Patent ID: 6014131
Filing Date: 2000-01-11
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
An interface circuit for interfacing a matrix of relegendable liquid crystal display (LCD) keyswitches to a controlling processor, the interface circuit comprising:means for addressing each LCD keyswitch, the addressing means including a matrix address circuit;means for transferring display data to each LCD keyswitch display, the data being representative of a desired function of the keyswitch;means for reading data from each LCD keyswitch; andmeans for transferring data representative of a desired function of a keyswitch from the controlling processor to the interface circuit for display on the LCD keyswitch so that, when that keyswitch is activated, the keyswitch is read by the interface circuit which allows the controlling processor to execute the indicated function represented on the display of the LCD keyswitch;wherein each LCD keyswitch is individually addressable using the matrix address circuit and separately relegendable by the interface circuit so that high speed, on-line interaction between each LCD keyswitch and the controlling processor is facilitated for substantially immediate relegending or refreshing of the display on each LCD keyswitch.