Patent Publication Number: US-2006007168-A1

Title: Control interface bezel system

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Touch screens and mechanical keys with programmable functions (mechanical soft keys), by virtue of their programmability, provide a high level of flexibility for the user interfaces of numerous systems and devices. Display/touch screens allow graphic displays of buttons that can be placed anywhere on the display to actuate any desired function or input.  
      Mechanical soft keys, which are typically disposed on a bezel surrounding a display area, are somewhat less flexible. The keys themselves are mechanical. However, like touch screen buttons, the functions that can be assigned to them are unlimited and often can change dynamically.  
      For some user interfaces, however, it is also desirable to provide to mechanical soft keys the flexibility that touch screen buttons have with respect to their locations. That is, it is desirable to provide a variety of layouts for mechanical keys on a user interface. For example, in the home entertainment system context, users often have different needs and preferences for their home entertainment control systems in part because these systems may control a variety of different products and combinations of products. The user often operates such systems from a control panel inset into a wall for easy access. The control panel may be designed for programming flexibility to accommodate the variations in user preferences. Often however, having some additional flexibility in the locations and functions of mechanical keys is desired.  
      Unfortunately, to provide that additional measure of flexibility, an entirely different model of control panel would have to be provided for each variation. In a control user interface, one cannot readily move mechanical buttons from one area of the interface to another. Mechanical and electrical elements beneath the buttons, generally part of a printed circuit board, are set or fixed in place according to the design of the user interface. To move or rearrange the mechanical keys of a user interface may require completely redesigning the circuit board or at least partially redesigning some of the underlying mechanical and electrical elements of the user interface. The necessity of such design efforts makes providing the desired flexibility commercially unfeasible.  
      U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,579,002 and 5,729,222 issued to Iggulden et al., which are hereby incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein, disclose a user configurable interface in which a user can arrange keys (i.e., buttons) on a control device perforated with a pattern of slots to accept the keys. Projections on the backs of the keys are unique for each key and define a function for each key. While the patents disclose some interchangeability of mechanical keys, the keys are movable only to slots provided on the control panel, and so the control panel&#39;s flexibility in this respect is limited according to the locations of slots that it provides. As each of the keys specifies a function, the patents essentially disclose a mechanical technique for programming the functions of a control interface.  
      A need exists, therefore, for systems and methods that provide varieties of arrangements of mechanical soft and hard function keys without the prohibitive cost of creating an entirely redesigned control interface for each arrangement.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      One aspect of the present invention provides systems and methods for using a variety of bezels, incorporating numerous button arrangements, with a single control panel that includes a display and a touch screen.  
      In a second aspect, the present invention is a control interface comprising a display screen, a touch screen disposed on the display screen, a processor electrically connected to the display, the touch screen and a memory, and a bezel disposed over the touch screen. The memory preferably stores one or more bezel type codes and each bezel type code corresponds to data regarding a different type of bezel. The bezel preferably includes a plurality of buttons and a plug projecting from the bezel and contacting a socket electrically connected to the processor. The plug thereby communicates information via the socket to the processor regarding the bezel. Preferably, the information communicated identifies the bezel as a bezel type among a plurality of bezel types, and the processor executes in accordance with the bezel type.  
      In a third aspect, the present invention is a control system comprising a plurality of electronic components and a control interface electrically connected to each of the plurality of electronic components. The control interface includes a display screen, a touch screen disposed on the display screen, a processor electrically connected to the display, the touch screen and a memory, and a bezel disposed over the touch screen. The memory preferably stores bezel type codes and each bezel type code corresponds to data regarding a different type of bezel. The bezel preferably includes a plurality of buttons and a plug projecting from the bezel and contacting a socket electrically connected to the processor. The plug thereby communicates information via the socket to the processor regarding the bezel. Preferably, the information communicated identifies the bezel as a bezel type among a plurality of bezel types, and the processor executes in accordance with the bezel type.  
