rigid to support a plurality of switches 206. In this case, each switch 206 comprises a central transparent portion 212 held within an opaque frame 214. Each opaque frame 214 is supported at its top and bottom edges by a microswitch 218a and 218b. Thus, when the switch 206 is pressed, at any point on its surface, at least one of the microswitches 218a and 218b will be activated.

Once again, images displayed on the flat panel LCD display 200 beneath the transparent portions 212 will be visible through the switch. Thus, to select the function associated with whatever images displayed, the user simply needs to press where the image is visible. Meanwhile, the action of the microswitches 218a and 218b will give a suitable tactile feedback to the switch movement.

Figures 5 and 6 show a third embodiment of the present invention.

A flat panel LCD display 300 is supported within a frame 302, over which are laid a plurality of self-adhesive switch masks 304. Each comprise a single layer of flexible material, and are printed with an external border 306, leaving a central transparent portion 308. Each also includes a switch area 310.

A membrane switch 312 is sandwiched beneath each switch area 310. Thus, when the switch area 310 is pressed, the membrane switch 312 activates the function associated with the image visible in the transparent area 308. Each membrane switch is supported on a rigid support 314 so as to prevent any distortion of the LCD panel display 300.

This embodiment is somewhat less preferred, as it gives a less tactile feedback. However, it is likely to be significantly easier to manufacture and assemble, and more compact in its appearance.

It would of course be appreciated that the above-described embodiments are merely exemplary of the present invention, and that many variations are possible thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A bank of switches, comprising a panel display over which is arranged a plurality of switches at least partly formed of a non-opaque material, the panel display being adapted to display images associated with the switch in at least the area beneath the non-opaque material.
2. A bank according to claim 1 in which one or more switches is a moveable member including a transparent portion located over the panel display, movement thereof toward the panel display activating a switch element.
3. A bank according to claim 2 in which the moveable member is hinged at one point.
4. A bank according to claim 2 in which the moveable member is free floating.
5. A bank according to any preceding claim in which the switch elements are microswitches.
6. A bank according to any preceding claim in which the switch elements are of plastics.
7. A bank according to any preceding claim in which the switch elements are of a transparent plastics part held within by an opaque surround.
8. A bank according to any preceding claim in which the switch elements comprise adhesive elements thereby adapted to be secured to the panel display and include a membrane switch element.
9. A bank according to any preceding claim in which the switch elements are positioned over a rigid support, thereby to prevent pressure on the panel display.
10. A bank according to any preceding claim in which the panel display is an LCD display.