PROGRAMMABLE TACTILE TOUCH SCREEN DISPLAYS AND MAN-MACHINE INTERFACES FOR IMPROVED VEHICLE INSTRUMENTATION AND TELEMATICS
First Claim
1. A computer implemented method for controlling a variable in response to input received from a user, the method comprising:
- providing a display screen responsive to a touch input on a surface of the display screen facing a user;
identifying a first location and a second location on the display screen, wherein the first location indicates a first touch input and the second location indicates a second touch input, the first location being separated from the second location by a first distance;
detecting a change in the location of at least one of the first touch input and the second touch input causing the first touch input and the second touch input to be separated by a second distance different from the first distance; and
determining a value desired of the variable dependent on the difference between the first distance and the second distance.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed are new methods and apparatus particularly suited for applications in a vehicle, to provide a wide range of information, and the safe input of data to a computer controlling the vehicle subsystems or “Telematic” communication using for example GM'"'"'s “ONSTAR” or cellular based data sources. Preferred embodiments utilize new programmable forms of tactile touch screens and displays employing tactile physical selection or adjustment means which utilize direct optical data input. A revolutionary form of dashboard or instrument panel results which is stylistically attractive, lower in cost, customizable by the user, programmable in both the tactile and visual sense, and with the potential of enhancing interior safety and vehicle operation. Non-automotive applications of the invention are also disclosed, for example means for general computer input using touch screens and home automation systems.
140 Citations
69 Claims
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1. A computer implemented method for controlling a variable in response to input received from a user, the method comprising:
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providing a display screen responsive to a touch input on a surface of the display screen facing a user; identifying a first location and a second location on the display screen, wherein the first location indicates a first touch input and the second location indicates a second touch input, the first location being separated from the second location by a first distance; detecting a change in the location of at least one of the first touch input and the second touch input causing the first touch input and the second touch input to be separated by a second distance different from the first distance; and determining a value desired of the variable dependent on the difference between the first distance and the second distance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A computer implemented method for performing an operation on a computer system in response to input received from a user, the method comprising:
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providing a touch screen capable of displaying visually observable data; receiving a first touch input on the touch screen; receiving a second touch input on the touch screen a distance from the first touch input; detecting a change in the distance between the first touch input and the second touch input, the change indicating movement of at least one of the first touch input and the second touch input along the touch screen; and performing an operation on the computer system in response to said detecting step. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A computer implemented method for controlling a variable in response to input received from a user, the method comprising:
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providing a display screen responsive to a touch input on a surface of the display screen facing a user; providing a base point fixed in relation to the display screen; identifying a first location on the surface of the display screen a first distance from the base point, the first location indicating a first position of one of a finger and a thumb in contact with the display screen at the first location; identifying a second location on the surface of the display screen separated from the base point by a second distance, the second location indicating a second position of the one of a finger and a thumb resulting from movement along the display screen of the at least one of a finger and a thumb from the first location to the second location; and determining a value desired of the variable based on the difference between the first distance and the second distance. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A computer implemented method for controlling a variable in response to input received from a user, the method comprising:
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providing a touch screen capable of displaying visually observable data; identifying a first location on the touch screen corresponding to a first stationary touch input from one of a finger and a thumb; determining the direction of the force applied by the stationary touch input; and controlling the variable in response to said determining step. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A computer implemented method for controlling a variable in response to input received from a user, the method comprising:
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providing a touch screen capable of displaying visually observable data; identifying a first location on the touch screen indicating a touch input from one of a finger and a thumb; determining a force vector corresponding to the touch input; and controlling the variable in response to said determining step. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. A computer implemented method for performing an operation on a computer system in response to input received from a user, the method comprising:
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providing a touch screen capable of displaying visually observable data; receiving a touch input at a first location on the touch screen; determining a force vector corresponding to the touch input, the force vector including a normal component and a tangential component; and performing an operation on the computer system in response to said determining step. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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50. A computer implemented method for simulating rotation of a virtual object on a touch screen display, the method comprising:
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identifying a first location on the touch screen display corresponding to a first touch input on a first portion of the virtual object, identifying a second location on the touch screen display corresponding to a second touch input on a second portion of the virtual object; detecting a time-based change in the location of the first touch input and the second touch input corresponding to a rotation of the first touch input and second touch input about the virtual object; displaying a rotation of the virtual object in response to said detecting step; and determining a desired value, wherein the value is selected as a function of the rotation of the virtual object. - View Dependent Claims (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61)
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62. A computer implemented method for determining a value in response to input received from a user, the method comprising:
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providing a touch screen capable of displaying visually observable data and capable of detecting a plurality of simultaneous touch inputs; detecting the location of a first touch input and a second touch input on the touch screen; in response to said detecting step, displaying a virtual object on the touch screen, the virtual object including a periphery including a first portion and a second portion underlying the first touch input and the second touch input respectively; detecting a time-based change in the location of the first touch input and the location of the second touch input corresponding to rotation of the first touch input and the second touch input about the center of the virtual object; displaying rotation of the virtual object from a first orientation to a second orientation; and determining the value as a function of the rotation of the virtual object. - View Dependent Claims (63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69)
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Specification