U.S. patent application number 15/091880 was filed with the patent office on 2016-07-28 for programmable display switch.
The applicant listed for this patent is Northwest IP Partners LLC. Invention is credited to Rory G. Briski, Steven R. Galipeau.
Application Number | 20160217685 15/091880 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39939456 |
Filed Date | 2016-07-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160217685 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Galipeau; Steven R. ; et
al. |
July 28, 2016 |
PROGRAMMABLE DISPLAY SWITCH
Abstract
A programmable graphical display switch that provides users with
a simple way of controlling other devices and for customizing how
that control is initiated and communicated to the user.
Inventors: |
Galipeau; Steven R.;
(Redmond, WA) ; Briski; Rory G.; (Bellevue,
WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Northwest IP Partners LLC |
Redmond |
WA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
39939456 |
Appl. No.: |
15/091880 |
Filed: |
April 6, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13476275 |
May 21, 2012 |
|
|
|
15091880 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/0623 20130101;
G08C 17/02 20130101; G08C 2201/92 20130101; G08C 2201/20 20130101;
G08C 2201/30 20130101; G06F 3/0685 20130101; G08C 19/00 20130101;
G06F 3/0626 20130101; G06F 3/0658 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G08C 17/02 20060101
G08C017/02 |
Claims
1. A programmable display switch apparatus, comprising: one or more
actuators for controlling a circuit, a logic circuit that changes a
state of the one or more actuators based on a programmed
application of the programmable display switch; a display control
circuit that stores a customized image related to the programmed
application of the programmable display switch and that commands
the logic circuit to change the state of one or more of the
actuators based on user input; and a programmable display that is
programmable to display the customized image, whereby the
programmable display switch can be applied in a variety of
installations with images shown on the programmable display and
operation of the actuators customized for the specific application
of the programmable display switch.
2. The programmable display switch apparatus of claim 1, wherein
the programmable display acts as an enunciator display that
displays a variable status based on the programmed application of
the programmable display switch.
3. The programmable display switch apparatus of claim 2, wherein
the programmable display displays a fasten seat belt indication
that is either active or not active.
4. The programmable display switch apparatus of claim 2, wherein
the programmable display displays a no smoking indication that is
either active or not active.
5. The programmable display switch apparatus of claim 2, wherein
the programmable display switch receives a variable input and
wherein the programmable display provides a metered display for the
variable input, wherein the variable input varies along a range or
values.
6. The programmable display switch apparatus of claim 5, wherein
the programmable display displays a water level indication that
varies in graduated increments from empty to full.
7. The programmable display switch apparatus of claim 5, wherein
the programmable display displays a temperature indication that
varies in graduated increments between a minimum and maximum
temperature.
8. The programmable display switch apparatus of claim 1, wherein
the programmable display is divided into multiple regions each
region having its own programmed application and controlling an
independent actuator for carrying out the programmed application
based on user input received within a designated region of the
programmable display.
9. The programmable display switch apparatus of claim 8, wherein
the programmable display is divided into a grid having multiple
regions for controlling multiple separate programmed
applications.
10. The programmable display switch apparatus of claim 1, wherein
the logic circuit includes a variable level output controlled by
the programmable display switch based on received user input.
11. The programmable display switch apparatus of claim 10 wherein
the variable level output includes a signal for dimming at least
one light.
12. The programmable display switch apparatus of claim 10 wherein
the variable level output includes a signal for controlling the
speed of a motor.
13. The programmable display switch apparatus of claim 10 wherein
the variable level output is provided by a pulse width modulated
(PWM) output.
14. The programmable display switch apparatus of claim 1 wherein
operation of the programmable display switch sets one or more of a
comparator threshold, a timer, or an alarm.
15. The programmable display switch apparatus of claim 1 wherein
operation of the programmable display switch is dependent on one or
more lockout conditions that do not allow the switch state to be
changed unless the lockout conditions are satisfied.
16. The programmable display switch apparatus of claim 1 wherein at
least one of the one or more actuators, logic circuit, display
control circuit, and programmable display are located in a separate
enclosure from at least one other component.
17. The programmable display switch apparatus of claim 16 wherein
one or more programmable displays are located together in a display
enclosure and one or more actuators are located together in a
separate actuator enclosure.
18. The programmable display switch apparatus of claim 1 wherein at
least one of the one or more actuators, logic circuit, display
control circuit, and programmable display are integrated into a
sub-system for performing a function separate from the programmable
display switch.
19. The programmable display switch apparatus of claim 1 wherein
each actuator is a device selected from the group consisting of a
latching relay, a mechanical relay, a solid state switch, a
discrete signal, and a signal on a data bus.
