Abstract: An electric hand control, especially for electrically adjustable hospital and care beds comprising a number of activation switches (3;3a,3b), and a number of locking switches (9, 10;11;13, 14), which can be activated by means of a locking element (7) by which means the circuit for the activation switches (3;3a,3b) is cut off, so that the function belonging to it becomes inactive or locked. In an embodiment the locking switches are on-/off switches and in another embodiment the locking switches are based on a read switch and a magnet and in yet another embodiment the locking switches are based on a wave shaped disc (9) mounted over two contact points (10).

Abstract: The specification and drawings present a new method and apparatus for a touch actuation in an electronic device using a general purpose input board. The input board comprises of a grating of conductors running in one direction (y-lines). Between these conductors there are contacts connected to a grating running in the perpendicular direction a layer below (x-lines). The grating layers are separated by an insulating layer. Various known methods can be used to read the position of, e.g., a conductive actuator touching the input board. The input board can be used as a configurable UI board under a keymat. The input devices on the keymat can be a key, a joystick, a touchpad top membrane, etc. Also, the actuators can be made force-sensitive by detecting a contact surface area. In addition, all components of the general purpose input board can be made of materials substantially transparent to light.

Abstract: This invention describes a method for a touch actuation in an electronic device using a general purpose input board. The input board comprises of a grating of conductors running in one direction (y-lines). Between these conductors there are contacts connected to a grating running in the perpendicular direction a layer below (x-lines). The grating layers are separated by an insulating layer. The input board can be manufactured using a wide variety of technologies, e.g., printable resistive, conductive and insulating materials. Various known methods can be used to read the position of any conductive actuator touching the input board. The input board can be used as a configurable UI board under a keymat. The input devices on the keymat can be a key, a joystick, a touchpad top membrane, etc. and their configurations and positions can be freely varied on switchcovers. In addition, the actuators can be made force-sensitive by detecting a contact surface area.