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US 11,721,501 B2Granted
Device with movable buttons or switches and tactile identifier
AssigneeGyrus ACMI, Inc.
InventorsTheodore C. Blus, Kester Julian Batchelor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present teachings provide for a device with a membrane and an underlying switch, an underlying switch actuator, or both that has a unique tactile pattern that is felt through the membrane when the membrane is aligned with the switch, switch actuator, or both, corresponding to the electrical state of the device. The membrane, the switch, the switch actuator or a combination thereof can be repositioned from a first position to a second position so that a different tactile feel is present through the membrane corresponding to a second electrical state.
Claims18
A device comprising:
- at least a first functional state and a second functional state;
- a selector assembly that moves between at least a first position and a second position, the selector assembly comprising:
- one or more circuit boards;
- and
- one or more switch actuators;
- and
- a membrane in communication with the one or more switch actuators;
- wherein the selector assembly in the first position is configured to provide a first functional element in the first functional state, and in the second position is configured to provide a second functional element in the second functional state;
- wherein each of the one or more switch actuators includes one or more identifiers, so that at least a first identifier is configured to be read through a contact portion of the membrane when the selector assembly is in the first position, and at least a second identifier is configured to be read through the contact portion of the membrane when the selector assembly is in the second position;
- and
- wherein the first identifier and the second identifier comprise first and second tactile patterns, respectively, that are tactilely distinct from each other.
8 more elements
A device comprising:
- a frame;
- a selector assembly that moves between a first position and a second position, the selector assembly comprising:
- a circuit board with a first electronic switch and a second electronic switch;
- a first switch actuator;
- a second switch actuator;
- and
- a selector element in communication with the circuit board, the first switch actuator, and the second switch actuator to move between the first position and the second position;
- and
- a membrane with a membrane contact area;
- wherein the selector assembly in the first position is configured to provide a first therapy current, and in the second position is configured to provide a second therapy current;
- wherein the first switch actuator includes a first identifier and the second switch actuator includes a second identifier, so that the first identifier is configured to be read through the membrane contact area when the selector assembly is in the first position, and the second identifier is configured to be read through the membrane contact area when the selector assembly is in the second position;
- and
- wherein the first identifier and the second identifier are tactile patterns that are tactilely distinct from each other.
10 more elements
A device comprising:
- a selector assembly that is configured to move between a first position corresponding to a first functional state of the device and a second position corresponding to a second functional state of the device, the selector assembly comprising:
- a circuit board with a first electronic switch and a second electronic switch;
- a first switch actuator;
- a second switch actuator;
- and
- a control element in communication with the circuit board, the first and second switch actuators, or both to move between the first position and the second position;
- and
- a membrane;
- wherein a first tactile identifier is configured to be felt through the membrane when the selector assembly is in the first position, and a second tactile identifier that is tactilely distinct from the first tactile identifier is configured to be felt through the membrane when the selector assembly is in the second position.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.