Method and Device for Preventing Staining of a Display Device
First Claim
1. A method for preventing staining of a display screen (10) by a user'"'"'s finger (34), said method comprising the steps of:
- determining (28) a first threshold distance (36) from the display screen (10) within which a user'"'"'s finger (34) may be detected;
determining (28) a second threshold distance (38) from the display screen within which a user'"'"'s finger (34) may be detected, said second threshold distance (38) being shorter than said first threshold distance (36);
first detecting (26, 28) when a user'"'"'s finger (34) is within said first threshold distance (36);
first indicating (28, 30) to said user, upon a detection in said first detecting step, that said user'"'"'s finger (34) has entered a zone (A) proximate to the screen where interaction with a graphical user interface (GUI) is enabled, said GUI enabling manipulating various display functions by movements of the user'"'"'s finger (34);
second detecting (26, 28) when a user'"'"'s finger (34) is within said second threshold distance (38); and
second indicating (28, 30) to said user, upon a detection in said second detecting step, that said user'"'"'s finger (34) has entered a forbidden zone (F).
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for preventing staining of a display screen by a user'"'"'s fingers, by encouraging a user not to touch the surface of a display screen while using a graphic user interface associated with the display screen includes determining a first threshold distance from the display screen within which a user'"'"'s finger may be detected, determining a second threshold distance from the display screen within which a user'"'"'s fingers may be detected, the second threshold distance being shorter than the first threshold distance, first detecting when a user'"'"'s finger is within the first threshold distance, indicating to the user, upon a detection in the first detecting step, that the user'"'"'s finger has entered a zone proximate to the screen where interaction with a graphical user interface (GUI) is enabled, the GUI enabling manipulating various display functions by movements of the user'"'"'s finger, second detecting when a user'"'"'s finger is within the second threshold distance, and indicating to the user, upon a detection in the second detecting step, that the user'"'"'s finger has entered a forbidden zone.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for preventing staining of a display screen (10) by a user'"'"'s finger (34), said method comprising the steps of:
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determining (28) a first threshold distance (36) from the display screen (10) within which a user'"'"'s finger (34) may be detected; determining (28) a second threshold distance (38) from the display screen within which a user'"'"'s finger (34) may be detected, said second threshold distance (38) being shorter than said first threshold distance (36); first detecting (26, 28) when a user'"'"'s finger (34) is within said first threshold distance (36); first indicating (28, 30) to said user, upon a detection in said first detecting step, that said user'"'"'s finger (34) has entered a zone (A) proximate to the screen where interaction with a graphical user interface (GUI) is enabled, said GUI enabling manipulating various display functions by movements of the user'"'"'s finger (34); second detecting (26, 28) when a user'"'"'s finger (34) is within said second threshold distance (38); and second indicating (28, 30) to said user, upon a detection in said second detecting step, that said user'"'"'s finger (34) has entered a forbidden zone (F). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An apparatus for preventing staining of a display screen (10) by a user'"'"'s finger (34), said apparatus comprising:
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a 3-D sensor array (12, 14, 16, 18.1, 18.2, 22, 24, 26) for detecting horizontal and vertical coordinates of a user'"'"'s finger (34) relative to said display screen (10), and a distance said user'"'"'s finger (34) is removed from said display screen (10); means for determining (28) a first threshold distance (36) from the display screen (10) within which a user'"'"'s finger (34) may be detected; means for determining (28) a second threshold distance (38) from the display screen (10) within which a user'"'"'s finger (34) may be detected, said second threshold distance (38) being shorter than said first threshold distance (36); first detecting means (28) coupled to said 3-D sensor array (12, 14, 16, 18.1, 18.2, 22, 24, 26) for detecting when a user'"'"'s finger (34) is within said first threshold distance (36); means for activating (28, 30) a graphic user interface (GUI) of said display screen (10) upon a detection by said first detecting means (28), said GUI enabling manipulating various display functions by movements of the user'"'"'s finger (34); second detecting means (28) also coupled to said 3-D sensor array (12, 14, 16, 18.1, 18.2, 22, 24, 26) for detecting when a user'"'"'s finger (34) is within said second threshold distance (38); and means for indicating (28, 30) to said user, upon a detection by said second detecting means, that said user'"'"'s finger (34) has entered a forbidden zone (F). - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification