Abstract:
A system for labeling a button in the field includes a label defining a peripheral boundary and a label-receiving surface defined by the button and adapted for receipt of the label. The label-receiving surface of the button defines a perimeter adapted to accommodate the peripheral boundary of the label. The button includes side and end portions defining raised edges or lips that define the label-receiving surface. The side and end portions serve to align the placement of the label on the label-receiving surface and also constrain lateral movement of the label. The side and end portions also protect the edges of the label against accidental dislodgement and peeling. The label typically has a suitable button identifier such as text, or a graphical design element such as an icon, printed thereon.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims priority from U.S. provisional application No. 60/590,627, filed Jul. 23, 2004. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to buttons for lighting and window shading controls, and more particularly, to a system for labeling such buttons in the field.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Conventional lighting and window shade controls include user-accessible buttons. The buttons allow users to control light levels and the positions of window shades, among other things. In order to identify the function to be performed by any particular button, it is desirable to affix an identifier to the button, or to the control adjacent the button. Preferably, the identifier is affixed to the button itself.  
         [0004]     The identifier may comprise an icon, a symbol, text, or some combination of the these elements. Ideally, the identifier will clearly indicate to a user the function or action that will be performed when the button is actuated by the user. Typical identifiers include text such as “ON,” “OFF,” “BRIGHTEN,” “DIM,” “RAISE,” “LOWER,” “OPEN,” and “CLOSE.” Typical identifiers also include icons such as a light bulb, a window shade, and arrows.  
         [0005]     Identifiers have also been used to identify lighting presets (or “scenes”) and particular rooms or buildings that will be affected by actuation of the button. For example, scene identifiers have included “EVENING,” “DINING,” “ENTERTAINING,” and “SECURITY.” Room or building identifiers have included “BEDROOM,” “DINING ROOM,” “OUTSIDE,” “LIGHTS,” and “KITCHEN.” The number and variety of identifiers is limited only by the imagination of the user or a designer.  
         [0006]     Past efforts to label buttons have included simply taping a piece of paper, having the identifier inscribed thereon, to or near the button. Other efforts have included simply writing on or near the button with a pen, pencil, or an indelible marker. These approaches suffer from obvious disadvantages in that the identifiers tend not to look aesthetically pleasing and can wear or fade over time.  
         [0007]     More recently, buttons have been labeled by inscribing the appropriate identifier thereon by means of engraving, either mechanically or by a laser. One example of a product having an engraved button is the seeTouch™ control, which is manufactured by Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. Button engraving requires the manufacturer to engrave the appropriate identifier on the button before shipping the product, and is not easily performed in the field, that is, in the environment where the button is ultimately to be installed. Also, typically only a limited number of “pre-made” identifiers are available from manufacturers. Some manufacturers have provided ways for users and designers to request particular or custom identifiers to be engraved on buttons, but there is usually a large time period between the time when the identifier is requested and the time when the button or control with the identifier is shipped to the end user.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a system for labeling a button in the field is provided. The field-labeling system comprises a label defining a peripheral boundary. The system also comprises a label-receiving surface defined by the button and adapted for receipt of the label. The label-receiving surface of the field-labeling system defines a perimeter adapted to accommodate the peripheral boundary of the label.  
         [0009]     According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a controller including at least one button is provided. The button includes a surface adapted for receiving a label bearing indicia representing a function associated with actuation of the button. The button defines a recess in which the label-receiving surface is located. The controller also comprises a faceplate defining at least one opening for receiving the at least one button such that the label-receiving surface of the button is accessible to a user.  
         [0010]     According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a field-labelable button for a controller is provided. The field-labelable button comprises a label-receiving surface adapted for receipt of a label. The label-receiving surface defines a perimeter adapted to accommodate a peripheral boundary of the label. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]     For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings a form that is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a button and label according an exemplary embodiment of the invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the button of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged partial view of one end of the button of  FIG. 2 .  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the button of  FIG. 2 .  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the button of  FIG. 4  taken along the line  5 - 5 .  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the button of  FIG. 5 .  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  is a side elevation view of the button of  FIG. 2 .  
