Accepting User Input

Abstract

The invention is directed to an improvement in mechanisms and techniques for accepting user input. An apparatus for accepting a user input is described comprising a display, and a plate and a control knob positioned over the display. A portion of the display is visible through the plate, and a portion of the control knob is optically transparent such that information displayed by the display is visible through the control knob. In some examples, the control knob functions as both a rotary input and as a push button input. The control knob may function as a push button input through a transfer of force through the plate to a pressure sensing switch associated with the plate. The control knob may function as a rotary control through drive gears, belts, or interaction with a light emitter and detector.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.