User Interface for Software Applications
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A user interface for a software application operable to generate a plurality of graphical user interface (GUI) elements, the interface comprising:
- (a) a hardware surface providing input to the software application, said hardware surface comprising a plurality of spatially distinct points;
(b) an overlay removably fittable to said surface;
(c) a non-visual cue generated by the software application upon an interaction of a user with at least one of said surface points; and
(d) a plurality of tactile representations corresponding to the graphical user interface (GUI) elements, wherein said tactile representations are adjustably positionable upon said overlay.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A user interface for software applications enables the full use of graphical user interface (GUI) software, particularly engineering design software, by visually impaired individuals. The interface combines tactile representations of graphical elements, non-visual cues, and a hardware element to allow the effective placement and interconnection of graphic elements using design software.
-
Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A user interface for a software application operable to generate a plurality of graphical user interface (GUI) elements, the interface comprising:
-
(a) a hardware surface providing input to the software application, said hardware surface comprising a plurality of spatially distinct points; (b) an overlay removably fittable to said surface; (c) a non-visual cue generated by the software application upon an interaction of a user with at least one of said surface points; and (d) a plurality of tactile representations corresponding to the graphical user interface (GUI) elements, wherein said tactile representations are adjustably positionable upon said overlay. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A method of controlling a design software application with a user interface comprising a hardware surface providing input to the software application and an overlay removably fittable onto the surface, wherein the hardware surface comprises a plurality of spatially distinct points, the method comprising the steps of:
-
(a) identifying a first desired element to be input to a design; (b) locating a first tactile representation corresponding to the first desired element; (c) placing the first located tactile representation onto the overlay; (d) identifying a second desired element to be input to a design; (e) locating a second tactile representation corresponding to the second desired element; (f) placing the second located tactile representation onto the overlay; (g) placing the overlay onto the surface; (h) identifying an output point on the first tactile representation; (i) identifying an input point on the second tactile representation; and (j) creating a design using the output point on the first tactile representation and the input point on the second tactile representation. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A user interface for a software application operable to generate a plurality of graphical user interface (GUI) elements, the interface comprising:
-
(a) a hardware surface providing input to the software application, said hardware surface comprising a plurality of spatially distinct points; (b) a non-visual cue generated by the software application upon an interaction of a user with at least one of said surface points; and (c) a plurality of tactile representations corresponding to the graphical user interface (GUI) elements, wherein said tactile representations are adjustably positionable upon the hardware surface.
-
Specification