Abstract:
Disclosed are a programmable switch array which provides tactical feel indication of activation to a user. The switch array includes a display device adapted to display switch information. A glass plate is positioned in front of the display device. Multiple switching mechanisms are positioned behind the glass plate. One or more pivot members are positioned behind the glass plate and disposed such that upon the user pushing upon a region of the glass plate, the glass plate pivots about the pivot member and actuates a corresponding one of the multiple switching mechanisms. The pivoting of the glass plate provides the user a tactical feel indication of the activation of the switch.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to programmable switch arrays for use in aircraft cockpits and other applications. More particularly, the present invention relates to a sunlight readable, color programmable switch array providing a tactical feel indicative of actuation or changes in switch states. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In aircraft cockpits and other applications, large numbers of switches are used to control electronics and aircraft functions. It is desirable to utilize programmable switch arrays which can be easily adapted to display a variety of information related to the state of the switches, as well as the functions which these switches control. It is also preferable to have switches which are readable in high ambient light conditions (i.e., sunlight readable), and which can be easily viewed from large viewing angles. 
     In the prior art, liquid crystal displays (LCDs) having touch sensitive screens have been used to provide switching functions. However, these prior art LCD switch arrays lack a tactical feel. In other words, for a pilot or other user to be certain that the switch has been actuated or changed states, he or she must typically look at the display screen to verify a change in the displayed information. In many applications, it is very undesirable and unsafe for the user of the switch array to have to look at the display screen to make this determination. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Disclosed are a programmable switch array which provides tactical feel indication of activation to a user. The switch array includes a display device adapted to display switch information. A glass plate is positioned in front of the display device. Multiple switching mechanisms are positioned behind the glass plate. One or more pivot members are positioned behind the glass plate and disposed such that upon the user pushing upon a region of the glass plate, the glass plate pivots about the pivot member and actuates a corresponding one of the multiple switching mechanisms. The pivoting of the glass plate provides the user a tactical feel indication of the activation of the switch. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIGS. 1 and 2 are front and side diagrammatic views, respectively, of a programmable switch array in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a 16-switch array in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a. programmable switch array front panel in accordance with alternate embodiments of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIGS. 1 and 2 are front and side diagrammatic views, respectively, of programmable switch array  100  in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Switch array  100  includes LCD assembly  105 , backlight  110 , LCD drive circuitry  115 , chassis or housing  120 , switch/LCD bezel  125 , and front plate dome switch assembly  130 . 
     LCD assembly  105  preferably includes a compensated color LCD to provide a high degree of sunlight readability, high resolution and good performance at large viewing angles. LCD assembly  105  is typically mounted in or coupled to a chassis or housing  120 . Backlight  110  and LCD drive circuitry  115  together cooperate with LCD assembly  105  to display information on LCD  105  in a known manner. 
     Front plate dome switch assembly  130  includes a sunlight reflectance minimizing coated (also referred to as an HEA coated) front plate glass  135 , four dome switches  140 ,  141 ,  142  and  143  mounted at least partially behind corners  145 ,  146 ,  147  and  148 , respectively, of front plate glass  135 , spacers  150  positioned between front plate glass  135  and the dome switches, and four rocker pins or pivot members  155 ,  156 ,  157  and  158  connected to bezel  125  or elsewhere. Front plate glass  135  is preferably a square or rectangular shape, which can include angled portions at its corners. However, front plate glass  135  can be formed in a wide variety of shapes. Front plate glass  135  is positioned with its corners adjacent respective ones of dome switches  140 ,  141 ,  142  and  143 . In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, spacers  150 , which can be silicon spacers, can be included to separate front plate glass  135  from the dome  140 . In FIG. 1, for ease of illustration, the corners of front plate glass  135  are removed and it appears that front plate glass is positioned directly over top of a portion of the respective dome switches, but not over spacers  150 . In FIG. 2, front plate glass  150  is shown positioned with spacers  150  positioned between front plate glass  135  and dome switches  140 . In different embodiments of the present invention, either of these configurations can be used. 
     Front plate glass  135  is positioned against, and is supported by, pivot members  155 ,  156 ,  157  and  158 . By placing the pivot members substantially at the respective middles of each of the four sides of front plate glass  135 , front plate glass  135  can be caused to pivot toward one of the four dome switches by applying a force on the glass near the corresponding corner. 