         [0019]      FIG. 8  is an isometric view of a typical lighting and shading control designed to receive the button of  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0020]     As used herein, directional terms such as “upper”, “lower”, “top”, and “bottom”, as applied to a particular element refer to the orientation of that element as shown in a particular figure or figures being described, and are not meant to be limiting.  
         [0021]     Referring to the drawings, where like numerals refer to like elements, there is shown in  FIG. 1 a  labeling system  10  according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The labeling system  10  is adapted to promote field-labeling of a button for a control system, such as at a location where the control system is being installed. Such field-labeling capability promotes flexibility and allows customization of button configuration and appearance at the field level, as opposed to button labeling provided at a manufacturer or distributor level. The labeling system  10  depicted in  FIG. 1  is not limited to any particular application. Non-limiting exemplary applications include the labeling of buttons for control systems adapted for controlling lights, fans, shades, etc.  
         [0022]     The field-labeling system  10  includes a label  12  and a label-receiving surface  16  defined by a button  14 . The depicted label  12  of the labeling system  10  includes a substantially rectangular peripheral boundary  18  and includes indicia on an upper surface  20  of the label  12 . The indicia included on label  12  may include either or both textual indicia  22  and iconic or graphic indicia  24 . Preferably, the indicia on label  12  are related to a function that will be effected by actuation of the button  14  following installation of an associated control system. As shown, the textual and iconic indicia  22 ,  24  of the depicted label  12  relate to a lighting control system, and more particularly to an on/off toggle feature of a lighting control system, but it is understood that the invention is not limited to any particular control system.  
         [0023]     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the label-receiving surface  16  is defined by an outer wall  26  of the button  14  and has a substantially rectangular perimeter. The depicted button  14  also includes a substantially parallelepiped body  28  having a pair of relatively long side walls  30  and a pair of relatively short end walls  32 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the body  28  supports the outer wall  26  adjacent upper ends of the walls  30 ,  32 . This arrangement desirably puts the label-receiving surface  16  defined by the outer wall  26  in a prominent location for displaying the label  12 . When the button  14  is used with the multi-button controller  40  shown in  FIG. 8 , the dimensions of the button  14  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) are preferably 0.885 inches (i.e., the length, L 30 , of the side walls  30 ) by 0.320 inches (i.e., the length, L 32 , of the end walls  32 ).  
         [0024]     Referring to  FIGS. 4 through 7 , the button  14  includes a tab  34  located adjacent lower ends of one of the side walls  30  of the button body  28  for actuating an electrical switch (not shown), contained with an interior defined by a controller housing, such as that of the multi-button controller  40  shown in  FIG. 8 . Further, the button  14  includes tabs  36  located adjacent lower ends of the end walls  32  of the button body  28  for attaching the button  14  to a button mount (not shown). As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 7 , the button also includes flanges  38  extending outwardly from the end walls  32  of button body  28 . The flanges  38  help to retain the button  14  within the interior of the multi-button controller  40 , so that the outer wall  26  of the button  14  is presented through an opening  43  in a faceplate  41  of the controller  40  for access by a user of the controller. The body of the button  14  is thus received by the opening  43  in the faceplate  41 .  
         [0025]     Referring to  FIGS. 5 through 7 , the outer wall  26  of button  14  is curved convexly outwardly such that an intermediate portion of the outer wall extends beyond the peripheral portions of the outer wall. This arrangement serves to distinguish the button  14 , both visually and on a tactile basis, from adjacently located buttons of a multi-button controller, such as controller  40  of  FIG. 8 . The curving of the outer wall  26 , therefore, provides a targeting feature facilitating engagement between, for example, a user&#39;s finger, and the button  14 .  