      In a fourth aspect, the present invention is a control interface comprising a display screen, a touch screen disposed on the display screen, a processor electrically connected to the display and the touch screen, a memory connected to the processor, and a bezel disposed over the touch screen and having a configuration recognized by the processor. The processor is preferably configurable according to any one of a plurality of different types of bezels.  
      In a fifth aspect, the present invention comprises a bezel for a display device including a frame having an exposed side and a contact side opposite the exposed side, a plurality of buttons disposed on the frame, and a plug projecting from the contact side of the frame and identifying the bezel as a bezel type among a plurality of bezel types. A user preferably actuates a plurality of buttons on the exposed side of the frame and communicates input information via the contact side of the frame. Preferably, the plug identifies the bezel as a bezel type based on a configuration of prongs on the plug.  
      In a sixth aspect, the present invention comprises control interface including a display screen, a touch screen disposed on the display screen, a processor electrically connected to the display and the touch screen, a memory connected to the processor; and a bezel. The bezel preferably includes a frame and a button disposed on the frame. The frame is preferably disposed over the touch screen such that at least part of the frame is disposed outside the perimeter of the touch screen. The button comprises a touch pad, a contact point and lateral extension connecting the touch pad and the contact point, the button being positioned at least partially outside the perimeter of the touch screen, such that actuating the button causes the contact point to contact the touch screen. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
      The following discussion may be best understood with reference to the various views of the drawings, described in summary below, which form a part of this disclosure.  
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an electronic control system  100  that serves as a preferred context for application of the various embodiments of the invention disclosed herein.  
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram depicting a preferred embodiment of a control user interface, such as the control user interface depicted generally in  FIG. 1 .  
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  are diagrams depicting a front view and a partial back view of a preferred embodiment of a bezel such as the bezel shown in  FIG. 2 .  
       FIG. 3C  is a diagram depicting a preferred embodiment of a bezel of a different type than the bezel of  FIGS. 3A and 3B .  
       FIG. 3D  is a diagram depicting a preferred embodiment of a bezel of a different type than the bezel depicted in  FIGS. 3A and 3B  or the bezel depicted in  FIG. 3C .  
       FIG. 4  depicts an example of a bezel with no mechanical buttons.  
       FIG. 5  depicts an example of a bezel that covers the entire touch screen area with buttons.  
       FIGS. 6A, 6B  and  6 C are diagrams depicting perspective views of alternative embodiments of three notches that project from the backside of a bezel such as that shown in  FIG. 2 .  
       FIGS. 6D and 6E  are diagrams depicting perspective views of a preferred embodiment of a plug that projects from the backside of a bezel such as that shown in  FIG. 2  and a receiving socket.  
       FIG. 7A  is a diagram depicting a front view of a button defined by a void on three sides of the button and a tab connecting the button to the rest of a bezel.  
       FIG. 7B  is a diagram depicting a front view of a button, which is defined by a button frame and a notch projecting from the backside of the button.  
       FIG. 7C  is a diagram depicting a front view of another embodiment of a button, which is defined by a notch projecting from the backside of the button and a button label, marked region, and/or outline imprinted on the front of the button.  
       FIG. 8  is a flow diagram depicting a preferred embodiment of a method of configuring a control user interface such as the control user interface depicted in  FIG. 2 .  
       FIG. 9  is a flow diagram depicting a preferred embodiment of a method of registering a particular button arrangement for a bezel.  
       FIG. 10A  depicts an example of a bezel that includes buttons that are arranged about the left and right periphery of the bezel and outside the perimeter of a touch screen.  
       FIG. 10B  depicts an example of an embodiment of a bezel  1010  that includes a button  1012  with a lateral extension  1016  such as may be provided in the bezel of  FIG. 10A .  
       FIG. 10C  depicts second example of an embodiment of a bezel that includes buttons having an actuator connected by a lateral extension such as may be provided in the bezel of  FIG. 10A . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      The present invention is now described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which different embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments described herein.  
