Illuminated compact control surface

Details Illuminated compact control surface Illuminated compact control surface

1984-03-13

1987-02-10

Brigance, Gerald L.

Communications: electrical

Land vehicle alarms or indicators

Internal alarm or indicator responsive to a condition of the...

340711, 340712, 340365R, 455 90, G09G 318

Patent

active

046426272

ABSTRACT:
A control surface for controlling the operation of an electronic apparatus includes a liquid crystal display device and a keypad. The liquid crystal display device selectively changes its light transmittance in response to electrical signals produced by the electronic apparatus in order to provide a visual indication viewable by a human viewer. A light source emits light. A first optical coupler including a specular surface and a light transmissive diffuser is disposed a predetermined distance from the liquid crystal display device. Ambient light passing through the liquid crystal display device strikes the specular surface and is reflected back through the display device toward the human viewer, illuminating indicia displayed by the display device. Light from the light source strikes the light diffuser at a high angle of incidence and is scattered toward the display device, illuminating the display device. A display driver (which coverts electrical signals produced by the electronic apparatus to driving signals suitable for driving the liquid crystal display device) is electrically connected to the display device with elastomeric zebra connectors. The liquid crystal display device, the light diffuser, the specular surface, the elastomeric connectors and the display driver are all disposed in a clear, weatherproof plastic cover. An opaque keypad is provided to control the operation of the electronic apparatus. The clear cover and the keypad are disposed in a housing. An opening (into which a lens is secured) is provided in the housing in proximity with the light source to direct some of the light emitted by the light source to floodlight the keypad.

REFERENCES:
patent: T936004 (1975-07-01), Willis
patent: 3879722 (1975-04-01), Knowlton
patent: 3959610 (1976-05-01), Finnegan et al.
patent: 4088992 (1978-05-01), Kmetz et al.
patent: 4311996 (1982-01-01), Nakamura et al.
patent: 4313108 (1982-01-01), Yoshida
patent: 4315258 (1982-02-01), McKnight et al.
patent: 4403216 (1983-09-01), Yokoi
FT290R Review, Radio & Electronics World, vol. 1 iss. 2, Nov. 1981, pp. 36-39.
CQ Magazine, "The Kenwood TR-2400" by John J. Schultz, Jan. 1981, pp. 26-29.

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