         [0026]     The button  14  defines a recess  42  in the outer wall  26 . As shown in  FIGS. 2-6 , the recess  42  in the outer wall  26  results in the label-receiving surface  16  being surrounded on two sides by side portions  44  of the side walls  30  and on the other two sides by end portions  46  of the end walls  32 . The side portions  44  and the end portions  46  comprise raised edges or lips that define a perimeter circumscribing the label-receiving surface  16 . The label-receiving surface  16  defines a perimeter adapted to accommodate the peripheral boundary  18  of the label  16 . As a result, the label  12  will be recessed, or substantially flush, with respect to the button  14  when the label  12  is secured to the label-receiving surface  16 . The depth, D 42 , of the recess  42  is substantially equal to the thickness of the label  12 . The value of the depth D 42  is preferably 0.007 inches (see  FIG. 6 ).  
         [0027]     The side portions  44  and the end portions  46  serve to align the placement of the label  12  on the label-receiving surface  16  and constrain lateral movement of the label. The side portions  44  and the end portions  46  limit contact with the peripheral boundary  18  of a placed label  12  for preventing inadvertent damage to, accidental removal of, or peeling of the label  12 . The side portions  44  and the end portions  46  also cover or hide the peripheral edges of the label  12  from view so as to provide a more finished appearance.  
         [0028]     The recess  42  is designed such that button  14  appears aesthetically pleasing to a user both when a label  12  is placed on the label-receiving surface  16  and also aesthetically pleasing when a label is not placed on the label-receiving surface. The dimensions of the side portions  44  and the end portions  46  are sized appropriately such that when the label  12  is not placed, the recess  42  is not perceptible by the user at a distance of an arm&#39;s length of a person of average height (i.e., approximately 2 feet). The widths of the end portions  46  are large enough to provide for proper molding of the button  14  and small enough to be substantially undetectable to the user. It has been determined that a suitable width, W 46 , for the end portions  46  is approximately 0.010 inches (see  FIG. 7 ).  
         [0029]     Preferably, the label  12  includes an adhesive material on a surface opposite the indicia  22 ,  24  for securing the label to the label-receiving surface  16  of button  14 . Alternatively, an adhesive material may be placed on the label-receiving surface  16  for subsequent attachment of the label  12 . In a preferred embodiment, the label  12  includes a #V344 clear, permanent adhesive as supplied by TechTag &amp; Label of Hatfield, Pa.  
         [0030]     The label  12  may be provided to the user on a label sheet comprising a plurality of separate labels each having a different textual or iconic indicia. The user is able to select the desired label  12  having an indicia that corresponds to the function of the button  14 , to remove the desired label from the large sheet, and to apply the label to the label-receiving surface  16  of the button in the field. Alternatively, the user may be provided with a sheet of blank labels on which the user is able to print the desired indicia using a standard personal computer (PC) and printer or a label maker, such as the P-Touch® Electronic Labeling System, manufactured by Brother International Corporation.  
         [0031]     Often, it is desirable to backlight the button  14  such that the textual and iconic indicia  22 ,  24  can be easily noticed and read in a dark environment. For example, a light source (not shown), such as a light-emitting diode (LED), can be mounted directly behind the button  14  (i.e., interior to the controller  40 ). Light from the light source illuminates the button  14  and highlights the textual or iconic indicia  22 ,  24  allowing a user to read indicia when the surrounding environment is dark. Accordingly, the label  12  preferably comprises a translucent or transparent material, for example, clear polypropylene, such that the light from the light source is able to shine through the label. The textual and iconic indicia  22 ,  24  preferably comprise dark print, such that the light of the light source does not shine through the indicia, and the indicia are highlighted to the user. Alternatively, the entire surface of the label  12  may be covered with a dark print, with the textual and iconic indicia  22 ,  24  left uncovered, such that the light from the light source only shines through the indicia.  
         [0032]     The foregoing describes the invention in terms of embodiments foreseen by the inventor for which an enabling description was available, notwithstanding that insubstantial modifications of the invention, not presently foreseen, may nonetheless represent equivalents thereto.