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an electronic control system  100  that serves as a preferred context for application of the embodiments disclosed herein. The control system  100  preferably includes a controller  102 , one or more electronic devices  104   a ,  104   b , . . .  104   n  and a control user interface  106 . The controller  100  is preferably electrically connected to each of the electronic devices  104   a ,  104   b , . . .  104   n  and to the control user interface  106 . However, alternatively, the controller  100  may be connected to the other elements of the control system  100  by any convenient means for communicating data over short distances, specifically the range of distances common between rooms of a home or office. For example, a wireless communication system between the components and the control user interface may be employed.  
      The typical application for such a control system  100  is a multi-room home entertainment system. In this context, the electronic devices  104   a ,  104   b , . . .  104   n  may be, for example, one or more television receivers, VCRs, DVD players, and/or satellite and audio receivers. The devices may also be other electronically controlled appliances such as motorized curtains or electronically controllable fireplaces. In the typical home entertainment application, the control user interface  106  is preferably an in-wall panel that enables both user input and the display or other output of information, such as audio, to the user. As such, the controller  100 , in one aspect serves as a multiplexing device for enabling the user to control potentially numerous electronic devices from a single location.  
       FIG. 2  depicts a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a control user interface  200 , such as the control user interface  106  depicted generally in  FIG. 1 , for enabling a user to input and receive information regarding the system  100  under control. The control user interface  106 ,  200  preferably includes a processor  202 , a memory  204  a display screen  206 , a touch screen  208 , and a bezel  210 .  FIG. 2  depicts side views of the display screen  206 , the touch screen  208  and the bezel  210 . The processor  202  may a microprocessor that is part of a standard computer (like those manufactured by IBM® or Apple®) or a circuit board customized for the control user interface. The processor  202  preferably executes software to provide flexibility in programming, modifying and upgrading the system, and thereby improve the operability of the control user interface  106 ,  200  over time. Alternatively, the processor  202  may be any type of processor or processors that enable dynamic configuration of the control user interface  106 ,  200  as described herein.  
      Thus, as used throughout, the term “processor” refers to a wide variety of computational devices or means including, for example, using multiple processors that perform different processing tasks or having the same tasks distributed between processors. The processor(s) may be general purpose CPUs or special purpose processors, such as those often used in digital signal processing systems. Further, multiple processors may be implemented, if appropriate. Some or all of the processing may be alternatively implemented with hard-wired circuitry such as an ASIC, FPGA or other logic device.  
      The memory  204  is electrically connected to the processor and preferably operates in conjunction with the processor  202  to enable the implementation of the embodiments of the control user interface  106 ,  200  described herein. Thus, as used throughout, the term “memory” refers to any storage medium, such as a semiconductor memory, that is accessible to a processor that meets the memory storage needs for the control user interface  106 ,  200  or its components.  
      The display screen  206  is electrically connected to and controlled via the processor  202 . As such, the display screen  206  may be any display device, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) or liquid crystal display (LCD). Disposed over and preferably in contact with the display side of the display screen  206  is the touch screen  208 . The touch screen  208  may be any touch screen as is commonly known in the art that detects contact on the screen based on the location of the contact. In one embodiment, the touch screen is a resistive touch screen. In other embodiments, the touch screen  208  is another type of x-y detection screen that detects multiple contacts on different locations of the touch screen  208  at the same time, such as a scanning-based touch screen.  
      In the example of the bezel  210  shown in  FIG. 2 , the bezel  210  is generally disposed over and frames the touch screen  208 . That is, in one embodiment, the bezel  210  preferably includes an open or transparent interior portion to enable a user to view the display screen  206  through the touch screen  208 . The bezel  210  preferably includes attaching/detaching hooks or clips  212  as shown in  FIG. 2  or includes any other convenient mechanism for removing and installing the bezel onto the control user interface  200 ,  106 . The bezel, for example may alternatively be snapped into or screwed into the control user interface. The bezel  210  preferably acts to hold the display screen  206  and the touch screen  208  in place and in contact with each other, and may also cover any gaps between the display screen  206  and a wall surface.  
