Method for providing human input to a computer

• US 20060267963A1
• Filed: 07/31/2006
• Published: 11/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/1992
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tactile Feedback Technology LLC
• Original Assignee: Timothy R. Pryor
• Inventors: Pryor, Timothy R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,714,849 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04109 FTIR in optical digitiser, i.e. touch detection by frustrating the total internal reflection within an optical waveguide due to changes of optical properties or deformation at the touch location
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0425 using a single imaging device like a video camera for tracking the absolute position of a single or a plurality of objects with respect to an imaged reference surface, e.g. video camera imaging a display or a projection screen, a table or a wall surface, on which a computer generated image is displayed or projected tracking a projected light spot to determine a position on a display surface G06F3/0386

Abstract

A method and apparatus are provided for controlling at least one function of a motor vehicle utilizing a member such as a touch pad or touch screen for receiving inputs of the driver thereof, which member is generally located on the dashboard of the vehicle and may be plastic and curvilinear and may contain actuation devices such as knobs, sliders and switches. A computer analyzes data inputted by the driver and an active tactile feedback signal may be provided to the touch member to signal the driver.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a function of a motor vehicle by a driver of said vehicle, comprising the steps of:

providing a touch surface member on the dashboard of said vehicle having a surface able to be touched by a finger of said driver, said touch surface member generating finger location data when touched by said finger,

sensing the location of said finger touch on said touch surface member, and

using said sensed location information, providing a tactile feedback signal to said finger of said driver.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said tactile feedback signal is provided piezo-electrically.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein said tactile feedback consists of varying one of vibration frequency or intensity.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein said function is one of heat, light, or fan speed.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein said tactile feedback consists of varying a pulse sequence.

6. Apparatus for assisting a driver to control at least one function of a motor vehicle, comprising:

a touch member which generates position data when contacted by one or more fingers of said driver,

a computer to process said data from said touch member and control a function of said vehicle, and

means to excite at least a portion of said touch member to provide a tactile feedback signal to said driver.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said touch member is a touch pad.

8. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said touch member is a touch screen.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein images are displayed in rear projection on said touch screen.

10. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said sensed touch location is determined electro-optically.

11. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said tactile feedback signal is provided piezo-electrically.

12. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said tactile feedback signal consists of one of a variable vibration frequency or intensity.

13. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said tactile feedback signal consists of a variable pulse sequence.

14. A method for assisting a driver to control at least one function of a motor vehicle comprising the steps of:

providing a touch screen capable of displaying two dimensional images which generates position data when contacted by one or more fingers of said driver,

providing a computer to process said position data from said touch screen, in order to control the display of images, and to control at least one function of said vehicle,

analyzing said data in order to determine tactile feedback information to be provided to said driver, and

based on said information, exciting at least a portion of said touch screen to provide said tactile feedback.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein images are displayed in rear projection on said touch screen.

16. A method according to claim 14, wherein said tactile feedback consists of one of varying vibration frequency or intensity.

17. A method according to claim 14, wherein said tactile feedback consists of varying a pulse sequence.

18. A method according to claim 14 wherein said function is one of heat, light, or fan speed.

30. A method according to claim 14, wherein said touch screen is made of plastic.

31. A method according to claim 14, wherein said touch screen is of a desired curvilinear shape.

19. Apparatus for controlling a function of a motor vehicle, comprising:

a curvilinear plastic member in a position able to be touched by the driver of said vehicle;

means to sense the location of touch of said drivers finger on said plastic member; and

means to control said vehicle function using said sensed touch location.

20. Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said plastic member is made in a desired shape.

21. Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said touch member is a touch pad.

22. Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said touch member is a touch screen.

23. Apparatus according to claim 22, wherein images are displayed in rear projection on said touch screen.

24. Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said sensed touch location is determined electro-optically.

25. Apparatus according to claim 19, including further means to provide a tactile feedback signal to said driver.

26. Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said touch member is interchangeable.

27. Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said function is one of heat, light, or fan speed.

28. Apparatus according to claim 19, further including actuator means in front of said plastic member.

29. Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said actuator means is chosen from a group comprising knobs, switches, sliders and levers.