Patent ID: 8243025
Filing Date: 2012-08-14
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. An apparatus configured as a virtual user interface, the apparatus comprising: a display screen; one or more user-actuated control elements, wherein one of said one or more user-actuated control elements is a switch comprising a translucent cap; a masking element configured to conceal at least part of said screen and reveal one or more display areas, wherein one of said one or more display areas is a switch display for displaying a current function of said switch, the switch display viewable through said translucent cap; an image conduit disposed between said display screen and said translucent cap, wherein said image conduit is configured to convey information from said switch display to the user at a location spaced from said screen; and a controller responsive to a user's actuating said one or more user-actuated control elements and configured to cause displaying of information on said one or more display areas including displaying information corresponding to the current function of the switch on the switch display, the controller responsive to the user's actuating of said switch to carry out the current function displayed on the switch display, wherein said translucent cap is disposed adjacent to one end of said image conduit for displaying said information from said image conduit to the user.