Abstract: The invention provides an instrument control panel that is easily customized and reconfigured, and yet provides the familiar tactile sensation of physical knobs, sliders, and buttons. The instrument control panel comprises one or more interface components that are removably coupled to an interface display wherein the interface components communicate with one or more control components disposed behind the interface display. The present invention lends itself particularly well to an instrument panel.

Abstract: The invention provides an instrument control panel that is easily customized and reconfigured, and yet provides the familiar tactile sensation of physical knobs, sliders, and buttons. The instrument control panel comprises one or more interface components that are removably coupled to an interface display wherein the interface components communicate with one or more control components disposed behind the interface display. The present invention lends itself particularly well to an instrument panel.

Abstract: The invention provides an instrument control panel that is easily customized and reconfigured, and yet provides the familiar tactile sensation of physical knobs, sliders, and buttons. The instrument control panel comprises one or more interface components that are removably coupled to an interface display wherein the interface components communicate with one or more control components disposed behind the interface display. The present invention lends itself particularly well to an instrument panel.

Abstract: An electrically heated cigarette smoking device includes a heater unit, heater blades for applying heat to portions of a cigarette that is supported within the heater unit, the heater unit having an opening adapted to receive an end of a cigarette and adapted to position the end of the cigarette in proximity to the heater blades, and the heater unit defining at least part of a suction flow passage through which ambient air is drawn into contact with the cigarette when a smoker draws on the cigarette positioned in the heater unit. The heater unit is mounted within a partition that positions the heater unit relative to the housing and at least partially defines a bypass flow passage in fluid communication with ambient air surrounding the housing, the partition further defining a flow diverting passage leading from the bypass flow passage to the suction flow passage and through which ambient air is drawn from the bypass flow passage when a smoker puffs on a cigarette inserted in the heater unit opening.

Abstract: An electrically heated cigarette smoking device includes a heater unit, heater blades for applying heat to portions of a cigarette that is supported within the heater unit, the heater unit having an opening adapted to receive an end of a cigarette and adapted to position the end of the cigarette in proximity to the heater blades, and the heater unit defining at least part of a suction flow passage through which ambient air is drawn into contact with the cigarette when a smoker draws on the cigarette positioned in the heater unit. The heater unit is mounted within a partition that positions the heater unit relative to the housing and at least partially defines a bypass flow passage in fluid communication with ambient air surrounding the housing, the partition further defining a flow diverting passage leading from the bypass flow passage to the suction flow passage and through which ambient air is drawn from the bypass flow passage when a smoker puffs on a cigarette inserted in the heater unit opening.

Abstract: An electrically heated cigarette smoking device includes a heater unit, heater blades for applying heat to portions of a cigarette that is supported within the heater unit, the heater unit having an opening adapted to receive an end of a cigarette and adapted to position the end of the cigarette in proximity to the heater blades, and the heater unit defining at least part of a suction flow passage through which ambient air is drawn into contact with the cigarette when a smoker draws on the cigarette positioned in the heater unit. The heater unit is mounted within a partition that positions the heater unit relative to the housing and at least partially defines a bypass flow passage in fluid communication with ambient air surrounding the housing, the partition further defining a flow diverting passage leading from the bypass flow passage to the suction flow passage and through which ambient air is drawn from the bypass flow passage when a smoker puffs on a cigarette inserted in the heater unit opening.