      In one embodiment, the bezel  210  includes a plug  214  that extends from one of the hooks of the bezel  210 ,  300 . The plug  214  functions as a tag for communicating to the processor  202  via a receiving socket  216  the type of bezel  210  that is attached to the control interface  106 . In one embodiment, when the bezel  210  is installed onto the control user interface  106 ,  210 , the plug  214  engages the socket  216 , which is preferably electrically connected to the processor  202 . In other embodiments, the plug  214  and socket  216  may be configured on other ways and orientations, such that for example, the plug  214  extends from another part of the bezel  210  and the socket  216  is appropriately positioned to engage it. The bezel  210  is preferably formed of a hard plastic, although the bezel  210  may be formed of other, preferably electrically insulating materials.  
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  depict a front view and a partial back view of a bezel  300  such as the bezel  210  shown in  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 3A  depicts an arrangement of buttons  302  on the left and right sides of the face of the bezel  210 ,  302 . The particular arrangement of buttons is arbitrary and is shown to reflect one desirable arrangement of buttons among preferably many desirable arrangements.  
      The interior portion of the bezel  210 ,  300  is open to enable a user to view the display screen  206  and preferably to access the touch screen  208  directly. A portion of the face of the bezel  210 ,  300  also covers the periphery of the touch screen  208  such that actuating (e.g., pressing) any of the buttons causes a contact with the touch screen, and thereby, a detection of the button&#39;s actuation.  
       FIG. 3A  depicts the location of a notch  215  according to an alternative embodiment in lieu of the plug  214 /socket  216  configuration, and  FIG. 3B  actually depicts the notch  215  protruding from the back (contact) face of the bezel  210 ,  300 . Like the plug  214 , the notch  215  functions as a tag for communicating to the processor  202  the type of bezel that is attached to the control interface  106 . Unlike the plug  214  however, the notch  215  communicates with the processor  202  via the touch screen  208 .  
      Alternatively, the bezel tag (information) is communicated to the processor  202  manually such as by entering a code using the available buttons on the bezel  210  or using by using another external device, such as a PDA or personal computer, which may be connected to the processor  202  while the control system  100  is being installed. The processor  202  and/or memory  204  preferably store information regarding numerous types of bezels (i.e., bezel types) mapped according to the bezel tag information that is communicated to the processor  202 .  
      As another alternative, instead of communicating a bezel tag to the processor  202  from which the processor  202  would determine the configuration for the bezel  210  based on bezel configurations stored in memory  204 , the complete configuration for the bezel  210  is communicated to the processor  202 . In this embodiment, an installer may transmit, for example, a configuration file from a PDA or personal computer to the processor  202  for the bezel  210  that is being installed. Thus, in this embodiment, the processor  202  preferably does not retain such bezel configuration files or the codes that correspond to such files. Rather, the processor  202  receives the configuration file that it is transmitted to it (i.e., “injected”), reads the configuration file, and responds according to the configuration. In this embodiment, the control user interface  106  is fully programmable such that it can be readily made compatible with a variety of types of bezels once it is provided the necessary information about the bezel, such as in the form of a configuration file, script, executable code, etc.  
      Preferably, a bezel  210  of a particular type is at least partially defined by the layout of the buttons, if any, on the bezel  210 , and optionally, the function and/or value that each button enables a user to actuate. Thus,  FIG. 3C  depicts a bezel  400  of a different type than the bezel of  FIG. 3A . The bezel  400  is of a different type because of the difference in the layout of its buttons. Similarly,  FIG. 3D  depicts a bezel  500  of a third type, based on yet another arrangement of buttons  502 . Distinctions between bezel types need not be based on an arrangement of buttons however. For example,  FIG. 4  depicts an example of a bezel  420  with no mechanical buttons. In contrast, FIG.  5  depicts a bezel  470  that covers the entire touch screen area with buttons  472 . Furthermore, two bezels with the same arrangement of buttons may be of different types based on the differences in the functions that are performed by each button. Alternatively, distinctions in bezel types may be based on or include other factors, such as the color and/or aesthetic design of the bezel.  
