Importance

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Abstract

A liquid crystal display module comprises a liquid crystal display and a housing which carries the display, typically of C-shaped cross section with the liquid crystal display being attached to opposed ends of the C-shaped cross section of the housing. A conductor carried by the housing provides electronic communication between electronic circuitry and the liquid crystal display. A pair of light pipes are respectively positioned adjacent opposed edges of the housing, a first of the light pipes being connected to a source of light and the other of the light pipes being connected to a sensor for the light. The light pipes each define spaced branches positioned so that spaced light beams can be emitted from the branches of the first light pipe to pass through the liquid crystal display and to be received by the other light pipe through the branches thereof, to be sensed by the sensor. Control means are capable of sequentially and transiently forming transparent and opaque windows in the liquid crystal display at positions where the spaced light beams pass through the liquid crystal display. Timer and logic circuitry are provided for correlating a signal received from the sensor with an individual light beam that creates a signal. Thus, occlusion of at least one of the spaced light beams with a finger or the like causes a specific, characteristic response by the timer and logic circuitry to provide electronic choices by simple positioning of the finger in the manner of an electronic switch.

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First Claim