A button deck assembly includes a button deck having at least one mechanical pushbutton, the pushbutton includes a lens cap, a liquid-crystal display (LCD) panel, and an optical block configured to transmit images from the LCD panel for display through the lens cap, a bottom surface of the optical block is positioned on the LCD panel, an air gap is defined between a top surface of the optical block and the lens cap. The assembly also includes a printed circuit board (PCB) assembly defining a PCB aperture, the PCB aperture is sized to receive the optical block, and an elastomeric membrane defining a membrane aperture sized to receive the optical block, the optical block extends from the LCD panel through the PCB and membrane apertures, the membrane channels fluid flow to outer edges of the membrane and around the PCB assembly and the LCD panel.

The invention features environmental conditions control systems, including an environmental conditions control system including one or more light sources, a thermostat, and a smart light switch including a knob and a plurality of buttons, the smart light switch in electronic communication with the one or more light sources and the thermostat such that the knob and the plurality of buttons are configured to control a light intensity of the one or more light sources and a temperature setting of the thermostat.

Particular embodiments described herein provide a display that includes a mask that includes a one or more exposed areas, a top electrode, one or more bottom electrodes, a dielectric between the top electrode and the one or more bottom electrodes, and an electrical connection to create a differential voltage between the top electrode and the one or more bottom electrodes.

A key module including a base, a circuit layer, at least one light-transmission key body, and a display panel is provided. The circuit layer is disposed at the base and has at least one input portion. The light-transmission key body has an abutting end and a pressing end opposite to each other. The abutting end abuts the base, and the light-transmission key body is adapted to be pressed downward by taking the abutting end as a rotation axis, such that the pressing end presses the input portion. The display panel is disposed at the base and has at least one display region, the display region is aligned with the light-transmission key body, and an image displayed on the display region by the display panel is changeable.

An optical display knob is mounted on an electronic display, such as a touch-screen display found in a vehicle interior cabin, and includes a knob body with an optical guide and a button located therein. The knob body is rotatable, whereas the optical guide is adhered to the electronic display via a transparent adhesive so that it is stationary, with respect to the electronic display. When the electronic display generates graphics or images, the corresponding light is transmitted through the transparent adhesive and the optical guide to a front display surface. At the front display surface, the graphics appear to be emanating from the front of the optical display knob, and not from the surface of the electronic display itself.

Particular embodiments described herein provide a display that includes a mask that includes a one or more exposed areas, a top electrode, one or more bottom electrodes, a dielectric between the top electrode and the one or more bottom electrodes, and an electrical connection to create a differential voltage between the top electrode and the one or more bottom electrodes.

A button deck assembly includes a button deck having at least one mechanical pushbutton, the pushbutton includes a lens cap, a liquid-crystal display (LCD) panel, and an optical block configured to transmit images from the LCD panel for display through the lens cap, a bottom surface of the optical block is positioned on the LCD panel, an air gap is defined between a top surface of the optical block and the lens cap. The assembly also includes a printed circuit board (PCB) assembly defining a PCB aperture, the PCB aperture is sized to receive the optical block, and an elastomeric membrane defining a membrane aperture sized to receive the optical block, the optical block extends from the LCD panel through the PCB and membrane apertures, the membrane channels fluid flow to outer edges of the membrane and around the PCB assembly and the LCD panel.

A key module including a base, a circuit layer, at least one light-transmission key body, and a display panel is provided. The circuit layer is disposed at the base and has at least one input portion. The light-transmission key body has an abutting end and a pressing end opposite to each other. The abutting end abuts the base, and the light-transmission key body is adapted to be pressed downward by taking the abutting end as a rotation axis, such that the pressing end presses the input portion. The display panel is disposed at the base and has at least one display region, the display region is aligned with the light-transmission key body, and an image displayed on the display region by the display panel is changeable.

A button deck assembly includes a button deck having at least one mechanical pushbutton, the pushbutton includes a lens cap, a liquid-crystal display (LCD) panel, and an optical block configured to transmit images from the LCD panel for display through the lens cap, a bottom surface of the optical block is positioned on the LCD panel, an air gap is defined between a top surface of the optical block and the lens cap. The assembly also includes a printed circuit board (PCB) assembly defining a PCB aperture, the PCB aperture is sized to receive the optical block, and an elastomeric membrane defining a membrane aperture sized to receive the optical block, the optical block extends from the LCD panel through the PCB and membrane apertures, the membrane channels fluid flow to outer edges of the membrane and around the PCB assembly and the LCD panel.

Particular embodiments described herein provide a display that includes a mask that includes a one or more exposed areas, a top electrode, one or more bottom electrodes, a dielectric between the top electrode and the one or more bottom electrodes, and an electrical connection to create a differential voltage between the top electrode and the one or more bottom electrodes.