MULTI-DIMENSIONAL TRACKPAD
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of controlling a system using a track pad comprising:
- receiving, by a touch interface positioned over an array of force sensors that are arranged to have a width and a length, a touch force;
passing at least a portion of said touch force through the touch interface to one or more force sensors of the array of force sensors;
transmitting, by the one or more force sensors of the array of force sensors, force information to a processor in communication with the array of force sensors;
determining, by the processor, from the force information a force position along the width and length and a corresponding force magnitude; and
sending, by the processor, a control message to a system, wherein the control message is selected depending upon one or more of the force position along the width and length and the corresponding force magnitude.
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Abstract
A multi-dimensional track pad is described that acts as human-machine interface (HMI). Inputs to the HMI can be made not only using the tradition two-dimensional (X-Y) inputs of a track pad, but also a third dimension, force, and even a fourth dimension, time. Tactile or audible feedback to the inputs can be provided. Methods of using the HMI to control a system are described as well as a track pad system that utilizes the HMI in communication with a processor.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of controlling a system using a track pad comprising:
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receiving, by a touch interface positioned over an array of force sensors that are arranged to have a width and a length, a touch force; passing at least a portion of said touch force through the touch interface to one or more force sensors of the array of force sensors; transmitting, by the one or more force sensors of the array of force sensors, force information to a processor in communication with the array of force sensors; determining, by the processor, from the force information a force position along the width and length and a corresponding force magnitude; and sending, by the processor, a control message to a system, wherein the control message is selected depending upon one or more of the force position along the width and length and the corresponding force magnitude. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A track pad system comprising:
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a two-dimensional array of force sensors arranged to have a width and a length; a touch interface positioned over the array, wherein the touch interface passes touch forces through to one or more force sensors of the array of force sensors; a processor in communication with a memory, wherein the processor executes computer-readable instructions stored on the memory, said instructions cause the processor to; receive force information from the array of force sensors; and determine a force position along the width and length and a corresponding force magnitude; and a feedback generator that generates at least one of a tactile or audible feedback. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. A track pad system integrated into a steering mechanism of a vehicle comprising:
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a two-dimensional array of force sensors arranged to have a width and a length, the two-dimensional array of force sensors embedded into a steering mechanism of a vehicle; a touch interface positioned over the array, wherein the touch interface passes touch forces through to one or more force sensors of the array of force sensors; a processor in communication with a memory, wherein the processor executes computer-readable instructions stored on the memory, said instructions cause the processor to; receive force information from the array of force sensors; determine a force position along the width and length and a corresponding force magnitude; and send a control message to a system, wherein the control message is selected from a plurality of control messages and the system is selected from a plurality of systems depending upon one or more of the force position along the width and length and the corresponding force magnitude.
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Specification