      However bezel types are distinguished, the processor  202  preferably includes information specifying all of the bezel types, which allows the processor  202  to respond accordingly when it receives the bezel type information such as from the bezel tag encoded via the plug  214  on an installed bezel. The plug  214  preferably possesses an electrical contact-based feature that communicates the bezel type information via the socket  208  to the processor  202 . In the alternative embodiment of a notch  215  that contacts a touch screen  208 , the notch  215  also preferably possesses a contact based feature.  
      The bezel tag may take one or more of a variety of forms. As shown in  FIGS. 6D and 6E , in the embodiment employing a plug  214 ,  612  and socket  216 ,  614 , the plug  214 ,  612  preferably has a set (e.g., four as shown) of prongs  616 , where each prong  616  may enter an electrical contact entry point  618  in the socket  614 . A bezel type is preferably identifiable based on the number and location of the prongs  616  that engage the electrical contact points in the socket  614 . That is, the particular set of contacts made by the prongs  616  in the socket identifies each type of bezel. The plug  612  and socket  614  may have or less than four prongs and electrical contact entry points as necessary. For example, in  FIGS. 6A and 6B  the four prongs  616  provide for four distinct contact points with the socket  614 , potentially providing for the communication of up to 2 4  or 16 distinct bezel types. If more than sixteen bezel types are offered, then the plug  612 /socket  614  configuration would provide five or more plugs and electrical contact points respectively.  
      In a preferred embodiment employing the touch screen  208  as the contact interface for communicating the bezel tag, the notch  215  preferably includes a spring or a latch such that notch  215  makes only a brief contact with the touch screen, and the bezel tag may be based on the location of the notch  215 . For example, in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the notch  215  is positioned in the lower corner of the bezel  210 ,  300 , whereas in  FIG. 3C , the notch  415  is located near the vertical midpoint on the right side of the bezel  400 . These figures depict a bezel tag in which the location of the contact on the touch screen  210  by the notches  215 ,  415  communicates to the processor  202  enough information to identify the bezel type for the bezel  300 ,  400 .  
      Alternatively, rather than relying on the location of a single notch  215 ,  415  to communicate the bezel type to the processor  202 , multiple notches may be employed, which via their multiple contacts with the touch screen  208 , communicate a bezel type. As yet another alternative, a single notch  215  is used that includes multiple or alternative contact points on the tip end (i.e., touch screen contact face) of the notch  215 , much like embodiment in which the plug  214  designed to engage the socket  216 . For example,  FIGS. 6A, 6B  and  6 C depict three notches  600 ,  602 ,  604  with minor differences at the contact face  606  of the notches  600 ,  602 ,  604 . Each of the notches  600 ,  602  and  604  include, by way of example, six slots  608  for contact with the touch screen  208 . However, in  FIG. 6A , for example, notch  600  includes a contact bump or dimple  610  only in the upper left corner of the notch&#39;s contact face. In  FIG. 6B , notch  602  includes a contact bump  610  only in the upper middle slot of the notch&#39;s contact face. In  FIG. 6C , notch  604  includes contact bumps  610  at both the upper left and upper middle slots of the notch&#39;s contact face. As with the plug  214 , while each notch  600 ,  602 ,  604  preferably protrudes from the back of the bezel  210  at same location, the slots  608  provide for six distinct contact points with the touch screen  208 , potentially providing for the communication of up to 2 6  or 64 distinct bezel types. One skilled in the art may readily employ other embodiments for using contact-based features, such as level of contact pressure, etc., to communicate bezel type information to the processor  202  via the touch screen  208 .  
