Patent ID: 8558799

Claim:
A user interaction device comprising: an optical module having a layer of a substance being electrically switchable between a first visual state and a second visual state, and an electrical switch for electrically switching the substance between the first visual state and the second visual state; a detector for detection of presence of a physical object; and a control unit for controlling the electrical switch in response to the detection of the presence of the physical object to switch the substance from a non-transparent state to a transparent state, wherein the electrical switch and the detector are integrated for the detection of the presence of the physical object, wherein the electrical switch comprises two electrodes on opposite sides of the layer of the substance, one of the electrodes being used for the detection of the presence of the physical object, and wherein the control unit is configured to reduce a voltage across the substance for operating the user interaction device in a touch sensitive mode for the detection of the presence of a physical object, and to increase the voltage for operating the user interaction device in a visual switching mode for switching the substance between the first visual state and the second visual state.