20. The programmable display switch apparatus of claim 1 wherein
the programmable display and one or more actuators are mechanically
coupled so that when a user presses the display the user is also
activating at least one actuator.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/476,275 (Attorney Docket No. AVION003)
entitled "PROGRAMMABLE DISPLAY SWITCH," and filed on 2012-05-21,
which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 8,203,437 (Attorney Docket
No. AVION002) entitled "PROGRAMMABLE DISPLAY SWITCH," and filed on
2007-10-11, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 60/851,231 (Attorney Docket No. AVION001) entitled
"PROGRAMMABLE DISPLAY SWITCH," and filed on 2006-10-12, each of
which is hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to an apparatus for controlling and
managing the control of devices and communicating the function or
device being controlled to the user.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In existing switch technologies, the function of the switch
is often predetermined and an associated label affixed to the
switch that represents its function.
[0004] For example , in an aircraft environment, this would amount
to hundreds of different part numbers being created, maintained,
spared and then certified by the Federal Aviation Administration as
safe.
[0005] There remains therefore, a need for a programmable switch
that is capable of duplicating the functionality of many other
switches, while providing sufficient flexibility to convey its
purpose to the user.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the Programmable Display
Switch. The first one digits=the figure number and the second two
digits indicate the part number.
TABLE-US-00001 Item Nomenclature 120 Single Switch Panel 121
Display 122 Display Control and Switch Sensor Circuit 123 Relay{s)
124 Power Supply 125 Control Logic Circuit 126 Audio Feedback 127
Programming Port
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0007] Accordingly, several objects and advantages of our invention
are as follows. Our programmable display switch (PDS) provides a
minimum of one user programmable relay that allows for controlling
other devices. The programmable features include but are not
limited to latched or momentary operation. If momentary then the
duration is also programmable. Our PDS includes a user programmable
visual display element such as an Organic Light Emitting Diode
(OLED) display panel. This display panel is user programmed with
different graphics that represent the state of the associated
relay. Our PDS allows for graphics displayed on the visual display
panel to be changed by the user even after the PDS has been
installed into the target application. Further objects and
advantages of our invention will become apparent from a
consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.
[0008] The invention, a programmable display switch, provides users
with a simple way of controlling other devices and for customizing
how that control is initiated.
[0009] A display panel is connected to a display controller where
the user downloads the desired switch state images. When the user
wants to change the state of the switch, they touch the PDS and the
switch sensor will detect the touch and change the state of the
switch as per the user programming.
[0010] For example, if the PDS is being used as a heater control,
the ON image may be one of a heater with radiating lines coming
from it while the OFF image is one with no lines. If the heater is
currently off, the image could be the current OFF state, in which
case when the user touched the PDS the image would change to ON and
the relay(s) would either open or close or be latched or
momentarily change state depending upon the user program and the
requirement of the device being controlled. If at some later date
the user no longer liked the heater image with lines they could
simply load a new image into the PDS without removing it from its
currently installed position.
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates the block diagram of the Programmable
Display Switch.
[0012] A chassis 120 houses a power supply 124, a Display 121, a
Display Control and Switch Sensor circuit 122, a control logic
circuit 125, one or more relays 123, a programming port 127 and
optionally an ambient light sensor 125 and also optionally an audio
feedback circuit 126.
[0013] The user loads images into a Display Control and Switch
Sensor 122 via a programming port 127. The Display Control and
Switch Sensor stores the on state and off state images within its
memory. While not being touched the Display 121 will show an image
that represents its state. Once touched, the Display Control and
Switch Sensor will detect the touch and cause the image on the
Display 121 to change to its opposite state. Further, the Switch
Sensor 122 will command the Control Logic Circuit 125 to change the
state of the relay(s) 123 as per the user programming. Power supply
124 provides power to the internal components of the PDS. Ambient
light sensor 125 is optional and can adjust the image according to
current lighting conditions. Audio Feedback circuit 126 is also
optional and can provide the user with audio feedback when the
switch is activated.
[0014] User programming of the control logic circuit 127 to control
the relay(s) 123 can be either latched ON, latched OFF, or
momentary. If momentary, then this can further be programmed as to
the specific duration.
[0015] In some embodiments, the PDS is delivered as a common part
number for a switch that can be used in a variety of installations
with the image shown on the programmable display and the
programmable way of controlling other devices customized for the
specific application.
[0016] In some embodiments, the invention comprises a switch,
comprising: (a) a programmable display, and (b) one or more
programmable way of controlling other devices. In some embodiments,
the switch is further designed wherein the programmable parameters
of the way of controlling other devices can be programmed with the
apparatus already installed. In some embodiments, the switch is
further designed wherein the programmable display images can be
loaded with the switch already installed.
* * * * *