       FIGS. 7A, 7B  and  7 C depict alternative embodiments for implementing buttons on a bezel, such as the bezels  210 ,  300 ,  400 ,  420 ,  470 ,  500  of  FIGS. 2 through 5 .  FIG. 7A  depicts a front view of a button  700  defined by a void  702  on three sides of the button  700  and a tab  704  connecting the button  700  to the rest of a bezel  706  (only a portion of the bezel  706  is shown) on the fourth side of the button  700 . The bezel  706  and the button  700  are preferably formed of a hard plastic. The tab  704  preferably is formed of a plastic with some flexibility to allow the user to press the button  700  without having to exert undue pressure to actuate the button  700 . In a preferred embodiment, the back of the button  700  includes a notch  708 , similar to notch  214  of  FIGS. 3A through 3D , that contacts the touch screen  208  when the button  700  is pressed. Preferably, the bezel  706 , button  700 , tab  704  and notch  708  are formed of the same plastic material and as part of a single mold. As such, the tab  712  may be flexible by virtue of being thinner than (in terms of depth from the front to the back of the bezel  706 ) than the button  700  or the bezel  706 . The notch  708  preferably further includes a rubber tip that cushions the contact with the touch screen  208 . Preferably, the processor  202  processes the contact with the touch screen  208  based on the area of the contact on the touch screen  208  that has been prescribed for the button  700 .  
       FIG. 7B  depicts a front view of a button  710 , which is part of a bezel  714 . The button  710  is defined by a button frame  712  and a notch  716  projecting from the backside of the button  710  that contacts the touch screen  208  when the button  700  is pressed. Like with the embodiment described above, all of the elements, i.e., the bezel  714 , the button  710 , the frame  712  and the notch  716  are formed of the same plastic material and as part of a single mold. Furthermore, like the tab  706  described above, the button frame  712  preferably is flexible to allow the user to press the button  710  and cause the notch  716  to contact the touch screen  208 . The button frame  712  may be formed of a thin section of plastic that provides such flexibility.  
       FIG. 7C  depicts a front view of another embodiment of a button  718 , which is part of a bezel  722 . The button  718  is defined by a notch  724  projecting from the backside of the button  718  and a button label  720 , marked region, and/or outline  726  imprinted on the front of the bezel  722  to indicate to a user the location and preferably the function performed by pressing the button  718 . In this embodiment, the bezel  722  and button  718  are preferably formed of the same material, such as a soft plastic, to permit a user to flex the button into an actuating position such that the notch  724  contacts the touch screen  208 . Optionally, the button  718  does not include notch  724  such that contact with the touch screen  208  when the button  718  is pressed is based on the direct pressure of the user&#39;s finger separated only by the soft plastic, or other flexible material of the button  718 .  
       FIG. 8  is a flow diagram depicting a preferred embodiment of a method  800  of configuring a control user interface such as the control user interface  106 ,  200  referenced in  FIGS. 1 and 2  and having the components depicted in  FIG. 2 . In a first step  802 , a bezel  210  of a particular type, among multiple predetermined types, is attached to a display  206  and touch screen  208 , which form part of the control user interface  106 ,  200 . The bezel  210  may be secured by any of a variety of means including snap in and out contact points, attaching/detaching hooks, clips, etc. The bezel  210  may also be screwed into place. Preferably, securing the bezel to the display  206  and touch screen  208  facilitates securing together the interface elements (i.e., the display  206 , the touch screen  208  and the bezel  210 ) in a sandwich configuration.  
      In a next step  804 , upon securing the bezel  210  in place, a plug  214  on the bezel engages a socket that is electrically connected to a processor. As discussed above, one or more features of the engagement of the plug  214  with the socket  216  encode information to be communicated from the bezel  210  to the socket  216 . The information is essentially encoded in the location and number of prongs  616  that engage the socket  216 .  
      In a next step  806 , the socket  216  electrically communicates a signal to the processor  202  containing information about the contact(s), (e.g., the location of the contact(s)).  
      Then, in a next step  808 , the processor  202  interprets the signal. In one embodiment, the processor  202  receives the data signal and applies the data from the signal to a look-up table in memory  204  that matches the contact information to a type of bezel. Preferably, the processor  202  is in an initialization state such that it is configured to await and process the signal into an identification of a bezel that has just been installed.  
