JPH08129923A - Switch with display function - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To perform the visually detailed display of the function by a switch main body, by arranging an image displaying element on a key top of the switch. CONSTITUTION: An image displaying element 5 capable of displaying the image, such as a small liquid crystal display(LCD) is buried in a key top 3 of a switch to be housed in an electronic equipment device. For example, a man can be displayed as a picture of the LCD, and the movement, for example, walking can be displayed as a moving picture or a still picture by a switch 1. When a picture signal can be supplied from the outside of the switch, the moving picture can be displayed on the LCD by housing a back light for lightening a screen through a process of emitting light from the back side of the LCD and a driving IC as a driver into the switch.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a switch with a display function suitable for application to electronic equipment.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a switch having a visual display function is a color-based switch for switching red and green LEDs (light-emitting diodes) to each other, or a lamp having a picture having a predetermined function meaning. It is known to use a lamp with a picture that is switched to display.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A simple display such as a switch by color display or a switch by a pictorial lamp display or a predetermined display is performed, and generally any image display can be performed. Therefore, the function indicated by the switch with the display function cannot be displayed sufficiently visually.

Therefore, in order to sufficiently visually display the function of the switch, the function of the switch is often explained by using a label or the like indicating the function of the switch as an auxiliary switch display.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a switch with a display function that enables detailed function display.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the first aspect of the present invention is characterized in that an image display element is arranged on the key top of the switch.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the image display element in the first aspect is a liquid crystal display element.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the image of the image display element in the first aspect is a moving image or a still image.

[0009]

According to claim 1 of the present invention, the image display element 5 such as an LCD (liquid crystal display element) is provided on the key top 3 of the switch 1.
Since it is arranged, an image visually showing more detailed functions can be obtained on the switch surface.

According to claim 2 of the present invention, the LCD
Since 5 is used as the image display element, the entire switch system can be downsized.

Further, according to claim 3 of the present invention, since the image of the image display device can be a moving image or a still image, an image suitable for the display function can be selected, and a more detailed image can be visually provided. The function can be obtained as a switch.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a switch having a display function of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a switch 1 with a display function has a small LCD (liquid crystal display) on a key top 3 of a switch incorporated in an electronic device (not shown).
An image display element 5 capable of displaying images such as is embedded. In this example, a person is displayed as an image on the LCD. By this switch 1, it becomes possible to display a certain action of a person, such as walking, as a moving image or a still image. In this example, a human motion is shown as an image, but pictures showing other functions can be shown as an LCD image.

As described above, when the switch 1 with a display function of this example is viewed from above, the external appearance is such that the role of the switch is visually displayed as an image.

FIG. 2 shows a circuit when the display is a moving image. Displaying a moving image on the key top of the switch may complicate the circuit and the like, and the switch itself may become large. However, when it is possible to supply an image (video) signal from outside the switch, it is shown in FIG. As LCD
7, a backlight 8 which illuminates the screen by shining light from behind the LCD 7, and a driver IC 9 as a driver.
If it can be built in the switch 1, the video will be displayed on the LCD.
Can be expressed in

In the case of the moving image display of this example, as a matter of course, various images are sent according to the function of each switch by a video signal when the switch is turned on.

By using the LCD as a moving image display in this way, more detailed function display than the conventional one can be performed by the main body switch 10.

FIG. 3 shows a circuit when the display is a still image. As in the circuit shown in FIG. 2, the still image display circuit shown in FIG. 3 includes the LCD 7, the backlight 8, and the drive IC 9, and also has the ROM 12 built therein.

The second embodiment is a switch 11 of a device which cannot supply an image signal. In this embodiment, an IC capable of outputting a repetitive clock such as a counter has a function display of one screen built in a ROM. A still image can be displayed when used together. In this case as well, the still image system of the LCD 7, the backlight 8, the drive IC 9, and the ROM 12 can be built in the switch 11.

Further, in this example, by arbitrarily rewriting the contents of the ROM, it is possible to easily perform an arbitrary display on the switch 11.

As the image display device used in the present invention, the device such as LCD as shown in the above-mentioned embodiment is preferable because the system can be miniaturized.

[0021]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the display element such as LCD is built in the switch,
It is possible to visually display more detailed functions on the switch body than before. Moreover, the present invention does not require a complicated circuit outside the switch.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a circuit when a display is a moving image.

FIG. 3 is a circuit when the display is a still image.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Switch with display function 3 Key top 5 Image display device (LCD) 7 LCD 8 Backlight 9 Drive IC (driver) 10, 11 Switch

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A switch with a display function, wherein an image display element is arranged on a key top of the switch. 2. The switch with a display function according to claim 1, wherein the image display element is a liquid crystal display element. 3. The switch with a display function according to claim 1, wherein the image of the image display device is a moving image or a still image.