Patent ID: 8831291

Claim:
A system comprising: a plurality of actuation devices, each actuation device of the plurality of actuation devices configured to be manipulatable; a control panel; a plurality of diffraction gratings located on a back side of the control panel, each respective diffraction grating is configured to be in communication with at least one actuation device of the plurality of actuation devices so that the respective diffraction grating is moved from a first position to at least one other position, representative of a manipulation, when the at least one actuation device is manipulated; a lighting device configured to illuminate the plurality of diffraction gratings; an imaging device configured to capture an image of the plurality of diffraction gratings located on the back side of the control panel; and a processor configured to convert the image into a discrete value, the discrete value are evaluated to determine which of the at least one actuation device is manipulated, how the manipulation reflects operation of the control panel, or to provide a response indicative of the manipulation.