Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display driving control circuitry – Controlling the condition of display elements
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-04
2003-07-01
Mengistu, Amare (Department: 2673)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display driving control circuitry
Controlling the condition of display elements
C345S215000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06587130
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multi-function switch device which is commonly used for selecting operation contents of a plurality of object appliances.
2. Description of the Related Art
Electric appliances such as a car stereo, a car air conditioner, etc. which are arranged intensively on the console of an motor car, requires operation buttons for selecting the corresponding operations. Conventionally, these operation buttons were individually arranged on the center console for each electric appliance.
However, with a development of technology, each electric appliance had a wide variety of functions which requires the corresponding number of operation buttons. Therefore, it has become difficult to arrange all the operation buttons on the center console in a limited space. Further, an increase in the number of the operation buttons might impair the appearance in design of the center console.
In order to obviate such inconveniences, a large number of prior arts have been proposed. Now, an explanation will be given of its typical example, the clustered switch device for a vehicle disclosed in JP-A-59-57043 (Laid-open).
In this concentrated switch device for a vehicle, a plurality of switches for mode selection are indicated on a partial area on a liquid crystal display. In operation, when a mode is selected by touching the indication of either switch by a finger, another transparent switch detects this. Thus, a plurality of switches for function selection corresponding to the selected mode are prepared in another area on the display.
In the clustered switch device, since the switches for function selection are prepared through the operation of the switches for mode selection, the number of switches for function selection to be displayed simultaneously and that of transparent switches for detecting their operation can be reduced.
However, since the areas for the switches for mode selection and function selection are located individually on the liquid crystal display, spaces corresponding to them must be assured on the display, and the respective transparent switches for detecting the operation of the above switches for mode selection and function selection must be provided. It was difficult to arrange these switches in the limited space such as the center console.
JP-A-9-115377 proposes a device for operating an air conditioner in which only the indication of the operation buttons for function selection is made on a liquid crystal display. In this case, the liquid crystal display indicates only the functions of the operation buttons for function selection. Therefore, the operation buttons for mode selection and function selection must be arranged outside the liquid crystal display. Accordingly, the technique disclosed in this reference could not also adopted in view of the limited space.
JP-A-9-198176 discloses an electronic appliance in which changes in the indication of the function of an operation button which is viewed through its transparent portion or through-hole are displayed on a liquid crystal display arranged behind the operation button.
In this electronic appliance, the contents to be indicated on the liquid crystal display are changed in accordance with the functions given to the operation button. Therefore, the functions given to the operation button which are allotted according to different circumstances can be surely recognized at the respective present timings. This greatly contribute to reduction in the number of operation switches in a manner of multi-functioning of the operation switch.
Meanwhile, the functions not used simultaneously, such as reproduction of a CD player and reproduction of a cassette player, can be performed by a single operation. Therefore, these functions can be switchably allotted to a single operation button so that they have only to be correspondingly indicated on the display.
However, the stepwise change of a setting condition, such as setting of the wind amount in an air conditioner and setting of the volume in an audio system cannot be performed by the single operation such as once pressing the operation button. Such a stepwise change has been carried out using a sliding knob, rotary knob, or operation buttons corresponding to setting stages. In this case, it can not be realized to allot the function inclusive of the stepwise change as well as the other functions and to switch the functions according to circumstances in a manner of changing the function indication of the operation button.
In view of the circumstances described above, the present invention has been accomplished.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The first object of the present invention is to provide a multi-function switch device which can perform or recognize a plurality of functions by each of a plurality of operation buttons when the number of operation buttons as well as the space required for display of the functions are reduced.
The second object of the present invention is to provide a multi-function switch device which can perform or recognize a plurality of functions by an operation button for setting the stepwise operation as well as another operation button for only selecting the corresponding function.
In order to attain the first object of the present invention, in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multi-function switch device comprising: a plurality of operating operation buttons &agr;
1
-&agr;n each for selecting object appliances and their operation; a display means
15
j
on which images indicative of functions of the operation buttons are displayed, the images being viewed at the corresponding operating operation buttons; means
31
A for executing the display of a first level screen representative of a plurality of object appliances to be selected on the display means
15
j
; means B for detecting whether or not any of the operation buttons has been pressed while the first level screen is displayed; means
31
B for specifying an image of the appliance to be displayed on the display means
15
j
in response to detection of a pressed operation button; and means
31
C for executing the display of a second level screen representative of a plurality of functions of a specific appliance. In such a configuration, the number of operation buttons &agr;
1
-&agr;n and space occupied by these operation buttons can be reduced while the functions of these operation buttons are recognized.
Preferably, the multi-function switch device further comprises means
31
D for setting images of the plurality of object appliances on the first display screen. Therefore, the contents of the object appliances to be selected can be optionally set.
Preferably, the means
31
D sets images of the plurality of object appliances on the basis of appliance information transferred from these object appliances. Therefore, the images of the plurality of object appliances on the first level screen can be easily set with no special means or operation.
Preferably, the multi-function switch device further comprises means
31
E for setting images of a specific object appliance on the second level screen. Therefore, the contents of the functions of the selected object appliance can be optionally set.
Preferably, the means
31
E sets images of a specific object appliance on the basis of function information transferred from the specific appliance. Therefore, the images of the plurality of functions of the selected appliance on second first level screen can be easily set with no special means or operation.
Preferably, the multi-function switch device further comprises a specific operation button &bgr; which is valid for a specific object appliance, and means C for detecting whether the specific operation button has been operated while the first level screen is displayed. In this configuration, even if the kind of the object appliance is designated, when the specific operation button is operated, the functions relative to the specific operation button can be set at the operation buttons.
Preferably, while
Amari Takeyuki
Ishii Koji
Ogawa Masayuki
Armstrong Westerman & Hattori, LLP
Mengistu Amare
Yazaki -Corporation
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