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.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This is a division of my allowed application Ser. No.: 08/420,438 filed Apr. 10, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,572,239, which is a continuation of my application Ser. No.: 08/225,782 filed Apr. 11, 1994 and which is now abandoned. Application Ser. No.: 08/225,782 was a continuation-in-part of my application Ser. No.: 08/147,545 which was filed on Nov. 5, 1993 now abandoned.
A digital rotary switch signal reading circuit is adapted to read volume control signal from a volume control knob mounted on a multi-medium keyboard. The rotary switch has two signal terminals and one common terminal. The signal terminals are connected to two of input pins of a microprocessor of the keyboard and the common terminal is connected to one of the output pins of the microprocessor, the input pins and the output pins being interconnected with each other to form a key array. Thus, the signal from the rotary switch may be read by the computer in the same way as key actuation signal from the key array.
A control device provides a variable control signal to electrical apparatus and has a control member, such as a stylus or a turnable or slidable member, that is manipulated to vary the signal. Photoelectric sensors detect and track movement of the control member. The control member is disposed at the face of an electronic image display screen which can display calibration marks, identifying labels, current setting and/or other graphics pertinent to operation of the control device. The display screen also operates as the light source for the photoelectric sensors.
A keyboard of the present invention satisfies any desired specifications, i.e., a desired number and a desired arrangement of key switches. A switch circuit board and frame members are respectively cut away from a large, original frame material and an elongate, original frame material in accordance with the desired arrangement of key switches. The keyboard can therefore be produced by a minimum number of designing and producing steps. Moreover, it is not necessary to prepare many different kinds of parts beforehand. The keyboard is particularly suitable for many kinds, small quantity production that produces keyboards with different specifications to order.
One or more controls producing control signals for electrical apparatus are disposed at the face of an electronic display screen which display graphics pertinent to the operation of the controls. Controls having a cap which is slidable along a track include a tongue in the track connecting with signal producing components at an off screen location thereby enabling use of a track of minimal bulk. Controls having slidable caps or turnable knobs and controls such as joysticks and switches snap engage at the face of the screen enabling easy replacement and movement to different locations on the screen. Control signals may be transmitted to an off screen location without use of conductors extending along the screen.
A system for controlling an apparatus (11, 21, 31), which system comprises a control unit (13, 23, 33) adapted to transfer control signals to the apparatus dependent on the control data. Said control unit comprises data input means (14, 24, 34, 44) to input said control data, and said apparatus comprises interpreting means adapted to translate said control signal into an action. Aiming to indicate for a user of the control unit, which action the apparatus is arranged to take when activating the data input means, a visual indicator is arranged on said data input means. The invention is characterized in that said data input means comprises a variable presentation means (45, 57), arranged to realise said indicator, wherein said control unit comprises a first storage means (53) adapted to store the visual data presentable with said presentation unit. Preferably, said control unit comprises several separate data input means, each provided with a presentation means, in which each presentation means comprises separate displays, arranged to present a picture dependent on said visual data.
