TOUCH SCREEN CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20100020021A1
• Filed: 07/22/2008
• Published: 01/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: THAM, ROBERT, MILLS, JULIE ANNE
• Application Number:
  US12/177,219
• Publication Number:
  US 20100020021A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/01 specially adapted for anaesthetising A61M16/104, A61M16/18 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/024 including calculation means, e.g. using a processor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/12 by mixing different gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/18 Vaporising devices for anaesthetic preparations
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0039 in the inspiratory circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/505 Touch-screens; Virtual keyboard or keypads; Virtual buttons; Soft keys; Mouse touches
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

A control system is disclosed herein. The control system includes a touch screen, and a computer operatively connected to the touch screen. The computer is configured to identify a first position at which the touch screen is contacted. The computer can identify the first position at any portion of the touch screen such that a user can blindly establish the first position. The computer is also configured to identify a second position at which the touch screen is contacted; estimate the magnitude and direction of the difference between the first position and the second position; and regulate a control parameter based on the magnitude and direction of the difference between the first position and the second position.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

identifying a first position at which a touch screen is contacted, said first position being identifiable at any portion of the touch screen such that a user can blindly establish the first position;

identifying a second position at which the touch screen is contacted;

estimating the magnitude and direction of the difference between the first position and the second position; and

regulating a control parameter based on the magnitude and direction of the difference between the first position and the second position.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said regulating a control parameter comprises increasing a control parameter in proportion to the degree by which the second position exceeds the first position.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said regulating a control parameter comprises decreasing a control parameter in proportion to the degree by which the first position exceeds the second position.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said regulating a control parameter comprises regulating a control parameter of an anesthesia machine.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said regulating a control parameter comprises regulating one of an air concentration, an oxygen concentration, a nitrous oxide concentration, and an anesthetic agent concentration.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising setting the control parameter to a maximum value if the touch screen is contacted at a maximum vertical position.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising setting the control parameter to a minimum value if the touch screen is contacted at a minimum vertical position.

8. A control system comprising:

a touch screen; and

a computer operatively connected to the touch screen, said computer configured to;

identify a first position at which the touch screen is contacted, said computer being configured to identify the first position at any portion of the touch screen such that a user can blindly establish the first position;

identify a second position at which the touch screen is contacted;

estimate the magnitude and direction of the difference between the first position and the second position; and

regulate a control parameter based on the magnitude and direction of the difference between the first position and the second position.

9. The control system of claim 8, wherein the computer is configured to increase the control parameter in proportion to the degree by which the second position exceeds the first position.

10. The control system of claim 8, wherein the computer is configured to decrease the control parameter in proportion to the degree by which the first position exceeds the second position.

11. The control system of claim 8, wherein the control parameter comprises a control parameter of an anesthesia machine.

12. The control system of claim 8, wherein the control parameter comprises one of an air concentration, an oxygen concentration, a nitrous oxide concentration, and an anesthetic agent concentration

13. The control system of claim 8, wherein the computer is configured to maximize the control parameter if the touch screen is contacted at a maximum vertical position.

14. The control system of claim 8, wherein the computer is configured to minimize the control parameter if the touch screen is contacted at a minimum vertical position.

15. The control system of claim 8, further comprising a tactile guide.