Programmable display switch

Abstract

A programmable graphical display switch that provides users with a simple way of controlling other devices and for customizing how that control is initiated and communicated to the user.

I/we claim: 
     
         1 . A programmable display switch apparatus, comprising:
 one or more actuators for controlling a circuit, a logic circuit that changes a state of the one or more actuators based on a programmed application of the programmable display switch;   a display control circuit that stores a customized image related to the programmed application of the programmable display switch and that commands the logic circuit to change the state of one or more of the actuators based on user input; and   a programmable display that is programmable to display the customized image,   whereby the programmable display switch can be applied in a variety of installations with images shown on the programmable display and operation of the actuators customized for the specific application of the programmable display switch.   
     
     
         2 . The programmable display switch apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the programmable display acts as an enunciator display that displays a variable status based on the programmed application of the programmable display switch. 
     
     
         3 . The programmable display switch apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the programmable display displays a fasten seat belt indication that is either active or not active. 
     
     
         4 . The programmable display switch apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the programmable display displays a no smoking indication that is either active or not active. 
     
     
         5 . The programmable display switch apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the programmable display switch receives a variable input and wherein the programmable display provides a metered display for the variable input, wherein the variable input varies along a range or values. 
     
     
         6 . The programmable display switch apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the programmable display displays a water level indication that varies in graduated increments from empty to full. 
     
     
         7 . The programmable display switch apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the programmable display displays a temperature indication that varies in graduated increments between a minimum and maximum temperature. 
     
     
         8 . The programmable display switch apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the programmable display is divided into multiple regions each region having its own programmed application and controlling an independent actuator for carrying out the programmed application based on user input received within a designated region of the programmable display. 
     
     
         9 . The programmable display switch apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the programmable display is divided into a grid having multiple regions for controlling multiple separate programmed applications. 
     
     
         10 . The programmable display switch apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the logic circuit includes a variable level output controlled by the programmable display switch based on received user input. 
     
     
         11 . The programmable display switch apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the variable level output includes a signal for dimming at least one light. 
     
     
         12 . The programmable display switch apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the variable level output includes a signal for controlling the speed of a motor. 
     
     
         13 . The programmable display switch apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the variable level output is provided by a pulse width modulated (PWM) output. 
     
     
         14 . The programmable display switch apparatus of  claim 1  wherein operation of the programmable display switch sets one or more of a comparator threshold, a timer, or an alarm. 
     
     
         15 . The programmable display switch apparatus of  claim 1  wherein operation of the programmable display switch is dependent on one or more lockout conditions that do not allow the switch state to be changed unless the lockout conditions are satisfied. 
     
     
         16 . The programmable display switch apparatus of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the one or more actuators, logic circuit, display control circuit, and programmable display are located in a separate enclosure from at least one other component. 
     
     
         17 . The programmable display switch apparatus of  claim 16  wherein one or more programmable displays are located together in a display enclosure and one or more actuators are located together in a separate actuator enclosure. 
     
     
         18 . The programmable display switch apparatus of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the one or more actuators, logic circuit, display control circuit, and programmable display are integrated into a sub-system for performing a function separate from the programmable display switch. 
     
     
         19 . The programmable display switch apparatus of  claim 1  wherein each actuator is a device selected from the group consisting of a latching relay, a mechanical relay, a solid state switch, a discrete signal, and a signal on a data bus. 
     
     
         20 . The programmable display switch apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the programmable display and one or more actuators are mechanically coupled so that when a user presses the display the user is also activating at least one actuator.