PROGRAMMABLE TACTILE TOUCH SCREEN DISPLAYS AND MAN-MACHINE INTERFACES FOR IMPROVED VEHICLE INSTRUMENTATION AND TELEMATICS
First Claim
1. A touch interface for a computer comprising:
- a display screen including a front surface facing a user and a rear surface opposite the front surface, the display screen being adapted to display visually observable data;
an electro-optical sensor oriented toward the rear surface of the display screen and adapted to detect a first touch input on the front surface of the display screen and a second touch input on the front surface of the display screen, the first touch input and the second touch input being simultaneously in contact with the display screen; and
processing means connected to the electro-optical sensor for determining a characteristic of each of the first touch input and the second touch input.
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.
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Citations
50 Claims
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1. A touch interface for a computer comprising:
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a display screen including a front surface facing a user and a rear surface opposite the front surface, the display screen being adapted to display visually observable data; an electro-optical sensor oriented toward the rear surface of the display screen and adapted to detect a first touch input on the front surface of the display screen and a second touch input on the front surface of the display screen, the first touch input and the second touch input being simultaneously in contact with the display screen; and processing means connected to the electro-optical sensor for determining a characteristic of each of the first touch input and the second touch input. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for controlling a computer system comprising the steps of:
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providing a display screen capable of displaying visually observable data and including a front surface and a rear surface opposite the front surface; providing an electro-optical sensor oriented toward the rear surface of the display screen; detecting with the electro-optical sensor at least two simultaneous contacts on the front surface of the display screen; determining a characteristic of each of the at least two simultaneous contacts; and in response to the determining step, performing an operation on the computer system. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A computer implemented method of operating a touch screen comprising the steps of:
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providing a display screen capable of displaying visually observable data and including a front surface and a rear surface opposite the front surface; providing an electro-optical sensor oriented toward the rear surface of the display screen to detect a contact on the front surface thereof; displaying a first image using the display screen, the first image being visible on at least the front surface of the display screen; detecting with the electro-optical sensor at least two simultaneous contacts on the front surface of the display screen; determining a characteristic of the at least two simultaneous contacts; and in response to the determining step, performing an operation on the computer system. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A method for controlling a computer system using a touch screen, comprising the steps of:
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displaying visually observable data on a display surface of the touch screen; providing an electro-optical sensor oriented toward a rear portion of the display surface; detecting with the electro-optical sensor a first touch input on the display surface and a second touch input on the display surface, the first and second touch inputs being simultaneous; determining a characteristic of the first and second touch inputs; and in response to the determining step, performing an operation on the computer system. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
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Specification