      In a next step  810 , the processor  206  preferably configures itself and the display  206  in accordance with the identified bezel type. Thus, based on the identification of the bezel type, the processor preferably transmits signals to the display  206  to depict graphics on the display  206  that correspond to the identified bezel type. For example, the processor  202  preferably includes information regarding the location and function of each of the buttons on the installed bezel. Consequently, the processors may transmit signals to the display  206  to display soft function labels for those buttons adjacent to one or more of the buttons. The processor  202  may also transmit signals to the display  206  to instruct the display to depict additional buttons on the display (touch screen buttons) that correspond to additional functions and/or values that are not provided by buttons on the bezel itself. Furthermore, the processor  202  may transmit signals instructing the display  206  to display a background color or graphic that matches the artistic style of the installed bezel  210 . The display  206  preferably receives these various signals and displays graphics and text as instructed. In this step  810 , other processes for initializing the processor  202  in accordance with the installed bezel based on its identified bezel type are performed. For example, the processor  202  may load from the memory  204  other data regarding the bezel  210  including the locations and functions ascribed to the various buttons.  
      Upon completing the initialization of the processor  202  with respect to the installed bezel, in a next step  814 , the processor  202  enters an operational state in which it is ready to receive commands from the touch screen  208 . As such, the processor  202  interprets subsequent contacts with the touch screen  208  in accordance with a specification that defines the bezel type for the installed bezel  210 .  
      In another embodiment, a bezel, such as the bezels depicted in  FIGS. 2 through 5 , includes buttons that are interchangeable within button slots. In this embodiment, buttons preferably are snapped into or out of button slots on the bezel. Furthermore, the buttons may include function labels on their front faces. The purpose of providing such interchangeability is that each button preferably has a particular button type that corresponds to a function and/or value that pressing the button initiates. The button type (i.e., function and/or value) is preferably encoded on a button tag (e.g., notch) that protrudes from the back of the button. Thus, while the bezels in these described embodiments include notches that encode a bezel type, in the present embodiment, the buttons of a particular bezel type also each include a button type. Preferably, the encoding of the button type on the notch of a button is implemented using the one or more of the designs used for distinguishing bezel types.  
      Configuration of a bezel of a type that includes interchangeable buttons preferably includes the steps of the method  800  of  FIG. 8 . However, the configuration of such a bezel preferably includes additional intermediate steps for configuring a particular button arrangement. For example, in configuring a button arrangement, a step is preferably performed in which a particular button arrangement is applied to a bezel before the bezel is attached to the display and touch screen. Buttons are preferably snapped into and out of slots until a desired customized arrangement of buttons is made. Then, preferably, after the processor has identified the bezel according to a particular bezel type, a process is initiated in which each of the buttons are identified, button-by-button, by button type.  
       FIG. 9  is a flow diagram depicting a preferred embodiment of a method  900  of configuring or registering a particular button arrangement for a bezel. The method  900  generally includes steps similar to those taken for identifying a bezel type. The method  900  preferably proceeds after the processor for the control interface has identified the bezel as a particular bezel type and has, optionally, at least partially configured the display according to aspects of the bezel type that do not relate to the yet-to-be-configured button arrangement. For example, the processor may have configured the display with the appropriate background color corresponding to the color of the bezels, displayed function labels next to any buttons on the bezel that are not interchangeable with other buttons, or displayed buttons actuated by the touch screen that correspond to additional functions and/or values not provided by the bezel&#39;s mechanical buttons.  
      Preferably, in a first step  902  in the method  900  of configuring a button arrangement, a button configuration set-up process is initiated. The initiation may occur by default based on the processor&#39;s identification of the bezel type and its expectation for button arrangement data. Alternatively, the process  902  may be user-initiated.  
