Abstract: A transducer switch includes a housing, a pushbutton switch near the rear of the housing, an input shaft extending from the front of the housing such that an input force can be applied to the input shaft, a positioning spring adapted and configured to resist movement of the input shaft and bias the input shaft towards alignment with the central axis, and a plurality of strain gauges positioned on a sensing portion of the input shaft. The plurality of strain gauges are adapted and configured to measure tension and compression on at least two sides of the input shaft, the two sides separated by approximately ninety degrees.

Abstract: A toggle selector switch includes an activator stylus mounted in a housing to be pivotable about at least one axis. The toggle selector switch further includes at least one pushbutton switch positioned axially in the housing to be engaged when the elongate activator stylus is pivoted. The at least one pushbutton switch includes a mounting base including a contact and a first electrically conductive dome coupled to the mounting base. The first electrically conductive dome is positioned above the contact and is adapted and configured to flex under an applied force and to then touch the contact to complete a circuit and to return when the force is withdrawn. The activator stylus and the at least one pushbutton switch are adapted and configured such that the pushbutton switch outputs a signal indicating that the activator stylus has been moved in one of four directions.

Abstract: A light panel display and a method of manufacturing the light panel display are disclosed. The light panel display comprises a polyethylene terephthalate glycol panel adhered to the top of an acrylic panel, with paint applied to the top of the polyethylene terephthalate glycol panel. The paint layer is etched to provide for areas where light can pass through to convey information to a view of the panel. The light panel display, and its method of manufacture, provides for increased uniformity of lighting and ease of customization of the light panel display. The light panel display disclosed herein achieves uniform lighting through the construction and use of specific materials to diffuse light within the light panel display. The light panel display disclosed here is easily customizable through etching to form the mask that selectively allows light to pass out of the light panel display.

Abstract: A toggle selector switch includes an activator stylus mounted in a housing to be pivotable about at least one axis. The toggle selector switch further includes at least one pushbutton switch positioned axially in the housing to be engaged when the elongate activator stylus is pivoted. The at least one pushbutton switch includes a mounting base including a contact and a first electrically conductive dome coupled to the mounting base. The first electrically conductive dome is positioned above the contact and is adapted and configured to flex under an applied force and to then touch the contact to complete a circuit and to return when the force is withdrawn. The activator stylus and the at least one pushbutton switch are adapted and configured such that the pushbutton switch outputs a signal indicating that the activator stylus has been moved in one of four directions.

Abstract: A transducer switch includes a housing, a pushbutton switch near the rear of the housing, an input shaft extending from the front of the housing such that an input force can be applied to the input shaft, a positioning spring adapted and configured to resist movement of the input shaft and bias the input shaft towards alignment with the central axis, and a plurality of strain gauges positioned on a sensing portion of the input shaft. The plurality of strain gauges are adapted and configured to measure tension and compression on at least two sides of the input shaft, the two sides separated by approximately ninety degrees.

Abstract: A support structure for a display system includes at least one pentagon-shaped lens, at least two hexagon-shaped lenses, and at least two hexagon-shaped supports. The at least two hexagon-shaped supports support the at least one pentagon-shaped lens and the at least two hexagon-shaped lenses. Each of the hexagon-shaped supports is securely attached to one of the hexagon-shaped lenses and one edge of the pentagon-shaped lens.

Abstract: A support structure for a display system includes at least one pentagon-shaped lens, at least two hexagon-shaped lenses, and at least two hexagon-shaped supports. The at least two hexagon-shaped supports support the at least one pentagon-shaped lens and the at least two hexagon-shaped lenses. Each of the hexagon-shaped supports is securely attached to one of the hexagon-shaped lenses and one edge of the pentagon-shaped lens.

Abstract: The present invention is visual display system and method for producing a display image perceived as a far-focused virtual image by an operator. The display system includes a video image generation and display system, and a lens. The video image generation and display system includes an image generator and a video display electrically connected to the image generator. The image generator generates a video signal. The video display displays a video image based on the generated video signal. The lens is positioned between the operator and the video display. The lens allows the operator to perceive the displayed image as a far-focused virtual image.

Abstract: A visual display system for producing a continuous far-focused virtual image according to the present invention includes a number of adjacent video image generation and display modules. Each module includes an image generator that generates a video image representative of a portion of a composite display image displayed on a video display. The visual display system also includes a number of optical viewing lenses associated with each video image generation and display modules and positioned between the operator and the video display. The lenses restrict the operator's field of view such that the operator views only a portion of the active display area of the video displays. The lenses of adjacent modules are joined together along their edges to form an enclosure partially surrounding the operator so that the operator views the composite display image displayed on the video displays through the lenses and perceives the composite display image as a continuous far-focused virtual image.