     Front panel  160  of bezel  125  forms four windows  165 ,  170 ,  175  and  180 . Through these windows, a user of switch array  100  can touch front plate glass  135 . Also, through these respective windows, the user of switch array  100  can see information displayed by LCD assembly  105  in relation to a status of, or a function controlled by, the corresponding dome switches. 
     With LCD assembly  105  segmented into a number of small windows in which text, graphics or other information can be displayed, the information displayed can be changed by the user by pushing on front glass  135 , through one of the windows, to activate the dome switch associated with that window. For example, to change the information displayed in window  170 , or to control some function of the aircraft in which switch array  100  is installed, the user would press glass plate  135  accessible through window  170 . Pressing upon glass plate  135  exposed in window  170  causes the glass plate to pivot about pivot members  155  and  156  at the top and right hand sides (illustrated in FIG. 1) of the switch array. This in turn causes dome switch  141  at the upper right hand corner of the switch array to be actuated or activated. Activation of dome switch  141  can occur either directly from contact with glass plate  135 , or from contact between glass plate  135  and spacer  150 . 
     Dome switches  140 ,  141 ,  142  and  143  are electrically connected to control circuitry  190 , and provide signals to control circuitry  190  upon activation. Control circuitry  190  uses the signals from the dome switches to effect a change in the operation of an electronic or mechanical device. Control circuitry  190  also uses the information from the activated dome switch to control drive circuitry  115  to change the information displayed by LCD assembly  105 . 
     Switch array  100  of the present invention provides numerous advantages. For example, existing display designs and technologies can be used to provide LCD assembly  105  of switch array  100 . Likewise, with the availability of compensated LCDs, large viewing angles, sunlight readability, and built-in dimming characteristics can be easily achieved in switch array  100 . By pushing front plate glass  135  when a particular switch in the switch array is to be actuated, the operator is provided an immediate feedback (tactical feel) as to the activation of the command when the glass plate pivots about the pivot members. Thus, the operator need not divert his or her attention to switch array  100  in order to visually confirm the activation of the command. 
     The concepts utilized in switch array  100  of including a front plate dome switch assembly (i.e., the concept of utilizing the front display glass as a portion of the switch in a manner which provides a tactical feel of switch activation) can be carried over to other display technologies as well. For example, while LCD assembly  105  is preferred in some embodiments, other technologies such as field emission displays (FED), electroluminescent (EL) displays, and plasma displays can be utilized instead with the tactical feel switch concept of the present invention. Further, this concept can be used with night vision (NVG) displays. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective illustration of a 16-switch array  200 . Programmable switch array  200  is substantially similar to switch array  100 , except that it includes four times as many switches. Thus, in switch array  200 , bezel  205  includes front switch panel  210  having four sets of the four windows  165 ,  170 ,  175  and  180 . The four sets of four windows function with four separate front plate dome assemblies  130  to provide sixteen switches. 
     FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic perspective illustration of programmable switch array  300  in accordance with alternate embodiments of the present invention. Programmable switch array  300  includes front panel  301  having windows  305 ,  310 ,  315 ,  320 ,  325  and  330  formed therein. Through these windows, LCD assembly  105  (best illustrated in FIG. 2) can be viewed. Thus, information for six individual switches can be provided by LCD assembly  105 . Also in front panel  301  are switches  335 ,  340 ,  345 ,  350 ,  355  and  360  adjacent windows  305 ,  310 ,  315 ,  320 ,  325  and  330  respectively. In embodiments of switch array  300 , the switches are activated directly by contact from the operator or user, and not by the operator or user pressing upon a pivoting front plate glass. However, switches  335 ,  340 ,  345 ,  350 ,  355  and  360  are illuminated using backlight  110  (shown in FIG.  2 ), which also provides a source of light for LCD assembly  105 . By activating one of the backlighted switches, the information displayed by LCD assembly  105  in the corresponding window is changed. 
     Although the present invention has teen described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the phrase  Stactical feel will be understood to represent a switch characteristic in which activation or actuation of the switch results in sufficient movement of the portion of the switch being contacted by the operator or user such that the operator is made aware of the activation without the need for visual conformation.