      In a next step  904 , an installed interchangeable button is pressed. Then, in next step  906 , a notch projecting from the back of the button contacts the touch screen. The notch preferably has a contact face with dimples or bumps as depicted with the notches of  FIGS. 6A, 6B  and  6 C which impart information based on the number and locations of the contacts with the touch screen. Then in a next step  908 , a data signal is transmitted from the touch screen to the processor regarding the contacts.  
      In a next step  910 , the processor interprets the data regarding the contacts to determine the button type of the button that was pressed. As with the processor&#39;s determining bezel type, the processor may use a look-up table to determine button types. In a next step  912 , the processor preferably notifies the user that the processor has identified the button as a particular button type. The notification may be in the form of a signal to the display to display a label adjacent to the pressed button that corresponds to the function and/or value that pressing the button initiates. Then, a check  914  is made, for example, via a signal from the user or by the processor itself, regarding whether all of the configurable buttons have been identified. If not all of the configurable buttons on the bezel have been identified, then the user may perform the step  904  of pressing another button, and having the processor identify that button and notify the user accordingly. If the processor has registered the last of the configurable buttons, then in a next step  916 , the processor exits the button configuration set-up process. Alternatively, the user may signal to the processor to exit the configuration process.  
      Other variations on the types of bezels that may be installed into a control user interface are also contemplated.  FIG. 10A  depicts a bezel  1000  that includes buttons  1002  that are arranged about the left and right periphery of the bezel  1000 . In this embodiment, the buttons  1002  are positioned outside the perimeter of the touch screen  1004 . However, each button  1002  includes a lateral extension  1005  that causes contact on the touch screen  1004  at a contact point  1006  when the button  1002  is pressed. In such an arrangement, a maximum of area of touch screen “real estate” is preserved by placing the buttons  1002  outside the perimeter of that “real estate” while taking advantage of the data input capability that the touch screen  1004  offers.  
       FIG. 10B  depicts one example of an embodiment of a bezel  1010  that includes a button  1012  with a lateral extension  1016  such as may be provided in the bezel of  FIG. 10A . In the example, the lateral extension  1016  extends to an actuator  1014  that contacts the touch screen. The lateral extension  1016  is connected to the bezel  1010  at an end  1018  opposite to the actuator  1014  and flexibly pivots about that opposite end  1018 . In the example, the lateral extension  1016 , the button  1012 , and the actuator  1014  preferably are formed as a single body of a flexible material such as ABS plastic. In its natural state, the lateral extension  1016  preferably is flush against the bottom surface of the bezel  1010 . When the button  1012  is pressed, the lateral extension  1016  pivots away from the bezel  1010  forcing the actuator  1014  to contact the touch screen. The lateral extension  1018  may be fastened or otherwise coupled to the bezel  1010  by any convenient means such as solvent welding or cement.  
       FIG. 10C  depicts another example of an embodiment of a bezel  1020  that includes buttons  1022 ,  1023  each including an actuator  1024  connected by a lateral extension  1026  such as may be provided in the bezel of  FIG. 10A . In the example, which has a button configuration similar to that depicted in  FIG. 7C , the buttons  1022 ,  1023  and the actuator  1024  are molded as part of the bezel  1020 . In the embodiment, the bezel  1020  and buttons  1022 ,  1023  are preferably formed of a convenient flexible material. When a button  1022 ,  1023  is pressed, the natural flexibility of the button  1022 ,  1023  causes the actuator  1024  to contact the touch screen.  
      Other types of bezels that are contemplated may include transparent buttons located over the periphery or the inner portion of a touch screen. In such cases, function and/or value labels may be displayed directly beneath the button and yet be clearly visible to the user. Such a configuration benefits from a conservation of space on the display and touch screen and may create additional space for providing to the user or receiving from the user additional information relating to the operation of the control system.  
      While aspects of the present invention have been described in terms of certain preferred embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the will appreciate that certain variations, extensions and modifications may be made without varying from the basic teachings of the present invention. As such, aspects of the present invention are not to be limited to the specific preferred embodiments described herein. Rather, the scope of the present invention is to be determined from the claims, which follow.